LeBron James credits lifelong dislike of tardiness for constant punctuality
lebron-james-punctuality-explained
Los Angeles, CA — Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James says his reputation for showing up early traces back to childhood anxiety about being late, a habit that has followed him into his 22nd NBA season.
During the latest episode of his “Mind the Game” podcast with Hall of Famer Steve Nash, the 40-year-old star explained that punctuality is ingrained in him. “If I’m late, my stomach hurts, my anxiety ramps up,” James said. “I’ve always felt it’s disrespectful to other people’s time.”
James recalled that even in elementary school he panicked if the bell rang before he was seated. The lesson intensified once he began organized sports. In youth football, tardy players ran “gassers” or “17s” as punishment, a deterrent that made arriving early non-negotiable. “You do not want to be late to a football practice and have to run,” he noted.
The four-time NBA champion added that his family’s lack of a car sometimes made on-time arrivals difficult, but the stress he felt in those moments only strengthened his commitment to promptness. Today, he still reaches arenas and meetings well ahead of schedule. James said that during last summer’s U.S. Olympic training camp he routinely arrived before teammates, using the extra time to watch film with coaches.
“Being on time has always been late to me,” he told Nash. “Getting there early sets the tone for everyone else.”
Source: Lakers Nation
