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LeBron James appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated at the age of 16.
His reputation as the next big thing was so solid that he dropped out of college altogether and went to college anyway. Cleveland Cavaliers With the #1 pick in 2003.
to be compared with NBA Symbols Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan It would be a huge burden for anyone, especially a 17-year-old.
But LeBron is built differently.
In an interview before entering the league, the teenager-to-be King displayed a maturity and confidence beyond his years.
“It makes me work harder to reach the level of magic, Michael. (Larry) BirdJulius (Irving) and now Kobe (Bryant) And Tracy (McGrady) is in the league now.” He said of the comparisons.
“All of them, when they were younger, they wanted to fly like Jordan, they wanted to pass like Magic, they wanted to jump out of the gym like Julius, they wanted to shoot like Brad.
“It’s great to be compared to the greats. And when I look at it I say I want to be like Michael JordanMagic Johnson, not on the court, but off the court.”
LeBron was asked if the bar was set too high early in his career.
“I think I’ll keep it to myself,” he added.
“I’m just going to work hard, continue to do what I’ve been doing for the last four years to make myself better. If I can keep working, the bar will be even higher.”
LeBron’s attitude towards the headlines was also that of a man far beyond his years.
“If you just do what you’ve been doing, don’t change, you might read the clippings, read all about yourself and your teammates, but when the clippings are over, you have to go back to yourself and figure out who you are. ” he said.
“I am LeBron James And that won’t change.”
Some 24 years later and LeBron is still at it.
A few days after his 40th birthday, he tied the Jordan all-time record with his 672nd 30-point game.
Questions will be asked about a potential retirement, after all, LeBron’s son Bruni is old enough to partner him in court.
but Los Angeles Lakers The superstar, who has four NBA championships under his belt, isn’t done yet.
“It’s not because I can’t play the game at a high level,” he said when asked what would make him call the game day in and day out.
“Honestly, if I really wanted to, I could probably play this game at a high level in five to seven years if I wanted to, but I don’t.”
As a 17-year-old, LeBron responded to comparisons to two basketball icons by throwing in a few more for good measure.
He talks the talk, and he’ll walk the walk until he decides it’s time to abdicate.