Brian Windhorst Responds To LeBron James’ Petty Comments
Brian Windhorst Responds To LeBron James' Petty Comments
Brian Windhorst has taken a surprising turn in March 2025. During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, James made pointed comments about Windhorst, calling him “weird” and suggesting the reporter falsely portrays himself as James’ “best friend.”
This unexpected criticism has created waves across NBA media circles. Windhorst, who has covered James since his high school days in Akron, followed the star’s career from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Miami Heat and back to Cleveland before his move to the Lakers. The journalist built his career largely around his insights into James’ career trajectory.
When given the opportunity to respond on ESPN’s First Take, Windhorst took a measured approach. Rather than addressing the personal comments directly, he spoke broadly about media accountability in NBA coverage. “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 stated.
The ESPN analyst further emphasized the need for balance in basketball coverage:
- Analysis of gameplay and strategy
- Discussion of NBA drama and personalities
- Fair accountability between players and media
Media figures quickly came to Windhorst’s defense. The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand rejected James’ characterization, tweeting: “Windhorst has never said that. He has covered LeBron for a long time. Weak sauce from LeBron.”
James’ comments came within a broader critique of NBA media coverage. The Lakers star expressed frustration that reporting has strayed from basketball fundamentals toward sensationalism. This perspective aligns with his earlier criticism of Stephen A. Smith during the same interview.
Throughout his career, Windhorst has maintained a professional demeanor in his coverage of James, balancing insider knowledge with journalistic integrity. His response to James’ comments continues this approach, avoiding direct confrontation while acknowledging the importance of mutual respect between players and media.
NBA fans have largely expressed surprise at James’ comments, noting Windhorst’s reputation for fair coverage. The timing is particularly interesting as James continues his remarkable 22nd NBA season, still performing at an elite level despite being the league’s oldest active player.
The tension highlights the complex relationship between star athletes and the journalists who cover them. Windhorst’s career trajectory has been uniquely intertwined with James’ journey from Cleveland to Miami, back to Cleveland, and finally to Los Angeles with the Lakers.
For Eastern Conference teams preparing for potential playoff matchups against the Lakers, this off-court drama might seem like a distraction. However, James has historically performed well despite media scrutiny, winning championships with three different franchises while under constant media attention.
This public disagreement represents a significant shift in what many perceived as a mutually beneficial professional relationship built over two decades of coverage.
A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
