LeBron James, the recently well-celebrated NBA superstar, is playing through his 22nd season in the league — er, with the LA Lakers. At 40 years old, James is still making people stand up and pay attention on the court. He is always looking forward and thinking about what’s next. Recently, James was asked about the possibility of staying in the NBA long enough to play alongside both of his sons—a prospect that is both enticing and challenging. At a recent game, James was joined by the important women in his life—his mother, wife, daughter—and his youngest son, Bryce. Their visit stirred some profound meditations on his friendship and collaboration with American basketball icon Michael Jordan.
James has maintained a long and successful career in the NBA, consistently striving to build a résumé that can stand alongside Jordan’s illustrious achievements. Jordan’s six championships and five MVP awards set a staggering gold standard. As a ten-time scoring champion, he was putting the bar higher for everyone, particularly for other players. Despite these comparisons, James acknowledges that his relationship with Jordan is unlikely to change while he remains an active player. James and his interviewing colleague hit it off. He admits to a “good healthy gap” in between, understanding that distance as a feature of the competitive environment.
James’ ambitions to someday play with both of his sons in the NBA only further the legacy. His eldest son, Bronny James, is already a star in the making on the league’s highest level. Bronny made his highly-anticipated Lakers debut on opening night, producing a hard-fought win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Bronny went through a serious health scare after collapsing during a practice in July, suffering a cardiac arrest from a congenital heart defect. After getting corrective surgery, he’s shown amazing bounce-back ability and maturity throughout his rookie season. LeBron James expresses immense pride in Bronny's progress and is particularly proud of his son's game.
At the same time, LeBron’s younger son Bryce is doing some impressive work of his own to build a basketball future. Fresh from winning a state championship, Bryce is committed to playing for the University of Arizona in the upcoming fall season. The future is looking bright for Bryce as he tries to continue the family legacy in the game of basketball.
Prior to the emergence of James, this debate was dominated by the two greatest players in NBA history: LeBron James and Michael Jordan. Their memorable embrace at halftime of the 2022 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland was a testament to their mutual respect and admiration. James knows that the debate between him and Jordan will continue despite the nature of their relationship. The competitive nature of sports sometimes prevents these relationships from developing.
Approaching 39 years old and entering his 21st season, LeBron James’ career longevity is one of the most pressing questions facing the league today. Carrying the torch alongside Bronny while they’re both sharing the stage with Bronny would make for a remarkable achievement. It would be a crowning moment in an already impressive career. At all times, James remains grounded in the here and now. He’s committed to piling on his accomplishments and continuing to be inspired by his family and the trailblazing icons who preceded him.
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