Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is one of the most accomplished and respected athletes of the 21st century. He's been one of the faces of the NBA for as long as he's been a part of it, and has changed the way the sport functions both on and off the court.
Unfortunately, the old adage that all good things must come to an end even rings true in the case of superhuman athletes who defy everything we know about sustained greatness.
James is preparing for his record-tying 22nd season in the NBA. He'll turn 40 in the early months of the regular season. With this in mind, it's as breathtaking that he continues to play at an elite level as it is heartbreaking that his playing career could be nearing its end.
On a recent episode of "The Shop," James answered the ultimate question facing a player who's nearing retirement: How does he hope to be remembered?
How does @KingJames want to be remembered? ðŸ’👑
— The Shop (@TheShopUN) September 2, 2024
The Shop Live From Paris is out now on our YouTube channel. Presented by @Nike. pic.twitter.com/Dp1X4O9ngG
Few players will leave behind a legacy quite likes James', both on and off the court.
LeBron James hopes to be remembered for more than basketball
Even if he fails to add more accolades to his résumé, James will retire with an all but unrivaled career behind him. He's a four-time NBA champion, four-time Finals MVP, four-time regular season MVP, and record-setting 20-time All-NBA honoree.
James also has a scoring title, a season leading the NBA in assists, and more points scored over the course of a career than any player in Association history.
Beyond the court, he helped lead the empowerment of stars in the modern era to determine the trajectory of their own careers. He was one of the most high-profile players in NBA history to change teams via free agency, and did so in a manner that spawned superteams for years to come.
Between his brilliance off the court and his importance to the evolution of free agency and player empowerment, James has mountains of feats worth applauding.
As his quote displays, however, James has always been about more than basketball. He's spoken openly about the importance of acknowledging social issues from a platform as massive as his own, and has never hidden how much he enjoys being a family man.
It's one of the primary reasons that he's become one of the most well-known and respected athletes in the world today.
That level of fame comes with a loud vocal minority of opposition, but James has earned the respect of countless. When the day comes that he retires, he'll do so with the adulation of those who crossed paths with him and those who watched him from afar.
One can only hope that James has a few great seasons left in him, if only to delay the inevitable outcome of a retirement that will shake the NBA at its core.