Claire de Lune Discusses Her Experiences Covering LeBron James and Launching 'Basketball, Etc.'

This summer, at the age of 41, James left Los Angeles to join the Philadelphia 76ers for the final phase of his career. De Lune is also embarking on a new journey with the launch of her podcast, Basketball, Etc., set to debut on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. The show will feature guests such as Flea, Nick Wright, and Desus Nice, exploring themes connecting art, philosophy, and basketball, alongside stories about NBA history and its players.

In an interview, de Lune shared her unconventional path to becoming a basketball writer and her evolving perspective on sports media. She expressed a desire for engaging, long-form storytelling in basketball podcasts—a niche she felt was missing in the market. "I just wanted to hear long-form interviews and storytelling about basketball... So, I decided to make it myself," she explained.

De Lune did not grow up immersed in sports. Raised in New York during a significant era for basketball, she initially had little interest. Her passion ignited while touring as a musician in her early 20s when her drummer, a fan of the Oklahoma City Thunder, introduced her to the NBA playoffs. "It was straight hobby fandom... I had zero professional ambitions regarding basketball," she recalled.

Her fascination with basketball deepened as she engaged with NBA Twitter, gaining a following that eventually led to writing opportunities. After a successful stint at Spotify, she joined The Guardian, encouraged by an editor who noticed her writing on basketball. De Lune emphasized the importance of following genuine interests and curiosity, noting, "If you just do things that you love because you love them... good things can happen."

De Lune's interest in LeBron coincided with what she describes as her "honeymoon years" of basketball from 2013 to 2019. She appreciates both his athleticism and his historical significance, anticipating he will be remembered as one of the greatest players of all time. Reflecting on his physical decline while his basketball IQ remains sharp, she expressed an awareness of the emotional challenges he faces in confronting his legacy.

As de Lune covered LeBron's last season with the Lakers, she noted an element of grief in his journey. "I’m watching the greatest athlete of all time go through the grieving process... dealing with his own basketball mortality," she observed. These themes resonate with her audience, showcasing the player’s vulnerability beyond his public persona.

Their rapport has grown, highlighted by instances where LeBron recognized her in the locker room, suggesting a respect for her work. De Lune recounted a memorable moment when she asked him about the musicality of basketball after he made a related comment during an earlier interview. His enthusiastic response made her feel connected to the human side of the athlete.

De Lune reflected on her realization that significant interviews require preparation and emotional intelligence, skills she believes are often lacking in sports media. As she transitions to covering LeBron in a different environment with the 76ers, she expressed empathy for him while feeling the loss of her close-up coverage of his career.

From her experiences with LeBron, de Lune has learned the value of presence and appreciation in her work as a sportswriter. Emphasizing the importance of valuing the moment, she aims to carry this perspective forward in covering basketball.