They were all waiting outside of what used to be a government building in Shanghai. Hundreds of LeBron James fans, all representing the different eras, the different lives The King has lived. Most of them in Laker gold, some in Cavs wine. All with ‘JAMES’ on the back. All armed with phone cameras, hoping for a chance to brush with greatness. Phones up, hopes up. There was a collective hushed anticipation, broken only by sudden bursts of “L-B-J!” chants and stern, loud directives from Shanghai police.

Inside, LeBron himself was touring the four-storey building, now converted into four levels of King highlights. The first floor was the “China Room,” where all things LeBron has done in his previous 14 visits to the country were curated. Up one floor was the 2002-2008 era. Next floor up were moments from the 2008-2018 years. At the top floor, in heavenly white interior and gold accents, was the “Long Live the King” section. From 2018 until forever. 

The space was many things: an exhibit, a museum, a mixtape in physical form. Each moment beginning 2002 translated into a LeBron 23 colorway. Only four has been unveiled: ‘Grand Opening’, for when he debuted in the League rocking the white and red Nike Air Zoom Generation; ‘Miami Twice’, for the back-to-back Heat titles; ‘Uncharted’, for the never-been-done 40K points; and ‘The Chosen One and The One Who Chose’, a mismatched pair as a nod to his son-teammate Bronny. 

The rest of the 19, for now, are just that: iconic moments in LeBron’s historic career. The 61 points as the Masked Menace. The 25 straight in Detroit. “Shut Up and Dribble.” The fourth championship in the Bubble. The USA flag-bearer and gold medal in Paris. These are sacred memories for instant classic colorways that have yet to exist.

“If you love the LeBron brand, if you love what I’ve been doing, this is going to put you right back in those moments,” LeBron told global media in Shanghai.

LeBron is big on moments. China is known for its grand gestures (in 2016, Guangzhou hosted a personal championship parade for LeBron). Everything is in excess. Surpassing. Extra. In his 15th visit to China, LeBron James is 40 years old, entering his 23rd season, hyping up his 23rd signature shoe, holding the record for most points scored ever. The grand storytelling, the ambitious House of King James – all fit for a king. 

The first LeBron sighting in Shanghai was definitely King-coded. On the top-most balcony, where the “Long Live the King” floor is, The King popped out, again cueing booming chants of “L-B-J!” He waved and posed. We witnessed.

“Man, it feels amazing. I’m always happy to be back here,” he said to the crowd below. 

He then made his way all the way down, traveling back in time from King to teen, from the fourth floor down to the China Room, where his fans have been waiting. Down with the people, LeBron let loose and grooved. 

That was the common thread on his Forever King Tour. Thousands of his fans would fill up whatever space they were told to fill up. Patiently and passionately, they would wait for the King’s arrival. People with headsets running was the first sign. Then, photographers. Then, him – gracious and generous. His fans would all have their arms up, either holding phones to capture the fleeting moment or signs in the hope that Bron captures them with his photographic memory.

The same scene happened in Chengdu, three hours away from busy Shanghai. A vicious downpour didn’t stand a chance versus lifelong LeBron faithful. Outside a mall, fans in the thousands stood under the rain to see the kid from Akron, the one who has now reached forever royalty status. Arms up, umbrellas down.

“It’s super humbling for me to come here, so far away from home and get the reception that I get, get the love that I get,” LeBron said in Chengdu after the 2025 Nike Mission RISE finals.

The love that he gets, he gives right back – whether through a dunk, a pose for the camera, an interview, a shoutout, a smile. He is a forever king for that.

He is LeBron, on the roof, towering over the city. He is LeBron, out there in the rain, giving love to his fans all the way across the world.

The King moments never end.