LeBron James seems to transition seamlessly from a ruthless competitor focused only on winning while out on the court to a loving parent off it. And James has truly evolved in the 23 years since making his NBA debut, with fatherhood also teaching him different lessons.
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Talking about fatherhood, the love James holds for his sons, Bronny and Bryce, is quite different than the one he has for his daughter, Zhuri. The King, in all likelihood, loves his children equally. However, being a girl dad is different, and James recently admitted that Zhuri’s birth in 2014 changed him.
Following the Lakers’ victory over the Warriors on Saturday night, LeBron was asked about his daughter. He credited her for the win, calling her “good luck“. The Lakers are 1-0 with her in attendance.
James then revealed how Zhuri has softened him. It leaves a question in our minds, though. Was James a different type of parent to Bronny and Bryce before that? “It’s special,” the 41-year-old said about being a girl dad.
“It’s definitely softened me up over the last 11 years. I had two boys to begin with, but getting a little girl 11 years ago, man, it has definitely softened me up, so it’s special to have her. It’s a different type of love, if anybody got girls and boys, it’s a different type of love,” the Lakers legend admitted.
James then revealed that he always showed “tough love” to his sons, which doesn’t come as a surprise, especially since both of them are looking to make a name for themselves in pro basketball.
“I yell at them and stuff, they take it, they know how to approach it. It’s different [with Zhuri]. It’s a bit [of] softness with my daughter, so,” James concluded.
Lebron on being a girl dad:
“It’s special. It’s definitely softened me up over the last 11 years” pic.twitter.com/MvmpWppXQv
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) March 1, 2026
Girl dads would relate this statement by James. But at the same time, if Zhuri ever decides to take up basketball and James becomes her first coach, some of that softness may disappear. He may not be as harsh on her as he was on Bronny or Bryce, but an element of strictness might creep in.
However, Zhuri has taken a liking to volleyball over the past few years. So while Bronny and Bryce may be focused on their hoop dreams, the youngest from the James clan may traverse a completely separate path.
For now, Zhuri is enjoying her childhood. Bronny is traveling across the country with his dad and the Lakers squad. And Bryce, at 18, is still in high school, focusing on developing before he decides to declare for the NBA Draft.
