In the latest episode of “Mind the Game” podcast, LeBron James and JJ Redick shared a moment of honesty about their internet activity. Both players admitted to watching their highlight videos on YouTube, although LeBron initially insisted that he never looked it up.
LeBron James: “Sometimes there are old clips of me that I watch or come across my timeline on social.”
JJ Redick: “Hold on. Bro. It’s okay.”
LeBron: “I don’t just go online and look up LeBron James highlights.”
JJ: “We all watch our highlights on YouTube!”
James did eventually change his tune, and finally came clean with watching how own YouTube highlight reels. He went on to say that the “best” time to watch the clips is during a particularly rough stretch of play, when he can use them to find his lost game.
“The number one reason you do that is when you hit like a little slump or whatever and you’re like ‘Where’s my game?’ YouTube is the perfect place to find your game,” said James.
LeBron tried to play a humble athlete to the very end, but JJ was able to reveal the truth and not even James could deny indulging himself with videos of his greatest hits.
Of course, as a 20-year NBA veteran and 4x champion, James has plenty of highlights to look back on when he wants to remember the peak of his powers. Fortunately, this season, LeBron hasn’t needed much extra motivation as he’s playing through one of his best individual stretches as a Laker.
Still, it might not be long before LeBron‘s best days are behind him and he may need those old highlight videos more and more for a boost of confidence during his decline. With the Lakers sitting at 9th in the West, and James speaking more frequently on retirement, time is running out for him to capture another title before the end of his career.
LeBron James Only Has A Few Years Left
It remains to be seen how things will end for the King, but there is no question that he will go out as one of the league’s all-time greatest players.
Over 20 years, LeBron’s consistency has set the standard for every future superstar and his longevity continues today in year 21 with averages of 25.4 points, 8.1 assists, and 7.3 rebounds per game on 53% shooting.
Of course, LeBron himself has stated that the end is getting close. James will turn 40 in December and this season will be his 21st in the NBA. In truth, it is a miracle that the Lakers star is still playing like this after so long at the top of the food chain and he deserves credit for maintaining his body and working hard to keep his game effective.
But soon, James’ highlights will be the only way to watch him play and it will be a surreal experience for the NBA community. As for LeBron himself, there are few who can relate to retiring after a 20+ year career in the NBA much less a career of his significance. When that day comes for the King, at least he’ll have his YouTube highlight videos to keep memories of the “good days” fresh in his mind.
