Being able to have just a freedom, which is very rare in my life" - LeBron explained how biking helped him escape most of the hate after "The Decision

“Being able to have just a freedom, which is very rare in my life” – LeBron explained how biking helped him escape most of the hate after “The Decision” originally appeared on Basketball Network.

LeBron James‘ decision to swap his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers for the vibrant atmosphere the Miami Heat called home created a ripple that led to a massive wave of hate directed towards him.

Once celebrated in every corner of the globe for his poise and talent — rising as a high school basketball prodigy and carrying the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals in 2007 — King James quickly became a symbol of betrayal and arrogance when he famously chose to “take his talents to South Beach.”

LeBron found himself unable to escape the backlash of teaming up with fellow All-Stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, as fans publicly burned his jersey and Bron faced sharp criticism from pundits and even fellow players. But amidst all the chaos, LeBron found solace in a simple activity that allowed him to clear his mind and escape from the constant negativity: biking.

In an interview with ESPN, he looked back on that tumultuous time in his life and shared how cruising down the streets of Miami on his bike helped him gain a fraction of freedom, something he had never truly enjoyed since the spotlight shone on him as a junior in high school.

A rare freedom

Once LeBron made it to the cover of Sports Illustrated in early 2002, there was no turning back for him. Declared as the Chosen One, the King immediately became so big a celebrity that tournament organizers often moved his games to larger venues to accommodate the fans.

But with all the fame and fortune came a heavy burden and constant scrutiny, something that can wear down even the strongest of individuals. All these came to a halt in the summer of 2010 when LeBron chose Miami over Cleveland, sparking widespread hatred from fans across the country.

Fortunately, he managed to find some peace after all.

“Being in Miami, it’s all about just trying to have a mental edge. And at the same time, being able to have just a freedom, which is very rare in my life,” he shared.

During his time in Miami, it wasn’t unusual to see a massive 6’9″ man riding a bike on the streets. And as weird as it was to see one of the world’s most iconic sports personalities pedaling around town, it was also a refreshing image.

It helped keep LeBron in phenomenal shape

As LeBron has proven throughout his distinguished career, there was nothing he wouldn’t do to make sure his body is in tiptop shape. From allegedly spending millions of dollars on his body each year to training at all hours of the day, LeBron takes his health and fitness seriously. And his passion for pedaling was just another way for him to stay active and maintain a healthy lifestyle; it even came to a point when he rode his bike to and from games.

“I felt great,” James said after registering 22 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists in a 103-92 win over the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves. “I didn’t get tired. I don’t think I got tired. I felt great. I could have played again if we had to. Yeah, I’ve been biking a little more than usual. It’s fun. It’s also conditioning, it’s cardio.”

LeBron still sometimes breaks out his bike to ride around the City of Angels, but not as often as he did in Miami. Looking back on it, he relished the tranquility of the ride and how it allowed him to clear his mind while keeping his body sharp.

“To be able to just have some freedom. And just feel like I was at peace and smell the fresh air and things of that nature,”he stated. “And also have a mental edge, saying, ‘Listen, we’re going to use this as conditioning, we’re going to use this as a way to get to work.’ If I could do this and still go out and play and dominate, it was more of a mental edge for me.”

To some professional athletes, riding a bike to games is absurd, considering they need every ounce of energy to compete at the highest level, not to mention the inherent risk of accidents. However, LeBron is no ordinary athlete, and as the results showed, he still had a lot left in the tank for game day. It’s a testament to his determination always to find ways to improve and push himself further.

This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 22, 2025, where it first appeared.

Being able to have just a freedom, which is very rare in my life” – LeBron explained how biking helped him escape most of the hate after “The Decision

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