The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
LeBron James: Best is yet to come
LeBron James sometimes says things, that, if they came from the mouth of anyone else who has been playing for more than a dozen years, would seem like nothing but hot air.
James made an observation after Cavaliers shootaround Dec. 2 in Independence that defines why, with his 33rd birthday coming up Dec. 30, he shows no signs of slowing down. His drive to succeed is as much a part of his success as his God-given athletic skill.
“I don’t put a ceiling on how well I can continue to get better and better,” James said. “That’s why I say every summer, if I can become a better player to help our team, I just don’t feel like I’ve reached my potential. As well as I’ve played in my career, I always feel I have something to improve. This is just another step in that direction.”
It’s important to understand this wasn’t an Albert Belle flexing his biceps and looking into the opposing dugout after hitting a home run moment. James wasn’t boasting. He was explaining he had to adjust his shooting stroke over the summer because of soreness in his right elbow.
The results have been astounding for a player in his 15th season. Heading into the game against the Grizzlies on Dec. 2 at Quicken Loans Arena, James this season is shooting a career-best 58.3 percent from the field. He is hitting 42.5 percent of his 3-point attempts — another career best.
“In order for me to get the most of my workouts on court this summer, I had to change a little bit because of the restriction from my elbow not allowing me to get the extension I was getting during the (2016-17) season because it flared up on me,” James said. “Once my elbow started going down late in September, I just stuck with it.”
James is a four-time NBA MVP and a threetime Finals MVP, yet he shrugged his shoulders when he said he hasn’t reached his potential as though he is entering his second season and it was just natural to assume he can play better.
Coach Tyronn Lue jokingly said, “I hope so,” when told James believes he can play even better than he is playing now.
“All greats add something to their game as they get older,” Lue said. “Him shooting as well as he’s been shooting of late is unbelievable.”
Coaching a team with a player as great as James is a benefit for more than the obvious reason of what he delivers night in and night out on the court.
James’ hunger and desire to improve constantly spread throughout the team. He is not unique in that regard. It was the same way with the Bulls when Michael Jordan played in Chicago and it was the same way in Los Angeles when Kobe Bryant was part of the championship Lakers teams.
Players on the Cavaliers roster such as Jae Crowder, Jeff Green, J.R. Smith and Kyle Korver don’t have James’ talent, but they can match his work ethic to get better.
The Cavs won 10 straight heading into their game with the Grizzlies. They have won without guard Isaiah Thomas (hip injury) all season and without guard Derrick Rose (ankle) for all but seven games.
Rose last played in a game Nov. 7. He left the team for personal reasons Nov. 25, but could be close to rejoining the Cavs soon. All Lue would say is he had a positive discussion with Rose recently.
Meanwhile, the best basketball player in the world is working to get better.