Brian Windhorst Reveals Current Relationship Status with LeBron James

Brian Windhorst and LeBron no longer BFF’s?

The NBA insider took his reporting career to new heights when he established a close relationship with LeBron James years ago. Windhorst appeared to have the inside track on everything that was going on with LeBron. It always felt like Windhorst knew what LeBron’s next move would be, but that may no longer be the case. Windhorst was asked about his relationship with James during a recent appearance on the “Sports Illustrated Media Podcast” with Jimmy Traina. He made a somewhat surprising revelation.

“I haven’t really communicated with him much at all in the last few years,” Windhorst said. “First of all, the pandemic happened so we weren’t doing in-person interviews. In years past I’ve messaged with him, but we’ve both kind of moved on. LeBron doesn’t have personal relationships like that with reporters. He hasn’t in a long time.”

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Windhorst was just a lowly beat writer in Cleveland when LeBron first got to the NBA with the Cavaliers. Windhorst then joined ESPN in 2010 when James left the Cavs to sign with the Miami Heat. His career trajectory was all based on his relationship with LeBron. The NBA insider and LeBron both attended the same high school, St. Vincent–St. Mary High School, in Akron. While Windhorst said James is still friendly with him, it sounds like his access to LeBron has been limited now that LeBron is on the Lakers.

“In LA, there’s so much media there. I would talk to him in the locker room (before). I didn’t go over to his house to have wine and cigars,” Windhorst added. “I talked to him in the locker room and the hallways for two decades. So that’s sort of cut off, and just, frankly, the Lakers haven’t been that relevant of a team.”

At this point Windhorst doesn’t need LeBron to stay relevant. He got exactly what he needed out of that relationship.


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