Fans Credit LeBron James as ‘Hot Take’ Media Makes Major Change in NBA Coverage

LeBron James started a podcast to discuss in-depth details about the game of basketball to give fans something different.

Fans Credit LeBron James as ‘Hot Take’ Media Makes Major Change in NBA Coverage

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James (Image via FirstSportz)

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After podcasting became the new norm, fans wondered when Los Angeles Lakers superstar and one of basketball’s greatest players, LeBron James, would appear on one.

He did one better and started a podcast, Mind the Game, with former player JJ Redick back in 2024. At the time, many conventional analysts criticized the podcast, claiming that focusing just on Xs and Os was going to be boring.

Eventually, their logic was proved wrong, as the podcast gained massive viewership numbers despite all the theoretical knowledge that was shared. Now, it seems the network some of those critics work at has decided to follow James’ lead.

ESPN launched a series of episodes with longtime analyst Tim Legler. The show titled ‘Coaches Corner’ has the former player discussing plays and schemes with coaches from across the NBA.

The first episode was with Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers. The latest one involves Los Angeles Lakers head coach and former Mind the Game host, JJ Redick. Seeing this, the 4-time champion wrote this to remind everyone what truly matters.

Love to see this. Hot take culture so tired.

LeBron James wrote on X

The Lakers star is an ardent fan of discussing what makes basketball the game that millions love across the globe. He is not a fan of ‘hot takes’ from rage-baiting analysts who many believe do not know the essence of the game.

All they look for is to make a topic trending enough to garner attention and ratings. Now that ESPN themselves are experimenting with a show of its own, fans praised LeBron James for paving the way.

Fans praise LeBron James for starting a different trend in basketball coverage

Basketball fans were quick to agree with LeBron James that the ‘hot take’ culture needs to stop. Even though that method draws eyeballs, it paints the game of basketball in a bad light.

Fans believe the King is responsible for highlighting conversations centered around the game, rather than making it a soap opera infused with negative narratives fueling every discussion.

They feel that analysts such as Stephen A. Smith, Skip Bayless, Charles Barkley, and others have made the NBA a laughingstock for other sports fans. Now, they are crediting LeBron James for sparking a change in the way the game is covered. Check out examples of those reactions below.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed his frustration at the way partner networks were covering his league. Most of the coverage was focused on the negative, which was impacting the respect the league used to have.

Now that NBC and Amazon Prime are joining the coverage, there is hope among fans that the two incoming organizations will not cover the league the way ESPN and TNT formerly did.

LeBron James expected to return mid-November

LeBron James is about to enter season 23 of his illustrious career. His Los Angeles Lakers are going through their preseason games to prepare themselves before the 2025-26 season tips off next week.

LeBron James working on his conditioning
LeBron James working on his conditioning (Image via Lakers Daily/X)

But the Akron native will not be part of the opening festivities, as he is currently ruled out with an injury. While speaking on NBA Today, Shams Charania revealed when the 4-time league MVP is set to return.

I’m told that the Lakers and LeBron are looking at around mid-November as a realistic debut for him. So, October 30th would be the earliest that the Lakers will be officially re-evaluating LeBron James. But it is expected that he will need at least a few weeks after that point.

Shams Charania revealed

This means the all-time leading scorer will have to wait for a month before he can start adding to his totals. James has stated that he intends to be fresh come playoff time.

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