'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Jimmy Kimmel Live is one of the most popular late-night talk shows in the world and one of the best at interviewing NBA stars. Kimmel has interviewed the likes of Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley, Reggie Miller and several other legends over the years. Bryant, a resident of Los Angeles, was a guest on the show dozens of times.
Jimmy Kimmel has built an excellent rapport with the NBA community. He spoke at Kobe Bryant's memorial service at Staples Center - 'A Celebration of Life: Kobe and Gianna Bryant.'
Current NBA stars on Jimmy Kimmel Live
Russell Westbrook recently appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live talking about coming back home to Los Angeles and playing with for the Purple and Gold alongside Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and Anthony Davis. He also remembered a pick-up game he played with Kobe Bryant when he was a student at UCLA.
On that note, let's revisit Jimmy Kimmel's best interviews with five current NBA superstars.
#5 James Harden
James Harden was a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2017. He spoke about his case for MVP and the Houston Rockets' ongoing season while also discussing the Trolli Weird Beard candies that had his face on them. Harden was also on the cover of Sports Illustrated and he displayed that on the screen while talking about his latest Adidas sneaker release, the Harden Volume I.
Harden grew up an LA Lakers fan and mentioned his admiration and respect for Kobe Bryant. He recalled a pick-up game he played against Bryant when he dropped 50 but Kobe sank the game-winner.
#4 Kyrie Irving
![Kyrie Irving on Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2018 [Source: Uncle Drew]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/10/3c74e-16336493336707-800.jpg)
Kyrie Irving was a guest on the show after he ended his stint in Cleveland. He spoke about his fifth All-Star selection and getting selected by Team LeBron for the All-Star game. Irving displayed his F.R.I.E.N.D.S. tattoo on his forearm and mentioned his love for the TV show. The show also ran a short clip from his movie Uncle Drew and spoke about Irving's experience as an actor while co-starring with Shaquille O'Neal.
Fans wanted to hear what it was about Irving's take on the Flat Earth Theory, as the All-Star guard is infamously linked to and apparently believes in.
He was essentially there to promote his new movie but the two ended up discussing a range of topics. Kyrie Irving also expressed excitement about his new leadership role at the time with the Boston Celtics.
#3 Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live after the Golden State Warriors won the 2018 NBA title. He walked on the stage with the Larry O'Brien trophy and the Finals MVP award. The two discussed his party plans all summer, having just won the NBA Finals. Jimmy Kimmel asked him about the JR Smith incident that sent Game 1 of the 2018 Finals to overtime.
The blunder in the dying moments of Game 1 ensured a sweep of the series and Kevin Durant was visibly giddy that it happened. Kimmel threw a wild hypothetical Durant's way, asking him how he would feel if LeBron James decided to join the Golden State Warriors during free agency. KD gave a very diplomatic response, simply refusing to indulge in fantasy. Jimmy Kimmel asked the 2014 MVP a bunch of questions, including who was the heaviest partier on the team to which Durant answered Nick "Swaggy P" Young.
#2 Stephen Curry
![Stephen Curry on Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2015 [Source: TIME Magazine]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/10/178a3-16336521151165-800.jpg)
Stephen Curry has been on the Jimmy Kimmel show a bunch of times. He appeared as a guest back in 2015 during his first MVP season and also brought his daughter, Riley, on stage. He spoke about his mouthguard chewing habit among other things. Curry reappeared on the show during the COVID-19 pandemic when the world was stuck at home in 2020. He recreated his viral golf move of putting the ball into a tiny glass on the floor after hitting it on the wall ahead.
Jimmy Kimmel and Curry spoke about the Michael Jordan documentary, The Last Dance and how the Golden State Warriors declined the opportunity to be filmed during their 2018-19 run. Stephen Curry has participated in several basketball-related activities on talk shows. He was a part of the 'The EQWheelizer' segment on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
#1 LeBron James
LeBron James' appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live was huge. Kimmel's right-hand man or sidekick on the show, Guillermo Rodriguez, has been trying to speak to the NBA superstar at every NBA Finals or All-Star Media Day he has been to. King James' refusal to speak to Guillermo has become a recurring joke on the show. However, the two shared a hug during the set and Guillermo jokingly asked him whether he washes his legs.
LeBron James didn't sit down with Jimmy Kimmel but rather guest host Arsenio Hall. Hall is a Cleveland native and was the ideal celebrity to interview James as he shared personal experiences from being a Cavaliers fan. James appeared on the show to talk about the ongoing 2021 NBA Finals and how he "has a horse in the race by the name of Chris Paul." James was courtside during Game 5 of the NBA Finals in Phoenix, showing his support for Paul and the Suns.
Moreover, he expressed excitement to be playing in Los Angeles and talked at length about his upcoming movie, Space Jam. LeBron James discussed his son Bronny and his face on the cover of Sports Illustrated. He also shared his experience working as an actor alongside legendary artists like Don Cheadle.
Guess the Lakers players!
