After the dramatic game between France and Germany, LeBron James and Co. know exactly who they’ll have to beat in the gold medal game, but Serbia are in their way. Will that faze LeBron James? Injury and all, senior James is not ready to relinquish his grasp of his destiny, that too in front of his kids. Bercy Arena welcomed LeBron James along with his cavalry. Not on the court, but in the stands as Bronny and Bryce were among the numerous Team USA fans in attendance.

LeBron James was hit in the eye during the game against Brazil and that left a souvenir just above his left eyebrow. Now a bandaid is placed on the battle scar as it was nothing that could keep him down for the all-important semi-final. To cheer him further, his two sons were in the crowd and daddy James made sure to pay them a visit before taking the court. If he wasn’t pumped enough, LeBron made his way to his boys for a signature handshake before getting into the zone as Team USA started its showdown against Serbia. Out with the chalk throw, in with the handshakes.

Yes, there was no chalk throw today. The so-called pre-game ritual of LeBron was absent as he replaced that by dapping up with his sons in the front row. The cameras were quick to pan out towards the father-son action off-court, showing the cool moment. Bronny will soon share the spotlight on the court with his legendary father in the Lakers colors. Parker Richardson Whitfield, the daughter of Dondre Whitfield and Salli Richardson, accompanied the James brothers. This was the first time in a while LeBron ditched the chalk toss, a sight that has become synonymous with him over the years, for 21 years to be specific.

When did LeBron James start the ‘Chalk Toss’ routine?

The iconic chalk toss from LeBron James is one of the many iconic memories the 39-year-old has provided in his 21-year career. Before a game, he is often seen rubbing his hands in chalk and throwing it up in the air, looking upwards (eyes closed of course). Even during Team USA games, that was followed when Kevin Durant became a bystander. But when did it all begin?

To trace it back, we’ve to go back in time to Cleveland, in 2003. A rookie LeBron James started off the ritual in the Cavs colors. “I don’t remember the first time I started it but I felt the fans started to embrace it,” LeBron said in an interview on NBA’s official YouTube channel. The fans certainly embraced it as they started imitating the action in the crowd by throwing their hands up. No point in guessing that it was minus the chalk cause no one really wants to get thrown out from an NBA game for accidentally sprinkling chalk on someone’s face.

“I started to really set my mind and get focused on what was at task when I started to do it. On the road sometimes I get booed, so I love it. At home, they go crazy,” LeBron further added. Not doing the supposed pre-game ritual did not hurt him this time. Despite some flashpoints in the game, Team USA made a storming comeback in the final quarter to advance to the gold final of the Paris Olympics after beating Serbia 95-91. Would you like to see the ‘Chalk Toss’ make a return to the Paris Olympics final? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Before leaving, do watch the Dual Threat Show hosted by BG12 where Bulldogs’ Asia Avinger details her experience with Kobe Bryant, her WNBA ROTY picks, and more in the video below.