LeBron: Wade helped me become better father

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade's bond is so much bigger than basketball.

The recently reunited teammates from the 2003 draft class have grown close over the years to the point they're now "like peanut butter and jelly." The Cleveland Cavaliers starters recently opened up about how their relationship was strengthened by both highs and lows.

The duo basked in the glory of leading the Miami Heat to back-to-back titles in 2012 and '13 and capturing Olympic gold in Beijing, but also overcame adversity together, whether it was heartbreaking NBA Finals defeats, widespread hostility as the league's villains, or Wade's public legal battle with his ex-wife.

Wade, 35, said James' support in the latter was pivotal.

"It definitely was huge for me when I was going through the ugly divorce that I went through and the ugly custody battle with the kids," the shooting guard told ESPN's Rachel Nichols in a sit-down interview alongside his pal, who helped him through the ordeal.

James held down the fort on the court while also providing an assist off the hardwood, where he helped Wade take care of his sons, Zaire and Zion, who were 8 and 3 years old at the time, respectively.

And yet, The King insists Wade helped him. Watching him fight to keep his children was eye-opening for James, who was raised by his single mother and never knew his father.

"The example that that set coming from someone that never encountered a father, growing up, to see one of your best friends gain custody of his kids, fight for it, fight for it and say, 'Listen, I want my kids.' That helped me become a better father as well," James said.