Good news! The NBA season is officially underway, and we here at the offices of the ShaqFu Radio blog couldn’t be more excited. We know you are too. Who ya got for this year’s NBA Finals? Too soon? Give it some thought, and get back to us…
Of course with the start of the new season, that also meant it was Opening Night for our favorite NBA news and analysis program, TNT’s Inside the NBA. The crew of Enrie Johnson, our man Shaq, Sir Charles Barkley and Kenny “The Jet” Smith were back on the job. All is good with the world…at least basketball-wise. 
So as this year’s regular season games got underway, we saw something that’s never happened in the Association ever before. With all the crazy records and happenings of the past few years, that’s a hard thing to say, but it’s true. For the very first time, a father and son have played together on the same team, at the same time. When Bronny James stepped onto the floor alongside his father, LeBron, the duo made NBA history at the season opener. How cool is that? Will it last? Well…
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Now that history is made and in the books, the younger James is probably going be heading down to the NBA’s developmental “G League.” Both Shaq and Barkley talked about Bronny’s appearance in a Lakers uniform last night (as of this writing and posting date), and both said there’s plenty of work yet to be done for the young man to build his skills.
Before the game, Barkley gave his preview thoughts, saying, “Bronny is a prospect. Number one, I am glad he’s healthy.” If you didn’t hear the story, the young James suffered cardiac arrest in July 2023 and missed part of his freshman season at USC until he was cleared to play. Quite an interesting story, since Shaq’s son Shareef also has had heart issues in the past, and has also overcome his health challenges to take a shot at playing in the NBA.
In six preseason games with the Lakers, Bronny James averaged 4.2 points and 1.7 rebounds per contest. Not bad, but – according to Barkely – not quite ready for prime time. “I think he should be in the G League,” Barkley said. “He’s not ready to play in the NBA right now. He should be in the G League, because he’s not ready to play in the NBA first and foremost.”
James’ debut was short-lived. Three minutes after the crowd at Crypto.com Arena rose to its feet to witness the first time ever for a father and son to play together, Bronny left the game. The rookie missed two shots, but grabbed one rebound in the minimal playing time.
As for the actual game, the Lakers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves, 110-103. After the game, it was O’Neal’s turn to offer his perspective on the special night. “Great moment, great accomplishment,” Shaq said, adding, “Would have loved to see him play more. Now this [debut] is over. I think he focuses on getting better.”
To the question of if Bronny stays with the Lakers or moves to the G-League, Shaq also injected a strong dose of NBA realism, saying, “He’s not going to be in the starting lineup, he’s probably not going to be in the second lineup but if I’m him I’m working somehow to get some type of rotation to get some type of flow.”
O’Neal said yes, he’s got the name, but that’s certainly not enough. “Again, because of his last name we want him to be great but as LeBron said there are 450 of us [playing in the NBA] and there are only a few rookies that have came in and had a great impact immediately. [I’ve] known the kid a long time.”
Shaq summed it up this way: “He works hard, he’s willing to learn so I wish him well. But great accomplishment for the James family.”
What’s the future for young Bronny James? As we often say, only time will tell. He’s certainly got the DNA of one of the greatest to ever play the game. Will it serve him in the future? Stay tuned…