LeBron James thinks he can podium in the high jump or long jump with months of training
Like us, LeBron James thinks he can participate in some sports at a high level if he really tries.
With four NBA championships, three All-Star Game MVPs, two gold medals, one NBA Cup and plenty of other accolades too long to mention, LeBron James has accomplished everything that can be done in basketball.
During his Lakers offseason, LeBron decided to put on the USA uniform one more time at the 2024 Paris Olympics, winning gold and securing America as the ruler of international basketball.
With the Olympic Games dominating sports coverage all summer, suddenly, everyone became enamored with fencing, breakdancing and archery in a way we are only once every four years.
While in Paris, LeBron James recorded a special episode of "The Shop" in which he discussed which other sport he thinks he could podium in.
“Wow. Compete in, like, how much time you going to give me? Because, like, no, there’s zero competition that I can compete in without preparation. But I think maybe the long jump. I think I could do the long jump or the high jump if you give me some time. I need about six months, eight months or whatever of preparation to get to that.”
LeBron started by being humble, knowing he couldn't just crawl out of bed and compete in another sport at a high level. However, it didn't take him too long to talk himself into becoming a high jumper with a little practice.
This is giving some elements of delusion from LeBron.
It's similar to when ordinary people start talking about if they could take a punch from a boxer, how long one could last in a UFC Octagon, or if we could score points in an NBA game.
The difference is that LeBron is an otherworldly athlete. He has defied the odds and has taken Father Time farther than any other basketball player ever has. Being named the 2024 Olympics FIBA MVP at 39 years old is just one of many examples of his ridiculousness.
This is a person who participates in one of the most competitive environments and dominates in it. LeBron is a player who got the words "Chosen 1" tattooed on his back as a high schooler and lived up to that claim.
He had the highest expectations of any NBA player and had to try to live up to becoming the next Michael Jordan. He surpassed that by becoming the first LeBron James.
So, could he be an Olympian in another sport? I doubt it, but I wouldn't doubt him.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88.