To have such a level in your 21st NBA season, you obviously have to be a hard worker. LeBron James’ work ethic is (re)known to everyone, but each story about it never ceases to surprise us, like the latest one that was told by a Philadelphia player after their clash.

LeBron James is the oldest player in the league, and yet he is still one of the players playing the most minutes per game this season. The end of the King’s career is getting closer and closer as he turns 39 in December, but he gives the impression of still being in the prime of his life. If the Lakers manage somehow to stay in the Top 8 in the West, it is mainly thanks to the Chosen One.

However, he was not able to prevent the disaster during his team’s defeat against the 76ers this Monday (94-138). LBJ was only able to score 18 points in 29 minutes, but this meeting was also an opportunity for Philly player Tyrese Maxey to tell a fascinating anecdote about the four-time MVP to the media. We then learned some details about the moment the guard encountered LBJ at the gym:

Tyrese Maxey’s mind-blowing anecdote about LeBron James

Training took place at 6am. I arrived at the gym at 5:30 a.m., as always, to stretch. The next time we trained at 6 a.m., he was there at 5 a.m. When I walked in, LeBron was already there, sweating.

I asked him what he was doing and he said, “I can’t let you beat me to the gym.” And I said, “You’re crazy.” All week he tried to make it at 5 a.m., but after that workout I told him, “Okay, you win.”

Tyrese Maxey is having a truly sensational season and it’s surely the result of hard work over the summer. But in this game, LeBron has a head start despite his much longer years in the league. If the expression “not resting on your laurels” were to be personified, the figure of the former Cavs would surely be used if we rely on the rest of the young star’s statement.

The numbers speak for themselves. He is also someone who is very gifted at basketball. His work ethic (in his 21st year) is still the same. He’s always trying to beat me at the gym. He was a four-time MVP, Finals MVP, his awards are countless. His desire and his will to beat a 22-year-old young man in the gym who hasn’t done anything yet… I take my hat off to him.

Clearly, the athletic monster that is LeBron James has not finished impressing his peers in the NBA. Tyrese Maxey, who originally intended to beat him in this field, witnessed the legend’s insane work ethic and thus had no choice but to admit defeat. Well done the King!