LeBron James may still be focused on deciding where he will play next season, but his former teammate J.R. Smith thinks that the four-time champion has his next sport lined up after he retires from basketball.
Speaking on the We Need a Fourth podcast, Smith said that LeBron James will excel at golf just three years after retiring from basketball.
“I would say the moment he hangs up that jersey, I give LeBron three years before he’s a scratch. I’m taking that bet. Right now, he’s probably an 18. He has all of the gadgets. He has everything. That’s another thing, he’s not a gearhead. So he’s going to be consistent with his clubs. And he’s got every coach in the world who wants to coach him. He can play for the rest of his life if he wanted to.”
It’s a pretty bold claim, but you can understand why Smith feels this way.
Few athletes in history have approached their craft with the level of discipline and obsession that LeBron has shown throughout his 23-year career. Everything about his daily routine is planned to perfection, from his diet and sleep schedule to his workouts and recovery sessions.
That approach and mindset are one of the biggest reasons why he is still one of the best players in the world at the age of 41.
Smith is not saying that LeBron is already a great golfer. He’s simply pointing out the fact that once LeBron James commits to something, he rarely does it halfway.
Throughout his career, LeBron has built one of the most successful business empires in sports while still playing at an All-NBA level. He has invested in multiple companies, expanded SpringHill Entertainment into a major production house, and has been heavily involved in philanthropy with the LeBron James Family Foundation.
Whatever James decides to pursue, he dives into it with the same attention to detail that has made him one of the greatest players of all time.
And golf appears to be no exception.
LeBron caught the golf bug only a year ago, but he has openly admitted to being addicted to the sport. His social media accounts have been filled with videos from courses across the country, and his offseason vacations now revolve around golf as well.
Golf has even found a way into NBA rumors.
One report suggested that James’ love for the sport could help the Miami Heat in their pitch, while Stephen Curry pointed to the Bay Area’s beautiful weather and world-class golf courses as he pitched LeBron to join the Golden State Warriors.
Now, with retirement getting closer, it seems clear that golf will have a major role in whatever comes next.
Becoming a scratch golfer is no easy feat. It requires years of practice, technical expertise, and dedication. Most casual golfers never come close to reaching that level.
But if there is one thing we know about LeBron, he thrives on overcoming difficult challenges.
And that’s why Smith is making such a bold prediction.
LeBron will eventually walk away from basketball, but don’t expect him to stop competing. If his track record is any hint, he’ll attack golf with the same perfectionist mentality that turned him into a four-time champion and one of the greatest players the sport has ever seen.
