During last week's showdown at Staples Center between the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James caught the ball on a fastbreak and threw down a sweet reverse dunk, perfectly imitating a jam that Kobe Bryant pulled off 19 years ago. On Monday night, video footage surfaced of LeBron's son Bronny smoothly mimicking his dad's, and Kobe's, moves during pre-game warm ups.
LeBron later revealed that his Kobe-inspired dunk wasn't premeditated, but he was extremely appreciative of NBA photographer Andrew D. Bernstein, who captured the now iconic photograph.
"I didn't really predetermine that either until I jumped," James said, per ESPN. "I just jumped and kind of figured it out, and then ... it's crazy how it's the same exact dunk, the same exact hoop that Kobe did [it on] -- what, 19 years ago or something like that? That was nice."
"When I saw it for the first time, I was like, 'Holy s---, that is an unbelievable photo,'" James said. "And then when I found out how it was taken: Andy literally had one snap on his remote to get that, and when I saw the video of it, when I was in the air, you can see the flash in the background. I was like, 'Oh, that is ... He's the real MVP, for sure.'"
As for his son's replica dunk, LeBron told reporters (H/T USA Today), “I was watching social media today, and my son did the same thing in his warmup. He didn’t do it in a game, but he kind of did the same dunk in his warmups today. So, Kobe — he’s in all of us right now.”
LeBron James Jr. Throws Down Thunderous Alley-Oop In Front Of LeBron: Watch
Bronny brings LeBron to his feet with impressive alley-oop finish.
LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers were originally scheduled to host the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night, but the game was rightfully postponed in the aftermath of Kobe Bryant's death. One of the best ways for LeBron to cope with the passing of Kobe was to go watch his son, LeBron James Jr., and the rest of the Sierra Canyon boy's basketball team. And they didn't disappoint.
As seen in the footage embedded below, Bronny threw down an impressive alley-oop off a baseline inbounds pass during the team's 83-57 victory over Campbell Hall.
Prior to the start of the game, players from Sierra Canyon wore Kobe & Gianna Bryant t-shirts, and both teams took shot clock violations immediately after tip-off as a further tribute to the Laker legend.
The Lakers are expected to return to the court on Friday night as they host the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center, in a game that will air on ESPN at 10:30pm ET. Needless to say it will be an incredibly emotional scene. LeBron posted the following message on his IG account on Monday.
"I’m Not Ready but here I go. Man I sitting here trying to write something for this post but every time I try I begin crying again just thinking about you, niece Gigi and the friendship/bond/brotherhood we had! I literally just heard your voice Sunday morning before I left Philly to head back to LA. Didn’t think for one bit in a million years that would be the last conversation we’d have. WTF!! I’m heartbroken and devastated my brother!! ?????. Man I love you big bro. My heart goes to Vanessa and the kids. I promise you I’ll continue your legacy man! You mean so much to us all here especially #LakerNation?? and it’s my responsibility to put this shit on my back and keep it going!! Please give me the strength from the heavens above and watch over me! I got US here! There’s so much more I want to say but just can’t right now because I can’t get through it! Until we meet again my brother!! #Mamba4Life❤️?? #Gigi4Life❤️??"
Young Fan Who Threw Orange Peel At LeBron James Jr. Apologizes: Watch
The kid who allegedly threw an orange peel at Bronny issues apology on YouTube.
LeBron James Jr. is just a freshman at Sierra Canyon High School but he has already become one of the most recognizable young basketball players on the planet. Being in the spotlight at such a young age, as his father LeBron James knows all too well, comes with swarms of fans and supporters as well as hecklers and haters.
During Monday's game at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, a fan in attendance threw what appeared to be a piece of food or trash at Bronny as he was inbounding the ball. Apparently, the culprit was a young boy who issued this apology on YouTube last night.
The description for that video reads:
"I’m sorry @james family for what I did , I’m a huge fan and I was just trying to get bronnys attention I didn’t want to hurt anyone, I was actually there at Springfield college during hoophall I’m not lying or trying to “get clout “ I was in the front area seats the people around me were not my parents my parents were sitting a couple seats away because I wanted to sit closer
I was calling out bronnys name and just wanted him to see me the security never threw me out they never knew it was me but my mom still took me home we knew I was wrong and it not a good thing to do , believe me or not I want to send out an apology to bronny because me and my family discussed it and knew it was the right thing to do"
Video footage of the incident quickly circulated on twitter, prompting the following response from LeBron himself, "Hating has no age limit! #JamesGang is build for it and well equipped. As we proceed."
