LeBron James casts a formidable shadow, one that few can step into. Earlier this year, the NBA's all-time leading scorer surpassed 40,000 points and participated in a record 20th All-Star game. On Tuesday, the 39-year-old achieved another milestone: he played alongside his son in the NBA. This makes Bronny James, a 20-year-old rookie with just three minutes of playtime against the Minnesota Timberwolves, a part of basketball history.
The event was highly anticipated – Nike even created a special ad where LeBron supposedly teased his new teammate – and it was indeed a sentimental moment, especially given Bronny's cardiac arrest during training last year. However, it was also the culmination of years of planning. The Lakers star had made his intentions clear when his son was still in high school: "My last year will be played with my son. Wherever Bronny is at, that's where I'll be." In June, the Lakers honored this by drafting Bronny in the second round on a four-year $7.9m contract, a significant investment for someone with an incomplete college record.
The sight of a parent playing alongside their child is heartwarming, and few begrudge the Jameses their moment. Watching from the stands were two baseball legends who understood the feeling: Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr., who played together for a season after Griffey Sr. was released by the Cincinnati Reds. They were outdone by ice hockey's Gordie Howe, who, at 45, came out of retirement to play with his sons Mark and Marty for the Houston Aeros.
We often see parents passing on their talents to their children, such as Liz and Eilish McColgan, Jos and Max Verstappen, or Peter and Kasper Schmeichel. While not always successful, when it works, it makes sense – a blend of athletic genes, supportive upbringing, and role modeling. Sporting dynasties rarely overlap due to biological and mathematical reasons. Andy Farrell and his son Owen never shared a pitch as professionals, despite both being on Saracens' books in 2008.
Professional football has examples of fathers coaching or commentating on their sons, but few have long enough careers to play alongside them. Hereford's Ian Bowyer and Gary Bowyer were the first father-son duo to play in the league since Alec and David Herd in 1951. Some sports, like equestrianism and cricket, have more inter-generational competition. Golf has surprisingly few father-son duos at the highest level, though Tiger Woods caddies for his son Charlie.
This weekend, Bianca and Cyra Webb will represent England at the Japan Karate Association World Championships in Takasaki. Bianca, 42, has trained with her 17-year-old daughter Cyra for years. This will be Bianca's final international competition, and Cyra's first. Fortunately, they compete in different categories, so there's no chance of a clash.
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