LeBron James reflects on Duke hatred growing up, crossing paths with Mike Krzyzewski

Like many college basketball fans growing up in the 1990s, LeBron James despised Duke and future Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski, who was in the midst of an unparalleled run of success in Durham during his four decades at the helm. After winning back-to-back national titles in 1991-92, “Coach K” closed out the Blue Devils’ decade of dominance with the third of his five NCAA championships in 2000-01.

For James, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, that success only made him hate Duke more. That is until he met some of the Blue Devils’ more notable superstars, including Krzyzewski himself.

During an hour-long sitdown on Wednesday’s The Pat McAfee Show, James opened up about his distaste for Duke, and what helped him get over it, including playing under first-year LA Lakers head coach J.J. Redick, a two-time consensus All-American during his days in Durham (2002-06).

“He’s a dickhead, and I love it,” James said of Redick. “When I was a kid and I used to watch Duke, now I realize it, I hated Duke when I was growing up. Then when I got a little older and I started matching up with Coach K, I played for him with Team USA, I was like, ‘OK, I see why he’s great.’

“I see why I hated JJ Redick. I see why I hated Shane Battier, and then Shane came over to us at Miami and helped us win a championship. I was like, I see it. They’re like the greatest guys-slash-dickheads you’ll ever meet.”

McAfee then asked the 40-year-old James if he sees any of Krzyzewski’s indomitable coaching traits in Redick.

“Absolutely. He’s meant for it,” James said of Redick, who has the Lakers ranked fifth in the Western Conference with a 43-28 record this season. “There’s some things that can’t be explained, but when you have the it factor, it’s just (works).”

LeBron James reveals why he and Michael Jordan ‘don’t talk’

LeBron James has set the record straight on his relationship with Michael Jordan. While appearing on The Pat McAfee Show this week, James said he and Jordan are “in a good spot,” while adding that they “don’t talk” regularly.

“We don’t talk,” James told Pat McAfee, who then asked him why. “Because I’m still playing. I’m still focused on my craft right now.”

McAfee then asked James if he and Jordan would have a better relationship once he retires from basketball. “I would hope so,” James said. After saying that, LeBron James talked about his relationship with Kobe Bryant. The 40-year-old said he and Bryant didn’t become close until he joined the Lakers in 2018, and Bryant retired from the NBA two years prior.

James hopes his relationship with Michael Jordan can be what he had with Kobe Bryant once he retires.

“We all know MJ. Even if you don’t know him personally, he’s one of the most ruthless competitors there is,” LeBron James said. He then added that until Jordan doesn’t see him on the court wearing No. 23, the relationship will be where it is now.

— On3’s Brian Jones contributed to this report.