Image Credit: Howard Bouchevereau on Unsplash
For years there’s been one ongoing debate in the basketball world. Who is the GOAT? Is it Michael Jordan or Lebron James?
Sports broadcasters debate this on-air, athletes argue about it in locker rooms, and even friendships are strained because of how passionately basketball fans feel about this question. A colleague and I have been debating this for a year every time the question comes up.
So, who is the GOAT?
While Jordan is still my favorite there is one area in which King James is truly untouchable.
Lebron has been playing in the NBA for over 17 years. But years playing can be deceiving because for mere mortals the final years are normally spent on the bench or just playing a minor role. Most Jordan fans easily overlook his final year playing with Washington Wizards; we don’t count that time when we talk about “the Jordan years”.
But for King James; his statistics show that he’s still getting better despite being well past prime years for basketball. His scoring, field goal percentage, and his assists are all better now at age 34.
And the scariest part is that we don’t know if he’s reached his peak yet. This isn’t humanely possible.
When is comes to consistently performing at the highest levels, there’s no question that Lebron is untouchable. So, what’s Lebron’s gift or zone of genius?
I said it before that Jordan’s gift was a mindset that loved constant improvement. Lebron’s gift is the ability to remain disciplined for long durations.
He’s the GOAT of sustained self-discipline.
When you watch Lebron play or check out his highlights what you are witnessing is a man who has lived a life of self-discipline for years.
Lebron spends upwards of 1.5 million dollars per year caring for his body. He sleeps in an oxygen chamber, sets the temperature in hotel rooms to 68 to 70 degrees, and turns off all lights. He doesn’t buy mobile apps, turns of roaming on his cell phone when traveling, and uses free versions of software like Pandora all of this to control unesessary spending.
He’s never been involved in any off-court drama.
He married his high school sweetheart.
And he works out intensely during the off season.
You know what all this shows?
Discipline.
When you watch people like Lebron perform what we are actually witnessing is the power of concentrated self-discipline. Despite his size and speed, King James would not have been able to do what he’s done without discipline. That’s his secret sauce.
Where Jordan’s gift was a mindset for constant improvement, Lebron’s God-given talent is the ability to remain self-disciplined in perpetuity.
People who are great at what they do like Warren Buffet, Jeff Bezos, Denzel Washington, you name it, all have demonstrated insane discipline in at least one area.
Is there any area of your life where moe discipline can help you?