How does LeBron James manage to stay on top of his game? It’s not just talent and tenacity

A new NBA season has recently started, at the games of which you can see the excellent physical preparation of basketball players. But it’s no secret that this is not the merit of one athlete, but also of his numerous team. Coaches and physical therapists sacrifice their free time to put together a training and recovery program for the basketball legends.

We’ll talk about LeBron James’ team that has accompanied him throughout his career and LeBron’s insights during his workouts.

Physical Fitness Coach Mike Mancias

In 2001, Mike, after studying to become a coach, had the opportunity to work on Michael Jordan’s physical fitness rebuild with Tim Grover. After successfully completing this internship, in 2004 Mancias got a job as a coach at the Cleveland Cavaliers professional basketball club, where he met LeBron James.

In the same club worked the second physical trainer Steve Spiro, physical therapist George Saible, strength and conditioning coach Derek Millender and two more specialists in player training Yusuke Nakayama and Alex Moore. All of them were involved in James’ training process until 2018, when he moved to the Los Angeles Lakers.

He was usually just messing around in the weight room. In the early years of his career, he played purely on natural athleticism. Even now, he tries to shy away from some of the bark exercises, dumbbell exercises, and yoga, and I got him used to yoga with great difficulty. I had to start with him with poses that didn’t look too silly. If you know what I mean,” Mancias says.

Pat Riley’s influence on discipline

From 2004 through 2014, LeBron played for the Miami Heat, who were under the direction of Pat Riley. During this time, James realized the importance of discipline: he developed his own approach to training and became accustomed to army orders. Such a dictatorial attitude in preparation for games, which was at Riley, favorably reflected on LeBron, because his form was at the highest level.

When LeBron James called me to tell me he was leaving, I saw the dynasty fly out my window. I don’t blame him, but I realize this was a 10 year team. It was a sad day for me and for our club because I wanted that dynasty.

Sports biomechanics specialist Donnie Raymon

The King’s team has a former SWAT team member, Donnie Raymon. He became interested in sports mechanics when he suffered a serious neck injury after a skydiving accident (since Donnie served in the U.S. Navy for 15 years, he had many jumps that injured his spine). After retiring from the military, he was able to heal himself.

This life obstacle unites them with James: in the 2014/2015 season, the basketball player had problems with his lower back, and for a long time he played on painkiller shots. It was Donnie who helped James heal and stayed by his side to keep the NBA star stable.

The other experts on LeBron’s team are.

Bill Simmons, author of “The Book of Basketball” and James’ buddy, once said the hero spends $1.5 million a year on his body. He even bought all the exercise equipment in the Cleveland Cavaliers gym at his home. And in addition to two trainers, the basketball legend has a personal chef who cooks strictly according to the diet prescribed by Mancias, there are somnologists and massage therapists.

Since 2018, James has been a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. At the moment, LeBron trains in the club’s gym in El Segundo, which is located near the Los Angeles airport. The basketball player’s morning workout takes an hour and a half, and in the evening he has another workout at his home gym in Brentwood.

When asked if he is going to practice today, LeBron replies: “Ask me if I’m going to breathe today.”