True story. Almost thirty years ago now I moved to Michigan for grad school and rented a house from Tom Tresh, who used to play for the Yankees in the Maris and Mantle era. On occasion I played basketball with his son, who was in his early teens, so I was able to beat him. Tom is watching one day and challenges me. Tom was about 230 then, had more than his share of beer that day, smoked constantly--he was completely out of shape. I was in my 20s running about 70mpw. I figured here's my chance to beat a former professional athlete. Well, he killed me. He was so much faster and quicker than I was (I ran 25 for 220 in HS, so I wasn't slow) it astonished me. I learned first hand that professional and elite athletes are members of a different species than most people.
somewhatfat wrote:
I'm 6'8 and 185 pounds, and I ran 59.0 for the quarter. He's 6'8 with fifty pounds more muscle than I have, and 1000 times the explosiveness. He could break 60 running backwards. Also, I think the average person underestimates the physical fitness you need to play high level basketball. Even as a runner, I could get tired pretty quickly sprinting up and down the bball court. Lebron is fit, without a doubt.