The use of Performance Enhancing Drugs(PEDs) has always been a contentious subject in the world of sports. Despite the USADA introducing strict drug-testing protocols in many sports, the system is far from perfect. Most premier athletes have been accused of using PEDs to boost their performance at some point in time and LeBron James is no exception. Former UFC fighter turned commentator Chael Sonnen blatantly accused King James of using PEDs during his appearance on the Flagrant podcast earlier this year. Six months following Sonnen’s claim, a post regarding LeBron’s potential PED intake triggered a contentious discussion in the NBA Reddit community regarding drug usage in the NBA.
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Even though the NBA conducts drug testing for its players regularly, many top athletes have been still accused of taking illegal substances for endurance. LeBron James has been the subject of such accusations frequently because of his sustained dominance in the league for over two decades. The credit of the King’s top notch showing in the league, even at the age of 38, is usually ascribed to his incredible genetics and stringent work out and dietary routines. However, fans often tend to speculate that there might be other things behind achieving the impossible.
Reddit post triggers contentious debate in r/NBA
During a sit-down with Andrew Schulz and Co. on the Flagrant podcast, Chael Sonnen made some rather shocking claims. The veteran MMA commentator said, “EPO matters, it’s the reason LeBron takes it…EPO increases your Red Blood Cells which gives you endurance so you can play all game long.” Sonnen further claimed that he and King James have the same ‘drug guy’ to provide them with PEDs.
Meanwhile, in a now removed reddit post on r/nba, an user posed the following question to the members, “If hard evidence is found proving Lebron took PEDS, does anybody care?” The question induced mixed responses from the members, which might surprise fans. A lot of users seemed to believe that it is necessary to take PEDs to keep playing at the highest level.
“I feel like NBA players using PEDs is one of the bigger open secrets,” one user wrote. “Maybe since in NBA/NFL/MLB being bigger faster and stronger gives you an advantage (not that I’m saying they don’t have skill) you get more scandals or suspicion, but everyone is doing it,” wrote another user.
A user named GrooveProof tried to provide evidence of NBA players taking steroids, “The physique these players have with the amount of cardio they do is f- insane. Ball players look damn near like bodybuilding models while doing a level of cardio you’d see in marathon runners, all while being 6’4”+. how many buff marathon runners do you see? Hell how many “freakishly tall people” have you seen be THAT lean and buff?”
On the other hand, many users were skeptical of these theories as well. “nba players dont do anything close to the amount of cardio as cyclists and marathon runners my guy,” responded one user to GrooveProof’s comment. Another user tried to dismiss the claim of LeBron potentially taking PEDs, “Skip [Bayless] would be live-streaming from his death bed about it and how Jordan didn’t need PEDs to put up 20ppg on the Wizards.”
LeBron James takes care of his body
Anyone is yet to provide any concrete evidence regarding LeBron James’ alleged PED usage. However, there’s no doubt that the King makes sure that he implements every legal method available to keep his body in the best shape possible.
The King reportedly spends $1.5 million on his body every year. It’s no wonder that he’s still performing at such a high level in his late thirties.
