The Impact of LeBron James

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 LeBron James. The face of the NBA, and has been for 20 years. Coming out of high school with the expectation of being the chosen one, no one ever expected The King to completely shatter those expectations, surpassing them faster than him chasing down his pray for a chase-down block. But don’t take my word for it.

Let’s talk numbers. His career field goal percentage of 50.6% is an insane statistic for someone who has taken 29,313 shots in his career. Sure, doing this is in a single season is pretty normal, but doing so for a career spanning 21 years while averaging over 27 points per game is epochal. 

But LeBron is not just a scorer. His career averages, not season averages, career averages, of 7 rebounds and 7 assists per game make him one of the deadliest offensive players to ever touch the rim. Don’t even get me started on LeBron’s defensive side. His perimeter defense combined with paint prowess is sufficient to guard small points like Steph Curry and also dominant power forwards like Giannis Antetokounmpo. Then there’s The Block.


"The Block.”


“Iguodala to Curry, back to Iguodala, up for the layup… OOHHHHH blocked by James! LeBron James with the rejection!”

LeBron’s iconic chase-down block on Andre Iguodala in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals is not just a something the NBA Instagram page puts up for views; it is a defining moment in NBA history. The play amazingly showcases LeBron's blend of athleticism, timing, and sheer determination. At that moment, with the score tied, less than two minutes remaining, and it being an elimination game, he covered nearly 88 feet at full sprint and then leaped with his head higher than the rim to swat Iguodala’s layup like a flu. This single play altered the trajectory of the game, the series, and even the legacies of everyone involved. Take that Max Kellerman.

LeBron James’ missed 2-pointer against the Washington Wizards was like a jolt to all the subjects of King James. With just under six seconds left and the game tied, he had the perfect opportunity to end the game from mid-range—one of the easiest shots possible. But this time, the ball bounced off the rim, and for a moment, it felt like LeBron had choked, finally succumbed to the immense expectations that had been placed upon him from the minute he entered the league as an 18 year old.

Yet, it was what happened next that really displays LeBron’s amazing ability to have no nerves. To have ice cold blood in his veins.

With seconds left on the clock, he dribbled down the court, eased himself, and under the extreme pressure of the moment, drained a last minute 3-pointer over two defenders, securing the win.

This sequence, where he transitioned from the dude who missed an open mid-range to the greatest player basketball has ever seen in a heartbeat, re-molded the way I looked at him. 

After dominating the NBA for two decades, you’d think he’d be beyond mistakes, but it’s moments like these that remind us of his humanity.

LeBron’s shot wasn’t just about winning the game; it was a testament to the relentless pursuit of redemption, a narrative that has shadowed his entire career—from coming back to Cleveland to the comeback against the greatest NBA roster of all time.

This has taught me that no matter what the odds are, no matter how many times you fall, in the end, people will remember how you got back up.

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