From his very first game in the NBA, LeBron James was burdened with enormous expectations. Hailed as ‘The Chosen One’ out of High School, James may be the most hyped-up young prospect the game has ever seen.
Amazingly, James has more than lived up to the hype and he stands today as one of the greatest players in basketball history.
In a recent article on The Athletic, Bron’s longtime agent, Rich Paul, spoke on the road to greatness for James and the crazy comparisons he was drawing at such a young age.
“LeBron was a kid. (The media) wanted LeBron to be like Mike; they wanted Michael to speak to them in any capacity, which he probably didn’t. They wanted Michael to be his friend, which he probably wasn’t. They also wanted LeBron to act like, be like Michael, and he wasn’t.”
“Guess what? Every kid you see today is doing what? ‘Taking their talents’ somewhere,” Paul said. “They’re doing TV shows at high schools today. That’s all LeBron. Guys wanting to test free agency. That’s all LeBron.”
“I think he’ll be appreciated more when he’s done,” Paul said. “I think when you play in the game, it becomes more difficult for those who are playing with you — whether they’re your peers or once looked up to you — to give you your flowers.”
James never tried to ‘be like Mike.’ Instead, he became his own man and forged a legacy that is unmatched in the league today.
Over 18 years, James has spread his talents across three different teams, capturing 4 Championships, 4 MVPs, and 18 All-Star appearances in the process.
Since his move to Los Angeles in 2019, he has become a player in the business and entertainment world, with various investments and a starring role in Space Jam: A New Legacy.
He has also become a pioneer for the NBA itself, ushering in a player empowerment movement that has changed the way players handle free agency.
All-in-all, James has left his mark on the game and on the world. He stepped out and charted his own path, shocking the world in the process.
