There was a time, in the not too distant past, when LeBron James’ recruiting exploits matched his transcendent play. The King on the court was the queen on the chessboard, a centerpiece around whom the NBA’s roster-building game revolved.
His greatest off-season hits have shaped his Hall of Fame career at every turn, and they have enhanced his reputation as an influential player/executive hybrid. James hatched a team-up plan with fellow USA Basketballers Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh and plucked Ray Allen from the rival Celtics. He snubbed Andrew Wiggins from The Letter and successfully pitched Kevin Love by phone to join him in Cleveland.