Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: LeBron James Shades NBA Players Who Become Analysts After Retiring
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Media > LeBron James Shades NBA Players Who Become Analysts After Retiring

LeBron James Shades NBA Players Who Become Analysts After Retiring

LeBron James thinks that certain former players who became analysts were lacking one thing during their careers.

Aaditya Krishnamurthy
Mar 27, 2025
5 Min Read
Share

Credit: Raj Mehta-Imagn Images

LeBron James‘ explosive interview with Pat McAfee continues to send shockwaves across the NBA community. One of the more interesting tidbits from the interview was LeBron taking a swipe at former NBA players who have gone on to become media analysts and professionals, noting that while they were physically athletic, they weren’t the smartest players and couldn’t really analyze the game at a high level.

“A lot of those guys that played the game, they played the game while they were talented. I don’t think they thought the game or were ever smart. They were just bigger, stronger, and maybe faster, and they dominated, and when it was over, it was over.”

There are several former NBA players who have gone on to become analysts, like Kendrick Perkins, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Vince Carter, and Richard Jefferson, along with many others. To suggest that all of them relied on just their physicality rather than their overall intelligence and basketball IQ is a little bit of a stretch.

However, given that most of these players, aside from Carter, ended their careers far before LeBron James, not to mention saw a great decline in their level of performance, maybe there is some truth to what he’s saying. James did say in the same interview that his basketball IQ has played a big part in his ability to continue playing at the highest level.

At 40 years old, LeBron is one of the best players in the NBA, still putting up superstar numbers. Since turning 40, James has averaged 25.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game while shooting 52.9% from the field, 39.5% from beyond the arc, and 77.2% from the free-throw line.

These are incredible numbers for a player who is as old as he is. In fact, James is currently averaging better numbers than Derrick Rose did during his 2011 MVP season. It is truly astonishing to see LeBron perform at the highest level after two decades in the NBA.


James Appreciates Respect Of His Peers

LeBron also spoke about being a revered figure among players in the NBA. He appreciates the players in the league having so much respect for him and feels responsible for making sure that his fellow players are not taken advantage of or spoken about poorly.

“To have the respect of my peers, it means a lot, and I carry that and take that with a lot of responsibility because too many years went by when players did not have the opportunity to just speak, have their voices to be heard, or allow the narrative to get so outside of sports…”

“I think people in the media have gotten too comfortable, especially with our sport… They got to the point where they were like ‘Oh, these guys can’t really do anything to use anymore because there would be a fine or a suspension…'”

LeBron is considered a leader, not just on the Lakers, but of the entire NBA players group. Given how long he has played, James is a figure that many of the younger players look up to, as they watched him dominate the NBA while growing up.

And as such, he does his best to look out for all of the players in the league, using some of the power and cache he has accrued over the years to ensure that NBA players are not taken advantage of or put in any difficult position.

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We really appreciate your support.

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:LeBron James
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByAaditya Krishnamurthy
Follow:
Aaditya Krishnamurthy is a writer for Fadeaway World covering the latest news and exciting stories from the fascinating world of the NBA. After briefly working as a freelance writer in the sports and business sector, Aaditya began writing for Fadeaway World in 2021 about the day-to-day functioning of the NBA.After graduating from Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts in 2020, he worked as a freelance writer for years before beginning his MA in Communications at Penn State University. Currently, he is in the United States, and traveling to his home country of India. Aside from the NBA, Aaditya is a big sports fan, with soccer, football, Formula 1, and MMA being some of his favorites to watch.
Previous Article Stephen A. Smith Claims LeBron Won’t Matter Much Once He Leaves The NBA
Next Article Miami Heat’ Potential Trade Package For Kevin Durant Includes 3 Stars And 2 Picks
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

Stephon Marbury prepares to watch the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden
NBA News & Media

Cam’ron Details The Night He Saved Stephon Marbury From A Robbery

October 4, 2025
Lakers head coach Byron Scott reacts during an NBA game against the Kings at Staples Center
NBA News & Media

Byron Scott Once Left His Own Son Behind In New Orleans For Being Late To The Team Flight

October 4, 2025
Minnesota Timberwolves News & Analysis

Anthony Edwards Gets Real On Putting “Belt To A**” On Elite Players Like Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Stephen Curry

October 3, 2025
Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis

JJ Redick Reveals 4 Lakers Players Will Miss Game Against Suns; 2 Players Will Be On Minute Restrictions

October 3, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?