Dalton Knecht Shares What He’s Learned About LeBron James
Dalton Knecht, a rookie for the Los Angeles Lakers, has had the unique opportunity to observe LeBron James, one of the greatest basketball players of all time, up close. While he expected to learn a lot about LeBron’s game and work ethic, one discovery left him particularly surprised: LeBron’s deep love for Madden, the popular football video game.
LeBron’s Passion for Madden
When asked about what stood out about LeBron during practice, Knecht revealed:
“How much he loves to play Madden. He always talks about it, but I didn’t realize it was to this extent. He watches it on the plane, studies it like it’s basketball film—it’s crazy.”
LeBron’s love for Madden isn’t new. In fact, his wife, Savannah James, once shared a humorous clip of him ringing in the New Year by playing the game. Beyond casual enjoyment, LeBron has also confessed to being “addicted” to Madden 23. Impressively, he even secured a spot among the top 100 players in Madden 25, showcasing his competitive edge extends beyond the basketball court.
LeBron’s Longevity in the NBA
At 39 years old and in his 22nd NBA season, LeBron continues to play at a remarkable level. For the 2024–25 season, the 20-time All-Star is averaging:
- 23.5 points
- 7.9 rebounds
- 9.0 assists
Despite a brief offensive slump in November, LeBron has regained his rhythm and remains a critical force for the Lakers. Knecht attributes LeBron’s longevity to his meticulous recovery and preparation routines:
“I asked if I could join one of his workouts to see how he does it. He makes sure to recover his body—he’s always in the cold tub or icing something before and after workouts. Watching his day-to-day routine is inspiring.”
Knecht, at just 23 years old, hopes to emulate LeBron’s longevity, though he acknowledges the challenge of playing at such a high level for decades.
Knecht’s Own Journey
Drafted as the 17th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Dalton Knecht had an impressive start to the season, positioning himself as a strong contender for Rookie of the Year. However, his performance dipped in December, with only two games where he scored double digits.
One of those standout games came during the Lakers’ thrilling 115-113 Christmas Day win over the Golden State Warriors, where Knecht tallied:
- 13 points (on 5-9 shooting)
- 7 rebounds
- 2 assists
- 1 block
He hopes this performance signals a return to form as the Lakers (17-13) continue their season. Their next matchup is against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. With the Kings recently parting ways with head coach Mike Brown, all eyes will be on how the team reacts to the shake-up.
Final Thoughts
LeBron’s passion for Madden and his relentless dedication to his craft highlight the multifaceted nature of one of the NBA’s biggest stars. Meanwhile, Dalton Knecht’s learning curve with the Lakers offers an exciting glimpse into the league’s future. Fans will be watching to see how both players contribute to the team’s success as the season progresses.
