WATCH: “He was balling in CD era” – RARE clip of LeBron James using Sony Walkman and Panasonic flip phone leaves fans in shock

LeBron James has been a basketball phenomenon right from his college days.

WATCH: “He was balling in CD era” – RARE clip of LeBron James using Sony Walkman and Panasonic flip phone leaves fans in shock

(left) LeBron James with a portable CD player, (right) LeBron flexing his Panasonic Flip Phone at RAW (via Open Source, X)

In a viral clip that’s taking fans on a nostalgic ride, LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers’ enduring superstar, is seen rocking a Sony Walkman CD player and later, a Panasonic flip phone. This blast from the past perfectly showcases LeBron’s long-standing presence in the league.

The clip is a vivid reminder of the NBA legend’s journey from a high school prodigy to a global sports icon. Even when he was 18 years young and just drafted into the league, LeBron was a huge name. He had WWE superstars asking for autographed jerseys even back then.

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As LeBron James celebrates his 39th birthday and charges into his 21st NBA season, fans and pundits alike are marveling at the longevity of his career. Drafted in 2003 by the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron has transitioned from the CD era to the streaming age, his career paralleling the evolution of technology and the game itself.

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The question of when LeBron will retire remains open, with the star hinting at “a few more years in the league.” Speculation about playing alongside his son, Bronny, adds another layer of anticipation to his already storied career.

Fans shower love on ‘The King’

LeBron’s shift from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Miami Heat, back to Cleveland, and now to the Lakers, mirrors his journey from a young talent to one of the game’s elder statesmen. His ability to adapt and excel has been a constant in an ever-changing NBA landscape.

Widely considered as the Greatest of all time, LeBron has one of the most loyal and largest fanbases among all athletes (The New York Times)
Widely considered as the Greatest of all time, LeBron has one of the most loyal and largest fanbases among all athletes (Via The New York Times)

Fans have taken to social media to express their admiration and disbelief at LeBron’s enduring presence in the NBA:

https://twitter.com/MasculineSpec/status/1750914817651515597
https://twitter.com/AzharTheGreat/status/1751066083040112968

This clip and the reactions it’s garnered underscore the unique position LeBron holds in the basketball world and popular culture. His career spans eras, from the tactile to the digital, and from the CD player to the smartphone.

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