LeBron James can play any position at any time

We’ve all seen LeBron James’ greatness. He’s a three time world champion, a four time MVP winner, and a perennial all-star.

But it’s what we can’t see so obviously with James that is especially spectacular. While he’s one of the best basketball talents in the league, he also has one of the best basketball minds. Apparently, that’s something he’s been crafting since he was a child.

After starting at point guard for the Cavaliers against the Bulls on Tuesday, James told reporters that he knows “every single play at every single position.”

“I know where I should be and what my teammates should do,” James said. (Via The Farmer Jones)

“I think the best thing for me personally is that ever since I was a kid I’ve always learned every position on the floor. When I started playing ball, for some odd reason, I could learn every single position on the floor all at one time, as a point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, and center and know all the plays, what they’re doing and what’s the reads.” James said.

“To this day, still, if I’m able, if coach slides me to the one, I know every set. If he slides me to the five, I know the five. I know the four, I know the three, I know the two. I know every single play at every single position. It makes the job a lot easier for me because I know where I should be and where my teammates should be.”

James is one of the most versatile players in league history because of his size and skill, but knowing how every position functions is at another level.

There’s a reason this is difficult. While teams don’t run specific plays every possession, they do have repeatable motions each player at each position is supposed to make and different spots they should move and stand. For James to know all of those would make him the ultimate Swiss Army knife.

We’ve seen this aptitude in action. That’s how James is able to make passes like this.

And this.

We’ve also seen James switch from being the screener in the pick-and-roll to delivering pristine dimes to cutters and shooters on the same possession.

We’ve seen James play both forward positions, both guard positions, and even play a bit at center throughout his career. That’s why his former coach Erik Spoelstra coined the nickname ‘1-through-5’ for the do-it-all superstar. James does great things at every position, and Spoelstra recognized that early.

“Make plays for us, one through five, whatever it takes,” Spoelstra told James when he was a member of the Miami Heat. “Don’t overthink it.”

That’s what he’s been doing ever since. So yes, we believe him when he says he’s known how to play every position from Day 1.