NBA Players: 3 LeBron James traits that set him apart from the rest

LeBron has forever been
LeBron has forever been "The Chosen One"

Ever since The Kid from Akron step foot in the NBA, he has always been subjected to microscopic surveillance and the highest levels of scrutiny for his varied actions. From an uber-talented 18-year-old dominating high school kids at SVSM, to a 34-year-old dad of two and a three-time world champion, LeBron has stood the test of time.

He has aged like fine wine, getting better with every obstacle that the game called life threw at him. Despite the odds, this man still remains the quintessential role model to not just future ballers, but anyone who understands what it takes to be a complete human being.

When the chips were stacked against Bron's squad, the reporters once asked him if he feels any sort of pressure and his response reflected strongly on his journey from a rough neighbourhood to his point,

"I've been under pressure since I was 16 years old. This is not pressure .. In fact this is nothing compared to how I made it out."

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His stats and achievements across his (so far) 16-season long career speak for themselves, but here we'll try and measure The King from an individualistic viewpoint.

On that note, let's take a look at the three major attributes that make him a unique force in the vast ocean of NBA players.


#1 True leader who augments inclusive growth

LeBron is the only player ranked top 10 in NBA's All-time list for points as well as assists.
LeBron is the only player ranked top 10 in NBA's All-time list for points as well as assists.

When Bron talks about his teammates, his intimate observations of their capabilities, circumstances, personal and professional history reiterate the fact that leadership demands reacquainting ourselves with our people. Time and again (and with the apt example being the 2018 playoffs), James has shown that it is not necessary to shell out greens for the greatest talent or experience all the time, as long as one can build a system that maximises everyone's individual talents for the greater good of a healthier whole.

Everyone on the team wants to lift the Larry O'Brien and LeBron is always cognizant of that. Yet, his trademark sorcery lies in efficient inclusion and effective leadership. Had this not been the case throughout the past 16 years, LeBron's supreme capabilities would apparently have fallen short on the bigger stage repeatedly.

#2 Superhuman yet mature work ethic

Until last season, James did not know what an injury felt like.
Until last season, James did not know what an injury felt like.

LeBron's real competitive advantage is driven by the work he puts in to align his mind and body on a regular basis. Although a wide majority of basketball fanatics are of the belief that his 6-foot-8 & 280 pound frame does the job for him but that is far removed from the actual truth behind the scenes.

His strenuous gym workouts marked by music-filled Instagram stories even in times of distress are a symbol of how The King manages to stay unfazed by external pressure. At this point in his career, nothing seems to disrupt his mindset to be great on the court and the building blocks for the same are laid during his 4 AM gym sessions and the joy he draws out of them.

With multiple off-court gigs still rolling in the background of his gravitating NBA universe, James has found extreme expertise in hitting the right balance between his gazillion worlds.

#3 Unmatched situational awareness & basketball IQ built over time.

He is often critiqued for being the unofficial Head Coach of his team.
He is often critiqued for being the unofficial Head Coach of his team.

James has appeared in 13 postseasons so far and considering his elite learning abilities, he is in a statrosphere of his own in terms of playoff knowledge. Another intriguing narrative that played out a while back was of his aptitude to recall at will and articulate in his mind a sequence of plays that occured at a certain point in the game.

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There is ample of proof of LeBron reading plays even before they'd happen on the floor and that is why he is the best when it comes to crunch plays down the stretch in the playoffs. He is the NBA's leading scorer in the postseason and retained the spot even after missing an entire playoff campaign this past season.

As a matter of fact, LeBron's evolution to one amongst the greats remains largely unappreciated, and that is because he was always projected to be a legit force ever since he was a budding teenager.

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Edited by Kingshuk Kusari
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