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When Bronny James steps onto the court as a teammate of his father, NBA legend LeBron James, he has to remember one critical rule: He cannot call LeBron “Dad.”
The Rule
LeBron James has made it clear that his son, Bronny, must adhere to professional decorum while they are both in the NBA setting. “No, he can’t. We already laid that down,” James said. “He cannot call me ‘Dad’ in the workplace, all right? Once we leave out of the practice facility and the gates close, I can be ‘Dad’ again. In the car, at home, I can be ‘Dad.’ But no, at work he has to call me like ‘2-3’ or ‘Bron.'”
Why the Rule?
On the court, the dynamic between Bronny and LeBron needs to mirror the professional relationships between other teammates. This environment ensures clear communication and reduces any potential distractions. As LeBron put it, “We cannot be running down the court, and he be like ‘Dad, push the ball up! Dad, I’m open! Dad, come on!’ No, you cannot do that.”
Adjustments for Bronny
While LeBron has been calling his son “Bronny” for years, the adjustment may be more challenging for Bronny, who has to remember not to call his father “Dad” during practice and games.
Alternative Names
If calling LeBron by his jersey number or his first name seems too formal, there’s another option. LeBron humorously offered that Bronny could call him “GOAT,” which stands for Greatest Of All Time, adding some light-heartedness to the rule.
Conclusion
James is about to kick off his 22nd season in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers. In addition, he just signed a two-year deal worth a whopping $104 million. Furthermore, the contract includes a player option for the 2025-26 season, as well as a no-trade clause. Clearly, this is a major commitment!
Meanwhile, Bronny’s got a sweet four-year deal lined up for $7.9 million, with the team holding an option for that last year. Exciting times ahead for both of them!
