5 Times LeBron James Said "Can't Believe This Is My Life" During His Record-Breaking 23rd NBA Season

The phrase "Can't believe this is my life" is more than just a viral meme for LeBron James; it’s the perfect encapsulation of his reality as of December 2025. Now in his record-setting 23rd NBA season, The King’s life has reached a level of unprecedented success, complexity, and emotional significance that truly defies belief.

From the sheer scale of his billion-dollar business empire to the intimate, once-in-a-lifetime experience of sharing an NBA court with his son, the iconic image of a shirtless, smiling LeBron in a pool—the original source of the meme—has never been more relevant. We are witnessing the final, most unbelievable chapters of a monumental career, where every new milestone is a new reason for LeBron to pinch himself.

LeBron James: The Unbelievable Biography and Profile (December 2025)

LeBron Raymone James Sr. has transcended the title of a basketball player to become a global cultural and business icon. His career, now the longest in NBA history, continues to generate headlines, both on and off the court. Here is a snapshot of the man whose life is truly unbelievable:

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• Full Name: LeBron Raymone James Sr.
• Born: December 30, 1984 (Akron, Ohio)
• Height: 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
• Wife: Savannah James
• Children: Bronny James, Bryce James, Zhuri James
• NBA Debut: 2003
• Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers (2003–2010, 2014–2018), Miami Heat (2010–2014), Los Angeles Lakers (2018–Present)
• Current Season: 23rd NBA Season (2025–2026), a new NBA record.
• Net Worth (2025): Estimated $1.1 to $1.3 Billion, making him the first active NBA player to achieve billionaire status.
• Major Career Milestones (2024-2025): First father-son duo in NBA history with Bronny James (2024); First player to reach 50,000 total career points (regular season and playoffs combined) (March 2025).
• Signature Business Venture: The SpringHill Company (Entertainment/Production) founded with Maverick Carter.

The Billion-Dollar Origin of the Meme: "Smiling Through It All"

The core of the "Can't believe this is my life" meme is not about struggle or hardship; it’s about overwhelming, almost absurd success. The phrase itself is a caption LeBron used on an Instagram story, usually accompanying a picture of him relaxing, often shirtless in a pool, with a wide, disbelieving smile.

The full, original caption is often quoted as: "Smiling through it all! Can't believe this is my life." This sentiment perfectly captures the feeling of a kid from Akron, Ohio, who has become one of the most famous and wealthy people on the planet. The meme became a cultural shorthand for anyone—from a college student to a celebrity—experiencing a moment of surreal, pinch-me success or a situation that feels too good to be true. The meme’s longevity was cemented when his own son, Bryce James, recreated the pose in 2024, adding another layer to the family legacy.

The meme’s power lies in its humility. It’s a moment of reflection from a man who has achieved everything, yet still finds the time to be genuinely awestruck by his own reality.

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The 'Pinch-Me' Milestones of LeBron's 23rd Season (2025-2026)

As LeBron James navigates his 23rd NBA season—a longevity record that may never be broken—his life continues to generate moments that scream "I can't believe this is happening." The 2025-2026 season is arguably the most emotionally charged of his career, full of significant topical authority milestones.

1. Becoming the 50,000-Point Man

In March 2025, LeBron James became the first player in NBA history to pass the 50,000 total career points mark, combining regular season and playoff totals. This is a number that separates him not just from his peers, but from entire generations of players. The sheer volume of his output, continuing even in his 40s, is a testament to his dedication and a milestone that truly makes him a statistical anomaly in sports history.

2. The Father-Son Duo: Playing with Bronny James

The most personal and unbelievable moment of this era is the reality of playing with his eldest son, Bronny James. LeBron and Bronny became the first father-son teammates in league history in 2024, a goal LeBron openly pursued for years. Sharing the court, the locker room, and the pressures of the NBA with his own child is an emotional peak that no other superstar has ever reached, making it the ultimate "Can't believe this is my life" moment.

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3. The End of The Streak

A streak that defined his consistency for over two decades finally ended in December 2025: LeBron's run of 1,297 consecutive games scoring 10 or more points. While ending a streak is usually a negative, the sheer length of the run—spanning 19 years—is a record of unparalleled durability and excellence. The fact that it took until his 23rd season to finally slow down is, in itself, an unbelievable accomplishment that highlights his longevity.

The Billion-Dollar Business Empire and Future Legacy

The disbelief in LeBron's life extends far beyond the basketball court, solidifying his status as a cultural entity and a business mogul. His financial success is as unbelievable as his athletic one.

4. The Active NBA Billionaire Status

As of 2025, LeBron James' net worth is firmly planted between $1.1 and $1.3 billion, a landmark achievement that makes him the first active NBA player to reach billionaire status. This massive wealth comes from a combination of his record-breaking NBA salary (opting in for $52.6 million in 2025-26), massive endorsements (Nike, etc.), and shrewd investments.

His business acumen, led by The SpringHill Company—an entertainment and production enterprise founded with Maverick Carter—has turned him into a media titan. The company, named after the apartment complex where he grew up, produces content across film, television, and digital platforms, demonstrating a level of off-court influence that few athletes in history have ever commanded.

5. The Pursuit of the Second Father-Son Duo

While playing with Bronny was a dream realized, LeBron has hinted at an even more unbelievable goal: playing with both of his sons, Bronny and Bryce James. As he faces a "puzzling crossroads" regarding his retirement, the decision to continue playing is often tied to this ultimate family ambition. The possibility of a second father-son duo, or even being on the same roster with both, is the final frontier of his unbelievable career, a narrative that would perfectly cap a life that has consistently been stranger and more successful than fiction.

LeBron's life in 2025 is a tapestry of record-breaking professional achievements, billion-dollar business ventures, and deeply personal family milestones. Every day he steps on the court in his 23rd season, and every time he closes a deal with The SpringHill Company, he is living out the essence of his own viral meme: "Can't believe this is my life."