With the ass loads of hype that surrounded where LeBron”King” James will lace up his Nikes next season, I think it’s time to take a step back and appreciate the work of some other kings that also have made some tough, game changing decisions during their time on the throne. As LeBron embarks upon a new reign atop his kingdom in Miami, let’s take a look at five renowned kings whose names, much like LeBron, are synonymous with greatness.
5. Larry King – The face of CNN certainly has a few wrinkles on it but he is still television royalty. The 76-year-old fossil is recognized in the United States as one of the premier broadcast interviewers and has conducted an astounding 40,000 interviews with politicians, athletes, entertainers, and other newsmakers. Interestingly enough Larry sat down with LeBron earlier this summer in King James’s first post-playoff interview with the most coveted free agent in NBA history. I guess Kings prefer to keep to their own…
4. Jerry “The King” Lawler – Another elder statesman makes an appearance on this esteemed list as Jerry Lawler has been the unofficial King of the Squared Circle since his in-ring debut in the NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) in 1970. Lawler has won more than 140 championships throughout his illustrious career and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007. He has held more championships than any other current WWE employee and will probably win another belt or two before he hangs up his boots because he still mixes it up every now and then as the current color commentator on WWE’s Raw.
3. King Kong – Known affectionately as “King Dong,” this gigantic gorilla-like monstrosity has been a movie icon since his debut in 1933 when he appeared in the stop-motion animated classic aptly titled King Kong. Kong’s roles have run the gamut from rampaging monster to tragic antihero and everything in between (this crazy ape even had a sexy blond love interest). Kong is characterized as “neither beast nor man,” but nobody can argue that he certainly is a king.
2. Elvis Presley – You know you’re doing something right when you are such a cultural icon that the title of “King and Rock and Roll” is not enough to describe your awesomeness, so you just start being referred to as “The King.” Elvis was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century and received the Grammy Lifetime Acheivement Award at the ripe age of 36. Unfortunately this Mississippi-born king died too soon as he passed away in 1977 at just 42-years-old. Elvis’s legacy include his epic sideburns and the legion of Presley look-alikes that constitute over a third of the Las Vegas nightlife population.
1. The (Burger) King – The man who is never seen without his baller gold crown and sits on the throne of the grilled meat kingdom has earned his rightful place atop our list of great monarchs. Between his ingenious promotions for the NFL and blockbuster films such as Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith, The Simpsons Movie, and Star Trek, the King has transcended the fast food industry and become an international superstar whose influence rivals that of LeBron himself.
Honorable Mention: King Kong Bundy, King Kullen (for all you metropolitan area New Yorkers), King Tut, King Jaffe Jofer (Coming to America), Kingpin, Sacramento Kings
Please chime in with your favorite king in the comments section below.
