All Hail to the King: Lebron James Success Story
"A 6'8, 250 lbs Forward from St. Vincent-St. Mary Highschool, No. 23, LeBron James!!". An introduction phrase by announcers of any arena in which LeBron have played. We all know him as the King and the Chosen One, and without a doubt one of the greatest to ever set foot on a basketball court but LeBron didn't become Bron in just a snap, he encountered challenges in which made him suitable for the throne. This is Lebron James Story.
LeBron was born on December 30, 1984 from a 16-year old girl Gloria James. He didn't knew his father and even now considered a mystery. During his freshman season in high school, LeBron attended St. Vincent- St. Mary Highschool in Ohio where he lived. He would then on average 18ppg and an state championship after that season.
James performance turn heads of scouts across the United States, by his second season LeBron was named USA Today, All-USA First Team and bagged another chip. His junior year wasn't as productive for James as they fail to defend the title. James would then on tear up his senior year and averaged 31.6ppg into another championship in his bag.
Universities offered James scholarship for college but James was inspired by Kevin Garnett’s decision to go straight from high school to NBA, LeBron declared for 2003 NBA Draft, in which he was picked first overall by struggling team of Cleveland Cavaliers. This Draft is considered to be one of the strongest classes in the history of the league. James was picked ahead over Carmelo Anthony, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh.
Because of the hype surrounding LeBron, his debut was talked about, October 29, 2003, his first game versus Sacramento Kings, he finished with a solid stat line of 25 points and 9 assist in 42 minutes of action in a loss. It would then on be the start of his luxurious career, he finished the season with averages of 20ppg, 5rpg and 6apg and won the Rookie of Year award over Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony.
James would continue his fine performance into his second season where he posted improved numbers of 27ppg, 7rpg and 7apg. In 2006, LeBron signed a fresh deal with the Cavs and the team was considered to be at the top and would then on appear in the NBA Finals where they would be swept by powerhouse San Antonio Spurs led by Tim Duncan. In 2008 and 2009, LeBron won league MVP but his teams success hurdle his fine seasons.
In 2010 free-agency, LeBron decided to go for a change as he signed with Miami Heat joining his draftmates Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh building the famous "Big 3". His departure on Cleveland created hatred from his supporters, being labeled as a traitor and his jerseys was burned.
Even though criticized LeBron still posted 27ppg 7.5rpg and 7apg onto an another appearance in the Finals but the curse won't bug him off, Miami was beaten by Nowitzki-lead Mavericks despite winning Game 1.
This fuels LeBron into the next season in which he grabbed his 3rd MVP award behind averages of 27, 8 and 7. Again, James led the Heat to its 2 straight Finals but this time they outlast the young Oklahoma City Thunder squad led by new formed trio of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and 6th Man of the Year awardee James Harden. He was also crowned as Finals MVP wrapping up a dream 2011-2012 season.
2012-2013, the Heat cruised to 2nd straight title in Big 3 era, LeBron finally got revenged from the Tim Duncan led Spurs, and bagged another League and Finals MVP collecting almost similar stat line from last year of 27,7 and 6 (ppg, rpg, apg respectively).
His last season with the Heat isn't an ideal closing of his 4 year tenure, as they were defeated by the Spurs with the young defensive stud Kawhi Leonard crowned as Finals MVP. LeBron then on decided to come back to his hometown team Cavs and now forming another "Big 3" alongside young superstar Kyrie Irving and double double machine Kevin Love from Minnesota.
Before 2014-2015 season, LeBron needed to lose weight, he plunged out 20lbs in order to keep up with high pace league, it caused him to become slower because of adjusting stage but his stats seems unaffected, still putting up 25ppg, 6rpg and 7apg. LeBron carried the Cavs to another Finals, his 5th straight and 6th of his career. They battled against Golden State Warriors coached by former Bulls player and 5 time Champion Steve Kerr and led by rising star Stephen Curry. The injury of both Love and Irving didn’t help the cause of the team, Warriors won their first championship in 50 years with Andre Igoudala crowned as the Finals MVP.
A frustrated LeBron came in next season, he was extra motivated to win for the Cavs, with a more healthier roster they face the 73-9 Warriors led by this years regular season MVP Steph Curry. For 4 games it didn't look pretty for the Cavs as they were in a 3-1 deficit, Warriors was a win away from 2nd chip but LeBron and Kyrie won't give up just yet, they posted up 41 point each in Game 5 to extend the series. James follows up his performance by recording another 41 point explosion in Game 6 pushing the series to a do or die game. The block and the shot, those are the memorable moments of game 7, the block of LeBron to Andre Igoudala lay-up that prevented Warriors of taking up the lead and a three from Irving to get a 3 point advantage. 93-89, Game over, Cleveland wins it, James did it, the promise of Championship finally came to unfolding. He was crowned as the deserve Finals MVP.
Cavs was the defending championship for 16-17 season but the celebration came to a close after the year, as again they would lose to Golden State Warrior (4-1) now regenerated with new acquisition of 2014 MVP Kevin Durant, he would also win Finals MVP honors.
Kyrie requested for a trade before the start of the 2017-2018 season, months later he was shipped to Boston in exchange for breakout star Isiah Thomas, Jae Crowder and Ante Zizic. The team struggled as they were hampered with injury and trades. LeBron carried their whole offense. He posted almost 28ppg, 9rpg and 9apg, he was favored to win another MVP but the votes didn't go for his side, James Harden won the honors. LeBron for 8 straight time led his team to championship appearance, a feat that no one did, eventually the firepower of the Warriors would take the best out of LeBron, sweeping the Cavs in 4 games.
LeBron became free agent season after, he decided to sign for Los Angeles Lakers via 4 year/$150 M contract. The 2018-2019 season was a disaster for James, injuries lessen his game appearance and team’s success wasn’t at the radar for them because of the buzz from the media and continuous trade rumors. They didn’t reach the playoffs ending the historic Finals run by James. Even though he still put up 27,8 and 8, the fatigue was evident in James play as sometimes he will be spotted being a liability in defense, and no effort and energy for the team.
The last concluded season of NBA came with strange events and circumstances because of the emergence of COVID-19, this push the league to create a bubble set-up in order to finish the season. This may result to big adjustment to other players but LeBron James was unfazed by this and was more fueled to win the championship to pay tribute to his fellow Laker, the late Kobe Bryant. James dominated the playoffs and booked a ticket against his former team, Miami Heat in a Finals series. Lakers was able to seal the championship in 6 games, bagging the 17th title of the franchise and the 1st in 10 years. James on the other hand claimed his 4th finals MVP and championship. This also was the first taste of triumph for Former DPOY Dwight Howard and James' duo Anthony Davis.
James also sits on different records in the league, he's the 3rd all time in scoring with 34,852 just below the likes of legends Karl Malone and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. LeBron also is 8th all-time in assists recording 9, 533 and also in top 50 in rebounds and steals. He also sets the record of scoring 10 pts in 1000+ straight games. He leads the scoring in all-time in playoffs and several youngest scoring records. This aren't a full breakdown of James accomplishment, it is only a gist of how historically great the guy is.
LeBron's story isn't perfect, he failed as much as he succeed. James is an evidence that it doesn't matter how deep in failure you are as long as you bounce back and be triumphant at the end. Currently, LeBron trying to win his 5th ring and at year 18 will not slow down until he'll eventually be crowned as the Greatest Of All Time.
Sources: https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jamesle01.html
