Lebron James says Bronny James won’t be able to call him dad when the father and son take to the court together for the LA Lakers.
The Lakers selected Bronny, son of the legendary NBA star, with the 55th overall pick in the second round of this year’s draft.
Though it is not quite clear how Bronny fits into the Lakers’ plans this year, playing alongside his 19-year-old is something Lebron has spoken about wanting to do for a while.
It begs the question of, if they do end up playing together this season, what Bronny should call his dad while on court and in the dressing room.
But Lebron says addressing him as dad is a complete non-starter.
“[He] cannot call me dad in the workplace,” LeBron said on an episode of The Shop.
Is @KingJames cool with Bronny calling him “Dad” on the court? 👀🏀#TheShop Live From Paris premieres this Thursday, 8/29 on our YouTube channel!
Presented by @Nike. pic.twitter.com/96Yh3TRYmn
— The Shop (@TheShopUN) August 27, 2024
“Once we leave out the private facility and the gates close, I could be dad again [and] in the car if we ride together, at home I could be dad,” LeBron said.
LeBron offered up some alternatives on what Bronny can call his father in basketball environments.
“He got to call me like ‘2-3’ or ‘Bron’ or, you know, ‘GOAT’ if he want to. It’s up to him,” LeBron said.
“It’s easy for me because I’ve been calling him Bronny for so long. It’s not like I’ve been calling him, ‘Hey, son, hey, son.’ So it’s easy for me. It’s going to be the adjustment for him.
“We cannot be running down the court, and he’d be like, ‘Dad, push the ball up! Dad, I’m open! Dad, come on!'”
The Lakers begin their season at home against the Minnesota Timber Wolves on October 22.