For most NBA players, draft night becomes one of the happiest memories of their lives. For LeBron James, it was a dream come true, but it also came with a level of stress he never expected.
James reflected on being selected first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2003 NBA Draft and admitted the experience itself was far from enjoyable.
“You just said it right there, I’m getting a headache thinking about it,” James said, speaking on the latest episode of the Mind the Game. “I think the whole city of Akron made their way to New York City either by plane, trains, automobiles, everybody. How long is the drive to New York from Akron? 8 hours? I know my uncle, my mom’s younger brother drove, cuz he don’t like flying. So I remember him and a few of my other family members drove. I know some of my best friends either flew or drove. It was a lot.”
At the time, James was already one of the most famous high school athletes in the country.
There was little doubt that Cleveland would select him with the top pick, eliminating much of the uncertainty that many prospects experience while waiting in the green room.
However, the expectations and demands surrounding the night became overwhelming.
“We was at Madison Square Garden,” James said. “It was a lot. I didn’t have a great time. I was happy as hell. It was a beautiful moment. We celebrated a little bit after the draft. But it was a lot.”
James explained that the pressure had little to do with basketball itself and more to do with everything happening around him.
Friends, family members and supporters from his hometown all made the trip to New York to witness the moment, creating a hectic environment behind the scenes.
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