LeBron James On Playing With Bronny: ‘I Can Separate Dad From Teammate’

During an interview with Craig Melvin of TODAY, NBA legend LeBron James talked about playing with his son, Bronny James, on the Los Angeles Lakers. 

The Lakers drafted Bronny with the 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

LeBron and Bronny will become the first father-son duo to play in the NBA next season. 

“It’s going to work just like any one other of my teammates,” LeBron said. “I’m going to hold him accountable, and he should hold me accountable when I do things not right. I can separate dad from teammate. And, I think, as he continues to grow, and as he continues to learn, I hope he’s able to separate son from teammate, as well.”

The Lakers signed Bronny to a four-year, $7.9 million contract. Bronny will spend most of the 2024-25 season with the Lakers’ G League team after sharing the court with his dad during the first week of the regular season.

“We have one common goal on the floor, and that’s to win that game and get better every day,” LeBron said. “So, you know, for me, I probably will hold him at a higher standard because I want him to be great. I want him to be as great as he can be.

“But at the end of the day, it won’t be no shortcuts, that’s for sure. I don’t hold anybody to shortcut standard when it comes to the game of basketball and somebody being around me on a day-to-day basis.”

Bronny suffered a cardiac arrest last year. He fully recovered and played for USC this past college season, averaging 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.2 blocks while shooting 36.6% from the field, 26.7% from beyond the arc and 67.6% from the free-throw line.  

“It’s probably, when it comes to basketball, it’s the greatest accomplishment I’ve ever had,” LeBron said. “I’ve done it all as an individual, but there’s no greater accomplishment that will be able to overtake me being able to be on the same floor as my son. It’s the greatest thing that’s ever happened.”