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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

The life of LeBron James can very well be the prime example of rags to riches. Born to a single mom who was just 16 at the time, fighting tooth and nail to survive, ensuring her son didn’t go down the path of drugs, and finally, all the sacrifices reaped enormous benefits. The only child of Gloria James was the ‘Chosen One’ and a ‘generational talent’. There was no one quite like the ‘kid from Akron’. And the NBA world wasn’t ready to witness the era of one of the greatest in basketball ever.

But it happened. LeBron came and conquered the league with his mere presence on the court. The speed, size, and athleticism that the 18-year-old packed into a then-240-pound frame was insane. But the legacy of ‘Akron Hammer’ isn’t isolated to simply his basketball achievements. Every decision he took, however minute it was, in every aspect of his life was crucial in building the empire. Ex-NBA star Jeff Teague and Club 520 Podcast decided to delve right into what made James what he was. The latest episode was all about LeBron matching the crazy expectations and coming out a pro.

Teague was in awe of the 39-year-old for not losing his focus given the circumstances he grew up in. “For him to never be in trouble, to go through what he going through, be the person that he is and the player he is … he got to be the GOAT!”

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But Bron had someone he looked up to, a role model, if you will. The man who personified the American dream, the multi-sport athlete, Deion Sanders, inspired a young James. And much like Coach Prime, James had “the most ridiculous standards to live by and surpass all that sh*t! F**k the championships!” according to Brandon HendricksDJ Wells immediately added, “Deion Sanders too, same situation.”

The flashy, confident, and electric personality that ‘Prime Time’ embodies now wasn’t always who Deion Sanders was. A quick search for interviews with a college-going Sanders at FSU would be enough to understand that. A shy, reserved kid from a broken home in Fort Myers, Florida; that was Deion.

Living in a public housing project, and watching his mother, despite having a man who gave her two children and a stepfather later, work hard to make ends meet, strengthened his resolve to make enough money to take care of her. And that was the beginning of the era of Deion Luwynn Sanders in the NFL and MLB. See the similarities?

But Bron isn’t done, is he?

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LeBron James is at a crossroads

In his 21st year in the NBA, LeBron James is still going at it like he is in his prime. But glimpses and occurrences of Father Time catching up are slowly making the Lakers and James’ fans realize the reality of what is. Yet, LeBron’s wish to play a season with his son, Bronny, is still at the peak of his to-do list. With the kind of season that James Jr. has had, the chances of him getting drafted are on shaky ground.

Then there are the struggles and inconsistencies of the Purple & Gold. Depending on how the Lakers end the season, there’s a chance that he could go back to where it all started. Considering how Bronny has left all avenues of options open if the Cavs draft the 19-year-old, it would be more or less a ploy to get LeBron back on the team. But given the position Cleveland is in right now, would they make such a move? And if they do so, what would they have to give up?

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So many questions and so few answers.

Read More: Deion Sanders Hits Bronny James With Harsh NIL Reality Check Amidst LeBron’s Defensive Stance