Even after winning his third NBA title — first with the Cleveland Cavaliers — and showing why he’s still the best basketball player on the planet, LeBron James sounds as motivated as ever.
Sports Illustrated’s Lee Jenkins recently wrote a feature about James’ quest for basketball immortality, in which the four-time NBA MVP is quoted as saying he’s motivated by chasing “a ghost (that) played in Chicago,” a clear reference to Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan. But that isn’t the only thing driving James as he prepares for the 2016-17 season in search of his fourth ring.
According to Jenkins’ piece, Kevin Durant signing with the Golden State Warriors, who the Cavaliers just defeated in the NBA Finals, is causing James to train ever harder this offseason.
“Shortly after Durant signed and the NBA’s tectonic plates shifted, James started setting his alarm for 5 a.m., working out in a West Hollywood gym at 6,” Jenkins wrote. “He insists the Warriors are not the impetus, but he acknowledges that he rarely trains this hard this soon.”
Given what we know about James’ work ethic, it’s unsurprising that he’s already focused on the next challenge. And although the Warriors figure to be a force in the Western Conference this season, they might again need to go through the Cavs to win an NBA title.
That’ll be a tall order if James has anything to do with it.
Thumbnail photo via Mark D. Smith/USA TODAY Sports Images
