The rest of the NBA should be very afraid.
The news that LeBron James has turned to postgame guru Hakeem Olajuwon could help refine one of the league’s very best players in an area of his biggest weakness.
Forget about the perimeter game and the passing. If James ever added a consistent inside component, he might fulfill the promise of becoming “The King” for the NBA.
It was almost painful at times to watch James attempt to score against the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals.
Give him credit for .
“Right now I’ve just been focusing on being a better player, working on my game every single day,” James told the Associated Press in comments reported by Pro Basketball Talk.com. “Like I said, the Dallas Mavericks were a great team and they deserved to win that championship. And I’ll just use that as motivation coming into this season.”
That has taken him to Houston, where he’s working with the Hall of Famer Olajuwon to bolster his inside play.
Olajuwon practically refined post play during his career, which included an MVP in 1994 and two NBA titles.
“I look at what he was able to do throughout his career,” James said. “Unbelievable talent. Multiple champion. Just to see how he was able to dominate in the low post, for me as an individual, I just try to look at some of the things I feel I need to get better at and hit home at it. Our team becomes better if I continue to get better and that’s what it’s about.”
Finesse added to James’ bullish strength could be a deadly combination.
Consider the rest of the NBA to be duly warned if the work with Olajuwon improves James’ game.