Los Angeles Lakers star Lebron James says the prospect of
playing with his eldest son Bronny has given him "a lot of life".
James is embarking upon a record-equalling 22nd season in
the NBA and is set to make history by taking to the court with Bronny, 19, who
was drafted by the Lakers with the 55th pick in June.
The 39-year-old comes into the season on the back of having
helped Team USA to win gold at the Olympic Games in Paris over the summer.
But he has an extra motivation this year, saying that he is
revitalised by playing alongside one of his children.
"It's a lot of excitement, a pure joy, to be able to
come to work every day, put in hard work with your son every day and be able to
see him continue to grow," James said at the Lakers media day.
"We push each other. He pushes me. I push him. We push
our team-mates, and vice versa.
"So it's just a very joyous moment not only for myself,
but for our family. So it's pretty awesome. Gives you a lot of life."
James, who turns 40 in December, also spoke of how playing
with fellow NBA greats such as Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry at the Olympics
had helped to reinvigorate him.
"When you're with 11 other unbelievable, great talents,
some of the best talent we've ever seen, it gives you a lot of joy to be able
to play the game, play it at a high level," he said.
"For myself individually, to go out there at my age,
the miles that I have, and to be able to play at the level I played at, it gave
me like, 'Okay, I do have a lot in the tank, a lot, and I can help a big part
of a team win the ultimate.
"It felt damn good to play meaningful basketball at the
highest level.
"So to have that feeling again where you're playing
like meaningful basketball, every possession means something - if you make a
mistake it burns you. That was good to relive that moment."
The NBA season begins on 22 October, with the Lakers in
action against the Minnesota Timberwolves after champions the Boston Celtics
face the New York Knicks.
