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The game of basketball has changed a lot. It essentially went from a physical and intense brand to a system of technical brilliance. The most blunt example is the modern three-point era. There was a time when shooting 3 threes was considered heavy. There was no Stephen Curry making ludicrous threes from half-court. Now, the league average resides at 35 threes per game. However, in the midst of such revolutionary change, one man continues to dictate the game in the style he perfected 21 years ago. That’s LeBron James.

When King James came into the league, three-point shooting hadn’t spiked. Rim crashers and mid-range savants prevailed. James is a specimen of nature. In his prime, he was nearly unstoppable when going to the basket. He never had to rely on the perimeter shot to determine the outcome of games.

But now after such a bold change, James still remains adamant on attacking the defense rather than increasing his shooting volume. Why is that? The workings of his mind were revealed during his most recent podcast episode besides JJ Reddick.

LeBron James wants to be the fear factor

If there is a place to understand the depths of the NBA and the minute nuances of basketball, it’s on the Mind the Game podcast. Two of the brightest basketball minds, James and Reddick dissect the game and provide NBA insights for the sport.

The latest of their conversations revolved around the three-point era. Reddick, who was recognized as a three-point shooter expressed the early lessons he was given which influenced him to change his game. The same deductions don’t apply to James.

“I can sit here and tell you I definitely have some of our coaching staff, they want me to shoot more threes,” James told the former 76er.

Yet, the Akron Hammer refuses to comply. He believes if there are a multitude of shooters on the floor, his job is to disrupt the defense by breaking through in the paint.

“I’m not putting enough pressure on the defense if I am shooting 12 to 14 threes a game” James added. “If I am shooting 14 a game I’m going to get in a rhythm but I am not putting pressure on the defense and that’s not me,”. 

USA Today via Reuters

LeBron James strongly feels that the opposition’s defense needs to be challenged. Given it aligns perfectly with his game, the 39-year-old isn’t willing to stay behind the perimeter. As a juggernaut inside scorer, James is often the one who takes the contact and opens up pockets for his teammates. As soon as he steps inside the arc, any defense is compelled to be on alert. Merge his unparalleled passing ability and that starts to create more three-point opportunities.

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Despite his reluctance to become a volume shooter, James has expanded his game beyond the arc. Just this season, the 21-year-old veteran forward shot 41% from three, a career-high in that category. But numbers never motivated James, it was always results. Having the awareness to recognize what benefits the team is why LeBron James is such a hard opponent to face.

It’s different for Stephen Curry. His volume shooting is justified not just because of his unchallenged conversion rate but also because the high-speed offense is how the Golden State Warriors have always operated. They have had pieces that amplify Curry’s potential. The Bay preaches moving the ball constantly until finding the right man. James relies on his instincts to bring fluency into an offense.

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He bends his own game and makes it easier for everyone around him. Once James sees that blaring advantage, it is all about execution for him. That’s a staple part of his ascend to basketball heaven.

Do you still think LeBron James should listen to his coaches’ advice? Let us know what you think in the comments below.