LeBron James remains with the Los Angeles Lakers, now part of a promising trio alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. But in years past, he also had impactful teammates who helped shape his championship journey. Reflecting on his career, James recently shared his thoughts on how the NBA has evolved from the star-centric “Big 3” era into a league where roster depth is now the priority.
As one-third of the Miami Heat’s iconic Big 3 with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, James led the Heat to back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013. He later formed another star trio in Cleveland with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, guiding the Cavaliers to the franchise’s first-ever title in 2016. On the Mind the Game podcast, James spoke candidly about playing in an era defined by superstar clusters, before the league’s pivot toward deeper, more balanced rosters.
“I played in the era as well of the Big 3 era, but it’s looking like now the game is starting to shift again to how can we create the most depth,” James said. “But also, how can we create the most energy life? How can we have the most shelf life out on the floor to be able to sustain an injury or sustain a run throughout the course of a game, where guys can come in and it’s infectious all game long.”
While you could argue that the champion Oklahoma City Thunder were led by a modern-day Big 3 — MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren — their roster was far from top-heavy. Oklahoma City relied on a well-constructed supporting cast, and their rise to the top was the result of a patient rebuild rather than a rush to assemble star power.
The 2024 NBA champion Boston Celtics serve as another prime example. They drafted All-Stars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum in consecutive years, then surrounded them with impactful veterans like Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White. The Celtics blended homegrown talent with strategic acquisitions to form one of the deepest rosters in recent memory.
The Los Angeles Clippers also fit into this evolving mold. With a core that features James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Bradley Beal, and Chris Paul, the Clippers boast more than just a Big 3 — they have four All-Star caliber players. And even beyond their stars, they have built a roster loaded with reliable, high-IQ role players capable of sustaining high-level performance through a grueling postseason run.
In today’s NBA, the emphasis has shifted. Superstars still matter, but it’s the depth, versatility, and collective energy of a full rotation that separates contenders from pretenders. As James rightly pointed out, longevity and adaptability are now just as valuable as star power in the pursuit of a championship.