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Timofey Mozgov defends LeBron James against media narratives
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- Timofey Mozgov defends LeBron James against media narratives
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In the history of the NBA, there has probably never been a more scrutinized player than LeBron James . From the moment he stepped on the heated hardwood of the Association as a teenager, every move he made — from his first dribble to his postgame pressers to his recent podcast appearances — has been put under a heavy microscope by both the media and the fans. That's just the reality of the social media world we live in.
However, those who got to share the locker room with The King know a different side of LeBron. A side that is often forgotten in today's narrative. One of those former teammates, Timofey Mozgov , recently stepped in to defend James' legacy and push back against the way the media sometimes portrays him.
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"That's nice. He really takes care of his teammates. I can tell you… Good guy," Mozgov said in his recent appearance on the "Jao Mile" podcast. "Don't listen to rumors about, you know, him being selfish or stuff. It's just that, when you are there, you understand his impact for the team and for basketball society. He is, you know, so big, that sometimes people get mad with him. 'Oh, he doesn't take the picture with the kid, or he doesn't, you know, sign jerseys… They try to make a pomp out of that. Like, 'Oh, this guy is bad.'"
"Listen, this is how this works. If you are LeBron James , you cannot sign every jersey in the world…" he added.
The first Russian with a ring
Mozgov's career path was far from the typical fairytale. The Russian center entered the league in the 2010–11 season, arriving with a touch of expectations next to his 7'1", 275-pound frame. But to be honest, he never really blossomed into the star some projected him to be. His career averages of 6.8 points and 4.9 rebounds across eight years may seem modest, but his journey was a wild ride.
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The turning point came midway through the 2014–15 season, when he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers . There, everything clicked in a way it hadn't before. Playing alongside LeBron tends to have that effect — he elevates the guys around him, whether they're stars or role players. Mozgov saw his numbers rise and his role on that squad solidified.
The crown jewel of that partnership came in 2016, when Cleveland pulled off one of the greatest comeback stories in NBA history. Down 3–1 to the 73-win Golden State Warriors , the Cavaliers shocked the world to deliver the franchise's first championship. For Mozgov, it was the peak of his NBA journey. For LeBron, it was another testament to his ability to lead and uplift his squad, something which is often overshadowed by naysayers.
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Is James the greatest?
LeBron is entering his 23rd season in the league, and at almost 41 years old, he's still chasing that elusive fifth ring. The faces around him have changed and the game has undoubtedly evolved, but The King has remained relevant.
Mozgov's story reveals a simple yet important truth: being LeBron comes with expectations that no other player in league history has had to face. When you're that big and that influential, every move gets blown out of proportion.
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And yet, for those who were inside those locker rooms, the story they tell is that of a good teammate, a leader and someone who genuinely cared.
There is no doubt that time will eventually tell how great a basketball player Bron indeed is, but stories like Mozgov's remind us that not everything fits neatly into the narratives the media likes to push.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Oct 13, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
