LeBron James once revealed a fascinating insight about the roots of his passion for the game. Like any other NBA superstar, James also had childhood idols who ignited his desire to pursue a basketball career. According to LeBron, he wouldn’t have embarked on his own basketball journey if Julius Erving and Michael Jordan had not blazed the trail before him.
Needless to say, Dr. J and MJ’s masterful and gripping performances on the court inspired James to believe in undeniable greatness. Hence, the pair’s legacy induced him to someday build his own brand in the sport.
“If Doctor J hadn’t existed, probably neither did Michael Jordan. And therefore, I would not have been a basketball player,” James once said.
LeBron also looked up to Iverson
Through their greatness, Erving and Jordan taught young James that raw talent and incredible work ethic are the keys to success. As he developed his game, LeBron narrowed it down and picked MJ’s road to NBA superstardom as a blueprint.
Along the way, James found another influential figure in Allen Iverson. Watching A.I.’s unconventional rise in the NBA, LeBron realized that fearlessness and individuality are also important aspects of the game.
“He represented what black kids were all about, and he resonated with every inner-city kid in the world who had a struggle,” James once said of his Iverson fandom. “Michael Jordan inspired me, and I looked up to him, but he was out of this world. A.I. was really the god.”
James carved his own path in the game
Drawing from the influences of his basketball idols, “The King” worked on his game and carved his own path in the sport. With a blend of Jordan’s tenacity, Erving’s finesse, and Iverson’s grit, LeBron reshaped the game of basketball, transcending boundaries and redefining what it meant to be a basketball superstar in the modern era.
James swiftly morphed into an all-around player, making it hard to see obvious traces of his idols in his game. Over the years, many have been convinced that LeBron has already surpassed all the all-time greats he admired. Now, “The King” has joined his idols as one of the legends being looked up to by the younger generation of aspiring basketball stars.
In conclusion, James’ illustrious career proves that it’s important to have a legendary player to model your career after. However, it’s also crucial to remain focused on honing your own skills and empowering your own identity.