LeBron James Opens Up About NBA Culture Shock Coming in as 18-Year-Old High Schooler

LeBron James came into the NBA as an 18-year-old after stunning the nation as part of St. Vincent-St. Mary high school.

LeBron James Opens Up About NBA Culture Shock Coming in as 18-Year-Old High Schooler

LeBron James did not like the NBA style of play as a rookie (Image via FirstSportz)

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In the 22 seasons LeBron James has dribbled a basketball in the NBA, he has witnessed the game changing from the physical brand of play to the free-flowing style that exists today.

Early in his career, the Akron native learnt to adjust to the rigors of playing amongst grown men. As an 18-year-old, the physical demands were different from how it was when he was starring for St. Vincent-St. Mary.

Over time, he managed to get to grips with the faster and more physical approach to the game. He beat out fellow rookies and future Hall of Famers, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and Carmelo Anthony, to the Rookie of the Year award.

That was despite his peers being more seasoned in college. Coming from high school, that award and the subsequent growth to become the best player in the league might seem easy, but the now 40-year-old had to adjust to something else he had not seen before.

When I got to the NBA, it changed for me, and it kind of weirded me out. I’m like, ‘This is not winning basketball. I know what winning basketball is.’ And people say, ‘Well, that’s high school to the pros.’ But great basketball and winning basketball, it does not matter the level.

LeBron James said on Mind the Game podcast

The 6′ 9″ forward explained that when he was in high school, he was not a ball-dominant player. He and his teammates won just by following their coach’s schemes. However, in the NBA, when asked to do things he never did, it felt odd.

LeBron James explains why he felt the game in the NBA was weird

While talking about his transition from high school to the NBA, LeBron James detailed how he was asked to play the point forward role, which meant he had to be ball-dominant. But that did not necessarily impact winning.

The only thing that’s different from high school to the pros is just the size, the players, and the talent. Basketball IQ 101 is Basketball IQ 101 on any level… You have to rely on your teammates, you have to figure out how can these 5 guys complement one another.

LeBron James said

The Los Angeles Lakers superstar added that he was taught to play the game one way since he was a kid. But coming into the NBA, it was different, and he needed to learn things differently.

He believes that difference does not necessarily make NBA basketball better. Rather, it is the talent of the players that makes it great. At the same time, high school basketball is still a good way to win games.

LeBron James details why basketball in the NBA surprised him

While speaking about the differences between high school basketball and the NBA, LeBron James explained the core of what the problem is with the NBA’s style of play.

So when I got to the NBA, in my rookie year, I was weirded out. I was like (makes a weirded out face). A guy just comes down and don’t pass it, he shoots it. I was like, ‘Oh, what the hell is this? This is a culture shock.’

LeBron James said
LeBron James and his high school teammates and coach
LeBron James and his high school teammates and coach (Image via Sporting News)

King James adjusted to the NBA’s style of play and went on to win 4 league MVP awards as well as 4 championships and multiple other accolades that might stand for quite a while.

However, he believes the league’s individual-focused method of basketball is vastly different from how athletes play in high school or college. He would have preferred if teams used high school-style concepts that focus on team effort.

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