Topic: LeBron James

During Adam Silver’s tenure as commissioner, the National Basketball Association has enjoyed the distinction of being the most socially aware major sports league.

When LeBron James signed a four-year, $154 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers last offseason, the traditional NBA powerhouse seemed like a sure contender in the Western Conference for years to come.

In 1968, American Olympians Tommie Smith and John Carlos stood on the podium in Mexico City shoeless.

For LeBron James, the self-proclaimed King, success on the basketball court has become the expectation.

Terrific individual performances have been a staple of the current NBA season, as Russell Westbrook and James Harden have compiled monster numbers thus far.