Amid High Praise, LeBron James’ Full Extent of Friendship With Hall of Famer Who ‘Leaked’ Transfer Plans Revealed

The NBA is a league of camaraderie and rivalries, where bonds between the NBA stars withstand the storm of leaked information and betrayed confidences. From Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley’s enduring friendship despite Barkley’s public criticisms, to Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler’s brotherhood surviving Wade’s revelation of Butler’s trade desires, the league is filled with examples of relationships that have survived weathered indiscretions.

But no friendship better shows this phenomenon than that of Los Angeles Lakers standout LeBron James and a 42-year-old former player and coach who recently got inducted into the HOF. It is a connection that has not only survived a significant leak but seems to have grown stronger with time.

The Friendship of LeBron James and Chauncey Billups

LeBron James recently took to X to shower praise on Chauncey Billups for getting inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame with twelve others. The gesture can be speculated to be a public affirmation of their friendship. “CONGRATULATIONS BIG SHOT!!!!! @1MrBigShot,” read the caption of the post made by James.

The story of James and Billups’s friendship started on the hardwood, where the two became fierce competitors and also basketball intellectuals. Billups who was nicknamed ‘Mr Big Shot’ for his ability to win games for his clutch performances, was a formidable opponent for James to face in his early days of playing in Cleveland. The battles they fought, particularly those of the Eastern Conference playoffs, led to mutual respect that laid the foundation of a long friendship.

However, their friendship was not always all sunshine. Billups during an interview with ESPN in 2017 had unintentionally revealed that James was planning to move to a different team (which turned out to be the Lakers) despite winning a championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. “The whole LeBron leaving the next year, to be honest that didn’t bother me that much,” said Billups during the interview.

Although the point guard had leaked James’ plan for a move, Mr. Big Shot didn’t spare a moment to talk about the bond that he had with King James. “Here’s why: When you have an opportunity to really put something together and put your imprint on it — rebuilding is a beautiful thing if [they’re] going to have the patience with you. What bothered me more than if LeBron left or not was that I didn’t think they had great assets if you have to do a rebuild. It was more that than Bron. Bron and I have always had an amazing relationship,” added Billups during the interview with ESPN.

Moreover, even when James was referred to as a ‘Coach Killer‘, Billups voiced his opinion that the particular phrase was wrong. Turnover rates of head coaches during LeBron James’ career had pegged the Coach Killer moniker to him. While it’s important to note that this isn’t solely due to his influence, several factors contribute to this perception and Billups was the one to understand this theory. “The notion that LeBron James is a coach killer is ridiculous,” said Billups during a segment of ESPN’s NBA Countdown.

The LeBron James-Chauncey Billups friendship stands as a powerful example of mutual growth in the NBA. What it points out is that there is no need for the aftermath of leaks and indiscretions to result in burned bridges; maturity, understanding, and a certain amount of respect can clear the air even when things don’t look good. However, it seems like James wasn’t the only good friend that Billups had.

Chauncey Billups and his ‘Best Friend’

Even though there have been instances of Chauncey Billups stating LeBron James as his good friend, there was a moment when he had stated something else. In 2017, Jake Fischer of Sports Illustrated made a revelation that Billups had claimed former NBA player Tyron Lue to be his best friend.

In an X post, Fischer stated there was an interview with Billups that never saw the light of publication. “Interviewed Chauncey Billups in Sept. for a story that never published. Within the conversation, he said, “My best friend is Tyronn Lue,” read the caption of the X post. This news was quite important at the time because Billups was still finding his footing in the world of coaching and the revelation made a speculation that he may join the Cleveland Cavaliers as a coach to help Lue.

However, that didn’t happen, not until three years later. They both united as a coach for the Los Angeles Clippers in 2020. They’ve very often seen together at NBA events and have spoken positively of each other in the media. It shows that even in the super competitive world of professional sports, there is still a bond that is hard to break.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.