Lebron James just led the Lakers to the final four of the NBA In-Season Tournament by racking up 31 points, 11 assists, 8 rebounds, and 5 steals in a win against the Phoenix Suns. LeBron is now approaching his 39th birthday later this month and is the league’s oldest player as he continues to shatter expectations. On the season, he averages of 24.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game, his efficiency remains unmatched – 54.6% from the field and 38.7% from the three-point line.
Many are curious how LeBron has maintained the ability to perform at such a high level for so long. That answer can be broken down into several categories:
A Physical Specimen Like No Other
LeBron has been gifted with perhaps the most perfectly designed body for the game of basketball at 6 feet 9 inches tall and 250 pounds of solid muscle with a wingspan of 7 feet. He is also blessed with extraordinary quickness and jumping ability. From the time he burst on the scene as a generational talent in basketball, it was apparent that LeBron was physically gifted beyond those around him. Much like Michael Jordan, he just looked and moved differently on the court: more athletically, more explosively, and more gracefully than those around him. Bottom line, LeBron James is a freak of nature.
Lebron’s Body Is His Temple
It has been reported that James spends $1.5 million per year on his body. That comes in the forms of training and technology. That takes him beyond a normal diet and fitness routine into the world of cryo-chambers and compression gear, both designed to reduce inflammation and promote recovery. He has several trainers that put him through extreme physical exertion that also includes pre and post game recovery.
One member of the team is Donnie Raimon, James’ personal biomechanist — a former navy seal who is a specialist in human movement that combines biology and physical mechanics. Much of Raimon’s work with James happens before practices and games. Some of the work has gone viral in social media posts that show him putting James through ridiculous pregame paces using a physio ball.
Another Mike Mancias, who has been taking care of James’ body since 2004 and is in charge of much of James’ recovery after games and practices. There are times when James works late into the night with Mancias and then starts again right after the crack of dawn, especially in the playoffs.
LeBron said: “I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.”
LeBron’s pregame workout usually includes cardio for warming up and strength training exercises like inverted rows, landmine rotational presses, lunges and core work. On game day his routine looks something like this:
- James arrived at the arena at 2:15 pm, over four hours before tip-off, before getting in the gym at 2:45 pm to do some resistance work.
- At 3:15 pm he gets out on the court to put up some practice shots and hones his dribbling moves.
- At 3:30 pm he heads back to the locker room to get ready ahead of the game tipping off at 7:00 pm local time.
A Commitment to Excellence
In the words of the philosopher Aristotle: “Excellence is not a single act, you are what you repeatedly do”.
This famous quotation perfectly describes the essence of LeBron James commitment to his career as an athlete. James declared, “I want to continue to have this battle with Father Time, and for so long, everybody said it’s been undefeated, so, you know, trying to give him one loss.” What LeBron James is accomplishing this year is absolutely extraordinary and he should be cherished and celebrated for this once in a lifetime achievement.
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