"I'm not a fan of it" - When NBA legend John Stockton ripped LeBron James and accused him of choosing easy path to winning

An image of LeBron James, John Stockton, and Karl Malone
John Stockton once criticized LeBron James for the way he's won championships in his NBA career. Credit: NBA/x

When it comes to LeBron James, NBA legends have expressed different opinions over the years. Four years ago, one of the most iconic point guards of all time, John Stockton, voiced his displeasure at the way James has won championships in his career.

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In an interview with DNP-CD Sports in December 2021, Stockton discussed James' title-clinching seasons. The former Utah Jazz star criticized James' decision to switch teams and join forces with other big names to win rings.

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"I like where guys tighten their belt up and say, you know what, let's just go to work, we got to get better," Stockton said. "Instead of just, where's the grass greener...I'm not a fan of it."

Stockton, who spent 19 seasons with the Jazz, also speculated about James' impact on the teams he's joined in his career.

"I think it would be maddening as a teammate to know that you could be expendable for one of his guys that he thinks he needs to play with," Stockton said. "The iffiness it causes with the team, the iffiness it causes upstairs, I don't like it either."
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The NBA's all-time assists leader added that Michael Jordan, who frequently figures in GOAT debates along with James, had the mindset of getting better with his teammates instead of selecting who he wanted to play with. As for LBJ, Stockton used a mountain-climbing analogy to insinuate that he has teamed up with fellow All-Stars.

"You're not climbing the mountain. You're taking a helicopter to the top," he said of James' approach.
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NBA insider claims that he joined X because of LeBron James and "The Decision"

One of the most controversial moments of James' career was when he announced on national TV that he would be joining the Miami Heat in 2010. According to NBA NBA insider Shams Charania, this moment, also known as "The Decision", led to him opening an account on the platform then known as Twitter.

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Charania made this comment on a recent episode of ESPN's "The Sports Reporters" when host Jeremy Schaap brought up that his X account can be traced back to 15 years ago.

"You know why I did 2010? It was because of LeBron James," Charania said. "That's the only reason, 'The Decision.'"

In the four years that followed, James won two NBA titles alongside future Hall of Fame players Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

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Edited by Simoun Victor Redoblado
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