When you speak about the modern era of football, it is defined by three artists of the game. LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry together are leading not just a revolution but also drove an entire age of basketball with them. For many years before the Olympics, their rivalry had fans pulsating. But when they became teammates at the Olympics, the trio finally had a chance to acknowledge each other and their impacts on the game of basketball.

When you look at them, each of the three has a common quality. Even with 15+ years of experience under their belts, they aren’t satisfied. The work ethic and yearning to continue being the best consume them. That hasn’t even though they are at the twilight of their careers. “We’re naturally born, driven hoopers and we love the game and refuse to cheat the game while we playing. That’s what it is” LeBron James said.

They saw the pursuit of continuing to maintain their standards while observing each other at the Paris Olympics. Each of them still wakes up as early as dawn to continue honing their game. The feeling of being comfortable still bothers them. Hence, even this late in their careers, the legendary trio is considered the centerpiece of a championship team.

Kevin Durant feels such pure devotion is ample to inspire more than just those who pick up the basketball. “You still love the game the way you loved it with all the distractions that’s being thrown at you, the high expectations. That’s inspiring for everybody not just basketball players. Everybody in all walks of life you know,” he said on NBA OGs.

And it’s the resilience that continues to burn within them. The next generation of NBA is here, but the three pillars continue to be the biggest stars to witness.

LeBron James, Durant, and Stephen Curry continue to empower the next-gen

Durant wasn’t wrong to feel they inspire more than just ballers. Obviously, basketball players take the lion’s share. A prime example is Anthony Edwards. Not only did he admire Durant growing up, but the chance to battle against him brought back all those feelings. His reason for playing the way he does is KD.

With Stephen Curry, the man has moved the needle of basketball probably forever. Several NBA players, most recently Lakers’ Charles Olivari have spoken highly about the moving impact of the Baby Face Assassin. It isn’t just his shooting, but having come from adversity where he was undermined for his size, the only unanimous MVP in history proves that no limitations are decisive in chasing dreams.

That dream inspired LeBron James to go above and beyond. Even with all the “distractions” as a high schooler, the media attention and expectations, his dedication to his craft never changed. And later, the trio used their platforms to grow their brands and even do good for the world.

One of the most prominent sports stars inspired by such conduct was Kylian Mbappe. Growing up a LeBron James fan, he witnessed the Akron Hammer’s rise as a sportsperson and a businessman. So when he got a chance to speak to him during a campaign for Nike, the Real Madrid sensation vowed to learn his ways.

“He has a much more advanced career than I do, and projects outside sports that have cemented his place as a legend. Being able to ask such inspiring personalities for advice is a chance to adjust my projects and create my own thing that is as effective as possible for today’s young people,” he told GQ.

These are only a handful of the examples of the megastars LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant have inspired.