LeBron James at 40: NBA’s biggest star is taking fans on a hell of a ride as he drives into the sunset

LeBron James’ birthday on Monday will make him the first NBA player to play in his teens, 20s, 30s and 40s. Knowing when to walk away may be the hardest part of his journey

THE KING: LeBron James warms up prior to the start of the game against the Golden State Warriors. Pic: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images.

It's Christmas Day and a scrum of journalists surround a smiling, exhausted LeBron James in the visiting locker room at Chase Center in San Francisco, minutes after the latest installment in a decades-spanning catalog of thrilling battles with his friend and foe, Stephen Curry.

James is asked, in light of all the recent hand-wringing about the state of the NBA as an entertainment product, what he thinks the “good stuff” is in the league on a given night. “LeBron and Steph”, he shoots back, grinning. And he’s not wrong.