Lakers News: LeBron James Explains Key Component For What It Takes to Be Great

How to be great, per LeBron.

Few athletes in any sport have reached the kind of longevity and greatness that LeBron James has. The Los Angeles Lakers star is now in his 21st NBA season and is still considered among the best players in the game. 

The four-time NBA MVP and 20x All-Star is still achieving huge milestones as he inches closer to age 40, including becoming the first player in NBA history to score 40,000 points and the first player to appear in 20 All-Star games.

So what does James consider the key to reaching such a level of greatness? Discipline and sacrifice. 

James opened up on what this kind of discipline and sacrifice looks like while talking to J.J. Reddick on their new hit podcast, Mind the Game.

"When it comes to discipline, you have to sacrifice loved ones for a long period of time if you want to be great. It is very unfortunate, and you feel it at times."

If you want to be great, you need discipline.

In Episode 1, @kingjames and @jj_redick discuss the makings of a great basketball player: https://t.co/U6VEagnRHo pic.twitter.com/HaWWHrsUi5

— Mind the Game (@mindthegamepod) March 20, 2024

"They don't understand what it means, I'm getting up every single day, 5 or 6 a.m., and when I get home after everyone leaves the gym, I'm gonna take a nap. So now you're sacrificing your loved ones because you're not spending time with them. When I wake up, I'm probably going to train again, and then I'm going to have dinner and then go to bed. I'm going to do that every single day for a long period of time.

— LeBron James,

via the Mind the Game podcast.

For James, this kind of discipline took place early as he entered the NBA at just 18 years old, forgoing the college experience. However, talent also plays a role in James' success. While his discipline has likely helped him stay on track and reach the peaks he has, not any person could do what James has, even with the greatest work ethic.