Even idols have their idols, including LeBron James. While fans continue to debate who is the greatest between “King” James and Michael Jordan, the four-time NBA champion recently revealed which athlete he admires above all others: none other than Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani.
There’s no doubt that LeBron is one of the greatest NBA players of all time. With four championships, four Finals MVP awards, and four regular-season MVPs, his place in history is undisputed.
Despite being only 31 years old and having just eight years in the MLB, Ohtani already boasts a comparable career, with five All-Star Game selections, two World Series championships, and four regular-season MVP awards.
Furthermore, his feats are already legendary. His most recent achievements were those he accomplished in the past MLB playoffs, culminating in the 2025 World Series victory, which earned him LeBron James’ admiration.
James confesses his admiration for Ohtani
In the most recent episode of the “Mind The Game” podcast, which he co-hosts with Steve Nash, James made it very clear how much respect and admiration he feels for the Dodgers’ double threat, especially after the recent playoffs.
In conversation with Nash and their guest Stephen Curry, James revealed that in a group chat with some friends, they discussed Ohtani’s incredible performance during Game 4 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS).
In that game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Ohtani pitched six complete innings, allowing no runs and striking out 10 batters. Not content with that, the Japanese slugger also hit three home runs.
The feat was enough to earn James’s admiration. Not only that, he couldn’t help but compare him to Curry himself.
How are Curry and Ohtani similar, according to LeBron James?
According to the Los Angeles Lakers star, what Ohtani does for the Dodgers in MLB is very similar to what Stephen Curry brings to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA.
“What makes Steph one of the most dangerous players of all time is the fact that you’re going to get it in so many different ways,” James explained, recalling all the ways Curry can get to the basket.
For now, Ohtani is already resting after the grueling MLB season, while James and Curry are just at the start of the long NBA season, fighting to add another trophy to their cabinets.
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