Pistons Legend Believes Miami Heat Culture Is What Really Made LeBron James a Champion: “He Really Kinda Grew Up and There Was a Kind of Maturation”

Detroit Pistons veteran, Grant Hill, shared insights on LeBron James and his career on NBA’s special, ’75 Stories’. Specifically, Hill opined that LeBron’s time in the Miami Heat helped him mature and instilled the “championship mentality” in him.

Speaking on LeBron’s illustrious career, Hill stated that LeBron’s growing up began when he became a part of the USA’s 2008 Olympic team. Prior to that, even though he had been in a Finals series, he still did not have the championship mentality.

During the Beijing Olympics, LeBron got the opportunity to be mentored by legends like Kobe Bryant and Jason Kidd. Subsequently, 2 years later, James joined another one of his Olympic teammates, Dwyane Wade, in the Miami Heat.

Additionally, Hill believes that Miami Heat was the biggest tipping point in making LeBron a champion. It was LeBron’s first time in a team with “a culture where there is structural accountability”, said Hill.

Further, Hill states that LeBron started “learning and understanding the process, the sacrifice, the discipline, the collective responsibility that goes into winning,” during his time with the Miami Heat.

LeBron won two of his four rings with the Heat, notably, against the Thunder in 2012, and against the Spurs in 2013. Moreover, he reached the Finals all four years that he was in the Heat. Additionally, he also won two regular-season MVPs and two Finals MVPs in 2012 and 2013.

LeBron James in his 19th season

King James got two more Finals MVP in the bag after his time in Miami. Notably, the latest one with the Lakers during his fourth championship run. However, the current Lakers are nowhere near their 2020 version. The Lakers are the 8th seed in the West, following their loss against the Heat on Sunday.

Nonetheless, the blame for their poor performance this year cannot be put on LeBron. He is presently second in the NBA in points per game, averaging 29 PPG. The Lakers are going through a rough patch right now. Especially with Anthony Davis’ return uncertain and Russell Westbrook’s inconsistency, they are depending on LeBron to pull yet another miracle in his 19th season.

Watch this Story: NBA Stars Who Dated the Kardashian Sisters

Lakers can still try to move around their smaller pieces before the trade deadline on 10th February. Still, it is unlikely that there will be any major difference in their performance unless Westbrook or Davis share the burden with LeBron.

Will the Lakers overcome this slump? Let us know what you think in the comments.

Read more: Dwyane Wade on Being Put Off by a “Co*ky” and “Baby Face” LeBron James in High School: “What?! He Could Leave High School as a Junior and Go Play in the NBA?”