The path to greatness demands sacrifices. Not every day you will find a Kobe Bryant or a Muhammad Ali walking down the road. You also never find a LeBron James on every corner of the street. The status of a legend will always ask for compromises. LeBron James might live like a machine built for greatness, but even well-oiled engines need a little rattle—he’s confessed to the rare stumble from his health halo. Yet, the real shake-up comes not from a skipped rep or off-menu moment, but from the quiet storm that is Zhuri. And when you mix tenacity and longevity in the conversation, then there is a chance that you’ve got to let go of the things you love. Well, that’s what Bron had to do.

In year 22 of his NBA journey, the Akron Hammer is still making waves in the MVP conversation. Is a fifth crown on its way? Maybe and maybe not. That’s beside the point. What never fails to impress the fans is the fact that LeBron James has been around the league for so long that he has played with almost 35% of everyone who has ever played in the NBA. Most importantly, there are no secrets when it comes to the level of dedication James Sr. has in keeping himself healthy.

It’s the body that runs the show at 40. So, as we started with sacrifices, surely the Chosen One had his share of them. For example, controlling his taste buds. On the Mind The Game podcast, LeBron James revealed his commitment to maintaining a strict nutrition routine. Why? “When it comes to what I put in my body, it’s what I’m going to get out of, you know,” he told Steve Nash. However, he definitely has his “cheats”.

“I f—— love chocolate chip cookies and ice cream,” LeBron James confessed. “And since I love ice cream, I have to get, like, the dairy-free ice cream and the low-fat, you know, the non-gluten-free cookies. Like, I have to kind of cheat it that way. But I love it. That’s like my vice. I love it.” 

What’s the joy in eating ice cream that doesn’t contain dairy? Sadly, for Bron, his diet governs his cheat day. But, even in his strict routine, he finds his way out to relish his favorite choco-chip cookies and ice cream, even if they’re gluten-free and dairy-free.

But can he look away from Zhuri’s delectable collection of ice creams stacked in the freezer?

LeBron James may be a tad bit jealous of his daughter’s ice cream collection

Just because LeBron cannot have ice cream that isn’t dairy-free doesn’t mean his family can’t. Well, for his 10-year-old daughter, Zhuri, she has picked up her dad’s traits. The love for cold desserts seems to have passed down from Bron to his daughter. Meanwhile, James Sr. told Steve Nash, “You could go in my freezer, and there’s like three different cartons of ice cream in there.” But sadly, those ain’t for him.

“When my daughter goes in there, she gets her vanilla bean ice cream. It’s like extra creamery. I’ll be looking at it like, damn, that looks so good,” LeBron James shared. “Oh my goodness, that’s so good. And then mine over there is dairy-free and not all that. I’m like, ‘oh yeah, just give me…'” A tinge of green-eyed jealousy? Maybe, yes. For someone who loves ice cream, having a dairy-free one is nothing less than a nightmare. But, then, if playing for a few more years is the target, sacrifices become crucial.

In the end, greatness doesn’t always taste sweet. While Zhuri scoops up her creamy delights, LeBron James settles for the guilt-free versions—because legacy demands it. But hey, if trading dairy for dominance keeps him dunking at 40, it’s a fair deal. After all, even a king must sometimes bow to discipline. And maybe, just maybe, sneak a spoonful when no one’s looking.