LeBron James
LeBron Raymone James ( born December 30, 1984 in Akron, Ohio ) is an American professional basketball player. James plays since 2003 in the North American professional league NBA, since 2010 with the Miami Heat. James is 2,03 m tall and runs as a small forward on. But as he takes over the tasks of a point guard, he is referred to as point forward. In allusion to earlier English kings he is called "King James". Another nickname is " The Chosen One " (English, " The Chosen One ").
During his high school years touted as a future NBA superstar, James announced directly after high school for the NBA Draft and was selected in the 2003 NBA Draft at position 1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers. In his first NBA season with the Cavaliers, he won the award for Rookie of the Year, 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 he was appointed as the most valuable player in the league ( MVP - Most Valuable Player ) award. From 2006 to 2010 James led the Cavaliers to the playoffs five times in a row and in 2007 to the first finals ( losing to the San Antonio Spurs ) in franchise history. In the 2010/11 season, the first as part of the "Big Three" with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh with the Miami Heat, he reached for the second time an NBA Finals ( losing to the Dallas Mavericks ), in the two following seasons ( season 2011/ 12 season 2012 /13) he won his third and fourth MVP award and his first two NBA titles. As a player of the national team James won at the 2004 Olympics bronze 2008 and 2012 gold.
Early years
James was born as an only child in a poor quarter of the industrial city of Akron in Ohio. His mother Gloria James was at the time of birth of only 16 years old and was a few months before graduating from high school. James' biological father left Gloria before birth, so his mother had to raise the boy alone. The family usually lived on a low income, moved from apartment to apartment and often had to rely on support from the welfare. At times, had to give her son to the care of a foster family, Gloria James. Through his foster father Frankie Walker James learned at the age of nine years, know the game of basketball. His outstanding talent was recognized early and gave him a scholarship to the private Catholic St.Vincent - St.Mary High School ( officially abbreviated as STVM ) in Akron, Ohio. James initially played both basketball and football for the Fighting Irish STVM, but then focused solely on basketball.
James began his high school career as the preeminent basketball talent in the state of Ohio. He already measured 1.92 m and started as point guard for the Irish. Captain of the team was the twelfth graders Maverick Carter, a close friend of James' and his future manager. Although LeBron James usually referred to him as his " cousin ", the two are not related. With Carter and James as performers of the team the Irish won 26 of 27 games this season, including the Division III national championship of Ohio.
After Carter's high school graduation took James, although only tenth graders, the team of the Irish. He was already almost 2,00 m tall and therefore left the point- guard position smaller players. With outstanding performances he led the team to another Ohio state championship. He was also known as "Mr. Basketball " of Ohio State Award and appointed team of USA Today in the first selection of the All -USA - the first sophomore ever.
In January 2001, the Irish first met the team of Oak Hill Academy of Virginia, a boarding school that recruited basketball players across the country and therefore does year after year one of the best teams in the United States. Although the Irish lost with 68:69, James appeared by this success almost in the spotlight. Interview with SLAM Magazine and other sports magazines to follow.
High School Grades 11 and 12 (2001-2003)
Although he was only in his penultimate year, James was in almost all talent scouts as the best player in high school basketball. His services increased again compared to last year, logically he was again as "Mr. Honored Basketball "of Ohio as well as the All- USA First Teamer. In addition, James was elected " Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year " in 2002. No player achieved this previously as Elftklässler.
The STVM Irish had risen in the Division II after its dominance in Division III. There, however, the third national championship they were denied in a row - with 63:71 she lost in the final against Roger Bacon HS from Cincinnati. James ' popularity did so, however, not detract. He appeared in February 2002 on the cover of Sports Illustrated with the title " The Chosen One". The Games of the Irish had to be relocated due to the great demand in larger arenas, quite a few games have even been picked up by TV stations and transferred to Ohio.
In February 2002, it was also, as James in a rematch of the game against Oak Hill a private duel with their best player, Carmelo Anthony delivered. Oak Hill was again significantly more busy than James' team won the game and therefore 72-68. Nevertheless, prompted James' outstanding idea some scouts, such as Howard Garfinkel, with the statement, James was the best high school basketball player of all time.
The crush of media on James grew even in his senior year. He appeared on more magazine covers, among other things, on the SLAM Magazine ( along with Sebastian Telfair ). Since his dominance at the high school level was so great, the press speculated on a change James' turned professional before graduating high school. As the NBA regulations prohibit such a change was from DIME Magazine about a possible change James' reports to Italy, where he would play one year and then move to the NBA. The rumors proved to be unfounded; James completed his last year of high school at STVM.
But he had long attracted the interest of the NBA. John Lucas, at that time head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, James invited in the 2002 offseason workout with the Cavs one. Since this was prohibited by NBA rules, Lucas has been banned for some games the 2002/ 03 season. On 12 December 2002 it was the third time the game STVM against Oak Hill. As the public interest in James had grown in such a way, the sports channel ESPN the game decided nationally to broadcast live - never before was a high school game was broadcast nationwide in the U.S.. Under the eyes of the ESPN commentators Dick Vitale and Bill Walton James delivered one of his best games, and for the first time won the Irish STVM against Oak Hill.
For the 18th Birthday James got a Hummer H2 with a value of 80,000 U.S. dollars, sparking the so-called " lobster incident" from. It has been speculated whether the vehicle was a gift from an NBA team or sporting goods manufacturer. The acceptance of such gifts from third parties is prohibited players according to the rules of high school sports associations in the United States. As it turned out a short time later, James' mother had given her son that vehicle, having previously taken out a loan. Gifts from family members are allowed in accordance with the regulations. In February 2003, another incident occurred. An owner of two sports shops in Cleveland wanted to hang posters of LeBron James in his business. In return he offered James each to an original jersey Wes Unseld and Gale Sayers. Shortly after this incident became known, locked the High School Education Association of Ohio ( OHSAA ) James for breach of amateur rules for the rest of the season. Not least because of public protest the sentence was later reduced to two games.
STVM won, meanwhile, for the third time the national championship of Ohio. Likewise, James was re-elected High School Player of the Year. Unlike most aspiring high school graduates, James had not yet decided on a college, where he wanted to continue his career. Most schools had their trials set to recruit him, because it was considered certain that he would go directly into the NBA. After he had attended three high school all-star games in March 2003, there was certainty (since it is forbidden to take part in more than two such games ). On April 25, James announced his move to the NBA.
NBA career
The first year
Unsurprisingly, was his decision to skip college education and instead go directly to the NBA. His home team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, took him with the first choice of the NBA Drafts 2003. In his first NBA game ( against the Sacramento Kings ) James scored 25 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds and 4 steals. On March 27, 2004, he scored 41 points in a game against the New Jersey Nets and became the youngest player in NBA history who could the 40 -point mark crack. The former Kellerkinder the League led James in his first season almost in the play-offs, and he was honored for this performance as the best rookie in the NBA ( Rookie of the Year ). As one of four rookies NBA history, he managed an average of over 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists per game ( the others were Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan and in the 2009/2010 season Tyreke Evans ).
2004-2005
Right at the start of the NBA season 2004/ 05 broke LeBron James two records: first, he reached the 500 - assists - mark for half a year earlier than the previous record holder Magic Johnson, on the other hand he was in reaching the 2000 point mark on one years faster than Kobe Bryant. When Fanabstimmung to the All- Star Game 2005 LeBron James won the third- most votes of all players in the Eastern Conference. On 20 March 2005, he scored 56 points against the Toronto Raptors, becoming the youngest player ever to score more than 50 points. James is one and a half years younger than the previous record holder Rick Barry. James, however, was exceeded in the 2009/10 season from Brandon Jennings. In his career, LeBron James cracked the 50 -point mark so far (as of 15 November 2011) nine times.
2005-2006
At the start of the NBA season 2005/ 06 James broke another record by reaching the 4,000 -point mark on 13 November 2005, which is 254 days rather than the previous record holder, Kobe Bryant. On 29 March 2006, he reached the mark of 6000 points, which he also undercut Kobe Bryant, who reached that mark at the age of 22 years and 206 days at the age of 21 years and 89 days. During NBA All- Star Game on February 2, James (Eng. " Most Valuable Player " MVP, ) was the "Most Valuable Player " is selected, which he replaced the previous record holder Oscar Robertson as the youngest winner of this award. When choosing the Most Valuable Player of the regular season, he finished second behind Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns.
LeBron reached the playoffs for the first time and made his debut against the motion of Gilbert Arenas Washington Wizards. He secured at 97:86 this victory with his 32 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds in addition to Magic Johnson and Johnny McCarthy recorded a spot in the NBA history books as one of three players in their playoff debut a triple -double could. The series ended victoriously after 6 games for LeBron, who recorded a points average of 35.7 points per game. In the second round, the Cleveland Cavaliers were defeated the Detroit Pistons in 7 games.
2006-2007
James was elected to this season for the third time in a row as starting player to the All- Star Game. In 32 minutes on the pitch, he scored 28 points and pulled 6 rebounds and 6 assists. In the regular season, the Cleveland Cavaliers were able to build with 50 victories on the performance of the previous season and thus were the second best team in the Eastern Conference. LeBron James' stats amounted on average to 27.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.6 steals per game. He is therefore the only player besides Oscar Robertson, who achieved an average of 27 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists in three consecutive years. He was elected as the youngest player ever in the All- NBA 1st team, where he got the most votes.
In the first round of the playoffs, LeBron James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first sweep ( sweep = no game in a losing series) against the Washington Wizards and their superstar Gilbert Arenas. James get into this series on average 27.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game. In the second round, the Cavaliers in 6 games were able to prevail against the New Jersey Nets and thus for the first time again to move after 15 years in the Eastern Conference Finals.
After losing in the Eastern Conference finals, the first two games against the Detroit Pistons, the Cleveland Cavaliers fought back and won the remaining four games of the series to collect in the NBA Finals. In the fifth game LeBron James won with an outstanding performance. He presented with his 48 points on a Cleveland Cavaliers playoff record and recorded plus 9 rebounds and 7 assists. He scored in double extension of the last 25 and 29 of the last 30 points of his team, including ( obviously) also the last game-winning, basket.
In the NBA Finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers were the San Antonio Spurs oppose anything and had to admit defeat after 4 games. It could also LeBron James' 22.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game to change anything.
2007-2008
In the 2007 /08 NBA season he reached on 27 February 2008 at the age of 23 years and 59 days became the youngest player ever in the NBA more than 10,000 points and finished the season as a player with the most points per game ( 30, 0 ) from. In addition, he was again appointed as MVP of the " NBA All- Star Game 2008"; in this game he made almost a triple-double. LeBron James scored throughout the regular season seven triple- doubles, which was a new personal record, as well as a Cleveland Cavaliers internal record.
On 5 March 2008 LeBron James was in a game against the New York Knicks as the third player since the ABA -NBA merger 50 points and 10 assists in a game to their credit. A few days later, on 21 March 2008, James outdid audited Brad Daugherty Cavaliers all-time record of 10,389 points and became the player with the most points in the history of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Cleveland Cavaliers finished the season with 45 wins and 37 defeats and this time were the fourth best team in the Eastern Conference. In the first round they had to again compete against the Washington Wizards and moved to 6 games victorious in the second round of the playoffs. This year, it was not enough for the Conference Finals, as they were beaten in seven games to the Boston Celtics. LeBron scored 45 points in this crucial game, but it was not enough for the team victory.
2008-2009
A year later, in the 2008 /09 NBA season, LeBron James was finally awarded the Most Valuable Player of the NBA in the regular season.
In the first round of the NBA playoffs, the Cavaliers prevailed in four games against the Detroit Pistons. James achieved in this case 32.0 points, 11.3 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game. In the subsequent round LeBron led his team again in 4 games to win, this time against the Atlanta Hawks. However, in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Cavaliers had beaten the Orlando Magic around the young aspiring superstar Dwight Howard.
2009-2010
Even before the season began, intensified Cleveland with the four -time NBA champion Shaquille O'Neal. On March 19, James scored 29 points and broke through as the youngest player in the NBA history, the 15,000 -point mark with 25 years and 79 days. Previous record holder was Kobe Bryant with 27 years and 136 days. LeBron was selected to his sixth consecutive All-Star Game and the Cavaliers reinforced during the season again with the obligation of Antawn Jamison. At the end of the 2009/10 season, the Cavaliers were able to set up for the second year in a row the best victories rate and LeBron James was re-elected MVP. From 116 of the 123 voting sportswriters he was chosen at # 1.
In the NBA playoffs, the Cavaliers in the first round were able to prevail against the Chicago Bulls, but were beaten in the second round of the Boston Celtics. In the fifth game of the series, that should be LeBron James last home game in Cleveland, the Cavaliers lost by 32 points difference - the worst home defeat in team history.
2010-2011
On July 9, 2010 James announced his move to the Miami Heat. There he formed with two other top 5 picks of the NBA Draft in 2003, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, who joined as by James sign- and-trade deal to the Heat, the so-called "Big Three" (analogous to the team Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in Boston ). James explained his change so that profits the only one for him, what would count, and he saw the best opportunities in Miami, to win the championship.
On 9 November 2010 LeBron James scored 20 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds in a game against the Utah Jazz his first triple-double in the jersey the Heat. On 17 December 2010 he was his second triple-double of the season in a game against the New York Knicks to their credit: 32 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. On 3 February 2011 James scored in a home game against the Orlando Magic 51 points and recorded 11 rebounds and 8 assists in addition. No player was able to achieve this season more points in a game. He was re-elected again this season in the All-Star Game, scoring with 29 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists after Michael Jordan only the second triple double in the history of All- Star Games. In the playoffs in 2011 for the Miami Heat seemed to run everything according to plan. Miami was able to move 2011, both against the Boston Celtics as well as against the Chicago Bulls Derrick Rose to a 4-1 win and play in the NBA Finals. In the finals, James and the Heat then met in a rematch of the NBA Finals in 2006 to the Dallas Mavericks for the German Dirk Nowitzki, and documents with 2:4, although it looked well after the beginning of the series, as if the Miami Heat the would win the second title of her club's history.
2011-2012
Motivated by the defeat in the NBA Finals last season against the Dallas Mavericks, James decided to work on his game under the basket, and trained for this purpose, inter alia, with Hakeem Olajuwon. Due to the lockout, the season began in 2011/12 until December 25, 2011 and consisted of only 66 games per team. The Miami Heat started with a club record of 16 wins in their first 21 games in the shortened season. As part of All- Star Games James scored 36 points and made six made three-point throws the record for the most hits from behind the three-point line in an NBA All-Star Game a. At the end of the season he was thanks to his 27.1 points (53% union rate ), 7.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.9 steals per game won for the third time MVP of the regular season.
As the second- best team in the East prevailed in the first round against the New York Knicks in the second round against the Indiana Pacers in the conference finals against the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals, and ultimately against the Oklahoma City Thunder. James was thanks to his 28.6 points, 10.2 rebounds and 7.4 assists elected Finals MVP in the final round of the NBA.
2012-2013
On January 16, 2013 James scored in a game against the Golden State Warriors to 20,000. Point of his NBA career. With his 28 years, he was the youngest player to break that mark. In a game against the Portland Trail Blazers on February 12, 2013 James delivered his sixth game in series with at least 30 points at a field litter rate of over 60 percent. This power has no one done before him in the history of the NBA. At the end of the season, James won his fourth MVP award.
As the best team in the East, the Miami Heat put in the first round of the NBA playoffs in 2013 with a sweep against the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round against the Chicago Bulls in the Conference Finals and in the seventh and final game against the Indiana Pacers by and thus won for the third time in a row the title of the East champion. In the final series against the San Antonio Spurs, the Miami Heat finally put again in the seventh and final game 4-3 and won for the second consecutive year the NBA championship (Repeat) and for the third time overall. LeBron James was thanks to his 25.3 points, 11.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game on average, two triple- doubles in the series and an outstanding presentation with 37 points in the decisive seventh game for the second consecutive year, the MVP of the NBA Finals selected. Thus James is alongside Michael Jordan and Bill Russell currently the only player who has been elected for two consecutive years, both the MVP of the regular season and the final series.
National team
Even outside the NBA James was successful with the team USA. So it won at the 2006 World Cup in Japan, although only the bronze medal, but at the Summer Olympic Games in 2008 with the so-called " Redeem Team", consisting among other things of Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade, as expected gold. A second time gold reached James at the Summer Games in 2012, as Team USA defended his title.
Awards and achievements
- 2 × NBA Champion: 2012, 2013
- 2 × NBA Finals MVP: 2012, 2013
- 4 × NBA Most Valuable Player: 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013
- 1 × NBA scoring champion: 2008
- 10 × NBA All -Star: 2005 to 2014
- NBA All- Star Game MVP: 2006, 2008
- 9 × All- NBA Team: 1st team: 2006, 2008 to 2013
- 2nd Team: 2005, 2007
Others
Many companies undertook James for marketing campaigns. So paid, for example, the sporting goods manufacturer Nike the young star $ 90 million. He also makes advertising for Sprite and the gum Bubblicious brand and deserves as several million.
The American avant-garde guitarist Buckethead dedicated to him the three songs "King James ", " Lebron " and " Lebron 's Hammer ". Furthermore, the rapper Jay -Z dedicated his song " Blow the whistle". 2009 rapped Drake, Eminem, Lil Wayne and Kanye West song "Forever", which is the soundtrack to the documentary More than a game where it's about the friendship between LeBron James' high school friends on and off the field.
He was in high school not only a gifted basketball player, but also a talented football player. Many experts still believe that James as a wide receiver or tight end in the NFL could have played.
2012 LeBron James earned 14 million euros ( 18.3 million U.S. dollars) and is thus one of the 10 highest paid NBA players.