LeBron James is one of the greatest players in the history of the game, if not the greatest. And he is not such by accident. LeBron is a workaholic who spends a lot of hours in the gym and on the practice court not only to perfect his craft but also to keep his body in optimal condition.
The story of LeBron's work ethic is well told. And during the latest episode of The OGs Show, guest Greg Oden adds another chapter to the King James story.
"Right after we get back cuz we lost to San Antonio (in the 2014 NBA Finals)," said Oden. "We got exit meetings the next day. I think Spo just wanted to get them over with. I was one of the first ones. And probably like 8 in the morning, I lived across the street at 900."
Greg was surprised to see LeBron working out
Oden signed a one-year deal with the Heat in 2013 and was part of Miami's 2013-14 squad, which won 54 regular-season games and advanced to the 2014 NBA Finals. Unfortunately, that team lost to the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 in the championship series.
But before the players went their separate ways for the summer break, the Heat conducted their players' exit interviews. Because Oden lived near the Heat facility, he decided to go early. But when he arrived at the gym, he realized he wasn't the first one there.
"I come over early, I'm still in workout mode. I'ma go workout," added Oden. "MF Bron in there 7 in the morning with his mom, working out and we just lost in the Finals. Seven in the morning, on the Versa. Like with his mama. I'm like, that's crazy."
Related: David Robinson on taking a backseat when Tim Duncan arrived in San Antonio: "It's not tough when you want to win"
Haslem witnessed that early bird daily
Oden seeing LeBron at the gym at 7 a.m. wasn't anything new as many of his former teammates often see him working out that early. Last month, former Heat team captain Udonis Haslem raved about James' work ethic after seeing the four-time NBA MVP arrive two to three hours ahead of practice.
"We both got front-row seats to watch the best ever do it, when he talks about how to last, how to stick around in this league," U.D. said on The Pat Bev Podcast. "If practice start at 10 o'clock, Bron got that m***f****** by 7:30… He done been at the weight room already. He done get his shots up. By the time you get to the gym if it's a 10 o'clock practice, you pull up like 8:30. He been in the gym about an hour and a half, two hours."
King James is still playing at a very high level despite being a few months away from his 40th birthday, which is nothing short of spectacular. It's also not an accident. It's a result of unseen hours of hard work that we don't get to see on TV but only hear from those who are actually on ground zero, like Oden and Haslem.
Related: "I have never seen basketball at that level" - Greg Oden recalls his special one-year run for the Miami Heat
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