“He Gained 7 Pounds During a Game”: NBA Insider Confirms Wild LeBron James Story

While almost anything is possible for Los Angeles Lakers legend LeBron James, an extreme weight change report had even the reporter confounded. A claim that James gained almost seven pounds over the course of a conference finals game was validated by a noted NBA analyst.

Brian Windhorst, on his podcast The Hoops Collective, spoke about how one of James' former teammates, Mike Miller, unveiled the head-scratching moment. While it might seem scientifically improbable, the report comes from Miller, who played with LeBron for three seasons in the Miami Heat, with another stint together for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"One of the most fascinating stories of LeBron's career was that he gained like seven pounds during a game. Mike Miller told me this story. ... I know it doesn't make sense. ... Mike Miller told me LeBron used to weigh himself before and after every game when he was in Miami. ... Somehow, he weighed 261 before the game and 268 after the game."

While sharing the story on the X post by Heat Diehards, Windhorst himself couldn't wrap his head around it. He noted how he went as far as asking one of James' former trainers to confirm the story. Even then, Windhorst still couldn't believe it. But then, when he asked LeBron directly, the King confirmed it truly happened.

"LeBron said, 'Yes.' It was very strange. I don't know what to make of it. I don't know whether I drank a lot of Gatorade.'"

Based on health and wellness sources, it's scientifically not possible to gain actual body mass, whether it be muscle or fat, during a basketball game.

The only scientific explanation for James' sudden weight gain after a game could be water retention. When muscles are put under a lot of stress, micro-tears appear. Repairing these tears leads to retained fluid, which could cause a spike on the weighing scale.

While stories of the legend's past continue to build, it's LeBron's future that the people are concerned with now, with the four-time champion still a free agent.

Family ties complicate LeBron James' free agency decision

It's been nearly a month since James declared that he will test free agency this summer. Since then, many have had their eyes peeled on where James' next destination will be.

There have been several talks of him joining one of the five teams. These teams include the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Golden State Warriors. But James seems to have a special motivation behind his choice.

Apparently, James is having a difficult time deciding due to his daughter, Zhuri. According to NBA reporter Melissa Rohlin, LeBron is factoring in Zhuri's social and school life. He's torn between asking his family to move again or sticking around the area so his daughter wouldn't have to adjust to a new life, as Rohlin reported.

"Zhuri has lived in Los Angeles since she was a preschooler. It’s where her friends are. It’s where she’s becoming a volleyball star. Uprooting her would be extremely difficult."

Because James no longer intends to play for the Los Angeles Lakers, demographically speaking, the most sensible team to join is the Golden State Warriors.

"That’s why it’s hard to imagine James choosing anywhere besides Golden State to finish his career," Rohlin added.

While there may be some truth to these reports, readers should still take this with a grain of salt. At the end of the day, it all comes down to where James feels he would find more success.