King LeBron

LeBron James, blessed with unrivaled basketball skills, exceptional longevity, and an unafraid use of the platform of NBA superstardom, has carved out a distinct destiny in his quest to be the greatest player of all time.

For more than two decades, or more than half his life, the player dubbed The Chosen One by Sports Illustrated while still in high school has pursued excellence.

Now the NBA’s all-time leading scorer after surpassing Kareem Abdul-mark Jabbar’s set on April 5, 1984 – more than eight months before James was born – James continues to write his legend.

It’s a story of monumental achievements, often built on crushing failures, that has elevated him to the ranks of sport’s most illustrious figures.

The scoring record is the latest achievement in a career that has seen him win four NBA championships, four NBA finals MVP awards, four NBA season MVP awards, two Olympic gold medals, and 19 NBA All-Star selections.

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Despite this, James’ rise to NBA royalty came after a difficult childhood. Gloria, who was 16 at the time of his birth, struggled as a single mother.

“I came from the projects, I saw the drugs, the weapons, the murders,” James has said of his upbringing in Akron, Ohio, where he and Gloria once moved seven times a year.

When youth football coach Frank Walker noticed him, everything changed. Walker, impressed by James’ physical abilities, suggested he play basketball and persuaded Gloria to let him live with the Walkers.

By the age of 12, James had captivated high school recruiters with his strength and basketball IQ.

He chose St. Vincent-St. Mary, a predominantly white school, over John Buchtel High School, where his future wife and mother of their three children, Savannah Brinson, was a cheerleader.

The decision kept James close to his friends, including Maverick Carter, who is still his partner in projects ranging from cinema to sports club ownership, and which, when combined with James’ salary and sponsorship contracts, has made him the NBA’s first active billionaire.

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When his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers selected him first overall at the age of 18, James became the youngest top pick in draft history.

Before his first professional game, he signed an unprecedented $90 million endorsement deal with Nike, and he led the Cavaliers in scoring, steals, and minutes played in his rookie season.

He did, however, lose his first two Finals appearances, with the Cavaliers in 2007 and Miami in 2011, after deciding the previous year to “take my talents to South Beach” in a highly scrutinized free agent move announced, to some derision, in an ESPN special.

However, in Miami, James would eventually be surrounded by a competitive team. He won his first NBA championship in 2012 and a second in 2013 – when he won his fourth MVP award, joining those he received in 2009, 2010, and 2012.

His fourth straight Finals appearance ended in a crushing defeat to the San Antonio Spurs, and James, who was vilified by Cavs fans after his departure, decided to return to Cleveland to finish what he started.

There were four more Finals appearances, all against Golden State. Except the Cavs’ epic and unprecedented comeback from 3-1 down in the best-of-seven series to win the 2016 title, James and the Cavs lost three.

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As he delivered Cleveland’s first NBA title and the city’s first sports championship since the Browns won the NFL title in 1964, James became the first player in NBA history to lead all players in a playoff series in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks.

In game seven, James’ soaring block of Andre Iguodala’s shot remains an iconic image of his career.

“I thought I was the best player people had ever seen,” James later admitted, reigniting debate over whether he or Michael Jordan deserved that title.

Unapologetic activist James, who has 143 million Instagram followers, has been outspoken in his condemnation of racial injustice and support for Black Lives Matter.

He was an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, unfazed by the advice of a right-wing media critic to “shut up and dribble.”

James’ I Promise school in Akron is a ground-breaking public school that serves not only at-risk students but also their entire families.

James’ efforts to turn out Black voters in 2020 were a “game-changer,” helping President Joe Biden’s successful election campaign.

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That year, James won his fourth NBA championship with the Lakers, demonstrating that his move to Los Angeles was not an early retirement – even if Hollywood offered him the lead role in “Space Jam 2” 25 years after Jordan made the original.

While Jordan will always be remembered for his six titles in six Finals appearances to James’ four in ten, James is focused on the future and a new dream: playing alongside his son, Bronny, in the NBA.

“I’ll try to be the best player of all time as long as I’m on the court,” James said. “In addition, he is the best man and father. Everyone is on the same path.”

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