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LeBron James has nothing left to prove in the basketball world. A four-time NBA champion and MVP, a 22-time All-Star and a sports icon who is revered by fans of all ages from all around the globe, Bron can walk away from the game, content with everything that he has done in his 23-year NBA career.
Yet, here he is, preparing to announce which team he'll be joining for his 24th season in the big league. Preparing his body for the arduous grind of a long 82-game regular season and the gauntlet of the NBA Playoffs. These are not easy to do for a lot of younger athletes, but LeBron is determined to do it all over again.
This begs the question: why? It can't be all about money, as LeBron's estimated net worth is valued at $1.4 billion. As the King explained, one of his deciding factors in returning to play is providing inspiration for a generation of young men and women who are still looking for superheroes to come and save the day.
An ideal role model
LeBron is one of the most polarizing athletes of the last few decades. Legions of fans love him for his incredible skill set and commitment to the sport, while others don't have much love for the 6'9" forward from Akron, Ohio, for his flopping ways and a knack for teaming up with other superstars.
However, it cannot be denied that when it comes to being a role model to the youth, kids around the world won't find a better one than LeBron.
That's exactly one of the reasons he's still playing.
"I think one of the deciding factors for me is the younger generation and the kids that have still been following my career. Watch this kid right here. The kid just waved at me right here with my jersey on," Bron said during his appearance on "The Shop" at Fanatics Fest.
"That's one of my biggest inspirations right there. There are kids that are still looking for their superhero to be out there and come save the day. So that's a deciding factor," he added. "Also, my family is a big part of that, too. Being able to inspire my boys and my daughter is a huge deciding factor."
Passion for the game
Time and again, LeBron has explained that as long as he still wakes up with that burning desire to head to the gym and enjoy the process of getting better, he'll continue to lace up his Nikes and play in the NBA. It's clear that the fire continues to rage and LeBron made it a point to say that people should stop dictating when athletes and artists should hang it up.
"I love the game. The whole notion that somebody needs to stop...You see it with R&B artists and musicians. You see it with us in sports. There's always the conversation: 'When is he going to retire? He needs to retire. He's this age. He's that age.' But why?" LeBron remarked.
"Why are we trying to force people who are still doing what they do at a high level? Why are we trying to force the narrative that it's time to retire?" he commented. "So if we are still dedicating ourselves to the craft, if we are still giving to the sport, if we're not disrespecting the game, if we're giving everything that we have to the sport, and we're still driving revenue as well, why not?"
While it's true that LeBron is no longer the same player that he was a decade ago, what's also true is that he remains an elite talent who can raise the ceiling of whichever team he decides to join this offseason. He remains a brilliant passer and an efficient scorer who can turn a franchise's fortunes around with his presence and basketball talent.
