Even before entering the NBA, LeBron James had the right mentality and approach required to succeed in the league. As many NBA fans might have heard, one of the greatest points of criticism against King James is the notion that he lacks a killer instinct. This has been pushed forth by critics over the years. However, claiming that LeBron is scared of a last-minute game-winning shot is almost bizarre.
When we take a look back to the early years of LeBron’s life, he was noticed for leading his high school team to victory and establishing himself as a one-of-a-kind player. As a result, LeBron was interviewed and asked more about his mindset and approach to the game of basketball.
A lot of time has passed since LeBron was in high school and he has clearly exceeded his own expectations. That said,. let us take a closer look at what his younger version had to say about his initial experiences.
Tracy McGrady guided a young LeBron James
Veteran NBA fans will remember Tracy McGrady quite well. Although he never won an NBA championship, there is no denying that Tmac was an incredible talent that several modern-day players derive inspiration from. Since McGrady began his career in 1998, he was already a certified star in the early 2000s and a figure that LeBron respected.
Video footage of a young LeBron breaking down his own game and changing his mentality can still be found on the internet.
“I mean they say I’m the best player in the country and I want to keep it that way for the next 2 years. I just want to play my game…I talked to Tracy McGrady when I went out in New Jersey and he just told me a lot of things that just inspired me. Like when you go out on the court you have no friends and you know, when I get on the court sometimes I underestimate who I’m playing against because they might be on the same level as me.”
LeBron continued, “But he told me that it don’t matter who you playing, you gotta kill them and that’s what I’m coming into the year, next year, Whoever we play, I’m coming out to get them.”
There is no denying that McGrady gave a young LeBron some good advice. After all, underestimating or holding back against the opponent is never the right call. Since Tmac gave LeBron this advice when he was in high school, fans might wonder what LeBron accomplished before coming to the NBA.
How good was LeBron in high school?
There is a reason that LeBron was nicknamed the chosen one and declared for the NBA straight out of high school instead of attending college for a year or 2. By his senior year, LeBron was already ready for the NBA and was a grown man among boys in high school. He averaged 31.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game during his final year and clearly belonged in another league.
We all know what happened after that. LeBron was soon drafted by his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. 21 years later, he has made the NBA Finals 10 times, has 4 championships to his legacy, and is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.