LeBron James admits to 'losing focus' while practicing with Bronny

Bronny is expected to spend a significant amount of the upcoming season in the G-League. His performances at the Summer League in Las Vegas raised many questions about his readiness to play in the NBA, with many assuming that the Lakers coaching staff would develop him slowly, meaning a heavy dose of G-League minutes as he rounds out his skillset.

"He had two pretty good games last two," Lakers summer league coach Dane Johnson said. "I think it's just going to help him going into the summer so we can work on different things with him. Just that confidence and knowing he can play at this level. It's still going to take a lot of time and a lot of reps."

Nevertheless, some within NBA circles expect Bronny to play a role in the Lakers' opening game of the season. That would allow LeBron and Bronny to share the court for the first time, giving LeBron the moment he's been waiting for and arguably why he's still in the league so close to his 40th birthday.

“He’s 100% playing in the opening game so they can have a moment together,” ESPN's Zach Lowe recently said on the Bill Simmons Podcast. “That’s going to happen, so they pass to each other or whatever it is.”

LeBron has been in the NBA long enough to know that Bronny faces an uphill battle for playing time. Late second-round picks rarely play in their first year in the league or at all. Furthermore, Bronny must accept that he's playing under new head coach JJ Redick, who has to balance winning and player development if he wants to keep his job. 

If the James duo can share brief yet meaningful moments and create lifelong memories, LeBron can retire knowing he has accomplished everything in what may be the greatest NBA career ever. This week gave him a glimpse, but he has an entire season to embrace that bittersweet reality.