It is hard for regular folk to understand what it takes to simply survive in the NBA.
There is cutthroat competition to hang on to jobs, the physical and mental toll is undeniable, and a decade-long career is something to marvel at.
It’s why, when LeBron James is discussed, that eyes widen and superlatives roll off the lips, eyes widen. Respect borders on awe.
“Unbelievable guy, for sure,” Raptors point guard Fred VanVleet says.
“What he’s doing absolutely insane, beyond incredible,” forward Thad Young adds.
“Insane,” “unbelievable” and “incredible” are apt descriptions of James’s career, a storied two decades that has placed him in the pantheon of the game’s all-time greats.