Once labeled as ‘the LeBron guy,’ ESPN’s Brian Windhorst is easily one of the most successful and widely recognized sports reporters in the business.
While he does a little bit of everything today, there was a time when his job involved covering all the latest news connected to LeBron James.
In fact, according to Windy himself, he once had a pretty tight relationship with James before time naturally ran its course.
Windhorst joined Jimmy Traina on the latest episode of the Sports Illustrated Media Podcast, and the ESPN reporter tempered the idea that he is LeBron’s closest media confidant. “In years past, I had messaged with him, but we both kind of moved on,” Windhorst said. “LeBron doesn’t have personal relationships like that with reporters, he hasn’t for a long time.”
As one of the most famous people on the planet, James has to be very careful with how he deals with the press. For a star of his caliber, it’s much better to keep the media at a distance rather than trying to hog the spotlight.
With roughly two decades of experience as the NBA’s biggest star, James has seemingly found the formula to staying out of trouble, controlling the narrative, and ignoring all the haters, critics, and naysayers who are always speaking his name
Even when addressing one of his biggest critics in 2012 (Skip Bayless) LeBron avoided adding any fuel to the fire.
RT @Nicholas246: @KingJames How do you feel about Skip Bayless?(I don’t feel anything! Never met or seen him a day in my life. Great for TV)
RT @Nicholas246: @KingJames How do you feel about Skip Bayless?(I don't feel anything! Never met or seen him a day in my life. Great for TV)
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 26, 2012
So, it’s really no surprise that LeBron stays away from any close relations with reporters. As long as he continues to perform on the court and stay out of trouble in the streets, his legacy will continue to be squeaky clean.
Hopefully, this season, it will help LeBron channel his strength and bring out the best version of himself.
