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IBT
NBA players are like superheroes to kids and adults: their incredible abilities marvel us just like the superheroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Just as the multiplexes are rarely without a comic book movie taking top billing, so too will our televisions soon be filled with the otherworldly feats of our favorite NBA players.
As the wait for the new season gets shorter and shorter, let’s continue to look at our Marvel heroes and see which NBA players mirror them in various ways. In this installment, the King of Wakanda, T’Challa, and the NBA’s King (and Los Angeles Lakers superstar), LeBron James.
This comparison is clearly apropo as these are the Kings of Wakanda and the NBA respectively. T’Challa, King of the former is a helluva powerful warrior who will do anything to protect his people. The other has ruled the NBA almost since he joined it, winning three championships, making the finals eight straight times, and marveling us each game with his crazy athleticism.
T’Challa is a member of the Avengers. He has fought alongside the best of the best including Iron Man, Captain America, the Hulk and more. He brought his army, the Dora Milaje, and his sister Shuri who follow him into any battle and trust him and his incredible strength, durability, fighting and heart.
LeBron led a few Cleveland Cavaliers teams to the finals and he led a stacked Miami Heat team to the finals as well, winning championships with both. Now he’s on the Los Angeles Lakers with Anthony Davis, playing alongside many other great teammates in his quest for for another finals and championship run - his first out of the West.
LeBron James’ fantastic basketball IQ, ability to get to the rim unfazed, shooting, defending, and playmaking make him a constant threat to the opposing team and always one of the best players in the league, if not the best.
Both T’Challa and LeBron James are Kings. Kings who lead with heart. Kings who lead with skill. Kings who kids can look up to and strive to be.