Take A Look At 9 Father-Son Duos LeBron James Has Played Against In His NBA Career

LeBron James is in his amazing 20th season of play in the NBA. James is still playing at a high level at the age of 38 and is having an outstanding season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

LeBron was informed by Jabari Smith Jr. during Monday night’s game against the Houston Rockets that the Lakers star had faced off against his father earlier in his career. James played in his first-ever game as a professional basketball player against Jabari Smith Sr.

The four-time MVP has faced up against both a father and a son on other occasions as well. We will list every previous father-son combination that the Lakers forward has faced.

LeBron James Has Played Against 9 Father-Son Duos In His NBA Career

Rick Brunson & Jalen Brunson

First meeting between LeBron James and Rick Brunson: Dec. 20, 2003

Most recent meeting between LeBron James and Jalen Brunson: March 1, 2022

Rick Brunson and James had six encounters between 2003 and 2006. The first time Jalen Brunson and James faced off was in 2018, and their tenth encounter is scheduled for late January.

Adrian Griffin & AJ Griffin

First meeting between LeBron James and Adrian Griffin: Feb. 25, 2004

Most recent meeting between LeBron James and AJ Griffin: Jan. 6, 2023

James and Adrian Griffin worked together for five seasons during which time they had six encounters. In a matter of a week, AJ Griffin, a rookie during James’ 20th season, faced off against LeBron twice.

Kenyon Martin & KJ Martin

First meeting between LeBron James and Kenyon Martin: Jan. 2, 2004

Most recent meeting between LeBron James and KJ Martin: Jan. 16, 2023

Three years before James was chosen first overall in 2003, Kenyon Martin was the first choice. After 17 years had passed, KJ Martin was a rookie facing off against James.

Bonus: When Bronny James started at Sierra Canyon High School as an eighth grader, KJ was a senior.

Gary Payton & Gary Payton II

First meeting between LeBron James and Gary Payton: Jan. 12, 2004

Most recent meeting between LeBron James and Gary Payton II: Feb. 12, 2022

Before the Hall of Famer retired in 2007, James and Gary Payton shared four seasons of their respective careers. Although Gary Payton II entered the NBA in 2017, it took him more than four years before they first shared the court.

Glenn Robinson & Glenn Robinson III

First meeting between LeBron James and Glenn Robinson: Dec. 19, 2003

Most recent meeting between LeBron James and Glenn Robinson III: March 3, 2020

Glenn Robinson and James first crossed paths when James, then 18 years old, scored 36 points in a victory over the 76ers. Eight meetings have taken place between James and Glenn Robinson III, with the most recent one occurring in 2020.

Jabari Smith & Jabari Smith Jr.

First meeting between LeBron James and Jabari Smith: Dec. 22, 2004

Most recent meeting between LeBron James and Jabari Smith Jr.: Jan. 16, 2023

Jabari Smith met James three times while a member of the Nets during the course of his five-year tenure. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2023, Jabari Smith Jr., the third-overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, faced James for the first time.

Gary Trent & Gary Trent Jr.

First meeting between LeBron James and Gary Trent: Nov. 21, 2003

Most recent meeting between LeBron James and Gary Trent Jr.: March 18, 2022

Gary Trent’s final NBA season coincided with LeBron James’ debut season, allowing for two meetings in the 2003–04 campaign. After 15 years, James first confronted Gary Trent Jr., who he also encountered in the 2020 NBA Playoffs.

Samaki Walker & Jabari Walker

First meeting between LeBron James and Samaki Walker: April 9, 2004

Most recent meeting between LeBron James and Jabari Walker: Nov. 30, 2022

Over the course of three seasons, Samaki Walker and James had five encounters. Jabari Walker faced James for the first time on November 30, 2022, when LeBron scored 31 points in a victory over the Trail Blazers.

 

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