(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James enters the 21st year of a historically great career that will not only put him in the Hall of Fame, but make him the greatest player in basketball history. This type of success – especially in Year 21 – is far from the result of luck. Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey has seen firsthand what success looks like in the 21st grade.
In order to still perform at such an elite level after playing in the NBA for two decades, James needs to maintain an elite work ethic. Maxi would notice this when James arrived at the gym to work out with them.
Maxey talks about what happens when he shows up for a 6:00 a.m. practice and what impresses him most about James as a player and person, via NBA:
“The numbers and everything speaks for itself. He’s also a guy who plays pretty good basketball. His work ethic hasn’t slowed down in Year 21, which to me is the crazy part. He’s still trying to get there early, When we work out at six o’clock, he still tries to beat me to the gym, and what does he do? Four-time MVP, Finals MVP, his accolades are amazing. For him, he still goes out there, his desire, his The drive he has to try to beat a 22-year-old who has done nothing in the gym just shows who he is. Hats off to him.
“Workout was at 6 o’clock and I got there early like usual – 5:30 – to stretch, and the next time we worked out at 6 o’clock he got there at 5:00 and when I walked in he was full My head was sweating profusely and I was like “What are you doing? “I can’t let you beat me to the gym,” he said. “I was like ‘You’re crazy.'”
James’ insane work ethic is no secret at this point in his career. James has had to do a lot to maintain his basketball fitness and success in 21 years. Even 22-year-old Maxi, who always arrives early, still can’t beat James in the gym.
James plays more minutes than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
On Monday night against the 76ers, James passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the player with the most regular season and playoff minutes in NBA history. James played 54,645 minutes in the regular season and 11,654 minutes in the playoffs, surpassing him.
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