Why does Lebron James throw chalk before games? Origin and meaning of the tradition

The ritual will never be changed, it’s always the samehas appeared before (almost) every game since making a name for himself in the NBA Cleveland. As the players enter the pitch, All eyes are on LeBron James as he makes his way to one of the midfield flanks. A small bottle of chalk powder is waiting for him there. He takes the bottle, shakes the chalk in his hand and throws the powder high into the air, clapping and gesturing to the crowd with his arms outstretched.

LeBron’s pregame chalk toss: an NBA classic

It’s a simple, visual action that always manages to get the crowd going – That’s, let’s be honest, the whole idea. In fact, it’s the big pre-match formality that every fan looks forward to the most. The whole arena falls silent with anticipation, cell phones record the decisive moment when the chalky white powder dissolves in the air, the whole room erupts. The mood is set.

The Tradition of throwing chalk has become so synonymous with LeBron, so iconic, that it was the image chosen when the player graced his first picture NBA 2K cover during his final year with the Heat in 2014.

So where does it come from and what is it supposed to represent? “I can’t remember when I first started itwhen I started,” the player admitted in an interview with the league a few years ago. “But I felt like the fans started to accept it. Once I started working, I started to really focus on what my job was. I sometimes get booed on the road, so I love it. At home they go crazy. I don’t know what made me start this but it just happens sometimes. Sometimes great things just happen.”

A tribute to Michael Jordan?

One of the theories put forward by fans is that the chalk throw is the case LeBron’s very personal nod to his childhood hero Michael Jordan. In his heyday in the 90s Jordan occasionally applied chalk to his hands before games – a practice that many athletes use to improve grip.

The Chicago Bulls star approached the commentary stands, patted his hands with chalk, then clapped and watched as the cloud of powder rose into the face of former Bulls coach and commentator Johnny “Red” Kerr.

When and why did LeBron James stop throwing chalk?

There was a time when LeBron has given up his chalk throwing ritual. Fans noticed he stopped doing it during his first season in Miami. Some portrayed him as a traitor for leaving Cleveland, but upon his return in 2014, he let fans have it whether chalk throwing should be resumed.

In an interview with ESPN, LeBron invited his fans to take part in a survey on Twitter. The answer was clear – 95 percent voted to reintroduce the chalk throwing ritual.

It was duly revived before its first game back, the 95-90 loss to the New York Knicks at Quicken Loans Arena on October 30, 2014, to the delight of Cavs fans

During his time in Cleveland a huge 10 story billboard with LeBron, head back and arms outstretched, performing the chalk toss with the slogan “We Are All Witnesses” hung outside Quicken Loans Arena. It was removed when he left to join the Heat in 2010, was reinstated upon his return and then permanently waived when James signed a four-year deal with the Lakers in 2018.

He took the chalk throw with him to LAwhere it is as popular and effective as ever.