In an unprecedented convergence of sports royalty, Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr., the first father-son duo to play together in Major League Baseball, will be in attendance at the Staples Center on Tuesday night. Their mission? To potentially bear witness to LeBron James and his son Bronny making their own slice of history as the first father-son teammates in the NBA.
The Griffeys’ presence adds an extra layer of anticipation to what is already a momentous occasion – the Los Angeles Lakers’ season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the potential NBA debut of LeBron’s heir apparent, Bronny James. Griffey Jr., a Hall of Famer in his own right, announced the news on MLB Network Radio, stating, “First father and son to play baseball, now first father and son to play basketball so it’s a big deal for my dad and I to be there. We made history, now we get to watch history.”
A Tale of Two Dynasties
The symmetry between the Griffeys’ baseball journey and the James’ basketball odyssey is striking. Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. made history when they took the field together for the Seattle Mariners in 1990, even hitting back-to-back home runs in a game against the Angels. Thirty years later, LeBron and Bronny are poised to mirror that feat on the hardwood.
The father-son dynamic is not new in the NBA – think Dell and Steph Curry, Rick and Brent Barry, or Joe and Kobe Bryant. But never before have a father and son taken the court as teammates. LeBron, entering his 22nd season, has made it clear that one of his final career goals is to share the court with Bronny. The Lakers’ selection of Bronny in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft made that dream a possibility.
The Anticipation Builds
While Lakers head coach JJ Redick has been coy about his lineup plans, the basketball world is abuzz with the prospect of witnessing history. LeBron and Bronny shared the court briefly during the preseason, offering a tantalizing glimpse of what could be. Bronny, for his part, seems to be relishing the moment. “It’s going to be insane,” the 20-year-old rookie said of the Griffeys’ planned attendance. “Only two families to do it, so it’s going to be a crazy experience, especially with what they’ve done.”
Nothing’s been finalized for anything yet.
– JJ Redick, Lakers head coach
The basketball world waits with bated breath. Will Tuesday night mark the beginning of a new chapter in the James family legacy? Will LeBron, in the twilight of his career, get to fulfill his dream of playing alongside his son? The Griffeys will be watching, along with millions of fans around the world, as the Lakers’ season unfolds and history, potentially, is made.
- LeBron James is entering his 22nd NBA season
- Bronny James was selected by the Lakers in the 2nd round of the 2024 NBA Draft
- Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. were MLB teammates in 1990-91 for the Seattle Mariners
- The Griffeys hit back-to-back home runs on Sept. 14, 1990
As the clock ticks down to tip-off, all eyes will be on the James duo and the Griffeys, two families united by the bond of sport and the pursuit of greatness. Regardless of the outcome, Tuesday night promises to be a celebration of the enduring power of family, legacy, and the magic of the games we love.
The father-son dynamic is not new in the NBA – think Dell and Steph Curry, Rick and Brent Barry, or Joe and Kobe Bryant. But never before have a father and son taken the court as teammates. LeBron, entering his 22nd season, has made it clear that one of his final career goals is to share the court with Bronny. The Lakers’ selection of Bronny in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft made that dream a possibility.
The Anticipation Builds
While Lakers head coach JJ Redick has been coy about his lineup plans, the basketball world is abuzz with the prospect of witnessing history. LeBron and Bronny shared the court briefly during the preseason, offering a tantalizing glimpse of what could be. Bronny, for his part, seems to be relishing the moment. “It’s going to be insane,” the 20-year-old rookie said of the Griffeys’ planned attendance. “Only two families to do it, so it’s going to be a crazy experience, especially with what they’ve done.”
Nothing’s been finalized for anything yet.
– JJ Redick, Lakers head coach
The basketball world waits with bated breath. Will Tuesday night mark the beginning of a new chapter in the James family legacy? Will LeBron, in the twilight of his career, get to fulfill his dream of playing alongside his son? The Griffeys will be watching, along with millions of fans around the world, as the Lakers’ season unfolds and history, potentially, is made.
- LeBron James is entering his 22nd NBA season
- Bronny James was selected by the Lakers in the 2nd round of the 2024 NBA Draft
- Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. were MLB teammates in 1990-91 for the Seattle Mariners
- The Griffeys hit back-to-back home runs on Sept. 14, 1990
As the clock ticks down to tip-off, all eyes will be on the James duo and the Griffeys, two families united by the bond of sport and the pursuit of greatness. Regardless of the outcome, Tuesday night promises to be a celebration of the enduring power of family, legacy, and the magic of the games we love.
