Bernard King, a four-time NBA All-Star, told him the story of LeBron James’ words after winning Rookie of the Year in 2004.
LeBron James came to the NBA with explosive hopes on his shoulders. He was called “The Chosen” in high school and was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2023 for the No. 1 overall pick.
It’s been 22 years since then, and James has lived in all the hype and more. He’s having a goat conversation, a four-time NBA champion and a four-time final MVP.
There has been a lot of negative noise around Bron since the Lakers’ recent playoff exit. Paul Pierce hopes to move on from James in LA.
The former NBA champion suggested that LeBron no longer cared about basketball. Of all this noise, it’s important to remember why King is probably the best player ever.
LeBron often gave to NBA greats of past flowers. He describes things like Oscar Robertson and J as his inspiration is growing.
Former Knicks star Bernard King recently spoke on a podcast, recalling how he and Julius Irving celebrated with young James after he won Rookie of the Year.
“One of the greatest players ever played the game. There’s no doubt about that. His IQ is off the charts,” King said of James.
“I remember his rookie year when he won Rookie of the Year. The NBA asked J and myself to fly to New York to celebrate it with him.
“When I did it, I said to him, ‘That’s amazing, you play the game like you’ve been to the game for ten years, where does it come from?”
“He said, “When I grew up, I was watching Oscar Robertson, on tape, which is all the old great NBA players, and I took a piece of their game and made it a part of my game.
“Just an incredible talent, I wanted to play against him.”
NBA fans following the King’s Journey know that he will become a problem from the beginning of his professional career.
James entered the league and quickly finished 9th in the MVP polls, winning the Roty Award. The Cavaliers won 18 more games than they did last season.
LeBron averaged 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game while playing in 79 of his 82 regular season games.
He has been the face of the NBA for the past 20 years, but people still forget that LeBron’s entire career is historic.