The Los Angeles Lakers superstar is not the greatest player in the NBA, but to become a “unique” name in the history of world basketball, there must be a secret.
At the age of 35, LeBron played 60/63 games for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2019/20 season. Those things do not come naturally, but lie in LeBron’s attitude and awareness of his basketball career. So how does the player born in 1984 maintain his peak performance when his peers are all declining in performance or retiring?
Body maintenance
Business Insider estimates that LeBron spends up to $1.5 million a year on body care. ESPN journalist Brian Windhorst also revealed that LeBron’s annual body maintenance costs reach seven figures.
In addition, the support team includes personal trainers, professional chefs and masseuses. His villa also has a fully equipped gym, ice bath, hot tub and freezer.
LeBron spends millions of dollars to create the perfect body maintenance system. Photo: Instagram.
LeBron spends millions of dollars to create the perfect body maintenance system. Photo: Instagram.
One person who has played a key role in helping LeBron maintain his peak form is Donnie Raimon. He is a former SEAL and also the person who designed the NBA star’s physical rehabilitation program. ESPN revealed that the former Cleveland Cavaliers player had a back problem in 2015. At that time, LeBron sought out David Alexander, a personal trainer who worked with him during his time at the Miami Heat. Alexander introduced Raimon to LeBron.
Raimon was a biomechanics expert at the time. He helped LeBron gain better control of his body’s strength and solve his back problems. So impressed was LeBron that he decided to hire Raimon as his own physical rehabilitation coach.
Former teammate Mike Miller said LeBron views his fitness and health as a personal investment. “When a lot of people don’t do that, he spends a lot of money on his body. Many people think it’s expensive, but that big expense helps him make more money than he spends over a long period of time,” Miller said.
Anyone who comes into contact with LeBron says he takes good care of his body. Kevin Durant once shared: “He knows that to maintain his form, his body has to be taken care of. He works hard to stay in shape.”
LeBron is also one of the first athletes to own a cryochamber, a cold chamber that helps users reduce stress and improve sleep. This machine has the ability to help athletes recover quickly after each match or intense training session.
Sleep plays a crucial role in LeBron’s success. Photo: Getty Images.
Sleep plays a crucial role in LeBron’s success. Photo: Getty Images.
In 2015, Bleacher Report journalist Ken Berger revealed how LeBron takes care of his body after each game. LeBron drinks electrolyte-rich drinks and takes ice baths. LeBron also carefully uses special compression garments and tights to help blood circulate well on flights.
8 hours sleep
LeBron once shared that he sleeps at least 8 hours every night. He explained that it is the best way to restore his physical and mental health to 100%.
Mike Mancias, one of LeBron’s personal trainers, also revealed that sleeping temperature is also very important. “I don’t want to go into it all, but I will say a few basic things. First of all, LeBron must always be in the most comfortable state when sleeping. Creating an absolutely comfortable environment for LeBron is very important. The temperature must always be between 20-21 degrees Celsius,” Mike revealed.
Mike said LeBron’s sleep lighting is also important, with the TV and phone lights being turned off. “All lights have to be turned off 45 minutes before bedtime, including the TV and phone lights,” he said.
LeBron also focuses on sleep sounds. The former Miami Heat player said he uses the Calm app to create a peaceful sleep. “I like the sound of rain falling on the leaves. That’s the sound that plays on my phone all night long,” LeBron said.
Ability to change to adapt
Of course, the burden of age is gradually affecting LeBron. If LeBron played an average of 42.5 minutes per game in the 2005/06 season, that number has dropped to 34.9 at present. But judging by the statistics, LeBron is even more comprehensive and effective.
Changing and perfecting his playing style is what helps LeBron maintain his peak performance despite the effects of age. Photo: ESPN.
Changing and perfecting his playing style is what helps LeBron maintain his peak performance despite the effects of age. Photo: ESPN.
Young LeBron was a rough and tumbler who scored mostly under the basket. That has changed in recent years as he has cut down on his under-the-basket contact. Instead, he has been more inclined to cut inside to suck in players and pass to open shooters.
Not being as fit as he was when he was younger forced LeBron to limit unnecessary contact. That motivated LeBron to practice 3-point shooting, the weapon that made the names of Ray Allen, Kyle Korver, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson…
Realizing that James Harden’s step-back 3-point shot was so effective, LeBron also started practicing to apply it in competition. According to statistics from the NBA , LeBron has a scoring efficiency of 41.7% (20/48) when making step-back 3-point shots in the current season.
What makes “King” James special is his ability to improve himself even after turning 35. LeBron is like fine wine, the older he gets, the better it gets.
