Few individuals in NBA history harbor as much animosity towards LeBron James as 2-time NBA All-Star and All-NBA player Joakim Noah. Remarkably, nearly a decade after their feud began, Noah still hasn’t reconciled with James.
In the latest installment of The OGs podcast with Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem, Noah candidly discussed his ongoing rift with LeBron James and the reasons behind his disdain for him.
“Nope, we haven’t,” Noah said about squashing his beef with LeBron James.
Noah’s disdain stems from the frustration of repeatedly falling short against LeBron James, rather than any personal animosity towards Cleveland itself. The intensity of his dislike was fueled by James’ exceptional talent and his apparent enjoyment of dominating opponents, which rubbed Noah the wrong way. Had Noah’s Chicago Bulls managed to defeat James’ teams, his hostility might not have been as pronounced.
Now that both Joakim Noah and LeBron James are in their late thirties, perhaps it’s time for them to bury the hatchet. While sports rivalries can add excitement, there comes a point when it’s healthier to move on.