In a mostly quiet locker room after a 29-point loss in Phoenix on March 13, LeBron James sat alone at his locker and carefully inscribed the game ball, smiling as he softly blew on the ink to make sure the valued piece of personal memorabilia was protected.
It was a symbolic visual of this powerful yet awkward season for the Los Angeles Lakers star. And perhaps a preview of what might be to come as he runs down one of the greatest individual records in American sports under cloudy skies.
The milestone that evening in Arizona was becoming the first player in NBA history to eclipse 10,000 points, rebounds and assists.