LeBron James says Bronny James can’t call him ‘dad’ at Lakers, but he has other options in mind

LeBron James has long said that one of his goals was to play alongside his son Bronny in the NBA. Now that it’s about to happen, he’s laid down some ground rules. Speaking on “The Shop,” a show he co-produces, the NBA legend said his son can’t call him “dad” while he’s on the court.

“No, he can’t do that; we’ve already decided that,” James said. “Once we get out of the practice facility, and the gates are closed, I can be ‘Dad’ again if we ride in the car together. At home, I can be ‘Dad.’ No, he has to call me ‘2-3’ or ‘Bron’ or ‘GOAT.’ [greatest of all time] If he wants to. It’s up to him. I mean, it’s up to him.”

This transition will be much easier for a father than for a son.

“It’s easy for me because I’ve been calling him ‘Bronny’ for so long,” James said. “It’s not like I’ve been saying, ‘Hey son, hey son.’ So it’s easy for me. He’s got to adapt.

“We can’t run down the court, and he’ll say, ‘Dad, push the ball up! Dad, I’m ready! Dad, come on!'”

Los Angeles has media day on Sept. 30 and training camp begins on Oct. 1. The Lakers begin their preseason on Oct. 4 against the Timberwolves and face Minnesota again in their regular-season opener on Oct. 22.