5 best offensive moves used by LeBron James

LA Lakers star LeBron James has been one of the best NBA players since entering the professional ranks. Along the way, the 2004 Rookie of the Year has developed multiple offensive moves that have allowed him to amass 35,000+ points and counting.

Heading into his 18th season in the NBA, LeBron James is on the verge of passing Karl Malone for second all-time on the career scoring list.

Malone’s 36,928 points are in jeopardy of being surpassed by James (35,367) sometime during the upcoming season.

Thanks to an ever-evolving arsenal, the four-time MVP has become a consistent scorer throughout his career.

LeBron James: A scorer and a passer

LeBron James is eighth all-time in assists with 9,696 total for his career. Though he’s one of the best passing forwards in NBA history, the LA Lakers forward is also one of the most prolific scorers ever.

It’s that combination of passing and scoring that has made him an all-time great as opponents are wary of him beating them both ways.

His offensive arsenal is varied, and he can take advantage of his opponents in a myriad of ways.

Though some of his moves aren’t as popular as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s skyhook, Michael Jordan’s fadeaway jumper or Tim Duncan’s bank shot, LeBron James’ carefully nuanced offensive attacks are no less effective.

Here are five of LeBron James’ best offensive moves:

1. Tomahawk dunk

LeBron James #23 dunks past spurs defenders.

LeBron James’ signature slam is the tomahawk dunk, an offensive weapon he has employed since his rookie season.

Though some question why he doesn’t have a varied arsenal when it comes to fastbreak jams, his tomahawk is still one of the best-looking and most exciting dunks you’ll ever witness.

When LeBron James goes on a fastbreak after he gets the steal or one of his teammates finds him leaking out, the tomahawk dunk is almost automatically his slam dunk of choice.

2. Spin move and layup

LeBron James #23 drives on Devin Booker #1.

Whether it’s on a fastbreak, a slow break, or in a half-court set, LeBron James utilizes the spin move to escape his opponent on his way to the basket for a layup. This is one of those moves that James has developed and polished over the years.

Even in his 17th season, it is still one of the most unstoppable offensive moves by LeBron James.

There have been a number of NBA players throughout the league’s history that have a spin move that look prettier than the one that King James executes.

However, his spin move is distinguishable in that it is delivered with force by a 6-foot-9, 250-pound forward. That’s what makes this move an indefensible one.

3. Turnaround fadeaway jumper

LeBron James #23 attempts a fadeaway jumper.

The turnaround fadeaway jumper by LeBron James is one of his newest weapons, one that he put on full display during the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors.

James absolutely annihilated Toronto in the postseason that year with this move, to the point that it virtually cost Dwane Casey his job as head coach of the Raptors.

More than any of LeBron James’ signature offensive moves, this is perhaps the most difficult to execute, but it’s also one of the most unguardable moves of all.

James can do this on post-ups from either wing or from the middle of the lane, pirouetting and causing his defender to lose his balance while he deftly takes the fall-away jumper.

4. Jab-step 3-point shot

LeBron James #6 attempts a three-point shot against Paul George #24.

A signature move by LeBron James that he developed midway through his career, the jab step and succeeding three-point shot is an offensive move that he has grown to love more and more as his career has progressed.

The 17-time All-Star often uses this move against a big man who has been left guarding him on a switch.

More often than not, LeBron James will look at the ball after crossing it over to his right hand. He then takes a jab step to stop the defender in his tracks before taking the three-point shot.

It’s almost unblockable even by a center because of all the space between them for fear that James will drive to the hole against him.

5. Freight train drive to the hole

LeBron James #23 goes up for a dunk.

Speaking of driving to the hole, the freight train drive to the hole is a signature offensive move by LeBron James that has become one of the most effective ways for him to score.

Unlike most players who enter the lane for a simple drive, James’ huge 250-pound frame erases opponents from his way and almost always leaves him wide open for a dunk or layup.

What makes this move so enduring is the fact that it is executed using the combination of James’ quick first step, upper body strength, broad shoulders, and leaping ability.

When he barrels his way to the basket, there are very few in the NBA who will risk life and limb to try and get in his way to earn an offensive foul.

Furthermore, LeBron James has gotten bigger and stronger over the years, making this one of his most unstoppable offensive moves ever.

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