‘King’ James reaffirms his status after being named by ESPN as the fourth best athlete in the world since the year 2000, only behind Michael Phelps, Serena Williams, and Lionel Messi.

LeBron James, amidst the chaos surrounding his son Bronny’s performance and their new team dynamics with the Lakers, took to Instagram to send a strong message to the basketball world. He shared a Nike story about the rarity and luxury of winning in elite competitive sports.

The Lakers star, although he has no need to prove himself at this point given his worldwide recognition and greatness, sent a message to his followers and admirers.

Many of these followers are in professional or competitive sports. He showed them the mindset they need if they want to experience the joy of winning and sustained success like he has for years.

Focused on Being the Greatest of All Time

He then shared an old quote of his where he proclaimed that he is always focused on trying to be the best player in the history of basketball. “As long as I’m on the court, I’ll try to be the greatest of all time,” is an iconic phrase that clearly states his ambition and intentions for the remainder of his career.

James used his own quote to remind fans of his motivation every time he steps onto the court. This mindset has carried him far, especially in the recent years of his career, where he has solidified himself as one of the best-performing veterans in NBA history.

Despite nearing 40 years old (his birthday is December 30), LeBron James remains one of the best players in the world. Last season, he averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.3 rebounds in 71 games with the Lakers.

The upcoming season will be his 21st in the NBA. Before that, he will be one of the leaders of the United States team, aiming to win their fifth consecutive gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Even at the tail end of his career, there is no sign of any decline in his performance on the court.

Fourth Best Athlete in the World Since 2000

In a recent list published by ESPN, LeBron James was named the fourth best athlete since the year 2000. He ranked just behind Michael Phelps, Serena Williams, and Lionel Messi, and was the highest-ranked NBA player on the list. There’s no denying that he is the best NBA player of the 2000s.

Since joining the NBA, James has been a championship-winning machine, earning numerous team and individual accolades. His achievements include 4 NBA championships, 1 NBA Cup, 4 Finals MVP awards, 4 regular season MVP awards, 1 NBA Cup MVP, 20 All-Star selections, and 20 All-NBA selections.