The King and the Champ: The Special Bond Between LeBron James And James Jones

The Cavs re-signed veteran James Jones, who has been to six straight Finals with LeBron James. Here’s a deeper look into his and LeBron’s friendship.

LeBron James and James Jones have been through a lot together, from their first championship ever to bringing one home for The Land. They first joined forces in 2010-11, when LeBron left Cleveland for greener grass (and sunnier skies) in Miami. Jones was already there when LeBron arrived and the two quickly formed a special bond.

“I told J.J., as long as I’m playing, he’s going to be around. “He’s not allowed to stop playing basketball. So, I’m going to make sure I got a roster spot for him. I love him. He’s the greatest teammate I’ve ever had.” -LeBron James

LeBron calls Jones his “favorite player of all time” and the feeling is mutual, as LeBron is Jones’ favorite of all time. In 2015, LeBron explained to Dave McMenamin of ESPN how Jones is the greatest teammate he’s ever had and he wants Jones around as long as he’s playing. Jones was with him through 2014 for all four of Miami’s trips to the NBA Finals and when LeBron decided to come home, Jones followed.

At first, Jones was “a little heartbroken” when LeBron decided to come home. But when he asked Jones to join him in Cleveland, Jones chose to come along for the ride.  LeBron was taking on one of his greatest challenges and he needed his favorite teammate to be his sidekick, adviser and co-pilot to steer the plane in the right direction.

Related Story: James Jones Wins NBPA Teammate Of The Year Award

Jones’ biggest concern when leaving Miami was helping LeBron win a championship for his home state, as LeBron helped Jones do that for Miami. Not only did he want LeBron to feel the pride of bringing a title to Cleveland, but he also wanted LeBron to finally get the appreciation and respect he deserves. Jones said:

"“He knows I’m eternally indebted to him, and most importantly, because he’s done that for me, the only thing I want to see him be is the greatest player ever to play this game. And not just a great basketball player, but a man, a father, a husband, an individual, an icon. And so, that’s why we share that bond, because I told him my goal, my focus here is to win championships and to help him build his legacy so that he’s iconic. When they think about the greatest player to ever play the game of basketball and one of the greatest athletes to ever impact the sport or impact the world, I want that to be him and no one else.”"

And after making it to the Finals for the sixth consecutive time together, with the chance to win their third championship and the first for Cleveland in more than half a century, Jones took to the NBPA to write about what was going through his mind and elaborate on his bond with LeBron.

"Making the Finals again with LeBron is special because he’s chasing something exceptional. I’m chasing the same thing, but just coming at a different angle…It’s a similarity that we share that makes our relationship special because rarely do you have guys on different spectrums—one elite superstar and one elite reserve—on the exact same page.I look at LeBron more like a stepbrother. It’s one of those things where the relationship isn’t built on your youth growing up. It’s sharing the exact same experiences, the exact same situations. The context is different; it’s kind of like a late merger. You respect each other’s independence, but at the same time, enjoy each other’s common bond."

LeBron’s connection with Jones also relates to who Jones has become through his 13 years in the NBA. He is affectionately nicknamed “Champ” and for good reason. First, Jones has six consecutive Finals appearances. Secondly, all of Jones’ teams have made the playoffs except for one, his lone season with the inexperienced 2007-08 Portland Trail Blazers. 

“I think the biggest thing he does for me is in terms of preparation for what’s to come. And he’s been through it before. He comes in and just does what he needs to do and is a professional every day. The true essence of the word ‘professional.'” -Kyrie Irving

That Trail Blazers team still finished with a 41-41 record, the worst record of Jones’s career, which means he has yet to experience a losing season in the NBA. Three of Jones’ seasons are 60-plus win seasons and five more were 50-plus win seasons. Jones has played in 140 playoff games and ranks 53rd all-time, which ties Jeff Hornacek and Tayshaun Prince, an incredible feat for someone who averages just 5.4 points, 1.9 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 0.3 steals and blocks per game.

But the nickname “Champ” also refers to the way he conducts himself and leads a team. These are  the parts of Jones that make him LeBron’s favorite player and greatest teammate. LeBron wanted Jones to join the Cleveland Cavaliers because of this professionalism and leadership and it’s worked out. Several teammates, including Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving and J.R. Smith, have spoken highly of Jones . Kevin Love praised Jones, explaining that he goes to him for everything.

"“I go to him with everything. Whether it’s the game, personal life, we talk about everything. He’s a guy, I’m always just picking his brain…If you were in school, he’d be the guy to sit next to in class. So I sit next to him on the plane, I pick his brain in the locker room. I pick his brain about basketball. I pick his brain about my family. Everything. He’s probably one of, if not, my best friend in the league.”"

And J.R. Smith talked about how Jones is the veteran to look up to.

"“I can see the consistency in him every single day. He comes in, works hard. Whether he’s playing 20 minutes or he don’t play at all, he’s very consistent on who he is. He’s content on who he is as a player and a person. So, if there is anybody to look up to as a veteran, it’s definitely ‘Champ.'”"

Even though Jones averages a career 16.2 minutes per game, with just 9.6 in the 2015-2016 regular season and 4.6 in the postseason. Despite how few minutes he plays, Jones’ voice is as loud as anyone on the court. Richard Jefferson, the only Cavalier older than Jones, explains that Jones leads by example and will never ask someone to do something that he wouldn’t do himself. And that he holds himself accountable and isn’t afraid to use his voice whether in practice or for motivation at halftime or in a postgame meeting.

Jones has also spoken about what his role is and what he hopes his teammates will take from him. He talked to McMenamin about effect on the team.

"“For me, the guys see me work. You don’t always get the opportunity to show the work that you’ve put in in the game, especially when you’re a reserve guy near the end of the rotation with inconsistent minutes…I just try to work and hopefully give the guys confidence and a boost that the work they do every day in practice when no one is watching, that it means something, that it pays off and that eventually I hope it’s infectious.”"

It’s clear that while LeBron may be the heart of the Cavaliers, literally pumping life into and elevating them to levels unseen, James Jones is the soul of the team. It’s no wonder LeBron and Jones, the heart and soul, wanted to stick together.

Related Story: James Jones Is The Ultimate Teammate

The King has his Champ and the two of them have their third championship together.