KING AMONGST MEN

LeBron James has lived the best life possible

- KIERAN STECKLEY

American pop culture is laced with childhood prodigies and celebrities that crumble under the pressure of constant national exposure.

As the saying goes, “We like to build them up and tear them down.” Upon reflection, it’s easy to see why an actor, musician or athlete can’t handle being on the cover of every magazine, the ire of social media trolls or the bombardment of TMZ in addition to trying to appease the fans, agents and executives who take over their life. And upon deeper reflection, it’s extraordinary that anyone can withstand it and, in the rarest of cases, rise above it.

That’s LeBron James.

James has been a national figure since he was in his early teens. He was on the cover of Slam Magazine and Sports Illustrated. He was proclaimed “The Chosen One” on the cover of S.I. Local cable networks aired his high school games on Pay-Per-View. ESPN brought its top crew to broadcast a game. The school had to switch gyms to account for the increase in spectators.

Then came an NBA career that was equal parts hype, scrutiny and success. And an imprint on American culture that accounts for more than any bucket he ever scored.