In a heartwarming moment that bridged generations, Bronny James, the rookie son of NBA legend LeBron James, scored his first points in the league during a special homecoming game in Cleveland. The crowd erupted in cheers as the 20-year-old, born in nearby Akron when his father was playing for the Cavaliers, made a shot reminiscent of his famous dad’s signature style.
The historic occasion took place during the Los Angeles Lakers’ 134-110 loss to the Cavaliers on Wednesday night. With LeBron on the bench due to a nagging cold, Bronny checked into the game with just over five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. The Cleveland fans, who had watched him grow up during LeBron’s 11 seasons with the Cavs, began chanting “We want Bronny!” in anticipation of witnessing the rookie’s debut in his birthplace.
A Special Moment for the James Family
As soon as Bronny touched the ball, the crowd cheered loudly, eagerly awaiting his first NBA basket. The moment finally arrived when the young guard drained a 14-foot shot from the left corner, a bucket that bore an uncanny resemblance to the countless shots his father had made during his illustrious career with the Cavaliers.
“To see him get his first NBA basket in this arena, where he grew up not too far away from here, that’s an unbelievable moment,” LeBron remarked after the game. “Unbelievable moment for him, and for our family it’s just pretty cool to be a part of it.”
For Bronny, the experience was surreal. “It was insane,” he said. “Much more than I anticipated for sure. It’s all love. It was a nice moment. The chants really got me.” Growing up, Bronny had spent countless hours in the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, running through hallways, riding elevators, and shooting on the practice court while his father played in games.
A Father-Son NBA Journey
The James family made history last week when LeBron and Bronny became the first father-son duo to play in an NBA game together. While Bronny didn’t score in that contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves, his performance in Cleveland more than made up for it.
Some have criticized the Lakers’ decision to draft Bronny, who was selected in the second round after playing one year at USC. However, Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson believes their story is one to celebrate. “It’s a beautiful story,” Atkinson said. “Two kids of my own, I can’t even imagine. I enjoy playing in the backyard with my son. To do it on an NBA court? Beautiful story. I love it. I think we should celebrate it.”
The Road Ahead for Bronny
After the Lakers conclude their current five-game road trip, Bronny is expected to join the club’s G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. While his path to NBA stardom may not be as straightforward as his father’s, Bronny’s debut performance in Cleveland has given fans a glimpse of the potential that runs in the James family.
As LeBron and Bronny sat side by side during the post-game press conference, they took a moment to reflect on the significance of the evening. “It’s definitely very humbling,” LeBron said. “We don’t take it for granted, every time we get to come back and either play the game that we love or just be home and just be in the community. It’s pretty cool.”
With Bronny’s NBA journey just beginning, basketball fans around the world will be eagerly watching to see how this second-generation star’s career unfolds. If his debut in Cleveland is any indication, the future looks bright for the young James as he strives to create his own legacy in the sport his father has dominated for so long.
