Podcast Summary: Earn Your Leisure

Episode: Why LeBron Gets Disrespected More Than Jordan Ever Did

Release Date: February 14, 2026
Hosts: Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings (plus guest)*
*(Note: Named speakers were not mentioned in the transcript, referring to speakers as "A" and "B" when needed.)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode of Earn Your Leisure dives into why LeBron James, despite his monumental impact on the NBA, often faces more public criticism and disrespect than Michael Jordan ever did, particularly in the later stages of his career. The discussion weaves in business, media, evolving fan culture, social media, and the rapidly changing landscape of basketball stardom and player compensation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Nature of LeBron’s Criticism Compared to Previous Stars

• LeBron's Disrespect: The hosts cite recent examples like Dylan Brooks calling LeBron overrated and Cleveland fans dubbing it “Donovan Mitchell’s city” (02:35).
  • Host Reflection: “The level of disrespect that LeBron has received is pretty historic when you really think about it... I feel like it's just—why are people so disrespectful to somebody that's in the tail end of his career and has only done great things in the league?” (02:46)
• Contrast with Jordan/Kobe: Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant were treated with “reverence” in their waning years, especially during farewells (03:10).
  • Quote: “When he was at the tail end of his career playing with the Washington Wizards… they had so much reverence for Michael Jordan or even Kobe's last season.” (03:00)

The Shift in NBA Media and Fan Culture

• Media Evolution: In the '80s and '90s, the NBA prioritized narrative and idol-building, pitting legends like Bird vs. Magic and later Jordan as superheroes (03:25).
  • Fun Insight: “It was marketing, more entertainment, so to speak. Then, now… they got you hooked, and it got into good vs. evil kind of thing.” (03:33)
• Rise of Drama: The current culture—thanks in part to reality TV and social media—values drama over all-positive stories, fueling negativity for ratings (04:05).
  • Quote: “If everybody says all good stuff, it’s boring to the entertainment world. That started in the late 2000s. Back then, you never heard ‘everyone’s a villain.’” (04:12)

Social Media and the “Everyone’s a Critic” Mentality

• Basketball’s Accessibility: Unlike other sports, everyone feels they can rival top basketball players, breeding more armchair criticism (05:00).
  • Quote: “Go to any park. There’s no other sport where everyone thinks… they can play to the level that we played at. No baseball, no tennis. Everything is, ‘Man, I could beat him, this guy’s trash.’” (05:14)

Concerns for the NBA’s Future Stars & Celebrity Creation

• Fragmented Visibility: Although ratings spike during key moments like Christmas games, hosts mention fans struggle to find games due to streaming fragmentation (06:07).
• Megastars Post-LeBron: The conversation turns to who might be the “next face” of the NBA as older stars leave (06:45).
  • Hosts’ Picks:
    • Anthony Edwards: Noted for his “dog” mentality and relatable, marketable persona (07:09).
      • “Anthony Edwards… his character, the way he play. He’s a dog. All of that is just like phenomenal to me.” (06:55)
    • Victor Wembanyama (“Wemby”): A generational talent but perhaps lacking the “character” seen in Edwards; called “very French, snooty, a moody individual” (07:36).
• The Role of Social Media in Shaping and Undermining Stars:
  • Past stars weren’t subject to constant scrutiny or leaks of drama; today, social media blends on-court and off-court personas (08:10).
  • Quote: “Now… because of social media I can put that out there if I really want to because the polls are showing that drama sells.” (08:36)

The Business and Social Shifts in College & Professional Basketball

• NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) Era:
  • Massive shift in college athletics as players can now command higher salaries than some pros (09:05).
    • A (Anecdotal, tongue-in-cheek): “I couldn’t have did it… 20 years old, bro. I’m getting six, seven figures. I’m out of control. You out of your mind. You’re gonna be the mayor. You’re gonna be the governor of Rhode Island.” (09:25)
  • Some veterans see this influx of early money as destabilizing, though ultimately positive, paralleling early NBA financial disorder in the 1980s (09:40).
    • “It’s going to be ugly for a second until it gets to that point where guys are a lot more… money is money and let’s figure out how we can make it last.” (11:00)
• Transition and Learning Curve:
  • Like early NBA stars who made mistakes, today’s athletes will serve as case studies for future generations on managing wealth and careers.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On LeBron’s Disrespect:
  • “Why are people so disrespectful to somebody that's in the tail end of his career and has only done great things in the league?” (02:46)
• On the Media’s Change:
  • “If everybody says all good stuff, it’s boring to the entertainment world. That started in the late 2000s.” (04:12)
• On Basketball’s Universality:
  • “There's no other sport where everyone thinks… they can play to the level that we played at.” (05:14)
• Future of NBA Stardom:
  • “If we’re not careful, we won’t be able to have another megastar.” (06:37)
  • “Anthony Edwards has a lot more character at the moment to be that… he’s from the hood, he can joke, but he’ll come back at you.” (07:18)
• On NIL and Early Money:
  • “It’s gonna be ugly for a second until it gets to that point where guys a lot more… money is money and let’s figure out how we can make it last.” (11:00)

Important Timestamps

• 02:35 – 05:30: Main discussion on the difference in respect for LeBron vs. Jordan/Kobe
• 05:00 – 06:40: Fans’ perceptions of basketball and criticism culture
• 06:45 – 08:50: Future NBA megastars; Anthony Edwards vs. Wemby; social media’s influence
• 09:05 – 11:10: The impact of NIL deals and money on the game and player development

Conclusion

This episode of Earn Your Leisure offers a layered, candid conversation about the evolution in how NBA stars—particularly LeBron James—are perceived and criticized as the league, media, and business landscape change. The hosts highlight the media’s shift toward drama, the new challenges social media brings, concerns about cultivating future superstars, and the business realities for new generations of players. Their insights deftly combine culture, business, and personal perspective, making this episode essential listening for basketball fans and anyone following the business side of modern sports.