INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MAY 20: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever dribbles the ball during the third quarter in the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 20, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

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Los Angeles Lakers star and NBA legend LeBron James knows perhaps better than anyone what it takes to meet and exceed massive expectations, and he shared his expertise in that area with Caitlin Clark this week.

Speaking on his Mind the Game Pod with JJ Redick (beginning at the 43:28 mark), James gave the following advice to the budding WNBA star:

“My advice to Caitlin, and my advice to anyone that comes in with this level of notoriety, out-of-this-world expectation, whatever the case may be, be a horse, man. The Kentucky Derby. Put your blinders on, go to work, show up to work, punch your clock in, prepare yourself, work on your game, work on your craft.

“Kind of keep your mouth shut and just learn from the vets. When they ask, voice your opinion if they want your opinion early because everybody is looking for you to say anything and they’re gonna splice it and cut it and make it a negative thing.”

When James entered the NBA as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft, he was being heralded by many as the second coming of Michael Jordan despite the fact that he was coming straight out of high school.

Most would have folded under that pressure, but LeBron was up for the task, and went on to establish himself as one of the all-time greats.

James is a 20-time All-Star, four-time NBA champion, four-time NBA Finals MVP, four-time NBA MVP and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, plus he continues to play at an elite level at 39 years of age.

The hype surrounding Clark is similar, although she is essentially being placed in a class of her own rather than being compared to past greats.

Clark was a two-time National Player of the Year in college and she led Iowa to the National Championship Game in back-to-back seasons, making her a no-brainer pick at No. 1 overall for the Fever.

Through her first four WNBA games, all eyes have been on Clark, and she has been solid, averaging 17.0 points, 5.5 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game, but Indiana is 0-4.

That has inevitably led some observers to question whether Clark is truly as good as advertised, but James pointed out that the Fever have had back-to-back No. 1 overall picks, meaning they have a long way to go as a team.

It is going to be a process even with an elite talent like Clark in the fold, and James is well aware of that, given that he didn’t reach the playoffs until his third NBA season.