After Failed NFL Dream, LeBron James Revisits Painful High School Memories in Decades-Old Debate
via Imago
“I’ve had serious dreams about this sh-t all the time,” said LeBron James, speaking of his NFL dream. But as we all know, it remained an unrealized dream for the Lakers superstar.
However, it’s a tragic tale for not playing the NFL after doing hard yards. At the same time, it also makes him the best person to end the age-old debate.
The ultimate NFL-NBA debate: Which player can adapt to other sports easily? a footballer or a basketballer?
It’s indeed a controversial question to answer but King James answered it effortlessly. Featuring in the latest episode of New Heights alongside NFL stars Jason and Travis Kelce, the superstar dropped the hammer.
James put everything in simple words, saying, “ I want to say that I think it’s easier for a basketball player to try NFL there no question over the NFL player trying to get into the NBA.” Moreover, the star didn’t end there but also provided an example from his own life to back it up.
For the people who don’t know, LeBron James played wide receiver in his high school. Most importantly, he was also named First-Team All-State during his sophomore year.
There was also a point where he had to decide between basketball and football. He chose to hoop.
Anyway, speaking of his experience about shifting from playing football to basketball in the fall for high school, James added, “Going into the fall, I had to get used to getting hit again like that… First three practices once you put on the shoulder pads and the helmets like getting hit again is the most important thing and then like, you know, getting the cadence back, you know, getting your routes back and all that but once you get into a groove you’re like okay.” On the other hand, James didn’t think the same way about NFL players playing basketball.
While James had the opportunity to choose between football or hoops in high school, he had another opportunity later in his career.
It was during the NBA lockout in 2011. It was a period when the players engaged in a strike, refusing to take part in any basketball activity for 161 days.
At that time, LeBron James had an odd dream. Much like how Michael Jordan had. The only difference was MJ applied his dream and made it a reality.
USA Today via Reuters
The Bulls legend took up baseball for a brief period in 1993, pausing his NBA activities. He played for the Birmingham Barons, Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.
Similarly, during the 2011 lockout, James thought of pursuing a stint in the NFL. Speaking of it, he said, “I was still young enough to get out there with y’all. That’s the only time I’ve seriously considered it. I’ve had serious dreams about this sh-t all the time. And in my dream, the ball is never kicked off. It’s me in the warmups, it’s me coming out, running my routes and right when the game starts, I f–king wake up or some sh-t. That lets me know I’m not supposed to be out there..”
Lucky enough for the NBA fans, James stayed and went on to win 4 rings after that. And ultimately became the scoring leader and still continues to hoop on the highest level. What do you make of the journey? Let us know in the comments.
