LeBron James went on to The Pat McAfee Show and had a long conversation about everything NBA.
While he majorly talked about his relationship with Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan, LeBron made it sour for Brian Windhorst and Stephen A. Smith.
After blasting Stephen A., James went on to talk ill about Windhorst. However, that did not go well, and he had to face a bit of backlash for his comments about the beloved NBA journalist.
Windhorst chose not to directly respond to LeBron’s comments about NBA media during an interview he gave after James criticized the coverage in the league. In his remarks, James expressed the view that NBA coverage has strayed from focusing on the core of basketball.
Windhorst, however, acknowledged that the media can sometimes be unbalanced and emphasized the importance of accountability from both players and the media.
“I think there are times that the media is out of balance, and I encourage NBA players to hold the media accountable when they can as long as they’re okay being held accountable by the media,” Windhorst said.
"There's room to hold each other accountable. But the finger-pointing, I don't think that benefits anybody." @WindhorstESPN on LeBron James' recent comments. pic.twitter.com/DKQ41e95fJ
— First Take (@FirstTake) March 27, 2025
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“I think at times our big challenge is to find that balance. Let’s not have 125 threes a game, but let’s not ban the three-pointer. Let’s have a balance. When people talk about the game of basketball, they want to talk about the drama, they want to talk about the X’s and O’s but I’m telling you if you do a full show, that’s all X’s and O’s, that’s not going to be any good either,” he added.
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LeBron James Faces Major Backlash For His Brian Windhorst Comment
During his interview on Pat McAfee’s show, LeBron James made remarks about Brian Windhorst that stirred controversy within the sports journalism community. James criticized Windhorst, a well-respected ESPN reporter who has covered his career since its very beginning.
“I see a lot of sh*t, though. Like I saw Brian Windhorst on one of these shows. This guy who says he’s like my f**king best friend. These guys are just weird,” LeBron said.
"This guy who says he's my f-cking best friend. These guys are just weird."
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 26, 2025
– LeBron on Brian Windhorst
(🎥 @PatMcAfeeShow / h/t @Underdog )
pic.twitter.com/6XHkCLGCGO
Windhorst, who has built a reputation for his insight into James’ career, began as a beat writer in Akron. Later, he became a prominent figure at ESPN after following James from Cleveland to Miami.
Many media personalities and fans expressed their disbelief regarding James’ comments.
The Athletic’s Andrew Marchard noted that Windhorst has never claimed to be James’ best friend, describing James’ remarks as “weak sauce.”
“Windhorst has never said that. He has covered LeBron for a long time. Weak sauce from LeBron,” he wrote.
Windhorst has never said that. He has covered LeBron for a long time. Weak sauce from LeBron. https://t.co/2yeBiacyqA
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) March 26, 2025
Furthermore, radio host Nick Wilson also expressed disappointment in James’ comments. He asserted that Windhorst has never presented himself in the manner James suggested, considering it classless behavior on James’ part.
