The saga of LeBron “The King” James has largely been epic; even storybook in nature. He was one of the last greats to make the transition from high school to the NBA. Not only did he make it in the NBA, but he forged a career that has him deemed by many to be the greatest to ever do it. As he is poised to begin his 21st year in The League, his teams, three different franchises, have won four NBA Titles, he has won 4 League MVPs, and this past season, he eclipsed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s All-Time Leading Scorer.
There is little left for LeBron to accomplish, in terms of burnishing his career. However, he has spoken fondly in recent years about the prospect of playing long enough to share the court with his son Bronny (LeBron Raymone James, Jr.), for at least a year. After a tough playoff loss this past season, Lebron momentarily expressed uncertainty about his playing future. After losing to the eventual NBA Champion Denver Nuggets in the Conference Finals, The King voiced the possibility of retiring. Most insiders doubted he would really retire, as that would conceivably deny him the opportunity to play with Bronny.
On Monday, Bronny, a rising freshman, anticipated to be a one and done prospect, suffered cardiac arrest during basketball practice at the University of Southern California where he is matriculating. USC medical staff treated him and transported him to the hospital. By yesterday, he was in stable condition, and out of ICU.
The James family issued a prepared statement:
“We ask for respect and privacy for the James family, and we will update media when there is more information.
“LeBron and Savannah wish to publicly send their deepest thanks and appreciation to the USC medical and athletic staff for their incredible work and dedication to the safety of their athletes.”
Bronny is 18, and an incoming freshman for USC’s basketball team. He is a 2023 graduate of Sierra Canyon High School in Los Angeles, where at 6-foot-3, he was rated a 4-star recruit, and excelled in the prestigious McDonald’s All-American Game this past March. As a senior, he averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.7 steals. He chose Southern Cal over Ohio State University, and the University of Oregon.
In 2022, James told the Athletic, “Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It’s not about the money at that point.”
Just two weeks ago at the ESPY Awards, LeBron stood on stage with his family, wife Savannah, sons Bronny and Bryce, and daughter Zhuri, who he described as the “greatest blessing in my life.” Of his sons, he said, ”I’m so proud of these two men standing right behind me tonight. See, they’re on their own basketball journey. And no matter how far they choose to go, they’re not cheating this game. And that inspires me.”
Bronny’s experience harkens back to January 2, when Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest during a Monday Night Football Game between his Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals, when he collapsed after an open field tackle against a Bengals wide receiver. It’s another reminder that the games we enjoy so much carry risks that we seldom consider.
Hamlin was cleared to return to action this past April. It’s too early to tell whether Bronny’s fate will be as promising. There are batteries of tests that must be taken and evaluated to determine the root cause of his medical event. Meanwhile, LeBron’s dream of playing alongside Bronny is on hold, at least temporarily, as his health, safety, and full recovery take center stage.
On the question of the GOAT, people who know me are fully apprised that I’m Team Jordan. But for the purposes of this post, it is my sincere hope that as Bronny recuperates, we can put our allegiances to the side, and all be, Team James. “Prayers For A Prince!”
I’m done; holla back!
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A new post is published each Wednesday. For more detailed information on a variety of aspects relating to this post, consult the links below:
https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/25/sport/bronny-james-cardiac-arrest/index.html
http://thesphinxofcharlotte.blogspot.com/2023/07/prayers-for-prince.html
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