LeBron James taught new teammate Brandon Ingram a valuable lesson on Instagram

This offseason has been busy for the NBA. More than that, it’s been busy for its star player — LeBron James. The King has been quite busy actually – taking his talents to the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason, speaking out on social issues and prominently becoming a magnanimous figure in not only the sports world but the world in general, and by truly giving back to his community and opening a school that could redefine education for many. King James has done all of this in one summer. But somehow, he’s also found time to make sure a young stud on his new team understands protocol when it comes to apparel.

LeBron James had to check one of his new teammates, Brandon Ingram, but not "check" in the sense of basketball, you know, defensive techniques or anything like that, but on the kind of merch “Lil’ Bro”, as LeBron James calls him, was wearing.

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Via Business Insider

Potential rising star Brandon Ingram evidently was unaware of the branding change that took place in 2017 that warrants NBA players to wear the Nike brand when it comes to team athletics. LeBron James, being the most high profile of Nike ambassadors, promptly took to the comments section on Instagram to jokingly berate his new teammate.

James commented, “Lil bro Lakers apparel is Nike now you know that right?!?!”

The King’s quip was obviously done in jest and jokingly given, but still with non-fiction stipulations. Nike has indeed taken over for Adidas as the official provider of uniforms and all athletic apparel in regards to the NBA.

James response was to a picture that teammate Brandon Ingram posted on Instagram that showed him wearing an Adidas Los Angeles Lakers shirt as he trained. Granted, this photo and James' response are by no means an actual big deal, but it’s an interesting nuance for the young forward to not recognize the branding faux pas while at the same time the veteran and rumored life-time contract guarantee, James, to publicly correct his teammate. Indeed, we are in the age of branding – and it seems that not only will LeBron James be leading the Los Angeles Lakers team on the court this year as their perennial star player, but he will also be making sure that brand and business are in proper order as well. All hail King James!

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