Yes, there are plausible reasons why things are as they are with LeBron. But there are good reasons to be suspicious.
One of the major topics in the last quarter century is PED use among professional athletes. Players from cyclist Neil Armstrong to baseball player Barry Bonds have had careers crumble and legacies shattered. Is there another, and even more shocking victim, of this epidemic?
Let’s look at issues associated with the NBA’s most dominant player, LeBron James.
LeBron in high school (photo, Springfield News-Sun)
First, we know that steroid consumption can lead to an exponential increase in muscle mass and it can do so in a short period of time. You can see that kind of development in LeBron James’ body. If you look at the side-by-side pictures of Lebron from 2003 to 2004–from his senior year of high school to his USA Olympic team participation–you can definitely see a major increase in mass build, as well as the overall structure of his figure. The drastic change of body physique could have been through the use of lifting weights and proper nutrition. However, you rarely see a dramatic change in just twelve months. But it could happen through the use of steroids. Steriods build three-to-four times the amount of muscle mass vis-a-vis normal exercising.
Second, another side effect of steroids is mood swings. Over the past decade, LeBron’s mood swings have become more evident. Consider the number of times LeBron explains his positioning to NBA referees about a foul call that he believes should/shouldn’t have been called. Sure, a lot of NBA players do the same thing, but LeBron seems to take it to a whole other level.
Third, there’s the issue of balding/hair loss. According to National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), the use of steroids can increases dihydrotestosterone, a hormone that leads to an increase in balding and hair loss. From 2007 to 2012, James lost a full two inches from his hairline, a rate that’s uncommon in such a short period of time.
Courtesy: Washington Post
Fourth, steroids have been universally used for pain reduction. This practice is used not just by athletes, but by everyday people. So it’s logical that LeBron may have used steroids for pain relief. Know that LeBron has never had a catastrophic injury. All of the injuries have been by a sprain, sore, or the result of various illnesses. LeBron broke his nose in 2014, but that’s an injury that a player can play through. LeBron did just that by wearing a transparent mask.
Finally, there’s the issue of playing ability and the decline thereof. NBA players exhibit a decline in playing ability during the latter half of their careers. Think of Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade. But even after fifteen years, LeBron continues to be the best player in the NBA. LeBron debuted with a ridiculous twenty points and six rebounds a night and, since then, has maintained his productivity. The only player in NBA history that has come close to that longevity is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. But Kareem’s role, as a big man, was limited: worry about the interior and score on the low post. LeBron, on the other hand, is a multi-dimensional player who plays a variety of roles over a significant number of minutes, game in and game out. Once again, this capacity may be due to his nutrition regime, among other things.
Yes, there are plausible reasons why things are as they are with LeBron. But there are good reasons to be suspicious.
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