Throughout his first 15 years in the NBA, Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James has been as celebrated as anyone in history. Dubbed ‘The Chosen One’ early on during his high school career, LeBron has certainly lived up to that billing and then some.
With the accolades continuing to pile up for James, he has usurped everyone in today’s era as the best player since Michael Jordan in many people’s eyes. No one is more aware of how fast he has climbed up the all-time ranks than James himself.
When asked about his legacy and what’s in store on Uninterrupted’s latest ‘Road Trippin’ Podcast, LeBron eloquently put how he can stop and still be considered one of the best but he’d rather keep up his pursuit for the highest form of notoriety (h/t The Score):
I could stop right now and be one of the greatest to ever play the game. I could stop right now. Like seriously. I could drop this podcast right now, fly home, be with my family, be one of the greatest to ever play. I owe it to the people to keep going. I owe it to the person that finally he’s able to understand the game of basketball. I owe it to that kid. I just do. Until I can’t do it no more, I owe it to that kid to keep teaching him this is the way the game should be played. It should be played with love, passion, commitment for your teammates, put the time in for yourself, and everything else, who cares.
Everybody gets so caught up in wins and losses, and obviously this is the business of winning. I get it. I’m all about winning. I cannot not win. It drives me crazy. But at the end of the day, the commitment to the game, the passion for the game, the love for the game, and the commitment to excellence, not only for yourself, but for your teammates, will create that culture.
There’s no doubt that the sheer skill and unwavering work ethic LeBron James possesses has clearly translated over to wins and immense success, something he wants to set the precedent for future generations as well.
With the NBA in such good hands with the plentiful young talent, James could call it quits but why would he when he is playing at arguably his highest level ever. With less help than he’s had in recent years, LeBron has had to carry the coasting Cavs who have won 14 of their last 15 outings. James is posting eye-popping per game averages of 28.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 8.7 assists while being firmly entrenched in the early MVP conversation.
