Analysis: LeBron James has done it again, and did it his way

He went to Miami and became a champion. He went back to Cleveland and won ar title. He went to Los Angeles and w Lakers are back atop basketball world. LeBron James, love him or hate him, is in his own category w. He has led three franchises to NBA titles, something body has ever done. His legacy was complete long before Sunday night, when Los Angeles Lakers became NBA champions for 17th time by beating Miami Heat and winning title to cap a season like ne or, in a bubble like ne or.

But that legacy is just a bit shinier w. “I guess, as Frank Sinatra would say, I did it my way,” James said earlier in se playoffs.That’s t up for debate.

He’s got four titles. He’s a four-time NBA Finals MVP, second to win that many. He’s done it all with NBA’s biggest target on his back, with every action and every word scrutinized and often criticized.

James has become epitome of independent superstar athlete, something many try to be but few even have a chance of pulling off. He does whatever he wants, whenever he wants, however he wants and makes it work. Bill Russell will forever have more rings and Michael Jordan will forever be choice of many as NBA’s greatest player. And that’s OK with James, who has forged his own path.

“ game of basketball will pass me by,” James said as title loomed. “re will be a new group of young kids and vets and rookies throughout course of this game. So, I can’t worry about that as far as on floor. How I move, how I walk, what I preach, what I talk about, how I inspire next generation is what matters to me most.”

He’s never forgotten that he was once a broke kid from Akron, Ohio. If he’s t a billionaire yet, he’s trending that way. He’s on a Wheaties box w, saying its unveiling last week was “one of best moments of my life.” He founded a school and stays involved with matters re. He’s actively trying to get more people, particularly Black people, to vote than ever before.

Oh, if that wasn’t eugh, he delivered a championship to a Lakers franchise that went 10 years without one and did so in a year when y needed it most, letting m cry tears of joy after all tears of anguish that followed death of Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash in January.

“I think it’s remarkable what LeBron is still doing at his ,” Denver coach Michael Malone said of James. “ minutes he’s playing, how effective he is on both ends of floor, and impact he has on both ends of floor, his will to win is just incredible.”

35-year-old James finished this postseason with 580 points; one at his had ever done that. He had 184 assists; one at his had ever done that. If he’s slowing down, he’s t showing it; he had 32 points in his first playoff game 14 years ago, he exceeded that six times in this postseason run.

“He’s shown why he is player that he is, why he’s had career and legacy that he’s continually building,” Miami’s Jimmy Butler said.

James is 4,148 points behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for regular-season scoring lead, meaning he’ll have to play at least two more full seasons to reach that mark. Sunday was his 260th career playoff appearance, passing Derek Fisher for all-time record. He was All-NBA for 16th time this season, a record. He started his 16th consecutive All-Star Game this season, yet ar record. More fans picked him as MVP this season than Giannis Antetokounmpo, who won award.

re’s thing left to prove on basketball court.

n again, re’s been thing left to prove for a while w.

“I think story will be told how it’s supposed to be told and be written how it’s supposed to be written,” James said. “But I don’t live my life thinking about legacy. What I do off floor is what means more to me than what I do on floor.” What he’s done, on and off floor, is how legends are defined.

“I just think it is a true testament to his greatness to be able to sustain this type of success year in, year out,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said. “Different uniforms. New players and new teams going after him. It’s a real testament to that commitment. He’s seen everything. At this point in his career, it’s just about winning.”

Ors have won more. But body in NBA has won way James has. His way.