If the NBA lockout lingers too long, LeBron James may forgo playing overseas to become a football commentator at home. Whether he was auditioning for a gig or just has too much time on his hands, the championship-less superstar twice took to Twitter to defend second-year Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow against negative comments made by ESPN analyst Merrill Hoge on TV and Twitter.

Here’s the Heated exchange:

Hoge on air: “He is awful as far as accuracy goes and what’s kind of even more disturbing, he’s probably worse moving and running around with the football and throwing than he is from the pocket.”Hoge on iiwtter: “Sitting watching tape off bronco offense from last year! Orton or Tebow? It’s embarrassing to think the broncos could win with tebow!!”

LeBron Tweet 1: “Tim Tebow will succeed in the NFL. He’s a hard worker, a student of the game, a natural born leader and most of all a WINNER! It takes time and he’ll be nice.”LeBron on Twitter: “Listened to Merril Hoge today on SC and he was just blasting Tebow. The man hasn’t even play a full season and its only his 2nd year in. Guys get on that TV and act like they was all WORLD when they played. How bout encouraging him and wishing him the best instead of hating!!”

My friend and former colleague Cam Martin thinks LeBron is a joke for suggesting TV analysts should think their “job is to spread roses and sunshine, to lie to yourself, your viewers and to ignore the facts.” I think it might be a bigger joke that ringless LeBron knows who is “a WINNER!”

Hoge played eight unspectacular seasons as an NFL running back with the Steelers and Bears, rushing for a career-high 772 yards in 1990. As a rookie last season, Tebow went 1-2 as a starter, completing 41 of 82 passes for 654 yards, five TDs and three interceptions with six sacks. It’s a good bet that Hoge will end up with a better NFL career than fan favorite Tebow, but LeBron might have made some new friends with Florida Gator fans.