The jokesters acted immediately when conjuring dad jokes about LeBron James and his son Bronny playing together. Before it got too late though, the King settled mattered. “[He] cannot call me dad in the workplace” were his resounding words. While it was humourous, it was also immensely important to keep their personal and professional aspiration in two different places. And who knows better than Jeanie Buss?

She was handed the Lakers kingdom by the effervescent and transcending Dr. Jerry Buss. Prior to it though, she would meticulously work beside her father, learning his secrets to keeping the Purple and Gold at its royal pedestal. And as far as she recalls, it was strictly business when it came to those moments.

“You know, I never had that conversation with LeBron or Bronny, but in business situations, I addressed my father as Dr. Buss. I wanted to keep that boundary clear because that helped us out — we weren’t bringing work home to the dinner table. So I think LeBron and Bronny are very prepared for this. And I’m excited just for them to have this opportunity,” she said in an LA Times interview.

Establishing such a relationship is going to be vital for the father-son pair. Remember, it’s never happened in NBA history. Furthermore, LeBron James understands how acting like a father could hamper his son’s development. Bronny James is a prospect that requires inputs, no matter how critical they might be. James, being a basketball savant understands he can’t fairly evaluate his Bronny with the constraints their relationship might pose.

In that sense, Jeanie Buss, having been in the place of the 19-year-old has experienced the brutal business virtues her father provided her. It doesn’t change the equation in any way. LeBron James will always be the father to Bronny. But in the NBA, a demanding league, he can’t be delicate.

In a dormant offseason, Jerry Buss’ lessons could come in handy again

As far as LeBron James can help Bronny, the NBA world has acknowledged the failures of the Lakers to do the same. No significant moves were made, apart from their draft selections. With the James-Davis window withering, it severely affects their placement in the chase for an 18th title.

Among the storms though, it’s important to stay calm. A lesson Jeanie Buss learned from her successful father.

That came when Jerry Buss attempted to teach her how to play poker. She couldn’t muster the composure to master it. But his words from back then have enabled her to make brave decisions that have elevated the Purple and Gold to glory. “His philosophy was that you have to be extremely patient playing poker. You have to wait for the cards, and he said, ‘most people can’t do it, they get anxious and they have to do it fast like they’re trying to create winning out of not having the right cards” she said while appearing on the Daddy Issues podcast.

The Lakers have a new coach with refreshing philosophies in JJ Redick. The former Sixers guard hasn’t established urgency to move the needle. Rather, it seems Redick wants to test out their utility while retaining the same roster. Furthermore, they have considerable time until the trade deadline to assess their position.

It’s still uncertain whether they are one star away from winning, or they are one strategy away from winning. This same roster had the Denver Nuggets pushed to the borders. Only their recklessness caused the defeat. At this moment, it might be vital to stay patient and calculate exactly what the franchise is lacking.

From her prior moves, especially the one made for Anthony Davis, it should be clear that Jeanie Buss doesn’t fear being vivacious. If the time comes, she will surely pull the strings required.