LeBron James’ Cavaliers teammates surprisingly HATED rookie star, reveals former HC Paul Silas

Former HC Paul Silas reveals LeBron James was hated by his teammates during his rookie year in the league.

LeBron James’ Cavaliers teammates surprisingly HATED rookie star, reveals former HC Paul Silas

LeBron James (Scott Strazzante / Chicago Tribune)

LeBron James has been balling out for the past two decades and has successfully lived up to the hype and expectations around him. Even before he was drafted into the league, he was given the nickname “The Chosen One.” And that turned out to be very correct, as LeBron James is really one of a kind, and the world might probably never see a talent like him again. But his journey from being a rook to one of the greatest players to ever touch a basketball wasn’t easy and had a rough start.

The Cleveland Cavaliers drafted LeBron as the first overall pick in 2003. But unfortunately, the generational talent lacked support from his own teammates. Carlos Boozer and Darius Miles didn’t even believe in him. Smush Parker and Ricky Davis were good with the trust, but overall, many teammates were jealous of LeBron and even hated him.

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Recently, JJ Redick discussed LeBron James’ rookie year on his podcast, “The Old Man & The Three.” The former NBA star brought up a quote from then-HC Paul Silas of the Cavaliers. Silas once revealed that the egoistic teammates of Bron hated him.

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The former HC said, Their egos wouldn’t allow it. I kept telling them, ‘You have a chance to help one of the game’s future stars,’ but they wouldn’t embrace him. If it bothered LeBron, he never let on. We won 35 games that year because of him. He’s had some outstanding seasons since then, but that first one may have been the most impressive because of how he excelled in spite of the jealousy on his own team.”

Those jealous teammates didn’t last long around Bron and were shipped around the league. As soon as the Cavs knew how great LeBron James could be, they started building around him. Before drafting LeBron James, they had won only 17 games the previous season and were in the rebuilding conversation. But King James had a real impact on the team, and just in his fourth season, he led them to the NBA Finals.

During his rookie year, LeBron took on the leadership role even while balling out with jealous teammates. He averaged 20.9 points, 5.9 assists, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.6 steals while shooting 41.7% from the field and 29% from downtown.

Related: “Nothing is given, everything is earned,” LeBron James opens up on his collaboration with PlayStation 5

JJ Redick reveals his reason for having LeBron James in the Top 3 of the last 20 years

LeBron James (Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY)
LeBron James (Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY)

In the same podcast segment, JJ Redick revealed his reason behind ranking LeBron James in the Top-3 of the last 20 years while discussing his rookie year greats. After, discussing the ‘great’ quote from Paul Silas. JJ Redick went on to add more explanation to it. He said: “I’m thinking about LeBron who is the chosen one. Who is the most hyped player potentially ever. He’s being called the next MJ. He’s being called a generational talent.”

Further, speaking about the treatment veterans would have offered to Bron, JJ Redick added, “He comes in, I can imagine those vets at the time having a level of like, ‘Oh come on man, we will take you under.’ No, dude, he has to battle through that and live up to the media and expectations.” That was the former NBA player’s reason for the ranking.

LeBron James has, in the past two decades, achieved almost everything in the league. He has won multiple championships, MVP awards, on- and off-court accolades, and even broke the scoring record. He’s also the GOAT for many and has a stacked resume that can never be matched. Bron would now be suiting up for the Lakers in his 21st season as his hunt for more rings continues.

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