Critics have wanted LeBron James to take advantage of his physical gift and punish defenders in the low post. This past season it appears after leading his team to an NBA championship, LeBron listened.
In an interview with HoopsHype, LeBron says that he will be in the post a lot more going forward:
Q: You took fewer three-pointers this season.
A: I just changed my approach. I decided to stay away from the three-point line and going to the post. Make it a little bit easier for myself and for my teammates. I got more and more comfortable going down there and it was a success.
Q: How do you think your game is going to evolve in upcoming seasons? Are you going to become more of a post player?
A: I can see that happening. I feel very comfortable down there, more comfortable than I've ever felt in my career. So I would see myself down there a lot more, and work my game from there.
Q: You became an unpopular player among many NBA fans once you signed with the Heat. Did you make a conscious effort to change that, to become more liked by people?
A: I don't care if I'm more like or more wanted by people. People are going to have opinions about me no matter what. For me, as a player, I'll try to do what it takes to win, and off the court I am who I am. I can't change what people think about me.
Q: Do you feel people like you more now?
A: I don't know. I don't go searching for it.
Q: How would you define your career in one word?
A: Not satisfied. I'm not done. I'm 27, 10 years in ... I don't have a word for my career right now.
It's natural for players of LeBron's caliber to evolve into proficient post players. Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant both did it more as they aged, but LeBron's advantage is that he's starting at a relatively young age.
He's only going to get better in the post with the combination of his athletic abilities, which could be a problem for his opponents around the league for a long time.
