Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has openly criticized the media’s approach to the 2025 NBA Finals coverage, highlighting a lack of attention to the human stories behind the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. Speaking about the ongoing Finals, James stressed how storytelling and genuine understanding are being neglected, which impacts fan connection and appreciation of the game’s depth.
James, known for his candid views on basketball and media, pointed out on his podcast with co-host Steve Nash, Mind the Game, that many analysts and commentators fail to do their homework when discussing smaller-market teams. He emphasized that the current Finals featuring the Pacers and Thunder contradicts previous assumptions about the importance of market size for player visibility and success.
LeBron James Critiques Lack of Genuine Storytelling in NBA Finals Coverage
During the latest episode of Mind the Game, James expressed frustration with how the media handles narratives in the Finals. He shared that stories about the players on the Thunder and Pacers deserve broader recognition, yet many media figures avoid investing the effort necessary to tell these stories with truth and accountability.
James argued that this attitude not only shortchanges the players but also diminishes the quality of basketball discourse. He believes fans bear responsibility too, in safeguarding the players and respecting the product of the game.
He reflected on the changing landscape of basketball media, noting that historically, players needed to be in big markets like Los Angeles, New York, or Chicago to receive attention. However, the rise of social media and continuous coverage means players can excel and be noticed regardless of their team’s location. This development should have eradicated the stigma around small-market teams, yet coverage often remains narrow.
“Yeah, absolutely and we all have a story. And there’s a lot of stories that can be told on the OKC roster and the Pacers roster. Do the guys that preach our game want to…do they want to do the homework and take the time out to actually tell these stories? And it doesn’t seem that way. It’s just what can I say without truth or without knowledge or this is what I wanna say and there’s no accountability behind it. I think that now goes to our fans. We have to protect our players and protect our product. The one thing that I know for sure when it comes to players…before it was like I couldn’t be seen or I wouldn’t be heard if I was in a small market. I had to be in L.A., I had to be in New York, I had to be in Chicago, I had to be in certain markets in order to be seen, in order to be heard. Well, that’s not the case now. The case now with social media, with every single day around the clock coverage of our game, good or bad, you could perform anywhere. You could perform anywhere and be great anywhere. So the whole notion of I don’t wanna play in a small market or you shouldn’t be in a small market, that is gone. That is flushed down the toilet because obviously we look at now we have the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder representing the NBA Finals. That narrative is gone. We need to teach the game. We need to talk about the game, but also have a better understanding of storytelling. I think that just helps our product and it helps our fans relate to the players that they…outside the market of OKC or outside the market of Indiana maybe they don’t know a lot about these guys.”
—LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers star
The Significance of Small-Market Teams in the NBA Finals
LeBron James also highlighted the unexpected significance of the Pacers and Thunder representing the NBA in the Finals, which serves as proof of how talent is spread widely across the league. Contrary to past perceptions, small-market teams can now compete at the highest level, reflecting the deep and balanced pool of players in today’s NBA.
James criticized the media’s tendency to focus on sensational narratives that undermine players rather than celebrating the quality of basketball on the floor. He sees this as a missed opportunity to engage fans with the true nature and excitement of the game, especially when two lesser-known franchises are showcasing their talents on the sport’s biggest stage.
Despite these frustrations with media coverage, the NBA itself has reason to be encouraged. The 2025 Finals have produced high-quality games that continue to draw strong fan interest, demonstrating the sport’s enduring appeal regardless of market size or media narrative.
LeBron James Reflects on the Purity of the Orlando Bubble Postseason
Turning to his own championship experiences, LeBron James described the 2020 NBA season held in the Orlando Bubble as perhaps the purest form of basketball he has ever witnessed. He acknowledged the unique challenges players faced competing in the isolated environment at Disney World, away from the usual distractions and pressures of regular travel and fan interactions.
The Bubble’s controlled setting allowed players to focus purely on the game, James suggested, creating a highly competitive atmosphere that tested skill and mental resilience. This playoff format stands apart as a defining moment in recent NBA history, showcasing basketball stripped down to its essentials.
As media coverage shifts toward narratives and reactionary content, James advocates for a renewed focus on teaching and analyzing the game itself, emphasizing both the fundamentals and the human stories that make basketball compelling and relatable for fans everywhere.