Lakers legend LeBron James revealed Wednesday that he and his son — and teammate — Bronny James have grown more distant now that Bronny no longer lives at home. After the Lakers’ win over the Utah Jazz on Nov. 18, the 40-year-old superstar told reporters, “He’s not a resident anymore, so we don’t talk as much.”
LeBron noted it has been “great to see and to watch” Bronny’s development, emphasizing his son is “still young, and still learning — still getting better with each and every rep.” He added, “I think he’s enjoying the process.”
With a smile, LeBron admitted Bronny has struck out on his own: “He has his own place … but he’s great.” He even called across the locker room, asking, “Bronny, how are you?”
The veteran said the shift in their daily communication began once Bronny moved into his own residence.
LeBron has also made clear that their bond changes when they’re at work. In previous comments, he said Bronny should not refer to him as “Dad” during games or practices. Instead, he suggested more work-appropriate monikers: “2-3,” “Bron,” or even “GOAT.”
He explained that maintaining a professional dynamic is part of how they operate as teammates.
Pressure, Defense, and Fatherhood
The elder James also defended Bronny amid growing media commentary and scrutiny. He described his son as resilient and indifferent to external criticism. “He doesn’t care,” LeBron told ESPN in a past interview, adding that Bronny handles pressure in a way that’s “the complete opposite of his dad.”
Their father-son relationship has not escaped public debate. LeBron previously confronted sports commentator Stephen A. Smith over remarks about Bronny’s role, framing the interaction not as two players clashing but “a parent” defending his child.
For LeBron, playing alongside his son is more than just a professional milestone — it’s deeply personal. He once reflected on growing up without his own father, calling the experience of sharing the court with Bronny “one of the greatest things” he could imagine.