After Breaking 52-Year Curse LeBron James Gives Tough Reality Check for Bryce James and NCAA Talents

USA Today via Reuters

Just months after Bronny James had his breakthrough into the NBA, his younger brother too took the next leap. Bryce James, the 17-year-old son of LeBron James committed to the University of Arizona to play his college ball. He will become the second in the family to attend college. In the wake of such news, the Akron Hammer recently appeared on the Kelce brothers’ podcast. And in their conversations, they also spoke about how the recruitment process has evolved from their time.

Before his advent, Akron, Ohio wasn’t a destination many people would visit. But the buzz James generated during high school was unprecedented. Arenas would be full, even larger than the Cavaliers games at the time. Yet, the allure didn’t translate to recognition as is in today’s era with the widespread of social media.

“This is before social media so you couldn’t understand what it is. Unless you were there real time, you didn’t know. It was just word to mouth… But if you happen to be in town and I happen to be playing, you understood what the hype was all about. Why there was so much conversation. So I can only imagine if social media was around then, it would have been too much for Northeast Ohio at that point,” LeBron James said on New Heights.

With social media though, it’s different. As James explained, “You could be anywhere in the world now and because of the phones and because of the things you can capture, you could be recruited and get accepted,”.

Back then, more than drawing crowds what mattered was to perform in front of the scouts. According to James and the Kelce brothers, this made the recruitment process hard. The athletes only had those few chances, and if they couldn’t impress the scouts, their stats couldn’t compensate.

“You had to show up because they were all over the place. They were not just going to come and keep coming back if you didn’t show up. You had to perform in front of those coaches,” LeBron James shared.

In James’ case, his high school profile and recurring showings convinced the highest level of scouting. He took a jump straight to the NBA, a feat only a few players of his era share. However, earning the nickname of ‘The Chosen One’ and being the number one draft pick at 18 wasn’t the height of the expectations.

Fittingly, LeBron James was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers, his hometown team. And from the moment he was associated with the franchise, the standard was set. He needed to win a championship in the city. It took some time away for him to learn what goes into achieving it.

So after seeing his jerseys burned on the streets for leaving Cleveland to join the Heat, James returned. And in his second stint, he won a championship against all the odds. The Cavs became the first team to recover from a 3-1 deficit and the fairy tale finally materialized for LeBron James.

It was arguably the greatest moment of conquest for him personally. His story of delivering a championship to Ohio after a half-century drought for any sports celebration was complete. But when looking back at the expectations levied on him, James couldn’t help but wonder. “What was it 57 years or something? I was like I wasn’t alive yet why do I get this pressure?” he sarcastically said on New Heights.

But as he has since high school, the excessive pressure led to him being at his best. And now he stands as one of the most influential sporting figures in Cleveland. A fitting end to a truly one-of-a-kind story.

As he approaches retirement, do you think LeBron James could play his final season for the Cavaliers? Let us know your views in the comments below.