LeBron James - American basketball player, NBA star. Plays as a light forward. LeBron became a real sensation in the world of sports. Hailing from slums, he earns more in a year than all other basketball players in the world combined.
Biography: childhood and youth
LeBron Raymone James (LeBron Raymone James) was born December 30, 1984 in the city of Akron, in the US state of Ohio. When he was born, his mother was only 16 years old. James had never seen his biological father. According to rumors, he was a fraudster and a regular in prisons. About the absence of his father, LeBron was very worried in childhood. In an interview, he recalled that he often asked himself the question then why he did not have a father. A childhood injury left an imprint on his entire future life. James still loves to discuss paternity in numerous interviews.
Mother gave him her last name, raised and raised alone. According to James himself, she is now the closest person in his life. The family lived in poverty and constant displacement. The frequent change of residence prevented Lebron from studying well at school and making true friends. His only outlet in childhood was sports. From a young age he became interested in basketball and American football.
The guy showed good hopes in both one and the other sport. Lebron was forced to say goodbye to football after he broke his finger in one of the games. The injury was not serious, but made him think about the risk to which he exposes his future in basketball, combining two sports.
Soon, the coach invited LeBron to live in his family. So James stopped skipping school and playing sports. LeBron became friends with the son of the coach and with the neighboring guys who played basketball. Together they put together a school team and subsequently made it one of the best in the state.
By the eighth grade, James reached 185 cm. This allowed him to play in all five positions. According to his coach, LeBron had a basketball sixth sense. When his team became the finalist of the national championship among schoolchildren, James fell into the lens of the American media. Journalists talked about him as a future NBA star. Subsequently, he became her.
In 2003, LeBron himself put himself on the NBA draft. And he was selected under the first number by the Cleveland Cavaliers Club. Among his rivals in the draft then were: Chris Bosh, Carmelo Anthony, Dwayne Wade. At that time, James was barely 18 years old. He became the second player in NBA history, who was drafted under the first number immediately after school. Before him, Kwama Brown succeeded. However, he subsequently became one of the worst first draft numbers in NBA history.
Career
In Cleveland, James immediately became the leader and soul of the team. His debut in the NBA took place in a match with the Sacramento Kings. Although the Cleveland lost the meeting with a score of 106: 92, LeBron was able to score 25 points, make 6 rebounds and give 9 assists. Thus, he proved to skeptics that even at such a young age he is able to play at the highest level.
With him, “Cleveland” flirted with other colors and gained new fans around the world. James delighted the management and fans of the club with both ordinary casts from above and slam dunks, and breathtakingly beautiful “blind” programs. Each year, with his participation, he got into the top 10 following the results of the year in the NBA. Cleveland Cavaliers made it to the NBA Finals without a problem. Increased attendance at home club matches. And this, no doubt, was the contribution of LeBron.
In 2004, James joined the national team and played at the Athens Olympics. The Americans then took the "bronze". Four years later, LeBron became the Olympic champion. At the next Games in London, he secured the previous result, taking the second Olympic gold. By that time, LeBron had gained enormous popularity. He was invited to shoot in commercials and films. He became the first black to appear on the cover of Vogue. His fees soared to heaven.
In 2010, LeBron became a free agent and announced his move to Miami Heat. When the Cleveland fans found out about this, they began to massively burn t-shirts with the James number. The basketball player himself explained his decision with a desire to become an NBA champion. And as part of Cleveland, it was unrealistic to implement. In the 11/12 season, LeBron became the first NBA champion in his career.
In the Miami Heat, James played until 2014. During this time he received several awards and titles, among which:
- "The most valuable NBA player" in the seasons 2010, 2012 and 2013;
- "Athlete 2012" according to the US Basketball Federation;
- “The most valuable player in the NBA finals” in the seasons 2012, 2013;
- "Athlete of 2012 according to version" Sports Illustrated;
- "Male Athlete 2013" according to the Associated Press.
In 2014, LeBron became a free agent and announced a decision to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers camp. By that time, the club was joined by such strong players as Iman Schampert and Jay Ar Smith. In 2015, the club for the first time in history became the NBA champion.
In 2018, LeBron moved to the Los Angeles Lakers. The contract is designed for four years.
Highscores
LeBron James is rightfully considered a basketball phenomenon. On his account dozens of records. So, in LeBron's piggy bank:
- the greatest number of titles of the "Best player of the week";
- leadership by points in the history of the “Match of All Stars”;
- NBA record for the number of transfers for forwards;
- NBA record for the number of “dry” victories in the playoff series.
