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[Saba Sports News] Brian Windhorst is choosing to take the high road after being called out by LeBron James during a recent interview.
James sat down for an in-depth conversation with Pat McAfee on Wednesday, where he addressed how he’s covered by the media. While discussing figures like Stephen A. Smith, LeBron also took a swipe at Windhorst, calling him “weird” and mocking the notion that Windhorst acts like a longtime friend.
Windhorst, who attended St. Vincent-St. Mary High School before James played there, has covered LeBron since his high school days at the Akron Beacon Journal.
He followed James through his NBA journey—from Cleveland to Miami to Los Angeles—eventually becoming one of ESPN’s top NBA insiders with a reputation for deep insight into LeBron’s career.
In an interview Thursday on ESPN Cleveland’s “5 Good Minutes” with Chris Oldach, Windhorst was asked about James’ remarks—and responded with poise.
“LeBron doesn’t owe me anything,” Windhorst said. “I owe him a lot. He has been a great friend to my hometown and my alma mater. That I would stand on. Anything else I would never stand on. Just know, Chris, I met LeBron 25 years ago. My understanding of LeBron and where people stand in his life has been crystal clear for a long time.”
In other words, Windhorst respectfully acknowledged that he and LeBron aren’t friends—and never claimed to be. But his long history covering James has given him a rare perspective, which has shaped his reporting over the years.
While LeBron has shown Windhorst respect in the past, the tension may have stemmed from Windhorst’s recent comments suggesting LeBron invited comparisons to Michael Jordan by wearing No. 23 and signing with Nike. James, however, told McAfee he simply signed with Nike because they offered the most money.
Despite the jab, Windhorst’s response was measured, offering a reminder of the professionalism that’s kept him covering the NBA’s biggest star for over two decades.