The five best fathers and sons to play in the NBA
Sometimes it’s just in the genes. Planet Sport gives you the best father and son duos to grace the NBA.
Many fathers and sons have played in the NBA, but no father-son duos have graced the court together as teammates...yet. We are looking at you LeBron and Bronny James.
Planet Sport digs through the NBA archives to pull out five of the all time best. Are the sons always better than the fathers?
Joe and Kobe Bryant
Joe was picked number 14 in 1975, with his offspring going one better in 1996 when the Charlotte Hornets drafted him at 13, only to instantly (and regrettably) trade him to the LA Lakers.
Young Kobe Bryant, with his father Joe, at a soccer match in Italy
— Kobe Highlights & Motivation (@kobehighlight) January 20, 2022
From Mirabello Stadium in Reggio Emilia (circa 1989) pic.twitter.com/3y69YgHJwP
Fun fact: Joe was nicknamed 'Jellybean' which led to Kobe's middle name, Bean.
Mychal and Klay Thompson
#DubNation guard @KlayThompson shares another championship with his father, former NBA player Mychal Thompson! #FathersDay pic.twitter.com/aS9nzHDefq
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2018
One of the best 3-and-D players of all time, Klay gets the work done on both ends of the floor.
Bill and Luke Walton
The first duo here where the father was the better of the two; Bill Walton is a legend of the game and enjoyed his most successful spell between 1977 and 1978 when he was a Portland Trail Blazer.
In this time, Walton won one of his two titles, was the NBA Finals MVP and league MVP, a two-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA (first and second team), two-time All-Defensive first team, as well as the rebounding and blocking leader.
Hall of Famer Bill Walton grinning ear to ear as his son, Lakers coach Luke Walton, does pregame interview... pic.twitter.com/zkqL2zdppf
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) December 25, 2018
Rick and Brent, Jon, Drew Barry
While none of his children hold a flame to him, Brent enjoyed the most success out of the three, winning two titles as he averaged 9.3 PPG as a solid three-point shooter.
Fun fact: Rick Barry married Pam Hale, the mother of the aforementioned trio. Pam's father, Bruce, also played in the NBA.
Dell and Steph, Seth Curry
Dell Curry had the historic game ball with him from Tuesday night! pic.twitter.com/D2pFAM5N3I
— NBA (@NBA) December 16, 2021
Fun fact: Seth Curry married Callie Rivers, who is the daughter of his former coach Doc Rivers and sister of his former college teammate Austin Rivers.