When Doc Rivers unexpectedly took the Milwaukee Bucks’ head coaching job in late January, it didn’t just shake up the sidelines—it left ESPN/ABC’s top NBA broadcast crew shorthanded. And now this will make Richard Jefferson, LeBron James’ former teammate, share a commentary booth with Mike Breen and Doris Burke. Wait, I’ll explain.

If Rivers hadn’t left ESPN, JJ Redick would’ve never received a major promotion. ESPN shook things up in mid-February 2024, by announcing Redick will be joining Hall of Famers Mike Breen and Doris Burke in the booth, with Lisa Salters handling sideline duties. But that never happened because he joined the Lakers as head coach in June.

Fans wondered: “Who’s stepping in?” The answer? A name hoops fans know well—Richard Jefferson. The former NBA champ, who once shared the court with LeBron, is now set to bring his energy and sharp takes to the mic with Breen and Burke for the broadcast of the NBA Finals. Jefferson’s new gig in the ESPN booth didn’t come without a little friendly fire from his former teammate and colleague in a video released by NBA on ESPN in a surprise video to congratulate him.

The King came in hot, jokingly ripping Jefferson apart before slipping in some praise. “Absolutely no congratulations to you. You are the worst at what you do and I’m sick that they even put you with that lineup. But you must have some dirt on somebody. Not at all serious man. I love you. Congratulations! Super duper proud to be a brother of yours.”

Redick, who left the booth for the Lakers’ head coaching job, made sure to take credit for Jefferson’s big break. “You owe me a thank you so you’re welcome. Uh, you wouldn’t be in this position without me taking this job so. You were born for this, getting to work with you 3 years was incredible.”

Jefferson, who spent 17 seasons in the NBA and won a championship with LeBron in 2016, now joins an exclusive club. With Bill Walton being the only player before him to both win the Finals and later call them, Jefferson is stepping into some legendary shoes. And despite the initial roasting, the 21x All-Star and Redick made it clear—they know he’s built for this.

Well, LeBron’s on a roll for congratulating people, as he also celebrated a WNBA legend.

LeBron James acclaims Diana Taurasi as one of basketball’s greatest

Diana Taurasi is calling it a career, and the basketball world is making sure she gets her due. The 42-year-old, known as the White Mamba, retires as the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer and the only player to ever crack 10,000 points. She spent all 20 seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, racking up three titles and cementing herself as one of the sport’s biggest icons.

LeBron James, never one to miss a chance to celebrate greatness, had nothing to show but respect. “Just seeing her transcend the game, watching little girls want to play like her – her style, her flair, her bravado, her swagger – it’s been an unbelievable treat,” he told TIME. “She’s one of the all-time greatest, and she will leave her mark on the game of basketball the moment she ties those shoes up and throws them over the pole line. It’s been an honor.”

Becky Hammon, who’s seen Taurasi dominate from both the court and the sidelines, made an even bolder claim. “To me, she’s the greatest player,” Hammon said. She even put Taurasi’s decision-making on the 4x MVP’s level. “It’s like when you talk about LeBron James. Some people would knock on him when he passed the ball, but it was the right decision. Great players—the GOATs—just make the right play.”

Taurasi’s impact goes beyond stats. She played 565 regular-season games, second-most in WNBA history, and inspired generations. The Mercury honored her with a tribute, but her legacy? That’s forever.