The dynamics of LeBron James and Bronny James playing together on the Los Angeles Lakers this season raise many questions, but one rule has already been set: no “Dad” on the court.
In an upcoming episode of The Shop, filmed in Paris during the Olympics, LeBron James made it clear that while he’s open to fatherhood outside the basketball arena, there will be no familial terms used during games or practices.
“We’ve already established that. He cannot call me ‘Dad’ in the workplace,” LeBron said. “Once we leave the practice facility and the gates close, I can be ‘Dad’ again.”
The Lakers selected Bronny with the 55th overall pick in the NBA Draft this summer, following his single season at USC. He signed a rare four-year, $7.9 million guaranteed contract for a second-round pick. During the Lakers’ Summer League in Las Vegas, Bronny had several games with double-digit scoring, though he struggled initially from three-point range.
LeBron has expressed his desire to play alongside his son before his own retirement. Their on-court debut together will make them the first father-son duo in NBA history to be teammates, and just the fourth in major American professional sports.
With new head coach JJ Redick taking over from Darvin Ham, it remains to be seen how Bronny will contribute to the Lakers and how he and his father will navigate their professional relationship.
As for the matter of address on the court, LeBron is prepared for the adjustment but emphasized that Bronny will need to adapt to the new professional environment.
“It’s easy for me,” LeBron said. “It’s going to be an adjustment for him. But we can’t have him running down the court saying, ‘Dad, push the ball up. Dad, I’m open! Dad!’ No, he cannot do that.”
