Latest news with #Windhorst
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Why LeBron James Is Calling Out ESPN's Brian Windhorst - Inside the NBA's Strangest Feud
LeBron James (Image via Getty Images) LeBron James and Brian Windhorst have a complicated history, and their recent public exchanges have brought their strained relationship into the spotlight. The Lakers star has taken shots at the ESPN reporter, calling him "weird" and dismissing his claims about their past connection. Here's what's behind their feud and why it's heating up now. How LeBron James and Brian Windhorst first crossed paths LeBron James and Brian Windhorst go way back—all the way to LeBron's high school days in Akron, Ohio. Windhorst covered local sports for the *Akron Beacon Journal*, where he first reported on the future NBA superstar. Both attended St. Vincent-St. Mary's High School and grew up on the west side of Akron. Their connection even extended to Windhorst's mother, who taught sex education to both of them. For years, Brian Windhorst was one of the few reporters with close access to LeBron James. He was reportedly the only journalist allowed to speak with LeBron when his then-girlfriend was about to give birth to their son, Bronny. But as James' fame grew, their relationship shifted, with the natural divide between athlete and reporter becoming more pronounced. What sparked the recent tension between LeBron and Windhorst? The feud became public when LeBron James appeared on The Pat McAfee Show and took aim at Windhorst. He mocked the reporter's claims of being close to him and criticized his analysis of James' Nike deal, which Windhorst suggested was influenced by Michael Jordan . 'I see Brian Windhorst on one of these shows not too long ago. The guy who says he's like my (expletive) best friend,' James said. 'These guys… it's weird.' Windhorst responded by clarifying their relationship, stating, 'LeBron doesn't owe me anything, I owe him a lot. Just know, I met LeBron 25 years ago. And my understanding of LeBron and where people stand in his life has been crystal clear.' (H/t Sporting News) The latest escalation in their feud The conflict took another turn when James' podcast, *Mind the Game*, used a clip of Windhorst from *First Take* in a promotional video. The clip appeared to show Windhorst dismissing the idea of a basketball show focused on X's and O's, though the context wasn't entirely clear. James reposted the edited clip, adding fuel to the fire. Also read: Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry surprises son Canon Curry with Mr. Beast video call in heartwarming moment With both men entrenched in their positions, the back-and-forth shows no signs of stopping. Windhorst continues covering the NBA, while LeBron James remains one of the league's most outspoken stars. Whether this feud fades or escalates further remains to be seen, but for now, it's one of the more unusual conflicts in sports media.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
LeBron James Takes Another Shot at Brian Windhorst on Tuesday
LeBron James Takes Another Shot at Brian Windhorst on Tuesday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James' beef with Brian Windhorst continued on Tuesday when the leading scorer in NBA history took another shot at the ESPN insider. Advertisement When James was on "The Pat McAfee Show" in March, the basketball icon took a shot at Windhorst by saying, "This guy who says he's like my (expletive) best friend. These guys are just weird.' James told McAfee that he wasn't happy with how the NBA was being covered, which is why he and JJ Redick started the "Mind the Game" podcast last year. A day after James went on "The Pat McAfee Show," Windhorst said on "First Take" that James' podcast wouldn't draw a huge audience because fans like drama over Xs and Os. Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron JamesTrevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images "Mind the Game" has over 71,000 followers on X and over 760,000 subscribers on YouTube. Advertisement On Tuesday, the "Mind the Game" X account posted a video of Windhorst's comments from March, followed by fans commenting how much they adore the podcast. James, 40, then quoted the post by saying, "Long ways from being done!! Sucks they have to listen to 2 guys who know nothing about basketball talk about basketball! Sorry Steve Nash." The "Mind the Game" podcast has been a huge success thus far. Redick coaches James on the Lakers, so Nash is now part of the show. It has certainly been strange to see James beef with Windhorst, especially considering that the future Hall of Famer has taken the high road for the majority of his career. Advertisement James is clearly upset that Windhorst didn't think his podcast would do well. Since "Mind the Game" is doing great, James is gloating. Related: LeBron James' Podcast Trolls Brian Windhorst's Failed Prediction After Recent Success This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
LeBron James' Podcast Trolls Brian Windhorst's Failed Prediction After Recent Success
LeBron James' Podcast Trolls Brian Windhorst's Failed Prediction After Recent Success originally appeared on Athlon Sports. On March 27, ESPN's Brian Windhorst said on "First Take" that LeBron James' podcast, "Mind the Game," wouldn't attract a huge audience. Advertisement The ESPN insider opined that fans like "drama" and don't care about X's and O's. "They want to talk the Xs and Os," Windhorst said. "But I'm telling you, if you do a full show that's all Xs and Os, that's not gonna be any good either. I mean, you'll have basketball coaches who want to do it. But if he sits down with Steve Nash and all he does is Xs and Os for an hour, people aren't gonna like that either. "Mind the Game" has over 71,000 followers on X and over 760,000 subscribers on YouTube. The first episode with JJ Redick, who now coaches James on the Los Angeles Lakers, had 4.3 million views. On Tuesday, the "Mind the Game" X account posted a video of Windhorst's comments from March 27, followed by fans commenting how much they love the podcast. When James was on "The Pat McAfee Show" in March, the NBA legend took a shot at Windhorst by saying, "This guy who says he's like my (expletive) best friend. These guys are just weird.' Advertisement James told McAfee that he wasn't a fan of how the NBA was being covered, which is why he and Redick started the "Mind the Game" podcast last year. Nash, a two-time MVP and Hall of Famer, took over for Redick this year. The 40-year-old James went after Windhorst and Stephen A. Smith this year. He's clearly not afraid to call out pundits anymore. Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James© Soobum Im-Imagn Images James has a player option to return to the Lakers next season. He's expected to pick it up and play in his 23rd NBA season. James made the All-NBA Second Team this year. He's the oldest player in NBA history to make an All-NBA team. A four-time MVP, James averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists in 70 games this season while shooting 51.3% from the field, 37.6% from 3 and 78.2% from the foul line. Advertisement Related: Former LeBron James Teammate Delivers Verdict on GOAT Debate With Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Business
- Newsweek
LeBron James' Podcast Calls Out Brian Windhorst in Shocking Post
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Los Angeles Lakers superstar forward LeBron James will always be at the forefront of things. This summer is no different as his future in the NBA hangs in the balance. While the expectation is that he will return for his 23rd season, nothing has been official yet. In the meantime, James is focused on his podcast "Mind the Game" alongside his co-host, NBA Hall of Famer Steve Nash. The podcast was a huge hit when it was first released last year, featuring JJ Redick, and it remains just as popular now. The premise of the show is that James and Nash discuss and analyze the game of basketball, primarily in an "X's and O's" fashion. Many didn't believe a show like that could thrive, including ESPN's Brian Windhorst. LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers tosses the ball back during a 103-96 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Arena on... LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers tosses the ball back during a 103-96 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Arena on April 30, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. More Photo by"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. "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." "People like the drama," Windhorst added. "People like the rivalries and people like looking at why Luka Doncic has trouble defending Tyrese Haliburton in an iso situation. I think there's room for all of it. And there's room to hold each other accountable but the finger-pointing, I don't think that benefits anyone." The "Mind the Game" social media account took a massive shot at Windhorst regarding his comments above on Tuesday, releasing this post. And we're not done yet. — Mind the Game (@mindthegamepod) June 3, 2025 "Mind the Game" sets itself apart from typical sports podcasts by steering clear of gossip and drama, instead centering conversations around the game itself. While some, like Brian Windhorst, were skeptical about its potential, the debut episode proved otherwise — racking up over 1.3 million views on YouTube and drawing in 227,000 subscribers within just 24 hours. Their latest episode, featuring Lakers star Luka Doncic, has already garnered 1.6 million views in just two days. More NBA news: Knicks Shockingly Fire HC Tom Thibodeau Following Playoff Exit Knicks Release Statement on Sudden Firing of HC Tom Thibodeau Kevin Durant's Future in Phoenix Has Reportedly Been Decided For more Los Angeles Lakers and general NBA news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
NBA insider '98 percent sure' Kevin Durant won't return to Phoenix Suns as trade rumors heat up
Kevin Durant's days in Phoenix appear to be numbered as a top NBA insider believes it's nearly certain the 15-time All-Star won't be back with the Suns next season. ESPN's Brian Windhorst said Wednesday that he's almost completely certain KD will be playing basketball elsewhere for the 2025-26 season. Advertisement 'I'm like 98 percent sure he's not going to be a Sun next year,' Windhorst said. 'How it works out, though, I'm about 1 percent sure.' Several reports have surfaced that teams like the San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets, and Miami Heat could pursue Durant during the offseason. However, there are several factors in play: Durant will be 37 when the new season tips off He will be owed $54.7 million this season He will be a free agent following the 2025-26 season 'There's going to be a number of teams interested but some of it is going to depend on whether they see Durant as a player they keep on a one-year contract or if they want to give him a contract extension, which I suspect he's going to want,' Windhorst noted. Advertisement After reaching the Western Conference Semifinals when he was traded to the Suns in 2023, Durant and Phoenix were bounced in the first round in 2023-24 and failed to make the postseason this year. During his 17-year career, Durant has won two championships with the Golden State Warriors, won NBA Finals MVP twice, captured the 2013-14 NBA MVP award, and was voted the 2007-08 Rookie of the Year. Related Headlines
