Some parents pack lunches. LeBron James? He packs scouting reports. On Monday night at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, he did what any proud father with Hall of Fame credentials would do—coach his son in the middle of a live NBA Summer League game. No clipboards or whistles. Just that patented LeBron gaze and a few quiet, but very likely very precise, pointers aimed straight at Bronny James. Because when your dad is one of the greatest to ever touch a basketball, sideline advice hits a little different.

The moment was surreal. On the court: Bronny guarding Ryan Dunn, the Suns’ rookie generating early buzz. On the sidelines: LeBron James, standing and coaching in full Dad Mode. And if that wasn’t enough? His daughter, Zhuri, was also courtside, stealing the spotlight in between game breaks. At one point, it looked like she was running her own timeout huddle. The Lakers’ future might be in the hands of Bronny, but the sidelines? That’s all Zhuri. But this wasn’t just a James family hangout.

The Lakers inner circle pulled up in full force. Jared Vanderbilt. Jake LaRavia. Austin Reaves. Jaxson Hayes. Deandre Ayton. Oh, and the power duo of Rob Pelinka and JJ Redick? Yeah, they were seated nearby, watching closely. One could argue it was Bronny on the court, but the real evaluation might have been happening off it—in the gaze of every Lakers stakeholder who matters. And LeBron has made no secret of his desire to share the court with Bronny.

But what Monday night proved is that he’s already sharing the game. Guiding, teaching, challenging. And not just with Bronny. He’s been seen talking to other young Lakers, including Dalton Knecht, with the same intensity he brings to Game 7 huddles. Because when King James shows up, he doesn’t show up just to observe. He’s the kind of person who invests. Time, energy, advice, you name it. For Bronny, though, that presence is both a blessing and a microscope.

On one hand, you get the best tutor in basketball history. On the other hand, every movement is scrutinized under a spotlight his father created. But Bronny’s handling it with quiet focus. He’s not trying to be his dad. He’s trying to earn his own lane. That said, the Summer League outing wasn’t exactly perfect as he missed the first game itself.

LeBron’s coaching career starts with his son?

Bronny James still has to polish his offense and tighten his decision-making. But it was the energy, not the efficiency, that stood out. The kid plays hard. He defends. He listens. And perhaps most importantly, he responds. When LeBron spoke, Bronny not only nodded, but he also scored 17 points (team-high). The kid may be a rookie, but he’s been in the film room since birth.

That coach-on-the-court vibe LeBron James gives off? It matters. Especially now. The Los Angeles Lakers are in a unique transitional moment: blending a veteran core with a wave of youth. Having LeBron act as both player and mentor bridges that gap. Because he’s the one setting the tone, with his retirement reaching close, and him wanting changes in the way the game is played. And let’s not pretend this is just a dad thing.

LeBron mentoring Bronny? Expected. But LeBron guiding guys like Knecht? That’s a culture move. It signals to the younger Lakers: if you’re here to work, you’ve got the best in the business watching your back. At 40, LeBron is proving that legacy isn’t just about rings or points.

It’s about presence. Monday night in Vegas wasn’t about stats. It was about setting a standard. And judging by Bronny’s poise and Zhuri’s sass? The standard’s in good hands. Because when you grow up in the shadow of greatness, you can either run from it or learn how to own it. And right now? Bronny looks ready to do the latter, with LeBron coaching from the baseline, and the entire Lakers brass nodding along.