James Accuses Trainers of Prioritizing Fame Over Player Development

LOS ANGELES: During a recent podcast, NBA icon LeBron James criticized contemporary trainers, asserting that some prioritize personal recognition over the athletes they instruct.

James, a four-time NBA champion, four-time league MVP, and the first player in NBA history to exceed 40,000 career points, currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers. He voiced concerns about the sincerity of today’s trainers.

James mentioned in a podcast that he did not have a dedicated trainer during his initial four years in the NBA, emphasizing that his training primarily occurred on the court.

Early Career Training

“I didn’t employ a basketball trainer until my 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year in the NBA. My basketball training consisted of simply playing the game. It was all about getting on the court and honing my skills,” James explained.

Accusations of Self-Interest

James argued that certain trainers are more interested in enhancing their own reputation than in supporting the growth of the players they are meant to assist. He believes some lack genuine commitment to their athletes.

“Many skills coaches and trainers who work with these young athletes seem to aspire to greater fame than the players themselves,” James elaborated.

“They appear to consider themselves more pivotal than the actual players they are training. Their intentions are not entirely virtuous. They seek camera exposure, recognition, and media attention,” he added.

The True Objective of a Trainer

James delineated the appropriate objectives for a trainer, contrasting it with the pursuit of interviews and other self-promotional activities.

“Consider this: if I train Luka for a couple of summers, and he then experiences a stellar season, the focus should remain on his improvement, not on my opportunities for interviews. The goal is to facilitate the player’s development,” he stated.

“It’s about enabling him to perceive the game with greater insight than before. It’s not a vehicle for personal fame. This shift in priorities has significantly altered the landscape, with young players potentially missing out on the inherent purity, essence, and beauty of the sport,” the 40-year-old concluded.