2003 was a year that would change the fate of the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was the year in which 18-year-old LeBron James made an entry into the Cavs. Within no time, he made sure they felt his presence. In his rookie year, he played 79 games, averaging 20.9 points, 5.5 rebs, 5.9 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. Apart from winning the Rookie of the Year, he won his team’s respect.

Then came the summer of 2005, when Larry Hughes joined the Cavaliers. At that time, LeBron was just 21 years old and averaged a whopping 31.4 points, 7 rebounds, and 6.6 assists. He helped the Cavs get 50 wins and even led them to the second round of the playoffs.

However, LeBron’s first stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers ended on a grim note. Failing to win the title for his hometown, he left the franchise for Miami Heat. But Larry Hughes saw LeBron’s growth during his developing years and revealed his views on it in a recent interview.

LeBron James’ early years with the Cleveland Cavaliers

On ‘The Rematch’, the 13-year NBA veteran Larry Hughes talked to Etan Thomas about watching LeBron become the GOAT he is. He stated, “What Bron did was, he would go and have conversations and he would listen. And he brought to the table. You know it all matched up.

“So it was more of him, taking in all of the information and then starting to apply it to the god-given talents he had. That’s what made it a good connection.”He further said, “He was a young kid. He was coming in, trying to figure out how great he was actually going to be.”

Hughes went on to praise LeBron and said, “What I liked about Bron initially was that he listened to everybody. He would go around to different teammates and have a conversation about basketball. They’re different guys, different years and he would listen. For me, that was big because he was taking all of that in and then putting it with the youth… He was a good teammate.

Looks like everything the Lakers‘ star knew exactly what to do to get where he is today. What a sight would it have been watching him grow up close into the GOAT he is now!