LeBron James is among the most decorated players in the history of the NBA. One look at his career accomplishments leaves any fan or analyst in amazement: four NBA championships, 21 All-Star selections, 20 All-NBA selections, four MVP awards, and league records for points scored and minutes played.
It is hard to imagine someone like James — who has seen it all and done it all — being scared or terrified of anything. James has been in the spotlight for more than half his life, first as a high school phenom in Akron, Ohio, and then as the top overall pick of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the star-studded 2003 NBA Draft. But in a new interview with ESPN‘s Pat McAfee, James has revealed the one experience he had over more than two decades in the NBA that shook him to his core.
James: Moving to Miami was a shock to the system
James altered the NBA landscape forever when, on July 8, 2010, he announced in a televised special that he would join the Miami Heat on a six-year, $110 million contract — forming a “Big Three” in South Beach with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, who joined Miami from the Toronto Raptors in free agency. James was intensely criticized for “The Decision” — and he told McAfee that the experience of moving to Miami was “terrifying”.
“That was the first time I had ever left my hometown,” James admitted. “Even though I played for Cleveland, I still lived in Akron.”
James’ choice to leave the Cavaliers for the Heat ultimately paid off; James won two MVP awards in Miami and reached the Finals in all four seasons he played there, winning his first two NBA championships in 2012 and 2013. James told McAfee that he felt he had to leave Cleveland at that point in time; though he returned as a free agent in 2014 and led the Cavaliers to their first-ever title in 2016, the city vilified LeBron for leaving.
“It got to the point in Cleveland where I had squeezed all the juice out of the lemon,” James said. “Miami was the best choice (for my career) at that moment.”
James has played for the Los Angeles Lakers since 2019, and the team’s recent acquisition of star guard Luka Doncic has prompted debate as to whether James can claim a fifth NBA championship ring before he retires. James’ greatness has transcended generations — he himself insisted Wednesday that he could play “in any era” — and it remains to be seen whether his new partner-in-crime can deliver one last milestone before “The King” signs off.
