LeBron James recently reacted to a rap freestyle video by his former teammate Lance Stephenson, and his response made waves on social media. The Los Angeles Lakers star took to Instagram, where he shared the video of Stephenson rapping and added a short but supportive caption:
“GO CRAZY BORN READY!”
This simple four-word message was enough to show how much LeBron appreciated his former teammate’s venture into the music world.
Stephenson, who has been nicknamed “Born Ready” since his high school days, has been working on his rap career since his last NBA appearance with the Atlanta Hawks in the 2021-22 season. The freestyle in question was part of a feature on On The Radar Radio, where Stephenson showcased his lyrical abilities.
While the former NBA guard is known for his on-court antics and his competitive spirit—especially during his intense matchups with LeBron when he played for the Indiana Pacers—this rap video demonstrated a new creative side of him.
LeBron’s enthusiastic reaction to Stephenson’s video highlighted the bond the two developed during their time as teammates on the Lakers in the 2018-19 season. While their history also includes some memorable battles when LeBron played for the Miami Heat, it’s clear that any rivalry has given way to mutual respect and friendship. LeBron’s public support of Stephenson’s new artistic endeavor reflects the camaraderie that often builds between players, even when they’ve faced off as rivals on the court.
The 2018-19 Lakers season saw both LeBron and Stephenson play pivotal roles, even if it wasn’t a championship-winning year. Stephenson, known for his flashy and sometimes unpredictable playing style, brought energy to the Lakers.
That season, Stephenson averaged 7.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, but it was his moments of passion and hustle that made him a memorable teammate. LeBron’s Instagram story also serves as a reminder of the fun, competitive atmosphere Stephenson contributed to during their time together in Los Angeles.
Before they were teammates, Stephenson was a thorn in LeBron’s side during the intense playoff battles between the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers in the early 2010s. In those years, Stephenson was notorious for his antics aimed at distracting LeBron, most famously blowing in LeBron’s ear during a playoff game. Despite these attempts to get under his skin, LeBron always managed to keep his focus, leading the Heat to eliminate Stephenson’s Pacers from the playoffs multiple times.
This history of rivalry only adds to the significance of LeBron’s support for Stephenson’s off-the-court endeavors. The fact that LeBron has praised Stephenson’s rap career shows that any tension from their past battles has long since dissolved, replaced by a shared respect for each other’s talents and determination.
Lance Stephenson has played for several teams throughout his NBA career, but his connection to LeBron during their shared time in Los Angeles is clearly still strong. LeBron’s encouragement could also signal that Stephenson’s music career is just beginning, and with the support of someone as influential as LeBron James, there may be more to come from “Born Ready” in the music world.
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