LeBron James’ life makes waves around the NBA. You bet that analysts and journalists would be following his every move for the rest of his life. So now that his future is up in doubt, the whole of ESPN has work to do this off-season. Especially Bron’s close confidante, Brian Windhorst. Windy moved to ESPN after LBJ’s move to the Heat from the Cavs in 2010. So if James was to ever move back to Cleveland, there’s a possiblity that the reporter could be on the move too.
Brian and LeBron go way back. They first crossed paths when the reporter was covering the young phenom as a local beat reporter for The Plain Dealer. And after many shaky interactions, where the King even ended up calling Windy “weird” on national television and mocking his self-promotion as a former high-school acquaintance, Windy came to the conclusion that the GOAT “owes him nothing”. So, what does the ESPN reporter’s future look like if LeBron James goes back to Cleveland?
First off, he accepted the fact that it may lead to a career change if LeBron ended up making a move. “If I’m assigned there by my bosses, I would go, It’s my hometown, so I always look for reasons to go there.” However, will that affect any aspect of his actual job, and how he views journalism? Not quite.
“He can do whatever he wants and it won’t affect the way I think about him or whatever. I know that his legacy is a popular sports topic. Think it’s whatever happens is fine. Like if he plays three more years and misses the playoffs, fine. If he plays one more year and hangs it up with the Lakers and they don’t make the second round, fine. To me, after he won the championship in 16, it was all cemented. And after that, you know, it’s just a, it’s just a part of building onto the resume. So I would cover it like I would cover any rest of the league,” said Brian on the Dan Patrick Show.
May 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; ESPN television personality Stephen A. Smith (left) and sportswriter Brian Windhorst (right) prior to game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs between the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Bron kinda hinted on him being a Laker for another year at least. He has Bronny James to look after, which may be added to by his other son, Bryce James, set to make his NBA debut in the coming years. So does this mean that Bron will be at the Lakers for a while, regardless of the uncertainty surrounding him? According to Windy, yes.
Brian Windhorst sheds light on LeBron’s future at the Lakers
“It’s up to me if I’m going to continue to play, or how long I’m going to continue to play. It’s ultimately up to me, so it has nothing to do with anybody else,” said James after their 4-1 series loss to the Wolves. Well, that clears it up, doesn’t it? Bron said that he’s gonna have a sit-down with his family to see if it’s worth continuing into a record 23rd season. And that’s aided by Windy’s claims for Bron to continue at the Showtime too.
“LeBron has demonstrated repeatedly time after time after time, his priority is to be a Laker and to live in Los Angeles. Unless the Lakers did something to him to change the way he feels about them, which is not their MO, that the Lakers franchise has invested in, in almost more than anything else, invested in taking care of superstars. It’s essentially their brand. I don’t see that happening, but yes, I think that’s very likely where we’re headed,” said Windy on the show.
To be honest, Bron has nothing left to prove. 4 championships, 21 All-Star appearances, 13 All-NBAs, and many legendary moments later, he continues to look for more. The King mentality lives on – and he wants that 5th ring on his finger.
LeBron James
Brian Windhorst might have a shaky relationship with the man he’s covered all his life. But James’ priority has always been only to win. Whether that means he is ready for another season or two, remains to be seen.
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