At the age of 40, after playing basketball for 20 years and winning four championships while still maintaining top-level performance, LeBron James has become synonymous with basketball. However, he has now announced his plan to retire from the Los Angeles Lakers.
This is a message that many fans did not want to hear. Some lament that an era may really be coming to an end; others believe it's just a new phase in his career. But for those who admire him, this news carries significant weight.
Why does James want to retire? Will he really leave? If he does, who will take his place? These questions are like stones thrown into a lake, creating ripples that spread out in circles. Some believe James' legendary career is already complete enough, while others are reluctant to see "Old James" leave the court.
James' career has been so brilliant that any statistic can make people stare in amazement. But if we go back to his high school days, we find that this legendary story was foreshadowed when he was just 16 years old.
During high school, James was like "someone else's child." With outstanding talent, he led his team to win the state championship twice, averaging impressive points, rebounds, and assists, making him a "big killer" on the court.
The media at the time had gone crazy, calling him "the chosen one," someone destined to become an NBA superstar. But this title wasn't given lightly; it represented huge expectations and came with invisible pressure. Many talented players have collapsed under such pressure, but James proved through his actions that he deserved the name.
In 2003, James entered the Cleveland Cavaliers as the first overall pick, thus beginning his 20-year NBA career. From rookie to team leader, from being without a championship to becoming a champion, the process was not easy, but James' efforts never ceased.
In the early years of his career, James was somewhat frustrated. Although his stats were explosive, he never managed to win a championship. Especially during the 2011 finals, when James and his Miami Heat were reversed by the Dallas Mavericks, he became the target of public opinion, with some even calling him a "soft egg." But James is James, and he never lets failure define him.
In 2012, he reached a turning point in his career. In Miami Heat, he finally won his first championship. This championship was not only a powerful response to his critics but also a testament to himself: he was not only "the chosen one" but also a well-deserved champion player. From then on, he completely shook off the shadow of being without a championship and embarked on his own path to the peak.
In 2016, he led the Cleveland Cavaliers to an epic comeback—winning three consecutive games after trailing 1:3 against the Golden State Warriors in the finals, securing the first championship in the history of the Cavaliers. At this moment, James became a hero in Cleveland. If there were still doubts about his abilities before, this reversal was enough to silence all critics.
In 2020, James won another championship with the Los Angeles Lakers, bringing glory to the Lakers after a decade. This championship not only increased James' number of championships to four but also added a bold stroke to his career.
James has a wish—to compete with his son Bronny on the same court. This wish sounds like a fairy tale, but James made it happen. In 2023, Bronny joined the NBA, and James, with his excellent physical condition, remained on the court. They were not only in the league together but might even play in the same game.
Many fans couldn't help but exclaim when they saw the father-son duo on the court: "This is too legendary!" Moreover, James jokingly said that he might continue for a few more years, waiting for his second son Bryce to join the NBA, imagining the scene where the three of them play together makes one's blood boil.
However, dreams come true as they may, reality is cruel. James is already 40 years old, and no one can guarantee how long his physical condition will last. That's why in his retirement plan with the Lakers, he mentioned family more than himself.
James is not only a legend on the court but also off it. He founded the "LeBron James Family Foundation," dedicated to funding education for poor children, providing countless children with opportunities to change their fate. Many people evaluate him not only as a basketball player but also as a social leader.
What's even more remarkable is that James found a balance between his career and family. His emphasis on family, especially the time spent with his children, makes people feel that he is not only a superstar on the court but also a good father in life. He often says, "My responsibility is not only to play for myself but also to set an example for my family."
James plans to retire with the Lakers, which means a basketball era may be drawing to a close. Although we cannot determine whether he will bid farewell to the court for good, there is no doubt that the day he leaves, the NBA will be different.
From "the chosen one" to "basketball ambassador," James' career is like an inspiring movie. His story is not only about basketball but also about dreams, perseverance, and breaking through oneself. Perhaps his retirement is to spend time with his family or perhaps to enter a new stage in life, but regardless, his footprints in the NBA are deeply engraved in history.
James' story tells us that no matter in which field, as long as you love it and are willing to work hard, you can create miracles. He used his 20-year career to prove a simple truth: how hard you fight determines how strong you are.
If one day James really bids farewell to the court, which moment of his will you remember? Is it the dunk? The assist? Or the moment he lifts the championship trophy? No matter what the answer is, one thing is certain—his legend will never be forgotten.