Erik Spoelstra would love to take credit. In four years in Miami, LeBron James measurably improved as a scorer. His three-point shooting percentages jumped. His post game developed. The final two seasons with the Heat were the most efficient of James’s career. Miami’s strong coaching staff is often cited as a reason for that development. Spoelstra says the credit belongs elsewhere.
“It’s LeBron,” says Spoelstra. “He had such a drive to win that he was hardwired to continue to add to his game. And he just continued to add every single year.”
James’s pursuit of the NBA’s all-time scoring record is a combination of skill, longevity and a relentless desire to improve. In 2003, James entered the NBA with an NBA-ready body and a skill set to match. Except for one. “Everyone said he couldn’t shoot,” said Tristan Thompson, James’s former teammate in Cleveland. Operating as a point forward in the Cavs’ offense, James succeeded despite an inconsistent jump shot. “Early on, he was just playing,” said Sixers coach Doc Rivers. “He was just better than everybody.” He averaged 31.4 points in his third season and powered Cleveland to the Finals in his fourth. However, in the ’07 Finals, San Antonio exploited James’s perimeter weakness in a four-game sweep.
