There’s only a select few players in the league’s history that have dominated the game as long as LeBron James has. He was drafted in the elite 2003 Draft class and has spent over eighteen years in the league. Sunday night’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies was a good reminder that he has been in the league for a very long time.
LeBron Played Against Memphis Grizzlies rookie Ziaire Williams
Ziaire Williams was the 10th overall pick in this year’s draft as he was Stanford’s highest-rated recruit since Brook Lopez. He was the highest Cardinal draft pick in more than a decade. Williams was acquired by the Memphis Grizzlies on draft day with a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans along with Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe, and picks in exchange for Jonas Valanciunas and 2021 draft picks.
Before heading to Stanford, Williams played for one of the top high school programs in the country, Sierra Canyon High School. This is also where Lebron James’ son Bronny plays. It might be a little odd that LeBron James is playing against one of his son’s teammates as he played a game-high of 40 minutes.
After the game ended, LeBron told reporters “Just remembering a year and a half ago, two years, not even a full two years, he was hitting a game-winner to send them to the state championship alongside my son, and going to the game and supporting Sierra Canyon, and one year at Stanford and now he’s here.” James spent a little over two minutes as Williams’ primary defender.
Williams did not record a shot or turnover that short span, but he finished the game with three points and three assists across 18 minutes of playing time on 1-6 shooting from the field.
During the offseason, Williams stated that it would be a crazy experience in the offseason. LeBron had 19 points, six rebounds, 6 assists, two steals, and two blocks against the Grizzlies which is a decent game for LeBron’s career averages.
LeBron James is Most Likely Going to be in the League for a Few More Years
LeBron James will be 37 years old before the year ends, and he has always alluded to the desire of playing with his son Bronny in the NBA. If Bronny ever gets his opportunity to enter the draft, he will most likely be allowed to make the jump straight to the NBA by forgoing college and won’t need to play overseas or the G-League Ignite.
Before LeBron gets to do so, he will have to get used to playing against Bronny’s former high school teammates. Brandon Boston Jr. who played his college ball at Kentucky was a second-round draft in this year’s draft. Boston plays for the rival Los Angeles Clippers as they are set to play on December 3rd.
There will most likely be more in the next coming years as Sierra Canyon has a solid number of solid prospects in their program. Zaire Wade who is the son of star Dwyane Wade also played at Sierra Canyon and was recently selected Salt Lake City Stars of the G League as his father purchased an ownership stake in the Utah Jazz.
Bronny is currently 49th overall in ESPN’s top 60 recruits for the class of 2023. If LeBron doesn’t get the opportunity to share the court as teammates in the future, Bronny will most likely get the opportunity to play against him as long as he keeps improving his craft. If it was odd for James to play against Williams a couple of nights ago, imagine what it will be like when Bronny enters the league.
