With 4 minutes remaining in the second quarter, JJ Redick sent across a signal. LeBron James instilled the importance of ‘playing hard’ to his elder son, Bronny James. And just like that, his dream became reality. As a father-son tandem, the NBA’s very first in history stood together at the scorer’s table, the entire crowd anticipated what would unfold in front of their eyes would be history. Their roars adorned the moment, as the James teammates checked into the game for the first time.
Fittingly so, Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr, the MLB’s first such duo, watched on. As the 2 pairs lined up, Nike commemorated the moment, dubbing it, “two dynasties, one court.” The moment was bigger than just a father’s longtime dream of playing with his son come true.
“This is a family business,” as Nike, a sporting apparel co. with a market cap of $121.19 billion, pointed out. The entire clan, including the King’s daughter Zhuri, who is celebrating her 10th birthday, sat courtside. Bryce, the young heir, had his phone out, nodding gleefully. Mama Savannah looked too busy trying to process the magnitude of the moment.
Their partnership on the court didn’t last long. Bronny James only played a little over a minute or two. It included pressurizing Anthony Edwards, the Wolves‘ scorching scorer, to miss one shot and missing a three from a pass from the Akron Hammer.
Still, this won’t be the only time the duo may find some time together on the floor. Going into the half, the historic moment isn’t the only auspicious takeaway from JJ Redick’s regular season coaching debut. To many’s possible surprise, the Purple and Gold are in command of their season opener looking to vanquish last year’s conference finalists, the Minnesota Timberwolves.
JJ Redick is spinning a strong web with the Lakers
The pressure had to be fully bestowed upon JJ Redick. He took over as the head coach of a legacy franchise as his first-ever head coaching stint. In recent memory, it is unheard of. However, his radiating energy and optimism seemed inescapable. From the time of taking the helm, his philosophies have empowered players around him. Among his approach is to improve every single day.
Preseason wasn’t all flowery, yet his words, “If the Los Angeles Lakers on Day 1 get better every single day, I’m very confident that come April, we will be a championship-caliber team,” reverberated around the practice facility. Today served as the perfect exhibit of the unprecedented experiment.
Last season, the Lakers’ defense, which was uncoordinated, was playing with suffocating intensity. It has curtailed the Wolves to shoot just 39% from the field. Each defensive possession is marked by a high-tempo and thoughtful switching. Furthermore, their offensive rebounding, which was last in the league last year, has become the power tool behind their early lead tonight.
The team they are up against, though, embodies the characteristics that come with being a ‘Wolf’. Their pack stays together and can be ravaging once allowed to set into a rhythm. Redick so far hasn’t allowed that to happen. Offensively, off-ball movement and constant flow are common. The shots aren’t falling, especially from beyond the arc. Yet, the Lakers look to be in control, not indulging in hasty decisions.
There is a certain calmness on opening night, with Redick at the forefront. The players are motivated to simulate his schemes, which are refined each day at practice. Their start is commending. All that’s left is to get across the finish line. A win against the Wolves will fill the Lakers’ with great confidence and allow an ambitious momentum to set in.
Do you think they can succeed in this mission? Let us know your views in the comments below.
