LeBron James Takes a Shot at ESPN’s Brian Windhorst on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’

LeBron James isn’t one to hold back, and his recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show proved that once again. The NBA superstar took a playful but pointed jab at ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, a reporter who has covered him since his high school days.

The comment, which quickly made waves on social media, highlighted LeBron’s frustration with certain narratives that Windhorst has built around him over the years. While the two have a long history, James made it clear that he doesn’t necessarily see the relationship the same way Windhorst does.

LeBron Calls Out Windhorst’s ‘Best Friend’ Claim

During the interview, James took a moment to address some of Windhorst’s past comments, particularly about their supposed close bond.

“This guy who says he’s like my f**ing best friend,”* James said, clearly implying that the connection isn’t as deep as Windhorst might suggest.

For years, Windhorst has been one of the most well-known reporters covering James, having followed his career from high school to the NBA. While he’s often praised for his deep insight into LeBron’s career, it seems James isn’t completely on board with how their relationship has been portrayed.

Setting the Record Straight on Nike and His Jersey Number

LeBron also took issue with something specific Windhorst once said—namely, that his decision to sign with Nike was because of his admiration for Michael Jordan.

“No the f** I didn’t,”* James shot back when discussing the claim.

While LeBron has never shied away from his respect for Jordan (which is why he originally wore No. 23), he made it clear that his decision to go with Nike was about the contract offer and the financial benefits. It wasn’t just about idolizing MJ—it was about making the best business move for his career.

This type of correction isn’t uncommon for James. Over the years, he has frequently stepped in to clarify things when he feels the media is misrepresenting him.

LeBron’s Ongoing Feud With the Media

This isn’t the first time LeBron has taken a swipe at media personalities. Recently, he had an exchange with Stephen A. Smith, joking that Smith was “faster than a Taylor Swift tour run” when it came to talking about him.

It’s clear that James pays attention to what’s being said about him, and he’s not afraid to push back when he feels things are exaggerated or inaccurate. With someone like Windhorst, who has followed him for decades, it seems LeBron wanted to set the record straight on a few things.

Why This Matters

LeBron’s comments highlight a bigger issue that many athletes deal with—having their stories told by journalists who may not always get it right. While Windhorst has undoubtedly been a key figure in covering LeBron’s journey, it’s clear that James doesn’t always agree with the way things are framed.

In the age of social media, where athletes have more control over their narratives than ever before, moments like this show that superstars like LeBron aren’t willing to let things slide. If the media gets something wrong, they’ll hear about it—directly from the source.

As LeBron continues his legendary career, one thing is certain: if he has something to say, he’s going to say it.