By Charles Anietie Iyoho

One thing is for certain about Lebron James. His fashion is just as sharp as his intellect. 

Donning a sleek gray suit and glasses, the NBA megastar was asked to recall a late-game play at a press conference following a loss to the Boston Celtics in the first game of the 2018 Eastern Conference finals. 

With the defeat still fresh, James unleashed a stunning display of near photographic recollection, breaking down a sequence of events with a precision akin to the no-look passes he often threads through unwitting defenses.

“On the first possession, we ran them down all the way to two on the shot clock,” James recalled. “Marcus Morris missed the jumpshot, followed it up. They got a dunk. We came back down. We ran a set for Jordan Clarkson and he came off and missed it. They rebounded it and we came back on the defensive end and we got a stop. They took it out on the sideline. Jayson Tatum took the ball out, threw it to Marcus Smart in the short corner. He made a three. We came back down, missed another shot and then Tatum came down and went 94 feet, did a Euro step, and made a right-hand layup. Timeout,” the Akron, Ohio native recounted. 

Aware of the astonishing exercise, James then flashed a sly grin and raised his right arm to the laughter and befuddlement of journalists seated in front of him, humorously adding: “There you go.”  

https://youtube.com/watch?v=eNVJFRl6f6s%3Fsi%3D_f6Gt4fAV2DidxgT

The King Stays the King

James has been heralded for his high basketball acumen and is an astute learner of the game. His sharp memory and keen attention to detail are unrivaled.  

He’s often known to study player tendencies, including preferred movements and shooting percentages from distinct areas of the floor. 

He also has a history of anticipating plays before they happen, outwitting defensive adjustments on the fly, and deploying quick calculations for when to attack defenders or when to release the ball to his teammates when he sees they are in an optimal position to score or make a play. 

He also possesses an extraordinary ability to memorize the opposing team’s plays, even calling their offensive sets as they run them, a trait that has both infuriated and baffled opposing teams. 

James is seen by many as one of the most cerebral players to ever grace the basketball court. And when you combine this with his physical and athletic gifts, you get a transcendent talent.

“He can explain this game forward and back,” said Iman Shumpert, a former teammate of James, on the VladTV podcast, adding his basketball IQ is “unbelievable. You’re talking about someone who knows the playbook, knows where everybody is supposed to be, knows the other team’s, coach’s playbook, style of coaching, how his ball club is going to play.”

Four-time NBA champion Draymond Green, a basketball savant himself, also showered James with praise. 

Green’s team, the Golden State Warriors, recently snatched the coveted 2022 NBA championship from a talented Boston Celtics team.

When asked to compare playing against the Celts’ young core versus a Lebron-led team, though Boston presented unique and robust challenges, Green affirmed the answer is still clear. 

“It doesn’t compare mentally to playing against Lebron James who I think is arguably the smartest guy to ever play this game,” Green stated. 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=SkHAsh-i6WQ%3Fsi%3DzcLCT0_tQIbA0lOl

Final Thoughts

James’ exceptional understanding and remarkable ability to process the game at a high speed set him apart as a player.

His strategic approach to the game, athleticism, physical gifts, and intellectual attributes have revolutionized the sport and left an indelible mark for generations to come.

So what do you think about James’ approach to the game? Do you consider him a basketball genius? Can you think of other elite competitors who fit this mold?

Let me know in the comments below! 

And if you enjoyed this story, consider making a donation below. This will help with the creation of content and services on the site.

About the Author

I’m a communication coach, award-winning technical content communicator, music producer, songwriter, blogger, professor, and sports aficionado.

For communication advice, uplifting musical content, and thought-provoking interviews, and blog content, join me at: https://anietiecommunity.com/why-i-started-this-community/.