LeBron James’ Ex-Teammate Reveals Why Playing With Him ‘Sucks’ Despite Greatness

LeBron James, a titan of the NBA, has long been hailed as one of the greatest to ever grace the court. But according to his former teammate Richard Jefferson, who played alongside him with the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2015 to 2017, sharing the hardwood with LeBron isn’t always a slam dunk. Jefferson, now an ESPN NBA broadcaster, recently spilled the beans on the Road Trippin’ podcast about the intense highs and lows of teaming up with a legend.

Jefferson didn’t hold back, describing how playing with LeBron can suck at times—not because of any personal flaws, but due to the sheer intensity of his competitiveness. 'He’s one of the most competitive human beings in the history of sports,' Jefferson noted. Imagine showing up to practice only to find LeBron has already been grinding for four hours, or messing up a play and getting that piercing stare while he mutters under his breath. It’s not just pressure; it’s a whole other level of expectation.

Yet, there’s a flip side to this coin. Jefferson acknowledged that while the cons are real—much like playing with icons like Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant demanded excellence—the upside is unparalleled. You’re learning from and winning with one of the all-time greats. That 2016 championship with the Cavaliers? A memory worth every grueling moment.

As speculation swirls about LeBron’s future with the Los Angeles Lakers, including whispers of a potential buyout and return to Cleveland, one thing is clear: wherever he plays, he’ll demand nothing short of greatness. For teammates, it’s both a blessing and a brutal challenge.