Fans may insist Bronny James landed a spot on the Los Angeles Lakers because of nepotism, but his last name didn’t save him from rookie hazing.
James is “very likely” to make his NBA debut on Tuesday night when the Lakers open their season against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He and LeBron James would become the first father and son NBA teammates to ever play together. Bronny shouldn’t expect any special treatment from his father on or off the court.
Ahead of Tuesday’s game, LeBron posted a Nike ad of him pranking Bronny. The 39-year-old filled his son’s car with Fruity Pebbles and ran away when he heard the 20-year-old leaving the house.
“Hey rook, you better not be late,” LeBron told Bronny from his car.
“Yo, are you serious? Come on, man,” Bronny responded.
“Hey, clean up my driveway. It’s a mess,” LeBron answered.
Bronny told his dad he’s “too old for this” as LeBron rolled up his window and drove away.
Even though it was a commercial, most fans still got a kick out of the James family hijinks.
“This is great,” Jemele Hill wrote with laughing emojis.
“10/10 marketing. 10/10 dad jokes. 10/10 jealz and wish I too was a finding nepo baby,” a fan said.
“This would be hilarious if it happened organically,” ESPN’s Courtney Cronin said.
“People think he wanted his son on the team for basketball reasons but really he wants to haze the rookie without mercy & not worry about legal blow back,” a fan joked.
“Jokes on you,” a fan told LeBron. “He’s just gonna call his dad for a ride.”
It’s unclear if JJ Redick will play Bronny on Tuesday night, but the No. 55 pick should eventually get a chance to share the court with his dad.
“If it’s tonight or if it’s down the line, whenever it happens, it will happen,” LeBron said Tuesday, per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “But it’s been a treat, and just in preseason, the practices, just every day … just bringing him up to speed of what this professional life is all about and how to prepare every day as a professional.”
Tuesday’s game tips off at 10 p.m. ET on TNT.
Related: Report: Lakers Planning To Play Bronny James ‘Early’ Tuesday Night