> “I think people will look back at that body of work over 20 years or however long it’s been, and when it’s over with, I think they’ll have more respect (for James),” said Damian Lillard, Giannis’ star teammate on the Milwaukee Bucks. “For the guys who are in it like I am, and the rest of us who do this job, got to put our bodies through it and got to deal with the pressure and have to perform and all of these things to go along with our personal lives, I think people like us respect it.
> “But when it’s over, what I think you guys, fans that just have watched, will respect him more later.”
> Lillard’s first year in the NBA was in 2012, following James’ first NBA title. Lillard said he was in the eighth grade when LeBron made his NBA debut and to this day marvels at how James exceeded the expectations placed upon his career while under unprecedented scrutiny.
> “I was watching him on ESPN back then, so to have that type of hype and to live up to it and then some,” Lillard said, “to come out as your all-time leading scorer in this league, to win how he’s won, to be as scrutinized as he is and has been. … I can just respect how he (has handled the pressure).”
> Antetokounmpo’s first season was James’ last in Miami. Since, LeBron went home to Cleveland for a second stint, reaching four NBA Finals and winning the 2016 title. Then James left for Los Angeles, where he became the first player in NBA history to be the best player on title teams in three cities.
> Giannis now has two MVPs and one championship to his name. He said James has provided the “blueprint” for any star seeking longevity atop the sport.
> “For 21 years, you never get in trouble, to be able to take in his family, protect this family, raise his kids the right way, you know, be happily married, all those things, it’s perfect,” Antetokounmpo said. “He’s kind of like setting the blueprint for the rest of us to go forward. That’s what I want. I want to be able to do what I do on the court consistently, be good, be healthy, be available for my team, be able to, you know, raise my family in a bubble away from what I do on the court for them to have a normal life as much as I can. Stay out of trouble.
> “And hopefully one day, you know, when I’m done from the game of basketball … maybe you mention me? I don’t know. But he sets up the blueprint for all the athletes that enter the NBA to follow.”
Link: https://theathletic.com/4982115/2023/10/23/lebron-james-final-stage-career/?fbclid=IwAR2xX8lulzx4O5RU-E2-oRWJgZd5zG9Bhse8Qb8AcK0Y1-LMTSNDAMK9DzA
by JohnLemonnn69
34 Comments
All these comments are going to be hilarious if Lebron ends up doing some crazy shit eventually.
LeFamily Man
The fact that LeBron has set the blueprint on how to handle yourself as an athlete/businessman and make billions is why I’m so annoyed at Ja.
Like just copy LeBron lad it isn’t that hard to not go out.
>Maybe you meantion me?
The way he asks it in a question is so adorable.
Bron arguably has one of the best PR teams in sports history. Up there with MJ’s.
Not saying he’s guilty of anything but he’s got everything covered and protected.
Real recognize real
Did he say that right in front of Dame, who’s currently working through a divorce and (potential) custody fight?
But r/nba still hates him hmm
Yeah Lebron’s biggest scandals are what, putting money ahead of principles and then kicking a trash can?
I fucking hate the basketball player and I don’t love the hypocrisy, but LeBron has been as good a face of the sport as you could possibly ask for.
Not one chick has accused him of anything in 20 years. No side babies nothing
it really is nuts how scandal free he’s been. since what, like 2002? probably earlier. the biggest controversy his career has seen is when he decided to change teams in free agency and people acted like he sold nuclear secrets to the kremlin
He might have some gaffs here and there, but I’m never embarrassed by him when he represents the USA.
He’s the perfect guy to represent the USA.
I sat in my dorm room as a freshman to watch his NBA debut and would’ve never believed 20 years later that he’d accomplish as much as he as and that his biggest fuck up would be “The Decision.”
Especially if you consider the fact that he experienced crazy fame at a young age. Very impressive.
Maybe I see too much b.s. in the entertainment world but Lebron is a billion dollar brand. Not saying he’s a POS but I find it hard to believe he’s been this squeaky clean. He’s probably overall a very good dude who probably made some mistakes or did some fun stuff but I think also he’s a huge brand and has a great mixture of security and PR.
Eh, I really appreciate Morants ability to continue to fuck up the bag and pretend it’s not a problem. Goat things.
But does Lebron have a blowjob bell??
Fraud.
It’s amazing. The way people speak about LeBron sometimes you’d think he was a guy with a dozen arrests.
All this time in the intense heat of the public eye, so many people hoping for his downfall and yet all the major controversies have been manufactured.
The guy has been remarkably squeaky clean. He should be absolutely hailed and lauded as a role model for young men around the world.
LeNDA
Remember when his mom got that new Hummer
Giannis to Lakers confirmed. Welcome to L.A., Giannis.
LeBlueprint
And the gambling addiction… wait that wasn’t Lebron
LeBron is an absolute Icon, Legend, and for many, a Hero. Appreciate what we have with him. We’re so thankful we still have him around, 20 years in.
The way Lebron has lived his life since high school, free of any and all controversy, is a record 100x harder to match than his all time points.
Lebrons greatest achievement is that most basketball fans know everyone in his family by their first name – and for no reason other than just by being a dad. For example, most baskebtall fans know who zuri is, and shes like 5. And there isnt really a reason to know her name. There was never any troubling headline or problematic behavior with lebron, his wife, or his kids, which may have caused them to become famous.
Its just.. theyre the nba royal family. Thats it.
If that’s the blueprint Charlotte fr ain’t following it
People acting like it’s easy to follow that blueprint when you unimaginable access with little to no repercussion. Like waking up in a video game with all the cheat codes, it takes an incredible amount of self control to carry out a career like Lebrons.
LeBron does some questionable stuff sometimes, but he’s never been in trouble and never had any crazy media incidents. His family is beautiful and seem like they were raised right from the outside looking in. His wife is an amazing woman who stays out of the limelight while also getting her business ventures to succeed. He’s definitely what a lot of men should strive for. Not just on the court but in your personal lives as well
He thinks Lebron doesn’t have side chicks lol
I’m not a Lebron fan mostly because of some of his personal views but Giannis makes a great point he has never really done anything wrong and seems like a pretty good guy
The fact that people believe this is one of the best PR jobs of all time. On some level you have to respect it.
The things that gets me is that he assembled a crew at the age he went pro that consisted of his friends and a guy he met off the street (Rich Paul) and actually increased his net worth. Most NBA guys easily go broke having a payroll full of homies.
“He did normal stuff unlike Ja”