[330] Despite their affection for James, Cleveland fans and critics were frequently annoyed when he sported a Yankees hat when he attended Cleveland Indians baseball games versus the New York Yankees. [225] James credited the team's attitude and experience for their improvement, saying: "I don't think we understood what it meant to put on a USA uniform and all the people that we were representing in 2004. How the King is settling the GOAT debate", "LeBron James had at least one thing right when he declared himself the greatest player of all time", "GOATs on GOATs: LeBron and MJ in their own words through the years", "Most Americans think Michael Jordan is the 'GOAT' over LeBron James, and it's not even close", "The great debate: Would you rather have LeBron James or Michael Jordan? [110] Behind James's significantly-expanded skillset,[119] Miami began the year with a franchise-best 18–6 record. [21], As an underclassman, James played wide receiver for St. Vincent-St. Mary's football team. Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge is accustomed to winning. [a], James was selected by his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, as the first overall pick of the 2003 NBA draft. James's jersey sold for $630,000, setting a record for a modern-day sports jersey. [58] During the decisive seventh game in Boston, James scored 45 points and Paul Pierce scored 41 in a game the Associated Press described as a "shootout". [218] In the Finals, James and his teammates found themselves matched up with his former team, the Heat, and quickly took control of the series with a 2–0 lead. [234] Team USA went 10–0, winning the gold medal and qualifying for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China. [40], In Game 1 of the Conference Finals, James scored a buzzer-beating layup to give Miami a one-point victory against the Pacers. 2004),[313] Bryce (b. [189] In January, the Cavaliers had a losing record, and James was criticized for his lackluster effort. LeBron Raymone James Sr. (/ l É Ë b r É n /; born December 30, 1984) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Many thought that the prolonged wait for James's choice was unprofessional as not even the teams courting him were aware of his decision until moments before the show. [citation needed] His combination of speed, quickness, and size often created matchup problems for opposing teams because he was capable of blowing by larger defenders and overpowering smaller ones. [62] In Miami, he developed into a more versatile defensive player, and the Heat relied on him to guard all five positions. SECOND-HALF SPURS There are four teams with active streaks of at least five consecutive seasons with winning records after the All-Star break. [17], Also during his senior year, James was the centerpiece of several controversies. Back to top. [175] In Game 7, he posted a triple-double and made a number of key plays, including The Block on Andre Iguodala,[176] as Cleveland emerged victorious, winning the city's first professional sports title in 52 years and becoming the first team in NBA history to come back from a 3–1 series deficit in the Finals. [280][281] During his second stint in Cleveland, his defense progressively declined. ", "LeBron James: Opening school is my most important professional accomplishment", "James Draws Criticism For Stand on Darfur Issue", "Cavalier Seeks Players' Support for Darfur", "LeBron, Irving in 'I Can't Breathe' tees", "Cavs' LeBron James responds to racist graffiti on house with powerful statement". (More Sports News)James' double-double of ⦠[59], At the conclusion of the 2008–09 season, James finished second in NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award voting and made his first NBA All-Defensive Team,[61] posting 23 chase-down blocks and a career-high 93 total blocks. MX23RW : Wednesday, March 10 02:43:37| >> :600:584542:584542: PSG vs. Barcelona: 17 hrs 16 mins [44] Cleveland would go on to defeat the Wizards before being ousted by the Detroit Pistons in the second round. [5] When James was growing up, life was often a struggle for the family, as they moved from apartment to apartment in the seedier neighborhoods of Akron while Gloria struggled to find steady work. Widely considered one of the greatest NBA players in history, James is frequently compared to Michael Jordan in debates over the greatest basketball player of all time. [246] His playing style, which is athletic and versatile, has drawn comparisons to Hall of Famers Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan. Replies (1) 0 1. rocket31 Toledo Fan Member since Jan 2008 36687 posts. [335], Memorabilia associated with James is highly sought after. [40][266] His shooting also temporarily regressed, and he briefly ranked as the NBA's worst high-volume shooter from outside the paint. [215] In early March, James led Los Angeles to a victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in a matchup of conference leaders, followed by a streak-breaking win against the Clippers,[216] before the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [118], James was humbled by the Heat's loss to the Mavericks, and the experience inspired him to leave behind the villain role that he had been embracing, which helped him regain a sense of joy on the court. [228][229], At the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan, James took on a greater role for Team USA, averaging 13.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game as co-captain. [363] As a result of James's endorsement money and NBA salary, he has been listed as one of the world's highest-paid athletes. And for Danny, he's never been afraid to take the plunge. Kevin Garnett got his first and only title in 2008 by beating none other than the Kobe Bryant and Los Angeles Lakers. As a result, to begin the 2018–19 season, the team struggled to find effective lineups and recorded only two wins through their first seven games. ", "LeBron James makes history, wins Finals MVP with 3 different franchises", Welcome to House Thre Thirty - Lebron James Family Foundation, "LeBron James opens up on his new school, the Lakers and life's challenges", "Movie review: Band of brothers in 'More Than a Game, "LeBron James stats, details, videos, and news", "What Is the NBA's Educational Requirement? [31] Cleveland ultimately finished the season 35–47, failing to make the playoffs despite an 18-game improvement over the previous year. [120] He was eventually named MVP for the third time, finishing with averages of 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.9 steals per game on 53 percent shooting. [131] His full postseason run, in which he averaged 30.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game, was later ranked the second best in modern NBA history by ESPN. [386] Later that month, Fox News journalist Laura Ingraham told James to "Shut up and dribble" as a response to his political agendas. [179], The 2016–17 season was marred by injuries and unexpected losses for the Cavaliers;[180] James later described it as one of the "strangest" years of his career. ", "LeBron James: Two Sports, One Superstar", "LBJ and NFL: A fantasy based in reality", "Theismann: LeBron James is 'talented enough' to be an NFL QB", "Could LeBron James Really Play in the NFL? [260], In Miami, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra changed James's role to a more unconventional one. [167] Behind his leadership, the Cavaliers opened the series with a 2–1 lead before being eliminated in six games. [119] James spent more time in the post and improved his shot selection and accuracy on jump shots. 1d 1 day ago; Harden shines on return to ⦠[183] In Game 5 of the Conference Finals against the Celtics, James scored 35 points and surpassed Michael Jordan as the league's all-time postseason scoring leader. [414] During a 2018 interview with CNN journalist Don Lemon, James accused Trump for attempting to divide the country with sports, suggesting that "sports has never been something that divides people it's always been something that brings someone together." [40], In February of the 2009–10 season, James was forced into a temporary point guard role following a series of injuries to players in the Cavaliers' backcourt. [426][427], In August 2020, James wore a modified MAGA hat that called for the arrest of the police officers involved in the shooting of Breonna Taylor. [250][251], As an 18-year-old rookie, James led the Cavaliers in scoring. [154], On June 25, 2014, James opted out of his contract with the Heat, and on July 1, he officially became an unrestricted free agent. James won his first two NBA championships while playing for the Heat in 2012 and 2013; in both of these years, he also earned league MVP and Finals MVP. [207] The team was unable to recover and failed to qualify for the postseason, marking the first time that James missed the playoffs since 2005 and the first time he failed to reach the Finals since 2010. [195] The Cavaliers lost the series in four games, with James averaging 34 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 10 assists per game for the Finals. [155] On July 11, he revealed via a first-person essay in Sports Illustrated that he intended to return to the Cavaliers. Off the court, James has accumulated additional wealth and fame from numerous endorsement contracts. [81] The telecast was broadcast from the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, Connecticut and raised $2.5 million for the charity. [291] His four MVP awards are matched only by Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, and Bill Russell; James and Russell are the only players to win four MVP awards in a five-year span. Bulls suffer a bad loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in their first game after the All-Star break and even though Lauri Markkanen played well in his return, the team takes a step backward. [22] At the conclusion of his sophomore year, he was named first team all-state, and as a junior, he helped lead the Fighting Irish to the state semifinals. [144] In Game 7, he tied the Finals record for most points scored in a Game 7 victory, leading Miami over San Antonio with 37 points. James played basketball for St. Vincent–St. [13] During the season, James also appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, becoming the first high school basketball underclassman to do so. LeBron James became an immediate star after skipping college to join the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers. [46] The Cavaliers finished the season with 50 wins for the second consecutive year and entered the playoffs as the East's second seed. [57] Seeded fourth in the East entering the playoffs, the Cavaliers defeated the Wizards in the first round for the third consecutive season before being eliminated in seven games by the eventual-champion Boston Celtics in the next round. ", "Ranking the 25 greatest players in NBA history", "Bleacher Report's All-Time Player Rankings: NBA's Top 50 Revealed", "LeBron James named AP top male athlete of decade", "LeBron James's 'Decision' defined a decade of player movement", "Warriors' Draymond Green credits Lakers' LeBron James for helping to empower NBA players", "LeBron James' quest to catch Michael Jordan faces an obstacle both utterly unparalleled and strangely familiar", "NBA players overwhelmingly vote Michael Jordan as the GOAT over LeBron James, Kobe Bryant", "Candid Coaches: Who's the real GOAT -- Michael Jordan or LeBron James? He has been featured in books, documentaries, television commercials (including winning a Sports Emmy Award for a documentary as an executive producer), and has hosted the ESPY Awards (including winning 19 ESPY Awards in his own right) and Saturday Night Live. "[66], In the playoffs, Cleveland swept the Pistons and the Atlanta Hawks to earn a matchup with the Orlando Magic in the Conference Finals. [40] While James has never won the Defensive Player of the Year Award, he has finished second in the voting twice and lists it as one of his main goals. Play resumed in July and concluded in August within the confined NBA Bubble, and James ended the regular season as the league leader in assists for the first time in his career, averaging 10.2 assists per game. "[244], Standing 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 m) tall and weighing 250 pounds (113 kg), James has played the majority of his career at the small forward and power forward positions,[245] but has also been deployed at the other positions when necessary. [136] Miami eventually finished the year with a franchise and league best 66–16 record,[137] and James was named MVP for the fourth time, falling just one vote shy of becoming the first player in NBA history to win the award unanimously. ", "LeBron May Be The Most Clutch Playoff Shooter Of His Generation", "LeBron James' defensive assignment allows versatility for Miami Heat", "Here's proof LeBron James is exiting the prime of his career", "NBA No-Defense Team: Carmelo Anthony, Enes Kanter and Regular Season LeBron James get the big honors", "It's defense that makes 'Playoff LeBron' a thing", "James Answers the Hype with Standout Debut", "Hype over LeBron doesn't match Alcindor's", "Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James sets record with 16th selection to All-NBA team", "LeBron takes 2013 Kia Most Valuable Player award", "LeBron James one win away from history: 10th NBA Finals apperance [, "Where This Year's Cavs Rank Among LeBron's NBA Finals Supporting Casts", "LeBron's 2–4 Finals record is one of his greatest achievements", "SI's 50 greatest players in NBA history", "All-Time #NBArank: Counting down the greatest players ever", "CBS Sports' 50 greatest NBA players of all time: Where do LeBron, Curry rank? [366] In 2015, he was ranked the sixth highest earning sportsperson,[367] and third highest in 2016 (after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi). [87] Upon learning that James would not be returning to Cleveland, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert published an open letter to fans in which he aggressively denounced James's actions. Certain Data by Stats Perform. [86] James would be relieved of the burden of scoring, and he thought he could be the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double in a season. In his MVP years, Cleveland had the best record in the NBA, but did not make it to the NBA Finals. He made LeBron look smart, which isn't easy to do. [50] The Cavaliers went on to win Game 6 and claim their first-ever Eastern Conference championship,[51] earning them a matchup with the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals. On several occasions, he mentioned a feeling of obligation to effect change using his status. [40] In the second round of the playoffs, he hit a baseline jumper at the buzzer to give Cleveland a 2–2 series tie with the Bulls. After his fourth season with the Heat in 2014, James opted out of his contract to re-sign with the Cavaliers. LeBron James had a triple-double in the reigning NBA champions' third straight win. [9] He participated in three year-end high school basketball all-star games—the EA Sports Roundball Classic, the Jordan Capital Classic, and the McDonald's All-American Game—losing his National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) eligibility and making it official that he would enter the 2003 NBA draft. Replies (1) Options Top. [40] In the playoffs, he guided the Cavaliers to another Finals rematch with the Warriors. [29] At the conclusion of the season, he became the first Cavalier to receive the NBA Rookie of the Year Award,[30] and with final averages of 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game, he also became just the third player in league history to average at least 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game as a rookie. [32], James earned his first NBA All-Star Game selection in 2004–05, contributing 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists in a winning effort for the Eastern Conference. [181] Following a January defeat to the New Orleans Pelicans, he publicly criticized Cleveland's front office for constructing a team that he felt was too "top heavy", for which he received countercriticism. [316], During his stint with the Heat, James resided in Coconut Grove, where he bought a $9 million three-story mansion overlooking Biscayne Bay. LRMR handles James's marketing, including the marketing of The Decision, for which it was criticized. [39] Behind final season averages of 31.4 points, 7 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game,[40] he also finished second in overall NBA Most Valuable Player Award voting to Steve Nash. Season Summary; More 2009 Playoffs Pages. The Converse Pro Leather and Chuck 70 draw inspiration from champion jackets created by Hamilton and worn by some of the leagueâs best players over the last 30 years. LeBron James led the scoring for the victors with 19 points. [14][15] During this time, he used marijuana, which he said was to help cope with the stress that resulted from the constant media attention he was receiving. [256] During his first stint in Cleveland, he was primarily used as an on-ball point forward, and although his shooting tendencies were perimeter-oriented,[119] he established himself as one of the best slashers and finishers in basketball. [4]:117 St. Vincent-St. Mary finished the year with a 23–4 record, ending their season with a loss in the Division II championship game. [277] Along with Shane Battier and Dwyane Wade, Miami used James in an ultra-aggressive defensive scheme,[278] with James cheating off the ball to help out inside or get into rebounding position. [40] In Game 3 of the first round of the postseason, he registered 41 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists against the Pacers, leading Cleveland to a comeback victory after trailing by 25 points at halftime, representing the largest halftime deficit overcome in NBA playoff history. [212] James immediately embraced Los Angeles's much-improved roster by transforming his playing style, moving to full-time point guard and competing with a more consistent defensive effort. [257], For most of his career, James has controlled the offense as the primary ball handler on his team. [433], "LeBron" redirects here. [371] In other comedic pursuits, he hosted the 33rd-season premiere of Saturday Night Live. [40] Since 2011, he has been ranked the best player in the NBA by ESPN and Sports Illustrated. [318], James rescued fellow basketball player Carmelo Anthony from the water during a boating excursion in the Bahamas with Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul when Anthony was carried away from the boat by the current. [9] For his outstanding play, James was named Ohio Mr. Basketball and selected to the USA Today All-USA First Team, becoming the first sophomore to do either. [324], .mw-parser-output .tmulti .thumbinner{display:flex;flex-direction:column}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .trow{display:flex;flex-direction:row;clear:left;flex-wrap:wrap;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .tsingle{margin:1px;float:left}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .theader{clear:both;font-weight:bold;text-align:center;align-self:center;background-color:transparent;width:100%}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .thumbcaption{background-color:transparent}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .text-align-left{text-align:left}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .text-align-right{text-align:right}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .text-align-center{text-align:center}@media all and (max-width:720px){.mw-parser-output .tmulti .thumbinner{width:100%!important;box-sizing:border-box;max-width:none!important;align-items:center}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .trow{justify-content:center}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .tsingle{float:none!important;max-width:100%!important;box-sizing:border-box;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .tsingle .thumbcaption{text-align:left}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .trow>.thumbcaption{text-align:center}}, Throughout his career, James has been ranked by Forbes as one of the world's most influential athletes,[327][328] and in 2017, he was listed by Time as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. [213] Behind James's leadership, the Lakers opened the 2019–20 season with a 17–2 record, matching the best start in franchise history. [191] James eventually finished the season with averages of 27.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 9.2 assists and 4.2 turnovers per game. [52], In February of the 2007–08 season, James was named All-Star Game MVP for the second time behind a 27-point, 8-rebound, and 9-assist performance. [368] James has stated that he would like to own an NBA team in the future, albeit in a hands-off capacity. [85], Upon leaving the Cavaliers, James drew intense criticism from sports analysts, executives, fans, and current and former players. [117] His Finals scoring average of 17.8 points per game signified an 8.9-point drop from the regular season, the largest point drop-off in league history. of Business Insider stated, "The data would suggest that younger, more-engaged NBA fans lean toward James, as he's still playing. [64] With final averages of 28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game, James became the first Cavalier to win the MVP Award. [18] This prompted an investigation by the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) because its guidelines stated that no amateur may accept any gift valued over $100 as a reward for athletic performance. [290] As of June 2020, he has been named to 16 All-NBA Teams, including 13 times to the first-team, which are both NBA records. [20] St. Vincent-St. Mary went on to win the Division II championship, marking their third division title in four years. [217], The Lakers entered the playoffs as the number one seed in the West and advanced to the Finals convincingly, with only three total losses along the way. åºæ¸ä¼ãã¤ã¤ãã¶ä¸ãã§ã®æ´»åå
容ãã¾ã¨ããä¸å®æã®åºå ±èªãã¤ã¤ããã§ããäºæ¥æã§ã®ã¤ãã³ãå ±åãåæ¯æ±ºç®å ±åããä¸è©±ã«ãªã£ã¦ããæ¹ã¸ã®å¾¡ç¤¼ãªã©ãç´¹ä»ãã¦ããã¾ãã [398] In 2015, James announced a partnership with the University of Akron to provide scholarships for as many as 2,300 children beginning in 2021. [240] During a game against Australia, he recorded the first triple-double in U.S. Olympic basketball history with 11 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists. [365] In 2014, James realized a profit of more than $30 million as part of Apple's acquisition of Beats Electronics; he had originally struck a deal to get a small stake in the company at its inception in exchange for promoting its headphones. [67] In Game 1 of the series, James scored 49 points on 66 percent shooting in a losing effort for the Cavaliers. [109] He also decided that his post game needed improvement, so he worked with Hakeem Olajuwon during the off-season. Tatum uses fancy dribble en route to hammer dunk (0:26) 5d. [125][126] Facing elimination in Game 6, James recorded 45 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Heat to victory in what The New York Times called a "career-defining performance". [238] He became the leader of the team, with Bryant, who would soon be 34, stepping back. [160][348][349][350] In 2016, he signed with the Cavaliers on a three-year deal,[351] becoming the highest-paid player in the league for the first time in his career. re: NBA All-Star Sunday MEGA THREAD - Team Lebron vs ⦠Yahoo Sports - NBC Sports Network. [69][70] For the series, he averaged 38.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 8 assists per game,[71] finishing the postseason with a career playoff-high 35.3 points per game. His accomplishments include four NBA championships, four NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards, four Finals MVP Awards, and two Olympic gold medals. [76] The team suffered its worst loss in franchise history, and at the conclusion of the game, James walked off the court to a smattering of boos from Cleveland's home crowd. [19] In his first game back after the suspension, James scored a career-high 52 points. "[200] Reaction to the move was more positive than his original departure from the Cavaliers, albeit still mixed, as some onlookers felt that Los Angeles was not his optimal destination. James was cleared of any wrongdoing because he had accepted the luxury vehicle from a family member and not from an agent or any outside source. 2)", "NBA Finals 2020: LeBron James and Danny Green join exclusive club in winning three championships with three different teams", "After Sitting in 2004, Ready to Stand and Deliver", "Season of LeBron ends with Olympic gold medal", "2006 USA Men's World Championship Team (8–1)", "Carmelo Anthony Named One of Three USA World Championship Team Captains", "USA Basketball president lauds LeBron James' maturity", "James' record outing highlights Team USA's dominance in title game", "LeBron: Now I Understand What It Means to Be an Olympian", "That One Time They Lost: On the Team USA Men's Basketball Disaster in Athens", "United States vs. Spain, August 24, 2008 – Final Round", "LeBron, Kobe return to U.S. team for London Games", "Column: Going out in style – 'K Boys' golden again", "The Team USA Reputations Index: How the gold medal changes our opinions of these players", "LeBron James Tallies First Triple-Double In U.S. Olympic History To Power USA To Semifinals With 119–86 Win Against Australia", "U.S. Surges Past Spain Late, Claims Second Straight Olympic Gold Medal", "Olympics 2012: The golden era of LeBron James", "Jalen Rose, Warren Sapp scoff at notion of LeBron in NFL", "LeBron James is still the undefeated champ of #NBArank", "SI's Top 100 NBA Players of 2019: How Long Will LeBron James Remain on Top? We got a long way to go for us as a society and for us as African Americans until we feel equal in America. "[235] At the Olympics, Team USA went unbeaten, winning their first gold medal since 2000. [73] Due in part to his increased minutes as the Cavaliers' primary ball handler, James increased his statistical production, averaging 29.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.6 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1 block per game on 50 percent shooting en route to another MVP Award. ", "NBA Finals: LeBron James finding new ways to define greatness", "LeBron James passes Wilt Chamberlain for fifth on NBA's all-time scoring list", "LeBron James scores 51 points, Lakers roll past Heat 113–97", "With LeBron back, Lakers outlast Clippers in OT 123–120", "First LeBron James, now Anthony Davis: The time to pity the Lakers has passed", "Lakers officially eliminated from NBA postseason contention by D'Angelo Russell and the Nets", "Report: Lakers, LeBron agree to minutes restriction", "Lakers shut down LeBron James for rest of season", "Lakers to acquire NBA superstar Anthony Davis in trade with Pelicans", "LeBron James has approached this Los Angeles Lakers season differently", "Lakers romp to 10th straight victory, 125–103 over Wizards", "LeBron James Surpasses Kobe Bryant in NBA's All-Time Scoring List", "LeBron & Co. snap Clippers' streak at 6 with 112-103 victory", "Lakers News: LeBron James Wins First Career NBA Assists Title", "James, Lakers beat Nuggets in Game 5 to reach NBA Finals", "Halfway home: Lakers top Heat 124-114 for 2-0 Finals lead", "Heat force Game 6, top Lakers to stave off elimination", "LeBron James wins fourth NBA Finals MVP award, becomes first player to earn honor with three different teams", "The oldest Finals MVPs in NBA history (featuring LeBron James at No.