It seems as if Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James has decided to shed a few pounds this offseason as recent pictures of the former MVP show a much svelter King James than we’ve seen in the past.
More from Cleveland Cavaliers
- NBA insider: Cavaliers should consider trading Donovan Mitchell
- Predicting NBA’s Christmas Day Schedule: Lakers, Warriors highlight slate of postseason rematches
- NBA Rumors: 3 teams that should trade for Joel Embiid
- NBA rumors: How Donovan Mitchell could wind up on the trading block
- The new NBA flopping rules explained
So what’s the reason behind the loss of weight? Is it stress from a difficult offseason decision in which he left the party-life of South Beach and the Miami Heat to return to the comfy confines of Akron and Cleveland? Nope, not according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
Appearing with Bill Simmons on a recent Grantland podcast, Windhorst explained the reasoning behind LeBron James’ shocking weight loss.
Cutting carbs from his diet, Windhorst noted that James felt he was in the worst shape of his career last season and was taken back by the appearance of Ray Allen, who was one of the only members of the Miami Heat to actually come into camp looking fit.
In addition, it was noted that James has become somewhat self-conscious about weight during the past few seasons, which probably explains why he was taken back by Allen’s healthy and toned appearance.
"He has actually been in the mid-260s and sometimes over 270 in his career. He doesn’t like talking about it. I don’t even know what they list him at. I think they might list him at 250. He has been a little self-conscious about that in recent years, so I think there’s a secondary reason as well."
LeBron James is a pretty big dude with a ton of muscle mass, so I’m not sure why he thinks that poundage would be unacceptable. Regardless, the new-look James is much leaner and if he’s happy with that, good for him.