The Los Angeles Lakers are the first team to have a father and son play for them at once. It’s a historic feat, for sure, but it’s also one that’s truly meaningful for LeBron and Bronny James.
LeBron James Sr. and LeBron James Jr. share more than a name and birthplace. They share a dream —to become NBA players —that many have had and few have made come true.
Lakers’ Bronny James Airs Anxieties Caused By Heart Condition
Their paths were very different.
The elder James was raised in an environment with rampant crime. He saw basketball not just as a game to play, but a way to escape poverty. Fortunately, he was a prodigious player at St. Vincent-St. Mary, drafted No. 1 overall straight out of high school.
The younger James has had a much more comfortable upbringing thanks to a father with a net worth of over a billion dollars. He may have been inspired and motivated to play basketball by his family, but under different circumstances. He plays purely for the love of the game. Yet, after experiencing cardiac arrest while practicing at USC last year, he’s faced serious adversity as well.
A New Normal
In an interview with Men’s Health’s Hanif Abdurraqib, Bronny spoke candidly about his health scare. For those that would’ve believed that the incident was behind him, at least from a physical perspective, his comments were sobering.
“I got real on top of my routines to get back to where I was. I had to do breathing exercises and stuff. It was a total reset,” James recalls. “I have to stay on top of my heart medications, and I got my heart pillow.”
Explaining the importance of his heart pillow, James reveals: “When I coughed, it used to hurt a little bit, but you get this pillow, and when you cough you just hold it so it doesn’t hurt.
“My days aren’t normal anymore,” the 20-year-old admits. “I still feel like I’m getting back, I’m getting back to where I was.”
No Time To Waste
After James left the ICU and underwent tests, it was determined that his cardiac arrest was likely caused by a congenital heart defect. However, it’s important to note that there are several different types of heart defects, and his exact condition hasn’t been revealed. With that being said, the young guard is being realistic about his future.
He knows that he has fewer assurances than many players, even if his dad is LeBron.
“It has been cool seeing Dad locked in for so long,” Bronny says. “It helps me to go in there and lock in and not waste any time, because you never know, especially with me. I got a situation I’m going through. I never know, so just making sure I don’t waste any time.”
He’s still trying to find his footing, saying that “the game hasn’t slowed down for me on this level yet.” Nonetheless, with a desire to develop efficiently, things may click for him sooner rather than later. Until then, he just has to remain affable and coachable, qualities that will help him have as long of a career as possible.
