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via Imago

via Imago

It has been just four days since the Los Angeles Lakers‘ inspiring comeback ended. They began the season 2-10, the media wrote them off, and it seemed all was heading for another disaster. However, they switched the narrative. LeBron James and Co. made a valiant jump to the play-in tournament. The Purple and Gold even defeated the former champions – the Golden State Warriors in the playoffs. But Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets proved to be too good.

It was heartbreaking for the 17-time champions who seemed to have found their mojo once again. But it was especially saddening for The King, who in Year 20 endured and persevered through severe pain and left it all on the court. While his legend has always been attached to his illustrious career, he recently shared the other side of the ‘great’ tunnel.

LeBron James shares the true meaning of being great

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The 38-year-old basketball icon uploaded an Instagram story. The video saw an inspirational speaker talk about greatness, and how it isn’t all about glory. “Sometimes being great means being crushed and not being allowed to whimper,” said the speaker. The enlightening words seemed to resonate with James. He wrote in his Instagram story, “Still crushed,” sharing his pain while also addressing his own greatness.

Only hours before James’ story, Scottie Pippen too gave him the nod of being the ‘greatest’ in a way. It happened when he discussed the immortal GOAT debate between Michael Jordan and James. While the six-time champion doesn’t believe in the concept of a great player, he did say, “LeBron James will be the greatest statistical guy to ever play the game of basketball. And there is no comparison to him. None.”

USA Today via Reuters

At 38, LeBron James carried the colossal expectations of being at the top of his game. Due to his superhuman longevity, the traditional laws haven’t applied to him. It is extremely rare for a 20-year veteran to average nearly 29 points in the regular season. But it was a lot more. James led the Lakers by example and never wavered from the ultimate mission of winning a championship.

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Yes, at times he may have looked fatigued, but there wasn’t much James shied away from doing. He played on either ends of the floor, played with urgency, and helped a rather young Laker roster reach the WCF. He did all this while citing an ankle injury that was said to potentially end his season. Fans saw him painfully groaning while holding his ankle on multiple occasions.

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However, victory and defeat are part of sports. That shouldn’t take away from how great a superstar is. Some see a sweep as a taint to his legacy. However, The King did possibly everything to keep the season alive. In a pivotal Game 4 LeBron James went on to drop a near 40-point triple-double. His efforts went in vain, but the Lakers now know they have something.Watch This Story – “After shattering Stephen Curry’s dream 24-YO Lakers star unveils Warriors’ superstar’s personal message”

It is still unknown whether James will return to LA in Year 21. But if he does, with some slight changes and fortune, the mighty Purple and Gold could be dangerous once again. Do you think getting swept affected how great LeBron James is? Let us know your views in the comments below.