What LeBron James free agency has taught us: Hes still center of sports universe

LeBron James is golfing.He’s trolling comedian Kevin Hart.

He’s watching his daughter swim.He’s celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the 2016 Cavaliers team he carried to the franchise’s only title. Meanwhile, all eyes are on him, dissecting his social media posts as though they were clues in an Escape Room. Even though James is about to turn 42 and enter his unprecedented 24th NBA season, his free agency has overshadowed Giannis Antetokounmpo being traded to Miami and the stunning news that the Celtics swapped Jaylen Brown for Paul George.More than two decades into his career, he’s still the biggest story in the NBA. He might be the biggest sports story in America, with speculation about his next move overshadowing Americans’ ephemeral interest in the men’s national soccer team and generating more headlines than Travis Kelce’s and Taylor Swift’s wedding.

His star hasn’t faded at all with time.If anything, it has grown brighter.Some people may be rolling their eyes.

But they’re still on the edge of their seats waiting to see what he’s going to do. Some people may want James to retire.But his name is still in their mouths. Like it or not, James is still the center of the sports universe.

We’ve watched him for so long that he has become a part of our lives.He has lived in our living rooms for two decades.

We’ve spent more time with him than with many family members. James may be the only person in the world whom both your grandma and your 3-year-old son know by name. And guess what?We’re going to miss him when he’s gone. Love or hate him, James is as American as hotdogs and fireworks on the Fourth of July.He’s our homegrown hero.

We’ve rooted for (or against) him since he was selected as the No.1 overall pick in the 2003 draft at age 18.We’re still wowed by him two decades later, such as when he led the Lakers to a 3-0 series lead over the Rockets in the first round of the playoffs without Luka Doncic and Austi...