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As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare for a historic season featuring the NBA's first father-son duo, LeBron James has established a crucial ground rule for his son and new teammate, Bronny James. The four-time NBA champion has made it clear that familial titles have no place on the hardwood.
In a recent episode of his talk show "The Shop," LeBron addressed the unique situation head-on. "He cannot call me dad in the workplace," James stated emphatically. This directive comes as the James family prepares to make history, with 19-year-old Bronny joining his father on the Lakers roster for the 2024-25 season.
LeBron, entering his 21st NBA season at age 39, elaborated on the workplace boundaries: "We cannot be running down the court, and he'd be like, 'Dad, push the ball up! Dad, I'm open!'" Instead, the NBA's all-time leading scorer suggested alternative monikers for his son to use, including "2-3" (referencing his jersey number), "Bron," or even "GOAT" - a playful nod to his status as one of basketball's greatest players.
The elder James acknowledged that while the adjustment might come easily to him, it could prove more challenging for Bronny. "It's easy for me 'cause I've been calling him Bronny for so long," LeBron explained. "It's gonna be an adjustment for him."
This professional boundary-setting comes after years of LeBron expressing his desire to play alongside his eldest son before retiring from the NBA. That dream became a reality when the Lakers selected Bronny with the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. The rookie signed a four-year contract potentially worth $8 million, while LeBron inked a two-year extension featuring a no-trade clause.
Despite the workplace formalities, LeBron hasn't shied away from expressing his pride in this unprecedented father-son partnership. In a July interview on NBC's Today show, he called Bronny joining the Lakers "the greatest accomplishment that I've ever had," adding, "There's no greater accomplishment that will be able to overtake me being on the same floor as my son."
The James family's NBA journey officially begins on October 22nd when the 2024-25 season tips off. Basketball fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how this unique dynamic unfolds both on and off the court. While LeBron aims to maintain a professional environment during games and practices, he clarified that once they leave the facility, he's back to being "Dad" in the car and at home.
The NBA world eagerly anticipates how the James duo will balance their personal relationship with their professional responsibilities. LeBron's "no Dad on the court" rule sets a clear precedent, emphasizing that when it comes to basketball, they're teammates first and family second.
