The Cleveland Cavaliers currently sit in first place in the Eastern Conference and a portion of that success can be attributed to one of the greatest basketball players of all time, LeBron James. James has led the Cavaliers through a difficult season but still has Cleveland on track for another championship run. But it's somebody else who originally mentored James and helped him to become the player that he is today.
Mentorship and Leadership.
Sometimes, both fans and athletes forget that basketball is a game. Even the best NBA players need to be prepared for a life after basketball, as it is not permanent.
Stars like LeBron James may not have to worry about it, but other NBA players definitely do. And even though James no longer needs to worry, he wants to thank those people who mentored him throughout his journey.
Man if it wasn't for Big Frank, Bruce Kelker, Willie Earl, @CoachDambrot @CoachDruJoyce I wouldn't be the player/man I am today! As a kid...
— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 27, 2017
they showed toughness and stayed on me every single day! Never sugar coded nothing, told me to real and lit me up when I wasn't applying....
— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 27, 2017
Even the greatest player in the world needs some encouragement once in a while! And James can thank those people who pushed him in the past now that he is the best basketball player in the current NBA.
But James didn't stop there.
Advice for Coaches Out There Today.
In today's world, players and athletes aren't pushed as much. College coaches don't want to see a kid leave a program or be unhappy within a team environment. So instead of pushing someone, they try not to offend someone. LeBron James sees this as a mistake.
Reason I'm saying this is I believe this is a major part of the reason why kids don't succeed as much because the leaders, coaches, etc.....
— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 27, 2017
won't get on them because their afraid of losing the kid, or losing the sponsorship that comes with the kids, or have their own agenda......
— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 27, 2017
James just wants to see those leaders and mentors that he had in the past become mentors for the younger generation of the future.
If LeBron wasn't pushed as hard, he doesn't believe that he would have become what he is today. The King closed his Twitter rant with the following Tweets.
We need to be pushed, kicked, loved, then pushed and kicked again cause that's what brings and breads the hunger inside of us! Whoever u....
— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 27, 2017
are out there please stop worrying about u and if u really care for the kid give them the guidance as my Coaches, mentors did for me!.....
— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 27, 2017
It's awesome that James wants to see what was done for him continued in the future.
The next James hasn't yet emerged in basketball, but you better believe that the next great player will have had mentors and leaders in his life who pushed him to be the best. And even life advice from those mentors is extremely valuable. Basketball coaches Out There should strive to be role models for their players and support them as much as they can. That's what LeBron's leaders did for him, and it's what basketball players deserve from their leaders.
