LeBron James on being the greatest: "I will never give up the top spot to anyone. I am the No.1 pick among all legends."

In its inaugural annual ranking of the 100 most influential figures in global sports, released on June 9th Beijing time, Time magazine placed Lakers superstar LeBron James on the cover. The NBA representatives on the list also include Victor Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cooper Flagg, Jalen Brunson, Stephen Curry, Shams Charania, Masai Ujiri, and Bill Simmons, among others.

During the interview, James touched on many hot topics, including his retirement timeline. The 41-year-old said, "It all depends on my mindset. Where the heart goes, the body follows. If one day I no longer feel the passion to arrive at the arena five hours early to prepare, or to come in two and a half hours early for practice, then I'll know it's time to retire. Because that's when I'd start going through the motions."

Entering the NBA as the most hyped high school prospect ever, James has proven throughout his career that he has exceeded the immense expectations that many predecessors failed to meet. With elite skills, extraordinary basketball IQ, and decades of rigorous physical maintenance, he has shattered numerous NBA records: 22 consecutive All-Star selections, all-time playoff scoring leader, and the most First-Team All-NBA selections in history, among others.

Steve Nash, a two-time MVP and now co-host of a podcast with James, commented, "LeBron has the greatest career in NBA history. When you combine his peak performance with his longevity, no one else comes close."

Legendary investor Warren Buffett, who has met James multiple times over the years, told Time, "LeBron is incredibly smart—both on the court and in the business world."

The debate over the "greatest player of all time" often pits LeBron against Michael Jordan. Jordan's graceful playing style, six championships in the 1990s, and the global sports marketing boom driven by his shoe line and endorsements have cemented his legacy. The question of who is superior on the court has long been a topic of heated discussion.

When asked if he thought his influence had surpassed Jordan's, James simply smiled and said, "People who grew up in Jordan's era will choose Jordan. Those who grew up in my era..." He paused briefly, "will still prefer Jordan. I completely understand that."

"To each their own. I never try to imitate anyone or feel the need to surpass anyone. My journey is my own. I do what I need to do, and I know what I've built. Whether it's my performance on the court, my inspiration, or my social impact, I can hold my head high wherever I go."

He previously revealed on his podcast that he would make a decision about next season in August. After being eliminated by the Thunder, he said, "I love competing at the highest level. I love basketball and enjoy the competition—that has always been my driving force throughout my career."

At the same time, family has become a major factor in his considerations: his second son, Bryce, plays for the University of Arizona basketball team, and his younger daughter, Zhuri, plays volleyball. "I've sacrificed too much time with my family for my career. I can't get that time back. In the next decade, I want to be there for my wife and my 11-year-old daughter. To be the greatest player, I haven't been the perfect husband or father."

No matter when he retires, LeBron's career is unprecedented.When the conversation turned to the "GOAT" debate, he did not hold back: "I will never give up the number one spot to anyone. Jordan, Kobe, Magic, Bird, Shaq, Kareem—I'm sure they all feel the same way. If a general manager had the No.1 pick and had to choose from all the legends, I believe I would be the one selected."