Why does LeBron James throw chalk in the air before every game? Reason behind the move explored

Pre-game rituals have long been a part of the NBA, with countless players regularly engaging in routines that get them prepared for every game. But perhaps no pre-game ritual is as iconic as LA Lakers star forward LeBron James’ “chalk toss.”

It is common practice for NBA players to rub chalk (talcum powder) on their hands before games to improve their grip on the ball. However, James put his own spin on the practice during his rookie season with Cleveland in 2003.

This came about when he started throwing chalk powder in the air and watching it disappear. The practice became a hit with fans, so James just kept on doing it.

James’ chalk toss ritual was even incorporated into Nike advertisements as well as the cover of the popular basketball video game NBA 2K14.

Since his first seven-year stint with Cleveland, James has stopped and started doing the chalk toss ritual multiple times. This included him pausing the practice during his four-year stint with Miami for “public relations reasons.”

However, James has always ended up bringing it back, most notably during his return to Cleveland in 2014.

Later in 2014, James took another break from doing the pregame ritual, with Cleveland.com’s Joe Vardon explaining that it didn’t have “the same ring” anymore:

“The chalk toss — ‘talcum powder toss’ just doesn’t have the same ring — initially became a pregame staple during James’ first go-round with the Cleveland Cavaliers,” Vardon wrote.

However, James’ pregame ritual was later brought back once again in 2019 after he joined the LA Lakers.

James even did the chalk toss when he checked in off the bench during his return from a foot injury against Chicago on March 26. The game marked James' second time coming off the bench since 2007.

So in year 20, it looks like LeBron James’ iconic pregame ritual will never fully disappear. Instead, it has endured and become a lasting part of his legacy.

Did LeBron James copy his "chalk toss" pregame ritual from Michael Jordan?

LA Lakers star forward LeBron James and Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan

Some fans have claimed that LeBron James copied his iconic chalk toss pregame ritual from Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan.

This comes as Jordan used to clap chalk into the air before games as part of some lighthearted fun with the Bulls’ commentators. The fact that James has long made it known that he idolized Jordan growing up only led to increased speculation:

“I wanted to be like MJ, wanted to shoot fadeaways like MJ, wanted to stick my tongue out on dunks like MJ … I wanted kids to look up to me at some point like MJ,” James said of Jordan in 2019.

However, most would agree that James’ chalk toss ritual is personalized enough that it’s hard to argue that he copied it from Jordan. Instead, James was likely just inspired by the Bulls legend at most.