LeBron James just revealed a childhood secret that explains everything about his rise to NBA greatness
(Image Source - Getty Images)
LeBron James, the NBA's top scorer ever and a four-time champion, just revealed something surprising about his early development — he didn't have a personal basketball trainer until his second, third, or even fourth year in the NBA.
Instead, he grew up playing unstructured games—pickup games with friends, where he sharpened his skills through hands-on experience instead of formal training. This finding challenges the modern focus on early specialization and organized training in youth sports.
LeBron James Credits Pickup Games Over Trainers in Early Development
In a recent episode of his podcast "Mind The Game", LeBron James opened up about his unique journey to basketball success. He mentioned, "I didn't have a 'basketball trainer' until my second, third, maybe fourth year in the NBA.
My basketball training was just being on the court. Let's just go hoop. Five on five, two on two, three on three."
By using this approach, James was able to really understand the game through hands-on experiences. Engaging in various informal games helped him grow his dribbling, shot creation, and basketball IQ in a natural way. He noted that this technique encouraged creativity and adaptability, qualities that have defined his remarkable career.
LeBron James Warns Against Early Specialization in Youth Sports
Aside from his own experiences, James shared his worries about how youth sports are evolving. He pointed out the issue with kids specializing too early, dedicating themselves to just one sport all year long, usually with the help of personal trainers. James noted, "Me and my guys, we ran track and field as well. We played football all through high school. We didn't just do one thing all year round. I think a lot of kids, they burn the hell out.
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He suggested that spending so much time on just one game could cause players to feel tired and lessen the fun they have. James believes that children should take part in different sports and enjoy playing games, instead of concentrating on hard training early on.
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LeBron James recently explained how playing many different sports and not following a strict routine benefits people looking to become athletes. It demonstrates that a person doesn't always need serious training to achieve prominent success; passion, being imaginative and an ability to adjust during play is enough. As sports for youth develop, James wants us to concentrate on playing for enjoyment and general skills rather than specializing at an early stage.
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