GETTING to the NBA takes talent, timing, and a little luck. Staying there is a different challenge altogether.
And few stories have stretched as long, or stayed as compelling, as LeBron James’.
Now 23 seasons in, the Los Angeles Lakers star is still adding chapters.
While lingering sciatica issue has kept him out for 14 games, delaying the real start of his 23rd years, James appears to be easing his way back.
He took a significant step toward his anticipated return by joining the South Bay Lakers for a surprise G League tune-up, continuously writing, rewriting, and extending his own legend.
But long before this twist, he unknowingly helped write a chapter in someone else’s book: one belonging to Heat icon Udonis Haslem.
Now serving as an analyst for NBA on Prime, Haslem looked back:
“[LeBron] on his 23rd year? It’s a beautiful thing," he told SPIN.ph in October.
Work ethic fit for a King
"The reason why I was able to play 20 years is because I had the chance to play with LeBron James," Haslem continued.
Haslem, Miami Heat's all-time rebounding leader, has always spoken plainly, and this was no different.
“I had the chance to see what it looks like firsthand -his work ethic, preparation, commitment, and definitely, me playing as long as I was able to play has something to do with LeBron being my teammate.”
UD played with James for four years in 2010 to 2014 and has won two of his three rings with him in Miami. He retired in 2023.
From his end, James, as he writes his own, found a way into the stories of others.
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