LeBron James is one of the most athletic sports stars in the world, and the NBA superstar made sure not to let the quirky genes he inherited go to waste.
The Los Angeles Lakers All-Star has been a perfectionist since entering the league in 2003, with an impeccable work ethic that has allowed him to compete at the highest level even in his 21st year.
James, 38, has shocked countless of his current and former teammates by demonstrating time and time again his absolute obsession with beating Father Time.
His business partner Maverick Carter once revealed that the 6-foot-9 forward spends about $1.5 million a year to take care of his body and mind.
LeBron has been using electrical stimulation, ice baths, heat pads, electrolyte-rich fluids and a specially designed diet while barely leaving the gym to stay in shape and extend his career.
He’s also been working with conditioning experts and organizing late shooting drills himself after lackluster games and grueling offseason workouts.
That doesn’t mean the four-time NBA champion’s physique hasn’t changed over the years, even though he weighed in at 250 pounds for most of his career.
From the moment he stepped onto the hardwood in his debut with the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron proved he was physical enough to compete with NBA stars.
But St. Vincent-St. Mary Alum increased significantly over the next few years.
James seemed to have a particularly muscular frame during his four-year run with the Miami Heat from 2010 to 2014, which many considered to be the most dominant version of the Akron native.
Rumors within NBA circles suggested the four-time MVP weighed around 275 pounds at the time.
LeBron lost significant weight after returning to Cleveland in 2014 It is said Follow a low-carb diet.
While he may not overwhelm opponents in the paint like he did in Miami, James is still nearly unstoppable and a nightmare for defenses.
He showcased his astounding athleticism in the 2016 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors with a bizarre chase-down block on Andre Iguodala.
This iconic game is widely considered the turning point in the series, inspiring Cleveland to come back from a 3-1 deficit.
Since transferring his talents to Los Angeles in 2018, the 19-time All-Star appears to have gotten heavier – with former Lakers teammate Stanley Johnson claiming King James may weigh closer to 300 pounds.
His speed and explosiveness also declined as he entered his thirties.
Although his body may be slowing down as he ages, LeBron has managed to maintain his dominance by continually evolving his game.
In recent years, James has paid more and more attention to organizing offense and shooting ability to make up for the decline in athletic ability.
With his unparalleled court vision and basketball IQ, he led the league in assists while inspiring the Lakers to a championship in 2020, the franchise’s first title in 10 years.
Even with the weight gain, though, LeBron still has the body of a Greek god.
Whenever the Lakers needed him, he used his extra weight to play center, showing off his versatility.
The NBA GOAT has worked hard to ensure his longevity throughout his career, which has seen him break the NBA’s all-time scoring record.
He also just became the first player in league history to reach 39,000 career points, and the player with the most minutes considering both the regular season and playoffs.
In short, James is the living embodiment of the adage “no pain, no gain.”