LeBron James has a message for people chasing success without putting in the work. On his wife Savannah’s ‘Everybody’s Crazy’ podcast, the Lakers superstar called out those who crave fame and rewards but aren’t willing to grind, saying real achievement comes from loving the process, not just the finish line.
“Everybody wants the glitz and glamour. Everybody doesn’t wanna f***ing work, strap their boots up and put on that hard hat and actually commit,” LeBron said. “Everybody is always talking about they want this and they want that; like, are you gonna get up at 3:00 in the morning? Let’s go work. You want to stream for 30 days straight? Everybody sees the rewards but you’re more in love with the finish line than the process. If you can’t fall in love with the process, then don’t talk.”
Success in sports so often comes down to the work. While every player may want NBA glory, only a select few are willing to put in the work necessary to achieve it. In today’s culture, athletes look for every shortcut possible on the way to success and often rely on their sheer talent to carry them to greatness.
For LeBron James, the realization came very early and his approach is what has kept him effective on the court for so long. While he was born with natural gifts, James’ iconic career is more than about physical dominance. In many ways, LeBron has mentally outmatched his opponents and has gained the upper hand through hard work and repetition.
Even into his late 30s and early 40s, LeBron has used much of the offseason to hone his craft and prepare his body for the grind of an 82-game season. The result has been a 22-year career in the NBA (and counting) with averages of 27.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game on 50.6% shooting. To date, he’s a four-time champion, four-time MVP, 21x All-Star, and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. He’s also the standard for NBA longevity.
Miraculously, James has sustained over 20 years of greatness thanks to his hard work and dedication. From early morning gym sessions to grinding day after day with hardly any breaks between, James knows all too well what it takes to be great and live up to your ultimate potential. Like everything in life, it requires effort but it’s a step that all too many take for granted.
For the best of the best, their love of the game goes beyond just the accolades. It’s about appreciating the process and every step along the way. Legends like LeBron James, Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bryant relished the journey and it’s why success at the highest levels came so much easier for them.
Ultimately, LeBron’s message is a blueprint for excellence. His words cut to the heart of what separates the greats from everyone else: an obsession with the grind, not just the glory. For James, success is about discipline, sacrifice, and consistency over decades, not a single season of hype. It’s the willingness to wake up early, work when no one’s watching, and stay hungry long after the trophies are won. As he nears the twilight of his career, James continues to live by that code, showing that greatness isn’t a destination but a lifestyle built one relentless day at a time.
