LeBron James once revealed a fascinating insight about the roots of his passion for the game. Like any other NBA superstar, James also had childhood idols who ignited his desire to pursue a basketball career. According to LeBron, he wouldn’t have embarked on his own basketball journey if Julius Erving and Michael Jordan had not blazed the trail before him.

Needless to say, Dr. J and MJ’s masterful and gripping performances on the court inspired James to believe in undeniable greatness. Hence, the pair’s legacy induced him to someday build his own brand in the sport.

“If Doctor J hadn’t existed, probably neither did Michael Jordan. And therefore, I would not have been a basketball player,” James once said.

LeBron also looked up to Iverson

Through their greatness, Erving and Jordan taught young James that raw talent and incredible work ethic are the keys to success. As he developed his game, LeBron narrowed it down and picked MJ’s road to NBA superstardom as a blueprint.

Along the way, James found another influential figure in Allen Iverson. Watching A.I.’s unconventional rise in the NBA, LeBron realized that fearlessness and individuality are also important aspects of the game.