14 Examples of LeBron's Incredible Work Ethic

2014-07-11T20:36:00.000Z

LeBron James returns to Cleveland with the chance to go down as one of best players ever.

He's a 6'8", 250-pound man who moves like a point guard. He's a once-in-a-generation genetic freak.

But it's his work ethic that has turned that genetic potential into results on the court.

From late-night workout sessions to teaching himself how to play power forward, LeBron is the perfect example of someone who's fully maximizing his genetic gifts.

He gets a special four-page scouting report before every game. His teammates get a two-page report.

Source: SI

He could run every play in Miami's playbook from all five positions.

Source: SI

He holds an annual "Hell Week" of grueling workouts with other elite athletes at his house in Akron.

Source: ESPN

He taught himself to play power forward. During the 2012 season he started practicing with the Heat centers everyday instead of the guards.

lebron james backing down russell westbrook in nba finals

Source: ESPN

He has improved his field goal percentage seven years in a row.

He keeps a strict diet, refusing to eat red meat or pork. He eats health foods like this.

Source: SI

Despite growing up without a home and missing 100 days of school in a single year, he turned into a good student.

His high school teacher told Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain Dealer he was a solid student.

He and ended up with a 3.0 GPA as a high school senior — an impressive achievement considering his early-childhood education.

Source: Cleveland.com

After a December 2012 loss to the Knicks, he stayed at the arena for a late-night workout to get better.

Source: ESPN via Yahoo

He desperately wants to be a slightly better free-throw shooter. His one big goal last summer was to get from 75% to 80%.

Source: ESPN

This quote about switching positions: "Imagine you have studied your whole life to be something, and you wake up one day and say, 'I have to change.' ... It's like reading two books at the same time."

Source: SI

In high school, when he was already famous, he drew a picture of "Macbeth" for extra credit in English class. His teacher keeps it in a bank vault.

Source: Cleveland.com

He played with a broken nose in 2014, using a terrifying black mask.

He's obsessed with being better than Kevin Durant.

He told SI about his rivalry:

"I know there is someone, somewhere, trying to take my spot. And I know where he is too. He's in Oklahoma. He's my inspiration because I see the direction he's headed, and it's the same direction I'm headed. I know his mind-set, and he knows mine. It's a collision course. We're driving one another."

Source: SI

Coach K talks about his work ethic like he's a god.

Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils

Coach K told SI:

"The game is a house, and some players only have one or two windows in their house because they can't absorb any more light. When I met LeBron, he only had a few windows, but then he learned how beautiful the game can be, so he put more windows in. Now he sees the damn game so well, it's like he lives in a glass building. He has entered a state of mastery. There's nothing he can't do. God gave him a lot but he is using everything. He's one of the unique sports figures of all time, really, and he's right in that area where it's all come together."

Now see what he does when he's off the court

14 Examples Of LeBron James' Incredible Work Ethic

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Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

14 Examples Of LeBron James' Incredible Work Ethic

He gets a special four-page scouting report before every game. His teammates get a two-page report.

He could run every play in Miami's playbook from all five positions.

He holds an annual "Hell Week" of grueling workouts with other elite athletes at his house in Akron.

He taught himself to play power forward. During the 2012 season he started practicing with the Heat centers everyday instead of the guards.

He has improved his field goal percentage seven years in a row.

He keeps a strict diet, refusing to eat red meat or pork. He eats health foods like this.

Despite growing up without a home and missing 100 days of school in a single year, he turned into a good student.

After a December 2012 loss to the Knicks, he stayed at the arena for a late-night workout to get better.

He desperately wants to be a slightly better free-throw shooter. His one big goal last summer was to get from 75% to 80%.

This quote about switching positions: "Imagine you have studied your whole life to be something, and you wake up one day and say, 'I have to change.' ... It's like reading two books at the same time."

In high school, when he was already famous, he drew a picture of "Macbeth" for extra credit in English class. His teacher keeps it in a bank vault.

He played with a broken nose in 2014, using a terrifying black mask.

He's obsessed with being better than Kevin Durant.

Coach K talks about his work ethic like he's a god.

Now see what he does when he's off the court

How LeBron Makes And Spends His Money >

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

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Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know