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USA Today via Reuters

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USA Today via Reuters

Having a mountain of expectations ever since his debut, LeBron James has evolved into a phenom. Mastering almost all the major facets of the game, the King began to reign over the NBA. Now on the verge of becoming the all-time leading scorer in the NBA, age hasn’t been a barrier for the four-time champion. However, despite arguably being one of the greatest of all time, James hasn’t been able to master one part of his game, free throws.

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The Akron Hammer had two major deficiencies when he first came into the league, shooting from distance and within 15 feet of the basket. As a freight train, LeBron James is one of the best drivers in basketball. In addition, he has no problem finishing with immense pressure all over him. However, over the course of his career, the Los Angeles Lakers forward has had some horror showings from the spot.

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There even came a time the King nearly embarrassed himself on television. Host David Letterman nearly got the better of James in a shooting competition as it all came down to the buzzer.

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Hosting the iconic ‘Late Show with David Letterman’, the $400 million net worth TV host invited a young NBA sensation, LeBron James to his show. In a dominant third-season campaign, the four-time MVP had risen to an All-Star caliber player. However, as humor is a big part of late-night television, Letterman dug right into James’ poorest skillset on the court.

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LeBron James saved himself from major embarrassment

Shooting 73% from the line that season, the King had one of his better seasons. However, the host felt he could get the better of his guest. Likewise, a competition was underway, and Letterman nearly came out on top.

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Winning by just a single point, LeBron James was close to getting embarrassed for his free throw skills. Despite having a slight disadvantage in shooting from a farther distance, his basketball mastery was a huge mismatch.

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As time has progressed, LeBron James’ troubles at the line haven’t gone away. However, at the age of 37, the King nearly had a career season. Averaging over 30 points, the four-time NBA champion’s longevity shocked the NBA community. However, he also had one of his best seasons from the free throw line, shooting 75.6%. However, the percentage remains low from the expected standards of one of the greatest.

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USA Today via Reuters

Notably, the King averaged just six attempts per game last season. Despite being an interior player, James averaged a career-low in the free throw category at just 27%. The Los Angeles Lakers forward has previously said he aims to get to the spot more often?next season.

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As the 37-year-old ages, it seems James is only getting better. Having self-awareness of his powers and a willingness to adapt, the 18-time All-Star has arguably managed to still stay on top of his game.

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Returning with a mindset to face his toughest challenge more often, do you think LeBron James will shoot better from the line next season? Let us know your views in the comments below.

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Anuj Talwalkar

4,483 Articles

Anuj Talwalkar is a senior NBA Newsbreak specialist at EssentiallySports, trusted for his real-time coverage and fast, accurate updates on league developments. With five NBA seasons and two Olympics coverages under his belt, Anuj stands out as the go-to reporter for the NBA Matchday Newsdesk. As part of the EssentiallySports Journalistic Excellence Program, he continuously refines his hard reporting with grounded storytelling shaped by fan culture and court-level insights. An economics graduate and lifelong OKC fan since the Supersonics era, Anuj combines analytical thinking and a genuine passion for basketball. He’s recognized for both his live news coverage and feature writing, with aspirations to someday interview Russell Westbrook. Anuj’s reporting is marked by its reliability, depth, and strong connection to the pulse of the NBA.

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