LeBron James reportedly stayed in 'remarkable' shape to prepare for a unique opportunity to add to his legacy
- LeBron James is reportedly in "remarkable" shape in the NBA's Disney "bubble."
- James was apparently vigilant in keeping up with his workouts while the NBA season was suspended, despite no clear indication for months that the season would resume.
- James has a chance to add a fourth championship to his legacy, key when considering his age and potentially closing window to contend.
When the NBA season was suspended for the coronavirus pandemic in March, nobody knew if basketball would be played again this year. It apparently did not deter LeBron James from keeping his eye on the prize.
According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, James is said to have kept himself in "remarkable" shape during the season's suspension.
Some in the NBA world have felt that James could benefit from the layoff more than others. At 35, James has carried a historic load throughout his career, and he got three months off of basketball, right before the playoffs.
However, given James' age and workload and the unexpected break from basketball, it's also fair to wonder if James might have trouble getting back up to speed. Players, coaches, and NBA staff alike have expressed concerns about injuries over ramping up into games too quickly after such a layoff.
The early returns on James appear promising. Lakers head coach Frank Vogel said James looked "outstanding" in practice.
James looks like he's in mid-season form, too:
Staying in shape wasn't easy for all NBA players. Some didn't have access to gyms, basketball hoops, or even the outdoors.
James, however, has a full, personal gym, allowing him to continue to stay in top shape.
Marc Stein of The New York Times also reported that there were rumors of James running pick-up basketball games — which would have violated NBA rules.
James' dedication to remaining in shape, even when it was unclear if the NBA could forge a way back, remains impressive.
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green said on ESPN's "Jalen and Jacoby" that he believes James' discipline will push the Lakers over the top.
"However, I think going into this bubble, the Lakers got to be the favorite, because they've got LeBron and he can kind of adjust to anything," Green said. "And I think he's probably the most disciplined player we've ever seen in the NBA. And that's going to matter going into this bubble. I think having LeBron on your team going into this bubble gives you a slight advantage."
Gigantic stakes for LeBron in the bubble
Few players have as much at stake as James in the bubble.
However, James will have a chance to add to his legacy with a fourth championship, putting him in rare air. He'd be the first player to win championships with three different franchises (Kawhi Leonard is also seeking to do this with the LA Clippers). He'd also be one of four players to win four MVPs and four championships (Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell are the others).
In a panel of ESPN NBA reporters, three of five felt this season was James' last best shot to compete for a championship.
Another championship also places James closer to Jordan in the "Greatest of All Time" debate.
The sports world has argued whether this season's championship will come with an "asterisk" — that it will be different, and perhaps not as meaningful, as other years.
To hear players and coaches discuss it, this will be the hardest championship to win, given the circumstances. There will be no fans, no home-court advantage, no home, no sense of normalcy. The circumstances could produce different postseason basketball than we're used to seeing, and it's unclear how players will react to months in the bubble. Motivation to continue playing could wane.
That could be a talking-point from those involved to add a sense of legitimacy to the whole endeavor, but it's inarguable that this postseason will be unlike any other in NBA history, and nobody knows how players will react.
For James, that could mean adding another extra-meaningful title to his legacy, to go with his historic 2016 title with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
There's also the question of how much longer James can continue to compete at a high level. He'll turn 36 in December. No one is sure what the 2020-21 season will look like. James has a co-star in Anthony Davis (who is a free agent this offseason but appears committed to the Lakers), but the rest of the Lakers' roster will be in flux in the coming years.
James has seemingly defied time in recent years; the decline will eventually come. James at 75% of his current talent would still be an All-Star-level player, but there are a lot of unknowns to factor into how much more he can accomplish in his career.
James appears ready for the challenge in Orlando. As ESPN's Jackie MacMullan wrote in the panel: "When the rules change, who changes most effectively along with them? This is a unique opportunity to exploit the weakness of others. LeBron is made for that."
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