LeBron James reveals the one thing he thinks is “weird” about NBA culture
The Los Angeles Lakers star has called NBA Championship ring culture “weird”, saying that he doesn’t know “why it’s the end-all, be-all of everything.”
LeBron James has been there and done it all, meaning that he’s probably the best-placed pro in the game when it comes to analysing what’s changed over the years.
Recently, the 40-year-old spoke on his Mind the Game podcast alongside Steve Nash, where the two dissected what LeBron thinks is the top “weird” aspect of the modern game: ring culture.
Counting individual players’ rings - those expensive mementos awarded after a championship win - and ranking them based on that number is something James finds ridiculous, given the fact that a championship is a team accomplishment and doesn’t necessarily speak to an individual player’s talent.
“Trying to nitpick an individual because he was not able to win a team game or a team match - or whatever the case may be - I don’t know where it started, but it’s a long conversation, especially when it comes to me individually,” James, who has won four, began. “It’s so weird. It’s never enough.”
‘You sit here and tell me Iverson, Barkley, and Nash f---ing weren’t unbelievable?’
“I don’t know why it’s discussed so much in our sport and why it’s the end-all, be-all of everything,” he added. “Like OK, ‘You weren’t a great player [because] you never won a championship.’ Or if you won one, you can’t be in the same conversation with this person... You sit here and tell me Allen Iverson and Charles Barkley and Steve Nash f---ing weren’t unbelievable?
“Like, ‘Oh, they can’t be talked about or discussed with these guys because this guy won one ring, or won two rings.’ It’s just weird to me.”
James was off. The topic was clearly one he feels passionately about, and Nash was not intercepting this play...
“I don’t understand where it came from”, he repeated. “I don’t know where it started. I just hope we have to appreciate more of what guys have been able to accomplish, what guys have been able to do.
“A ring is a team accomplishment, and if you happen to have a moment where you’re able to share that with your team, that should be discussed. ‘This team was the greatest team,’ or ‘that team’ -- you can have those conversations."
This LeBron pic is forever GOATED 💯 pic.twitter.com/pfEp1C4CAn
— Bron’s Best (@LBJsBest) June 18, 2025
Over 70 regular-season games, LeBron averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game as the Lakers finished 50–32, securing the 3rd seed in the Western Conference.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
Complete your personal details to comment