It’s not typically you hear Travis Kelce admit to being nervous. But the 10-time Pro Bowl tight finish and two-time Super Bowl champion confessed to feeling butterflies in the beginning of his podcast Wednesday.
“I’m nervous however fairly pumped,” Travis instructed his brother Jason within the newest version of “New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce.”
That’s as a result of their visitor of honor was somebody who was “a very long time coming”: the one and solely LeBron James.
Thanks to profitable soccer careers and their hit podcast, the Kelce brothers are two of probably the most well-known athletes – retired, in Jason’s case – on the earth proper now. But the Cleveland natives cannot even declare to be Northeast Ohio’s most well-known athletes. This distinction belongs, in fact, to the “King James” of Akron.
While reminiscing about Cleveland-area basketball, the three Ohioans mentioned LeBron’s near-career within the NFL, debated NBA vs. NFL and talked about LeBron’s best accomplishment. LeBron reveals when he considered enjoying within the NFL
LeBron James enjoying within the NFL has at all times been a enjoyable matter for sports activities followers, however has it ever come near actuality? Well, James as soon as revealed that he has sincerely considered stepping foot on the gridiron.
“The solely time I actually took it severely was in 2011 after we had the NBA lockout,” James stated. “And I did not know after we would shut the cope with the homeowners and relaunch our championship, so I considered it a bit on the time.
“I used to be nonetheless younger sufficient to hang around with all of you, however that was the one time I severely thought-about it.”
The 2011-12 NBA season didn’t start till Christmas Day because of lockouts in what turned a 66-game common season that, paradoxically, ended with James profitable his first NBA championship with the Miami Heat . James, who was 26 in the beginning of the season, disclosed in 2021 that the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks supplied him an NFL contract.
LeBron weighs in on whether or not NFL vs. NBA recreation is ‘simpler’
As one of many uncommon tremendous athletes who may play each soccer and basketball at an expert stage, LeBron was the right individual to ask a query a couple of hotly debated matter.
“What is simpler to do: an NFL participant going to the NBA or an NBA participant going to the NFL?” Jason requested LeBron.
After a deep breath, LeBron ready to settle the matter as soon as and for all (?).
“I imply I believe it is simpler for a basketball participant to check out the NFL than an NFL participant making an attempt to get into the NBA.”
LeBron gave a shout-out to Bills receiver Keon Coleman and Ravens receiver Zay Flowers — whose basketball highlights have gone viral — earlier than making his case.
“Yes, it is going to take a transition interval (going from the NBA to the NFL),” he stated, particularly mentioning the necessity to get used to getting hit once more. “Once you get into the rhythm, it is like using a bicycle.
“Soccer turns into basketball, it requires extra coordination and operating and leaping and it is, like, constant,” he defined, since basketball gamers do not have as many timeouts between performs.
LeBron additionally revealed that he thought Russell Westbrook or Anthony Edwards can be the opposite NBA gamers who may make the “cleanest transition” to the NFL.
“Russ can be an unbelievable robust security or free security,” he stated. “He’s making an attempt to hit somebody. LeBron admits NFL dominated NBA on Christmas
The NBA has been enjoying Christmas Day video games since 1947. The NFL solely not too long ago turned it into an annual custom, holding at the very least one recreation on Dec. 25 in every of the final 5 seasons.
This yr, regardless of Christmas falling on a Wednesday, the NFL scheduled two video games and neither got here shut. Travis Kelce’s The Chiefs dominated the Steelers, profitable 29-10whereas the The Ravens defeated the Texans 31-2.
Even so, followers tuned in, setting Netflix viewership records for Christmas Day. Of course, it additionally helped that international famous person Beyoncé headlined the halftime present in Houston.
Meanwhile, the NBA’s four-game Christmas schedule was extra aggressive, highlighted by LeBron’s Lakers outlasting Steph Curry and the Warriors in a straight finale. After the victory, LeBron told ESPN“I like the NFL. But Christmas is our day.”
Fast ahead a couple of weeks later, LeBron struck a barely completely different tone when Jason requested him “Whose Christmas is it?”
“From the spectators’ viewpoint, you kicked our ass,” LeBron admitted. “The video games weren’t as nice as they need to have been, however you had a fucking Beyoncé.”
However, LeBron stated, “I needed to defend the NBA.” And to be trustworthy, the NBA had its best Christmas viewership in five years.
LeBron will get enthusiastic about enjoying with Bronny
One of probably the most talked about tales of the NBA offseason and the primary a part of the common season was James enjoying alongside his oldest son, Bronny James. The Lakers chosen Bronny with the fifty fifth decide within the 2024 NBA Draft, and the father-son duo made historical past sharing the courtroom within the season opener.
James gave his perspective on being teammates together with his son.
“When it involves titles, that is its personal factor,” the elder James stated. “But to have the ability to be on this league and play on this league and in addition have the ability to do it alongside Bronny proper now, it is one of many best accomplishments — and doubtless the No. 1 accomplishment I’ve ever been in a position to have. “
He went on to increase on what makes him so particular.
“Seeing him on daily basis try and undergo the method of turning into who he desires to grow to be whereas I’m sitting there watching him and doing the issues he desires to do and with the ability to take up all of it, it helps me take again some minutes, hours and years that I have never had with him as a result of I performed a lot,” James stated.
After Travis praised Bronny for dealing with all of the scrutiny that comes with following in his legendary father’s footsteps, LeBron acted just like the proud father he’s.
“Bronny does not need to play basketball. It’s not like he wants cash. He can do no matter he desires,” LeBron instructed the Kelce. “He says, ‘This is my profession, these are my objectives, these are my aspirations and I wish to play. This is one thing I like.’
“I like that man. He’s superb.”
Bronny James has had ups and downs with the Lakers and their G-League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, this season. He appeared in 9 NBA video games however was unable to get constant enjoying time.
The 40-year-old James, a four-time NBA champion, four-time MVP and 20-time All-NBA honoree, is averaging 23.7 factors, 8.8 assists and seven.6 rebounds per recreation whereas capturing 50.9/39, 1/76.2 for Los Angeles. Angeles Lakers, seventh seed within the Western Conference this season at 20-17.
Meanwhile, Kelce’s Kansas City Chiefs are the No. 1 seed within the AFC playoffs and can host the Houston Texans within the divisional spherical on Saturday.
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