Basketball is heavily influenced by genetics. Athleticism, strength and most importantly height are crucial ingredients for an elite ball player. It also helps to grow up in a basketball environment. Spending time as a child at NBA team practices, courtside and Championship celebrations.
In the 72-year history of the NBA there’s been a long list of father-son/s who’ve left an impression on the game. Considering the dominance of the Golden State Warriors in recent years, here’s a 2018-vintage list of the five most impactful basketball families.
5. Mychal and Klay Thompson
Mychal Thompson was taken 1st pick in the 1978 NBA Draft and played strong bench minutes for the LA Lakers, riding to two championships with Kareem Abdul Jabaar.
Klay is already a two-time champion with the Golden State Warriors and one of the Splash Bros with Stephen Curry (we’ll mention his family in a moment). He scored 60 points in 29 minutes against Indiana last season, dribbling the ball only eight times. That’s never been done before.
4. Rick and Brent Barry
Rick Barry is one of the greatest players ever. Rookie of the Year in 1966 and NBA Finals MVP with the Golden State Warriors in 1974-75. He was a prolific scorer and enjoyed a long career as a commentator after his playing days.
Three of his sons played in the NBA: Brent, Jon and Drew. Brent is the only one I’m getting into here, as he won two titles with the San Antonio Spurs and the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 1996 while wearing his warmup jacket. Barry clinched it with an iconic dunk from the free throw line!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sS9hEXZkyJI
3. Bill and Luke Walton
Bill Walton is one of the great “what-if” players. Advanced stats for his early seasons are amongst the most dominant ever, before he was derailed by nagging injuries. He led the Portland Trailblazers to the title in 1976-77 over the Philadelphia 76ers in the Finals.
The following season in 1977-78, he was named MVP of the league despite missing the last 22 games after breaking his foot, having led the Blazers to a 50-10 record. He would later win another title with the Boston Celtics in the 1980s.
His son Luke Walton is currently the youngest NBA coach for the LA Lakers aged 37. He played nine seasons for the Lakers and won two championships, the same as his dad. Luke is highly regarded for his basketball IQ and was an impactful role player.
2. Dell, Stephen and Seth Curry
Dell Curry is underrated but scored 12,670 career points and is the leading scorer of the Charlotte Hornets franchise, which since moved to New Orleans, with 9839 points. He won Sixth Man Of The Year in 1993-94. His game featured an early form of the three-pointers his son Stephen has made iconic.
Stephen Curry is a two-time champion with the Golden State Warriors and a two-time recipient of NBA MVP, his second being the first ever unanimous vote. Stephen holds 4 of the top 5 season three-point totals, with 402, 324, 286 and 272. His teammate Klay Thompson holds fourth with 276.
Seth Curry is a starting shooting guard for the Dallas Mavericks, now in his third full regular season. While not approaching the abilities of his brother, Seth is a viable NBA player with years left in his career.
1. Joe ‘Jellybean’ and Kobe Bryant
Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant played seven seasons in the NBA from 1975 to 1983, before moving his family to Italy to continue his pro career in Europe. He’s since continued his career as a coach. Without a doubt, his greatest impact in basketball was via his son, Kobe.
Kobe Bryant retired last season after 20 years, winning five championships with the LA Lakers and ending at third for career scoring on 33,643 points, above Michael Jordan on 32,292 points. Considered a Top 10 player of all time, Kobe and Shaq won three straight titles from 2000 to 2002 before Kobe fought his way to win two more in 2009 and 2010.
The Bryants are NUMBER ONE on my NBA father and sons list. But there’s two upcoming talents that might take the crown in combination with their dads.
Can we talk about Shaq and Lebron’s sons joining the NBA?
Shaquille and Shareef O’Neal
Shaq won three NBA titles with the LA Lakers and one with Miami and is in the conversation for greatest all-time big man. Top 3 at least. The NBA appears set for the arrival of another O’Neal in his eldest son, Shareef.
Shareef is 18-years-old, standing 6 ft 9 in! He’s committed to play for the Arizona Wildcats next season and may declare for the NBA Draft as soon as 2019. A very exciting talent.
Lebron and Lebron James Jr
There’s a rumour that Lebron James is aiming to prolong his career to become the first ever NBA dad to play on the same team as his son. That could happen in around the year 2024.
Lebron James Jr is a talented 13-year old and this recent video shows his dad and NBA All Star Chris Paul sitting courtside. Damn it would be cool to be a young kid playing on the same team as James Jr.
