Timothee Chalamet Jokes About Playing LeBron James in His Biopic: “Was 5’10” and White”

LeBron James and his Mind the Game podcast crew scored a major win when they invited Timothee Chalamet to appear on their latest episode.

Pictures of the 30-year-old Dune star taking several comical pictures with the Los Angeles Lakers forward have since become some of the most trending content associated with the NBA.

Even the all-time leading scorer’s heartwarming exchange with Chalamet’s mother went viral. As someone who considers James the proverbial basketball GOAT, it may not have been surprising to see that his family felt the same.

The sit-down, which was done live before a special screening of Marty Supreme at the DGA Theater in Los Angeles, would be the first time the Mind the Game podcast brought on someone who has not played basketball professionally.

But since it was to help promote Marty Supreme, the movie that has garnered Timothee Chalamet an Oscar nomination for best actor, LeBron James, along with co-host Steve Nash, decided to make it as lively as possible.

LeBron was 5’10” in second grade, and he was white.

Timothee Chalamet said

“Of everything…this is the best highlight. This is number one.” 🚀

Timothée Chalamet episode drops TOMORROW at 9am ET. Link in bio. pic.twitter.com/uzx95kOzaJ

— Mind the Game (@mindthegamepod) March 4, 2026

This was when the Call Me By Your Name star started joking around about doing a biopic for either James or Nash. When the latter joked that Chalamet could only realistically play him, the actor responded with that joke, suggesting that the idea could be wild enough for him to do.

Timothee Chalamet mildly touches GOAT debate with LeBron James

Even though LeBron James also joked about how it would be wild for Timothee Chalamet to play him in a biopic, both of the gentlemen on the stage knew it was nothing but a bit of humor.

I overprepared out of everything in A Complete Unknown. I felt like more emotional about it than anybody on set… Playing Bob Dylan, I don’t know what the athletic metaphor would be like if you got to, you know… be Jordan, you know. Let’s get in the GOAT conversation. No, I’m kidding.

Chalamet said

The bilingual actor was trying to explain how completely immersed in his role he was, and even if A Complete Unknown did not do well or ended up getting criticized, he would know he did a terrific job.

At this time, the Manhattan native almost touched the GOAT debate while describing how great Bob Dylan is, whom he played in the movie.

When he mentioned Michael Jordan‘s name, a small smile broke out on his face, knowing that with LeBron James sitting beside him, it could become an uncomfortable discussion.

He instantly joked about it and then pivoted to continue talking about the movie. But that reference left the four-time league MVP in splits, knowing how close Timothee Chalamet came to breaching a sensitive topic.

Knicks fan Timothee Chalamet reveals he was booing LeBron James

Since this was a trailer for the full-length episode coming out later, the final clip of Timothee Chalamet speaking with Steve Nash and LeBron James was about the latter’s exploits against the actor’s New York Knicks.

LeBron’s first game on the Heat in New York, I was there. I was booing LeBron, I said, ‘Why didn’t you come to the Knicks?’

Chalamet said

He is a bona fide Knicks fan and has appeared courtside at times, even with his girlfriend, Kylie Jenner, in company during last season’s playoffs.

That is why 15 years ago, the then-teenager was at Madison Square Garden, booing James for not joining his Knicks, especially when he could have as a free agent.

When James remarked that maybe that booing spurred him to have a stellar game, Chalamet agreed that the then-Heat superstar demolished his Knicks with a superlative effort.

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