Although LeBron James is one of the most divisive players in NBA history, there’s no question about the type of leader that he is. Well-versed in the responsibilities that come with being the main man on any team he has played for, dating back to his high school days, all the way to the NBA, LeBron continues to assume that role in his 23rd season in the league.
While fans see how the King leads on the court in actual games, he shared that there’s so much more that goes on behind the scenes. He pulled the curtain back on his leadership style during a recent interview on “The Main Thing” podcast.
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Nobody can do it by themselves
LeBron has been the alpha ever since he arrived in the NBA in 2003, when the Cleveland Cavaliers selected him first in the draft. Since then, he has put up incredible numbers year in and out, dragging his team to the postseason all the way to the top of the NBA mountain. However, one thing that he maintains is that no matter how gaudy his or any of his teammates’ numbers are, it’s still a team game and no one person can do it alone.
It’s a notion he continues to espouse to teammates, young and old.
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“You try to continue to hammer it home to them because ultimately, we know there’s not one individual, when it comes to team sports, that can do it alone, right?” LeBron told designer Melody Ehsani.
Nobody knows this better than LeBron, who has spent his entire career as the primary focus of every defense. And though there are moments when he can lean into his unique blend of size, skill and strength to power through any type of defense placed in front of him, he admitted that most times, the correct play is to trust in his teammates.
“You have to have a lot of moments where you have to rely on your teammates,” he stressed.
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Accountability is key
Another thing that LeBron always emphasizes is accountability. Any superstar can talk about doing this and that, but at the end of the day, the question is, can they practice what they preach? Can they hold themselves and others accountable for their actions on the court?
“You can’t be preaching, preaching, preaching, and then when it’s time for you to step up to the plate, you’re not accountable as well. So, I have to make sure that I am doing the job and I am practicing what I’m preaching as well,” the four-time MVP remarked.
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“To where even sometimes, if I don’t say something, they can look back on the examples that I’ve set throughout the course of the season, throughout the course of the years, that they know that I am truly dedicated,” he added.
LeBron explained how fluid the NBA is; wins and losses will come and go. However, what will truly stick with a pro athlete is the commitment to the process every day — a crucial reason why he continues to dominate at the age of 40.
“What you can control is what you put into it, how much you put into it, how dedicated you are, how much you’re paying attention to everything that’s going on. Are you here? Are you present?” he pointed out. “And I think by me doing that throughout the course of my career, it has given me an opportunity to see the mountaintop a few times.”
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LeBron is not everyone’s cup of tea. However, his teammates will always vouch for his unrelenting work ethic and commitment to the game. The man understands that, as important as winning championships are, being a role model and leader to younger players in the league is a role he takes seriously.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Oct 31, 2025, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.