LeBron James is arguably the greatest player to grace the basketball court. His scoring abilities and leadership in the locker room have enabled LeBron to find great success no matter what team he is playing for. When he was drafted way back in 2003, nobody would have expected him to have the kind of longevity that he has had in his 22-year career. Last year, James teamed up with his now head coach, JJ Redick, to start a podcast called” Mind the Game” that gives the legions of Lakers fans a glimpse into his and other NBA players’ daily routines and diets.

What has been the secret to LeBron James’ incredible longevity in the NBA?

That comes down to a number of factors. Up until recently, the rumor around the NBA world was that LeBron was spending up to $1 million on his body annually. However, after appearing on The Pat McAfee Show, LeBron has put those rumors to rest and stated that he does not spend nearly that much on his body. Instead, he focuses on more tangible, simpler solutions.

His time in the NBA has allowed the GOAT to win multiple championships with the Cavs, Heat, and, more recently, the Lakers. While some NBA players have the same longevity in their game, they have not been able to compete at the level that LeBron James has. The only players that we can see as matching his success would be Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and perhaps Larry Bird(sorry Lakers fans).

During a recent episode of the Mind the Game podcast(now hosted with another icon of the game, Steve Nash), Lebron revealed the secrets behind his unparalleled longevity. What LeBron James has revealed may shock some of you, and may seem obvious to others. Regardless of your opinions, the strategy that LeBron and his team of experts have developed has proven to be immensely successful.

LeBron James’ diet has been the major driving force behind his longevity.

James has stated that the secret to his long and illustrious time in the NBA has been his dietary restrictions. The all-time top scorer has stated that he starts the day with a green smoothie or perhaps a bowl of fruit, something that many athletes choose to go for instead of a traditional breakfast. But that is only half the story of LeBron’s secrets.

James also stated that he does not take any type of artificial supplements or creatine. Opting instead for natural or healthy ingredients for his diet. The Lakers’ star man claims to only eat his first real meal of the day around 1:30 or 2 o’clock every day. LeBron was one of the last prep-to-play players to enter the league. Meaning that he went straight from high school into the NBA.

The effort that LeBron James has put into ensuring a long and productive(emphasis on the latter) career is amazing. Not only has he lasted for this long, but he has remained capable of competing with younger, fresher players coming into the league. His ageless dominance is unlike anything ever seen in the sporting world. Does he have enough time left for one more championship? He certainly thinks so.

Is retirement on the cards for LeBron James this offseason?

Not according to him, it seems. James has operated for the past few seasons on one-year contracts, keeping the door to retirement slightly open. When one considers the international appeal of the game of basketball, can LeBron compete and win against the younger players looking to establish their own legacies? The NBA has waited a long time to see an American at the pinnacle of the sport, and Lebron James is easily the best bet for the US to reclaim the MVP title. Regardless of his plans, we can not see anyone else replicating the kind of longevity that LeBron has pioneered with his diet and discipline for his craft.