Among the NBA number one draft picks from 2000 to 2010, all except LeBron James have retired.

Yesterday, following Dwight Howard's retirement announcement, all 11 NBA first overall picks between 2000 and 2010, excluding LeBron James, have retired. The list includes: 2000 Kenyon Martin (retired), 2001 Kwame Brown (retired), 2002 Yao Ming (retired), 2003 LeBron James, 2004 Dwight Howard (retired), 2005 Andrew Bogut (retired), 2006 Andrea Bargnani (retired), 2007 Greg Oden (retired), 2008 Derrick Rose (retired), 2009 Blake Griffin (retired), 2010 John Wall (retired).

Most of the top picks from 2011 to 2020 have become marginal players on their teams, and some have already retired from the NBA.

2011 Kyrie Irving currently plays for the Mavericks and is a key leader for the team.

2012 Anthony Davis was traded from the Mavericks to the Wizards and is currently recovering from an injury.

2013 Anthony Bennett has retired.

2014 Andrew Wiggins currently plays for the Heat and is not a team leader.

2015 Karl-Anthony Towns currently plays for the Knicks and is a key leader for the team.

2016 Ben Simmons did not play this season; last season he played for the Nets and Clippers.

2017 Markelle Fultz did not play this season; last season he played for the Kings.

2018 Deandre Ayton currently plays for the Lakers, is not a team leader, and is often underutilized.

2019 Zion Williamson currently plays for the Pelicans and is a team leader, but suffers from frequent injuries.

2020 Anthony Edwards plays for the Timberwolves and is a team leader.

Looking at the names and current situations of these top picks, one cannot help but marvel once again at how remarkable LeBron James' career has been. You could say James is not the highest peak in the NBA, but he certainly is the longest river.

Currently, James is in his 23rd NBA season. So far this season, he averages 33.1 minutes per game, scoring 21.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game, with a shooting percentage of 50.5%, a three-point percentage of 31.0%, and a free throw percentage of 74.3%.

This offseason, for the first time since joining the Lakers in 2018, James will become a completely free agent. He can decide his own future: whether to continue playing in the NBA or retire, whether to stay with the Lakers for one last season or return to his hometown Cleveland for a farewell tour.

We will know in a few months. Regardless of how James chooses to bid farewell, let us offer our sincerest applause, because the youthful years he has accompanied us through are already precious enough to be engraved in our hearts.