via Getty
Dec 15, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James celebrates the win over the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. | Credit: Getty Images
via Getty
Dec 15, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James celebrates the win over the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. | Credit: Getty Images
LeBron James and greatness go hand in hand. He entered the league as an 18-year-old and dominated from the get-go. The Cleveland Cavaliers drafted a young LeBron, and he witnessed the NBA culture firsthand.
However, in a recent interview, the Los Angeles Lakers star talked about the lack of culture when he first entered the league. The 4-time NBA champion then gave an insight into what talent and culture together can lead to.
LeBron said, “Definitely culture first, and then if you can blend that with the talent and the right pieces, it literally is the gateway to being successful for a long period of time.“
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This issue was touched upon by LeBron and the others when Manchester United star, Marcus Rashford, talked about the culture in his team and how he grew up in it.
Interestingly enough, Liverpool happens to be the biggest rival of Manchester United, the club Rashford plays for. Moreover, LeBron is a stakeholder in Liverpool.
How good was LeBron James as an 18-year-old?
During the interview, LeBron James talked about the lack of culture in the Cleveland Cavaliers when he joined the team. LeBron’s hype was unreal as he entered the 2003 NBA draft straight out of high school.
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CLEVELAND – DECEMBER 9: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers stands next to his head coach Mike Brown during the game against the Indiana Pacers on December 9, 2006 at The Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers won 107-75. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2006 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
King James hit the ground running from the get-go. The year before LeBron was drafted, the Cavs finished last in the Eastern Conference. The influence of James was easily noticed as he took the Cavs from last to 12th in the league almost single-handedly.
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Moreover, he won the Rookie of the Year award that season. James averaged 20.9 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.5 rebounds during the 2003-04 season.
WATCH THIS STORY: Michael Jordan vs LeBron James: How Many 40 Point Games Do The GOATs Have?
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Although James tried his best to bring a championship to the city of Cleveland, it was all in vain. The frustration led to his free agency move to the Miami Heat in 2010. He went on to win 2 NBA championships there.
Despite facing a lot of criticism from fans and media for his move, he shut down his haters with brilliant performances and with 2 championships to his name.
