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LeBron James

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LeBron James
Cleveland Cavaliers
PositionSmall forward
Personal information
Born (1984-12-30) December 30, 1984 (age 39)
Akron, Ohio
NationalityUnited States
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High schoolSt. Vincent - St. Mary HS
Akron, Ohio
NBA draft2003: 1st overall
Selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers
Playing career2003–present
Career highlights and awards
2003 Naismith Prep Player of the Year
2004 Rookie of the Year
2004 ESPY Best Breakthrough Athlete
2006 NBA All-Star Game MVP
Stats Edit this at Wikidata at NBA.com
Stats Edit this at Wikidata at Basketball-Reference.com

LeBron Raymone James (born December 30, 1984) is an American basketball player who currently plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Commonly nicknamed "King James" and "The Chosen One," James was highly promoted in the national media as a future NBA star while still attending high school.[1] At the age of eighteen, he was selected with the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers and became the second high school player chosen as the first overall pick.

Before debuting in his first official NBA game, James signed an unprecedented $90 million shoe contract with Nike, Inc. In his first season, he received the NBA Rookie of the Year Award and in the following three seasons he received All-NBA and All-Star honors. He has since become one of the most prominent players in the league and has set numerous youngest player records. In 2006 and 2007, he led the Cavaliers to back-to-back playoff appearances, and during the 2007 postseason he helped the team advance to the Conference Finals for the first time since 1992.

Early life

James was born an only child in a low-income area of Akron, Ohio to the unwed Gloria James on December 30, 1984. His mother was around the age of 16 at the time and just six months shy of graduating from high school. Moving frequently from one home to another,[2] situations began to somewhat improve for James, when his mother began a relationship with Eddie Jackson. James did not have much contact with his biological father and Jackson became a father figure to him. He regularly attended James' high school basketball games.[3]

High school

Freshman year

James attended St. Vincent - St. Mary High School in Akron. He was the starting point guard on a team led by his future best friend and manager Maverick Carter. Although Carter is commonly referred to as James' cousin, they are not actually related. The team finished with a perfect 27-0 record and won the Division III state championship.

Sophomore year

James took over the team after Carter's graduation and averaged 27.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and four steals for SVSM en route to another state title. He was subsequently named Ohio's "Mr. Basketball" and selected to the USA Today All-USA First Team — the first sophomore to receive each of these honors.

James was also an avid football player, and was named First-Team All-State as a wide receiver. However, injury concerns led James to concentrate solely on basketball.

Junior year

In James' junior year his stats improved again. He averaged 29.7 points and 8.4 rebounds, and was again named Mr. Basketball of Ohio. He also earned a spot on the All-USA First Team, and was named the 2001-02 Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year. It was at this time that his nickname "King" James would become a household staple in Ohio.

File:Si-cover lebron james 2002.jpg
Dubbed "The Chosen One" by Sports Illustrated, James was the first high school basketball player on the cover since Kevin Garnett.

He appeared in SLAM Magazine, which began his nationwide exposure. However, the St. Vincent-St. Mary basketball team failed to defend its state title when it moved up to the more challenging Division II and lost to Cincinnati's Roger Bacon High School. James attempted to declare for the NBA Draft, petitioning for an adjustment to the NBA's rules of draft eligibility — which then required the completion of high school by a prospective player. The petition was unsuccessful, but it led to an unprecedented level of attention on him as he entered his senior year. By then, "King" James had already appeared on the covers of Sports Illustrated and ESPN The Magazine. His popularity forced his team to move their practices from the school gym to the nearby James A. Rhodes Arena at the University of Akron. Celebrities such as Shaquille O'Neal attended the games, and a few of James's high school games were even televised nationally on ESPN2 and regionally on pay-per-view.

Senior year

Gloria James touched off a firestorm of controversy when she was allowed to use her son's future earning power as collateral to secure a bank loan to buy an $80,000 Hummer H2 for her son's 18th birthday. The event prompted an investigation by the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA). Under the OHSAA guidelines, no amateur may accept any gift valued over $100 as a reward for athletic performance. When James later accepted two throwback basketball jerseys worth $845 from NEXT, an urban clothing store in Shaker Square, in exchange for his posing for pictures to be displayed on the store's walls, OHSAA stripped him of his eligibility. James appealed and a judge blocked the ruling, reducing the penalty to a two-game suspension and allowing him to play the remainder of the season. However, James's team was forced to forfeit one of their wins as a result.

Despite the distractions, the Irish won a third state title, and James, for an unprecedented third time, was named Mr. Basketball Ohio and to the All-USA First Team. He earned MVP honors at the McDonald's All-American Game, the EA Sports Roundball Classic, and the Jordan Capital Classic. Although it was a foregone conclusion, by participating in more than two high school all-star events, James officially lost his NCAA eligibility.

NBA career

Rookie season

James was selected as the first overall pick of the 2003 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Prior to his first official NBA game, James signed an unprecedented $90 million shoe contract by Nike, Inc.,[4] and an exclusive multiyear contract with Upper Deck trading cards that included a $1 million signing bonus.[4]

Facing the Sacramento Kings in his first NBA game, James recorded 25 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals on 60% field goal shooting.[5] After recording a season high 41 points against the New Jersey Nets, James became the youngest player in league history to score 40 points in a game.[6]He averaged 20.9 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game for the season,[7] and was named Rookie of the Year; becoming the first Cavalier and youngest player to ever receive the award.[8] He joined Oscar Robertson and Michael Jordan as the only three players in NBA history to average at least 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game in their rookie season.[8] The Cavaliers improved by 18 wins and concluded the regular season with a 35–47 record, but failed to make the playoffs.[9]

2004-05 season

James taking a free throw against the Dallas Mavericks.

In the 2004-05 season, James was selected to his first NBA All-Star Game and recorded 13 points, 6 assists, and 8 rebounds, as the Eastern All-Stars defeated the Western All-Stars 125–115.[10] During the season, James became the youngest player in league history to register a triple-double, score 50 points in a game, and make the All-NBA Team.[8] He averaged 27.2 points, 7.2 assists, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game.[7] However, the Cavaliers failed to reach the playoffs again and finished with a 42–40 regular season record.[11]

2005-06 season

In the 2005-06 season, James was elected to his second straight All-Star Game appearance and led the Eastern All-Stars to a 122–120 victory, with 29 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. He became the youngest All-Star MVP at 21 years, 51 days.[12] He was named NBA Player of the Week for an unprecedented three consecutive weeks and concluded the season with five honors.[13] He scored 35 or more points in nine consecutive games and joined Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant as the only players since 1970 to accomplish the feat.[13] For the season, James averaged 31.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game,[7] and became the youngest player in NBA history to average at least 30 points. He also became the fourth player in NBA history to average more than 30 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists in a single season.[14] The Cavaliers made the playoffs for the first time since 1998,[15] and improved from a record of 17–65 in 2002-03 to 50–32 in 2005-06.[16]

Following the regular season, James was named as one of the top candidates for the NBA Most Valuable Player Award. Although he finished second to Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns in MVP voting, he was awarded co-MVP honors with Nash by The Sporting News; an award given by the publication that is based on the voting of thirty NBA general managers.[17]

James made his playoff debut against the Washington Wizards. He recorded a triple-double with 32 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds, as the Cavaliers defeated the Wizards 97–86.[18] He joined Johnny McCarthy and Magic Johnson as the only players in NBA history to register a triple-double in their playoff debut.[18] In Game 3, he registered 41 points and became the first player in NBA history to score 40 points in their first playoff road game.[19] For the series, James averaged 35.7 points, as the Cavaliers defeated the Wizards in six games.[20] In the second round of the playoffs, James led the Cavaliers to a 3–2 series lead over the defending Eastern Conference champion and divisional rival Detroit Pistons. The Pistons, however, eliminated the Cavs by winning the final two games. James averaged 30.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 5.8 assists in the playoffs.[7]

At the end of the season, James negotiated a three year contract extension, with a player option for a fourth year. The contract is worth $60 million and begins at the start of the 2007-08 NBA season.[21] Although it is for fewer years and less money than the maximum he could sign, it allows him the option of seeking a new contract worth more money as an unrestricted free agent in 2008.[21]

2006-07 season

James was elected to his third consecutive All-Star game appearance during the 2006-07 season. He played a game high 32 minutes and finished with 28 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.[22] In the regular season, the Cavaliers managed to tie the previous season's record with 50 wins and clinched an Eastern Conference second seed playoff berth.[23] For the season, James averaged 27.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. He joined Oscar Robertson as the only players in NBA history to average 27 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists for three consecutive years.[24]

In the first round of the playoffs, James led the Cavaliers to their first sweep in franchise history over the Washington Wizards in four games.[25] It was also the first time the franchise has won consecutive road playoff games.[25] For the series, James averaged 27.8 points, 7.5 assists, and 8.5 rebounds.[7] In the second round of the playoffs, James led the Cavaliers to a 4–2 series victory over the New Jersey Nets.[26] He averaged 25.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 8.6 assists in the series,[7] as the Cavaliers advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 15 years.[26]

United States National Team

Olympic medal record
Men's Basketball
Bronze medal – third place 2004 Athens United States

After his rookie season, James played on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Basketball Team in Athens, Greece, where the United States won the bronze medal in Men's Basketball. It was the first time a U.S. Olympic team, with NBA players, failed to win the gold medal. Limited to 14.6 minutes per game, James averaged just 5.8 points and 2.6 rebounds per game.[27] James also competed in the 2006 World Championships in Japan and averaged 13.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.[28] However, the team finished with an 8–1 season record, and was again awarded the bronze medal.[28]

James was named as one of three captains for the U.S. Men's Basketball National Team from 2006–2008, alongside Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade.[29] After failing to win the 2006 World Championships, the team will have to compete at the Tournament of Americas Olympic Qualifiers in 2007 in order to qualify for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Player profile

James primarily plays the small forward position. He is considered one of the few players in the league who can play three or more positions, combining the length and quickness of a small forward, the size of a power forward, and the court vision and ball-handling of a guard.[30] His exceptional court vision and passing ability allows him to create plays for others and has led many to consider him as a prototypical point forward.[31][32]

James has established himself as a legitimate triple-double threat and has averaged 26.7 points, 6.4 assists and 6.7 rebounds per game for his career.[7] As of the 2006-07 season, he has recorded twelve triple doubles in his career, with ten in the regular season and two in the postseason.[8] On offense, James utilizes his quickness, size, and strength to get past defenders. When penetrating to the basket James exhibits exceptional body control, adjusting his shot in mid-air according to the defense, allowing him to absorb contact and finish at the basket.[30] In the 2005-06 season, he led the league in completed traditional three point plays.[8] He is a solid rebounder who regularly ranks among the league leaders in rebounds for the small forward position.[33][34] His overall skill sets and on-court play has led to many comparisons to NBA legends Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan.[35]

Although James exhibits exceptional offensively ability, he has yet to be featured on any of the NBA All-Defensive teams[36] and has struggled with his free throw shooting — he averaged a subpar .698 free throw accuracy in the 2006-07 season.[7]

Personal life

James has one child with his high school sweetheart, Savannah Brinson, named LeBron James Jr. (October 6, 2004).[37] He announced that he is expecting his second son to be born in June 2007.[37] During his sophomore year, he was named First Team-All State as a wide receiver, and in his junior year he helped lead St. Vincent - St. Mary High School to the state semifinals in football.[8] As a freshman playing basketball, James wore jersey number 32 before adopting his current number 23 as a tribute to his role model, Michael Jordan.[8]

Despite being compared to players such as Michael Jordan, Oscar Robertson, and Magic Johnson,[35][38] James considers Penny Hardaway as the player whose talents are most similar to his. "Penny sees the whole floor and can score," James said. "He's still one of my favorite players of all-time."[39]

James has a number of endorsement contracts with Nike, Sprite, Powerade, and Upper Deck. His personal shoe line under Nike is known as the Air Zoom Generation.

Statistics

SEASON TEAM GP MPG SPG BPG RPG APG PPG Hi 40+ 50+ TD MVP
2003-04 Cleveland 79 39.5 1.6 0.7 5.5 5.9 20.9 41 1 0 0 9th
2004-05 Cleveland 80 42.4 2.2 0.6 7.4 7.2 27.2 56 5 1 4 6th
2005-06 Cleveland 79 42.5 1.6 0.8 7.0 6.6 31.4 52 10 2 5 2nd
2006-07 Cleveland 78 40.9 1.6 0.7 6.7 6.0 27.3 41 1 0 1 5th

TD = Triple-doubles

MVP = MVP voting

Awards and honors

File:Sporting News LeBron.jpg
LeBron James was named co-MVP by The Sporting News
Main article: Career achievements of LeBron James
  • The Sporting News Co-MVP: 2006
  • NBA Rookie of the Year: 2004
  • NBA All-Rookie First Team: 2004
  • NBA All-Star Game MVP: 2006
  • 3-time NBA All-Star: 2005, 2006, 2007
  • 3-time All-NBA:
    • First Team: 2006
    • Second Team: 2005, 2007
  • Bronze medal with Team USA, 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.
  • Bronze medal with Team USA, 2006 FIBA World Championships.


References

  1. ^ Jones, Ryan: King James: Believe the Hype, page 41 (224), St. Martin's Griffin 2003. ISBN 0-312-32229-1
  2. ^ cleveland.com, LeBron James, accessed April 27, 2007
  3. ^ espn.com, NEXT: LeBron James, accessed April 27, 2007
  4. ^ a b sportingnews.com, NBA: Cha-Ching! James gets Nike bonanza, accessed April 27, 2007.
  5. ^ basketball-reference.com, James 2003-04 Game Log, accessed April 27, 2007.
  6. ^ espn.com, James receives 78 of 118 first-place votes, accessed May 7, 2007.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h nba.com, LeBron James: Player Info Page, accessed April 27, 2007.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g nba.com, LeBron James: NBA Bio, accessed April 27, 2007.
  9. ^ basketball-reference.com, 2003-04 Cleveland Cavaliers, accessed April 27, 2007.
  10. ^ nba.com, 2005 All-Star Game, accessed April 27, 2007.
  11. ^ basketball-reference.com, 2004-05 Cleveland Cavaliers, accessed April 29, 2007.
  12. ^ nba.com, James Wins MVP as East Rallies Past West, accessed April 27, 2007.
  13. ^ a b nba.com, 2006 NBA MVP Candidate - LeBron James, accessed May 4th, 2007
  14. ^ usabasketball, USA Basketball: LeBron James Bio, accessed April 27, 2007.
  15. ^ nba.com, James, Cavs Top Mavs To Clinch Playoff Berth, accessed May 1, 2007.
  16. ^ basketball-reference.com, 2005-06 Cleveland Cavaliers, accessed May 1, 2007.
  17. ^ espn.com, James, Nash share Sporting News MVP award, accessed May 5, 2007.
  18. ^ a b espn.com, LeBron's playoff debut triple-double carries Cavs, accessed May 1, 2007.
  19. ^ USA Today, Who's the best in the NBA, accessed May 1, 2007
  20. ^ espn.com, Cavaliers Win Series 4-2, accessed May 1, 2007
  21. ^ a b espn.com, LeBron officially signs contract extension with Cavs, accessed May 7, 2007.
  22. ^ nba.com, 2007 All-Star Game: Box Score, accessed April 19, 2007
  23. ^ basketball-reference.com, 2006-07 Cleveland Cavaliers, accessed April 29, 2007.
  24. ^ "Now playoff-bound, Cavs' 50th win caps season". ESPN.com.
  25. ^ a b espn.com, James, Ilgauskas steer Cavs into 2nd round with sweep of Wiz, accessed May 5, 2007.
  26. ^ a b espn.com, James scores 23 as Cavs hold off Nets for rematch with Pistons, accessed May 19, 2007.
  27. ^ usabasketball, USA Season Box Score, accessed April 25, 2007
  28. ^ a b usabasketball.com, 2006 USA Men's World Championship Team: Stats, accessed May 1, 2007.
  29. ^ nba.com, Melo joins LeBron James and Dwyane Wade as captains, accessed May 7, 2007.
  30. ^ a b nbadraft.com, LeBron James Draft Profile, accessed May 11, 2007.
  31. ^ sportsillustrated.com, Silas decides to put Cavs' reins in LeBron's hands, accessed May 8, 2007.
  32. ^ espn.com, James leaves scouts, fans finding few faults, accessed May 8, 2007.
  33. ^ espn.com, NBA Stats, accessed May 12, 2007.
  34. ^ espn.com,NBA Stats, accessed May 12, 2007.
  35. ^ a b Dupree, David, King James' next conquest, accessed August 21, 2006.
  36. ^ "All-Defense Selections by Player". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  37. ^ a b nba.com, Cavs Star LeBron James Expecting Second Child, accessed May 5, 2007.
  38. ^ sportsillustrated.com, Is Silas right coach for LeBron?, accessed May 5, 2007.
  39. ^ usatoday.com, James leads 2002-03 All-USA teams, accessed May 5, 2007.
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Preceded by NBA first overall draft pick
2003 NBA Draft 		Succeeded by
Preceded by NBA
Rookie of the Year
2004 		Succeeded by
Preceded by NBA All-Star Game
Most Valuable Player
2006 		Succeeded by

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