LeBron at 25: The World In His Palm

CLEVELAND - He went from being a national unknown when the decade began in 2000 to being a national phenomenon in 2002. A year later, he was one of the most amazing NBA rookies ever. And now? Well, let's just say that LeBron James is a man with such an amazing present, that his future is a guaranteed success.

No joke.

Today is LeBron's 25th birthday and also serves as sort of a benchmark in his meteoric rise to global icon. In his 7 years in the national spotlight, he has defied all expectations placed upon him as a prep school wunderkind. Then, he redefined the small forward position in pro basketball and created another layer to what a hoops megastar could be capable of. He's the first player in history to combine brute strength and bulldozing power with dizzying balance, athleticism and scintillating speed. He's also the first NBA player to possess the skill of scoring 30 points per game effortlessly without scoring being his number one talent. Indeed, what truly makes James a maestro on the hardwood is his indigenous and pinpoint playmaking. His command of the entire court is stunning when taken in tandem with his unstoppable offense.

And he's just 25!

LeBron's legend may have begun on the basketball court, but it certainly doesn't end there. He's positioned himself as a revolutionary businessman with several risky-but-informed decisions that have ultimately worked like a charm. As a product endorser, he insists on forming partnerships with corporations that he can immerse himself in and not just be a face selling a product. He wants a significant stake in these companies because it's his image that will augment profits, so why shouldn't he be more entrenched?

Undoubtedly, LeBron's affiliation and friendship with hip-hop legend cum tycoon Jay-Z has helped his business acumen and decision making. So too has his "friendship" with financial expert and billionaire Warren Buffet. Under the tutelage of such esteemed and savvy power brokers, how can one go wrong?

Especially when your own name is worth at least a billion dollars.

LeBron shares a birthday with golf legend Tiger Woods. But even though Woods is said to be the first athlete to amass a billion dollar fortune, James still has an edge. Not only is his reputation untainted (unlike Woods, who has experienced an enormous plunge in popularity in the past month after a salacious sex scandal broke), but basketball is a far more universally adored sport than golf. That means that LeBron will resonate with more people globally and bring them into his capitalistic world, fan or no fan. Woods has brought legions of people to golf, but at the end of the day...golf remains more hobby than sport for everyday people.

LeBron's much discussed free agency next summer will be yet another pivotal time in his awesome career. But whether he chooses to remain with the Cleveland Cavaliers or bolt to another team, LeBron James Inc. will continue to flourish with an unprecedented ferocity.

Happy Birthday, Mr. James.