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LeBron James

Richard Jefferson explains why it “sucks” to play with LeBron James

LeBron James talks to Richard Jefferson
June 7, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) talks to forward Richard Jefferson (24) during the second quarter in game three of the 2017 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors at Quicken Loans Arena. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 118-113. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

When it comes to playing with a great player like LeBron James, there are many upsides to it. Many hardships come with it, as you’re held to a higher standard than playing alongside someone who is not a star in the league.

Related: NBA insider reveals LeBron is frustrated with Lakers

 

Current ESPN analyst and former 17-year NBA player Richard Jefferson spoke about what it is like to play with LeBron. He mentioned how it can actually “suck” to play with such a great player.

 

“Hell yeah, there’s cons. You want to know what the con is? Here are the cons. Playing with LeBron sucks because you’re trying to win a championship. That he’s one of the most competitive human beings in the history of American sports and sports in general.

“Does it suck when you’re showing up and he’s already been practicing for four hours and you’re like, ‘oh sh**’. When he’s watching a film and you mess up a play and he’s just like, “Motherf***er, what are you doing?”

“And it’s like, yeah, those are the cons, but there were cons for playing with Jordan. There were cons to playing with Kobe. There were cons to playing with players who were so great that they demanded excellence. There were cons for playing for Pat Riley or Popovich, or Spoelstra. There’s always cons.”

 

 

Jefferson makes valid points. Great players will hold their teammates to higher standards. It was because of these standards that Jefferson can now call himself an NBA champion.

So, even though it may have sucked to play with LeBron, Jefferson wouldn’t trade it for the world.

About the Author Published Jul 16, 2025

TITAN FREY

Titan Frey is a dedicated father to three wonderful children, whom he takes immense pride in. His passions include reading, writing, basketball, both playing and watching, and playing chess. Titan spent five years working as a journalist for the basketball website fadeawayworld.net, where he served as editor-in-chief for four and a half years. One of his most notable achievements was interviewing Chuck Cooper III, the son of Chuck Cooper, the first African American ever drafted by an NBA team, and writing a biography that has been praised as the most definitive article about Cooper’s legacy. Titan is the author of more than ten novels and the screenwriter of three produced short films. His newest young adult novel, Echoes of the Hardwood: Braxton Foxworthy’s Time‑Travelling Book Report, blends basketball history with heartfelt storytelling and is now available. Order here: https://a.co/d/bo7BYz1

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