LeBron James has four championships in his NBA career, including one with the Los Angeles Lakers. He is one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
James left the Cleveland Cavaliers following the 2009 season to go to Miami in order to win some titles. He was enthralled enough with a ring to go to Miami in order to get one.
James has also been able to win championships with the Cavs in his second stint and with the Lakers. Still, he doesn't have as many as Michael Jordan.
In the middle of the NBA Finals, James has decided to take a shot at ring culture. James took a shot at it on his Mind The Game Podcast with Steve Nash.
"I don't know why it's discussed so much in our sport, and why it's the end-all be-all of everything...Allen Iverson and Charles Barkley and Steve Nash... like, 'Oh, they can't be talked about or discussed with these guys is because this guy won one ring or won two rings.' It's just weird to me."
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Nash is James' co-host on the podcast, so of course, he brought him up when talking about great players who have never won a title.
Winning a championship is the most important achievement in any sport. It's why all of these players compete for 82 regular-season games, aside from the money, of course.
James is right that certain players get penalized too much for not winning a title, but a championship ring indicates that a player was good enough to win the ultimate prize.
Players with rings, especially multiple rings, get put on a higher pedestal. That's the way it is in every sport, which is how it should be.
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James could also be saying this to help his own GOAT case. He famously has two fewer championships than Jordan, which is who he is chasing.
James is still one of the best players in the NBA at the age of 40. He still is capable of being a big part of a championship-winning team.
The Los Angeles Lakers are hoping that James can help them win at least one more championship before he retires.
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This story was originally published June 17, 2025 at 2:33 PM.