LeBron James - Revision history

MathEcon: /* The Decision */

2024-10-19T00:56:59Z

The Decision

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	James became an unrestricted [[Free agent (NBA)\|free agent]] at 12:01 a.m. EDT on July 1, 2010.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?page=FreeAgency-100630\|title=NBA Free Agency: Who's going where?\|publisher=[[ESPN]]\|date=June 30, 2010\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222090322/https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?page=FreeAgency-100630\|url-status=live}}</ref> During this time, he was contacted by several teams, including the Bulls, [[Los Angeles Clippers]], [[Miami Heat]], [[New York Knicks]], [[Brooklyn Nets\|New Jersey Nets]], and Cavaliers.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/lebron-says-hell-sign-with-miami-heat\|title=LeBron says he'll sign with Miami Heat\|work=Fox Sports\|date=August 9, 2010\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222090317/https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/lebron-says-hell-sign-with-miami-heat\|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 8, James announced on a live ESPN special titled ''The Decision'' that he would sign with the Heat.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|last=Windhorst\|first=Brian\|title=A look back at the fateful 'Decision'\|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/columns/story?columnist=windhorst_brian&page=jamesdecision-110708\|publisher=[[ESPN]]\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|date=July 8, 2011\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222090317/https://www.espn.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/columns/story?columnist=windhorst_brian&page=jamesdecision-110708\|url-status=live}}</ref> The telecast was broadcast from the [[Boys & Girls Clubs of America\|Boys & Girls Club]] of [[Greenwich, Connecticut]] and raised $2.5 million for the charity. An additional $3.5 million was raised from advertising revenue, which was donated to other charities.<ref name="cleveland.com">{{#invoke:cite web\|\|date=July 12, 2010\|website=cleveland.com\|title=LeBron James' 'Decision' generated $6 million in ad revenue\|access-date=June 10, 2012\|url=https://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/2010/07/lebron_james_decision_generate.html\|publisher=The Plain Dealer\|archive-date=December 10, 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210194629/https://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/2010/07/lebron_james_decision_generate.html\|url-status=live}}</ref> The day before the special, fellow free agents [[Chris Bosh]] and [[Dwyane Wade]] also announced that they would sign with Miami;<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|url=http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/07/wade.bosh.heat.ap/?ls=iref:nbahpt1\|title=Wade granted one of his wishes with Bosh coming to Miami\|date=July 7, 2010\|website=NBA.com\|agency=Associated Press\|access-date=October 30, 2010\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100915005634/http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/07/wade.bosh.heat.ap/?ls=iref%3Anbahpt1\|archive-date=September 15, 2010}}</ref> reports later arose that back in 2006 the trio had discussed among themselves their upcoming 2010 free agencies.<ref name=plaindealer20100710>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|url=https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2010/07/inside_the_decision_miamis_cou.html\|title=Inside 'The Decision': Miami's coup was a 'surprise' built on long-coveted goal of James, Wade and Bosh\|last=Windhorst\|first=Brian\|author-link=Brian Windhorst\|newspaper=The Plain Dealer\|date=July 10, 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713120048/http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2010/07/inside_the_decision_miamis_cou.html\|archive-date=July 13, 2010\|access-date=December 22, 2021}}</ref> James decided to join with Bosh and Wade in part so that he could shoulder less of the offensive load; James thought that his improved teammates would give him a better chance of winning an [[NBA championship]] than had he stayed in Cleveland.<ref name=thomsen>{{cite magazine\|last=Thomsen\|first=Ian\|title=The Plot Starts Here ... Showtime Starts Here\|url=https://www.si.com/vault/2010/07/19/105961094/the-plot-starts-here--showtime-starts-here\|magazine=Sports Illustrated\|access-date=March 8, 2018\|date=July 19, 2010\|archive-date=March 9, 2018\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309182705/https://www.si.com/vault/2010/07/19/105961094/the-plot-starts-here--showtime-starts-here\|url-status=live}}</ref> Heat president [[Pat Riley]] played a major role in selling James on the idea of playing with Bosh and Wade.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|last=Biggane\|first=Brian\|title=LeBron James admits Pat Riley sold him on being part of a family with Miami Heat\|url=http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/sports/basketball/lebron-james-admits-pat-riley-sold-him-on-being-pa/nL8N6/\|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post\|access-date=July 3, 2012\|date=July 10, 2010\|archive-date=January 15, 2015\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115091814/http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/sports/basketball/lebron-james-admits-pat-riley-sold-him-on-being-pa/nL8N6/\|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name=thomsen/>		James became an unrestricted [[Free agent (NBA)\|free agent]] at 12:01 a.m. EDT on July 1, 2010.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?page=FreeAgency-100630\|title=NBA Free Agency: Who's going where?\|publisher=[[ESPN]]\|date=June 30, 2010\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222090322/https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?page=FreeAgency-100630\|url-status=live}}</ref> During this time, he was contacted by several teams, including the Bulls, [[Los Angeles Clippers]], [[Miami Heat]], [[New York Knicks]], [[Brooklyn Nets\|New Jersey Nets]], and Cavaliers.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/lebron-says-hell-sign-with-miami-heat\|title=LeBron says he'll sign with Miami Heat\|work=Fox Sports\|date=August 9, 2010\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222090317/https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/lebron-says-hell-sign-with-miami-heat\|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 8, James announced on a live ESPN special titled ''The Decision'' that he would sign with the Heat.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|last=Windhorst\|first=Brian\|title=A look back at the fateful 'Decision'\|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/columns/story?columnist=windhorst_brian&page=jamesdecision-110708\|publisher=[[ESPN]]\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|date=July 8, 2011\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222090317/https://www.espn.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/columns/story?columnist=windhorst_brian&page=jamesdecision-110708\|url-status=live}}</ref> The telecast was broadcast from the [[Boys & Girls Clubs of America\|Boys & Girls Club]] of [[Greenwich, Connecticut]] and raised $2.5 million for the charity. An additional $3.5 million was raised from advertising revenue, which was donated to other charities.<ref name="cleveland.com">{{#invoke:cite web\|\|date=July 12, 2010\|website=cleveland.com\|title=LeBron James' 'Decision' generated $6 million in ad revenue\|access-date=June 10, 2012\|url=https://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/2010/07/lebron_james_decision_generate.html\|publisher=The Plain Dealer\|archive-date=December 10, 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210194629/https://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/2010/07/lebron_james_decision_generate.html\|url-status=live}}</ref> The day before the special, fellow free agents [[Chris Bosh]] and [[Dwyane Wade]] also announced that they would sign with Miami;<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|url=http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/07/wade.bosh.heat.ap/?ls=iref:nbahpt1\|title=Wade granted one of his wishes with Bosh coming to Miami\|date=July 7, 2010\|website=NBA.com\|agency=Associated Press\|access-date=October 30, 2010\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100915005634/http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/07/wade.bosh.heat.ap/?ls=iref%3Anbahpt1\|archive-date=September 15, 2010}}</ref> reports later arose that back in 2006 the trio had discussed among themselves their upcoming 2010 free agencies.<ref name=plaindealer20100710>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|url=https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2010/07/inside_the_decision_miamis_cou.html\|title=Inside 'The Decision': Miami's coup was a 'surprise' built on long-coveted goal of James, Wade and Bosh\|last=Windhorst\|first=Brian\|author-link=Brian Windhorst\|newspaper=The Plain Dealer\|date=July 10, 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713120048/http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2010/07/inside_the_decision_miamis_cou.html\|archive-date=July 13, 2010\|access-date=December 22, 2021}}</ref> James decided to join with Bosh and Wade in part so that he could shoulder less of the offensive load; James thought that his improved teammates would give him a better chance of winning an [[NBA championship]] than had he stayed in Cleveland.<ref name=thomsen>{{cite magazine\|last=Thomsen\|first=Ian\|title=The Plot Starts Here ... Showtime Starts Here\|url=https://www.si.com/vault/2010/07/19/105961094/the-plot-starts-here--showtime-starts-here\|magazine=Sports Illustrated\|access-date=March 8, 2018\|date=July 19, 2010\|archive-date=March 9, 2018\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309182705/https://www.si.com/vault/2010/07/19/105961094/the-plot-starts-here--showtime-starts-here\|url-status=live}}</ref> Heat president [[Pat Riley]] played a major role in selling James on the idea of playing with Bosh and Wade.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|last=Biggane\|first=Brian\|title=LeBron James admits Pat Riley sold him on being part of a family with Miami Heat\|url=http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/sports/basketball/lebron-james-admits-pat-riley-sold-him-on-being-pa/nL8N6/\|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post\|access-date=July 3, 2012\|date=July 10, 2010\|archive-date=January 15, 2015\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115091814/http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/sports/basketball/lebron-james-admits-pat-riley-sold-him-on-being-pa/nL8N6/\|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name=thomsen/>

	Upon leaving the Cavaliers, James drew intense criticism from sports analysts, executives, fans, and current and former players. ''The Decision'' itself was also scrutinized and viewed as unnecessary. Many thought that the prolonged wait for James' choice was unprofessional as not even the teams courting him were aware of his decision until moments before the show.<ref name=yahoo_20100716>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-heatfreeagency071610\|title=Inside look at LeBron's free-agent coup\|first=Adrian\|last=Wojnarowski\|author-link=Adrian Wojnarowski\|date=July 16, 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100718140458/http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-heatfreeagency071610\|archive-date=July 18, 2010\|access-date=November 9, 2010\|quote=... the issue of James' immaturity and downright disrespectfulness had become a consuming topic on the march to the Olympics.\|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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' actions.<ref name=Letter>{{cite press release\|url=http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbert_letter_100708.html\|title=Open Letter to Fans from Cavaliers Majority Owner Dan Gilbert\|publisher=NBA\|date=July 8, 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100710014850/http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbert_letter_100708.html\|archive-date=July 10, 2010\|access-date=November 9, 2010\|url-status=dead}}</ref> Some angry fans of the team recorded videos of themselves burning his jersey.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|url=http://sports.nationalpost.com/2010/07/09/cleveland-plain-dealers-final-word-on-lebron-james\|title=Cleveland Plain Dealer's final word on LeBron James\|newspaper=National Post\|last=Ron\|first=Nurwisah\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714032424/http://sports.nationalpost.com/2010/07/09/cleveland-plain-dealers-final-word-on-lebron-james/\|archive-date=July 14, 2012\|date=November 9, 2010\|url-status=dead}}</ref> Former NBA players, including Michael Jordan and [[Magic Johnson]], were also critical of James, condemning him for forming a superteam with Bosh and Wade in Miami and not trying to win a championship as "the ~~man"~~.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/10/sports/basketball/10heat.html?_r=1\|title=Criticism Grows as James Arrives in Miami\|last1=Abrams\|first1=Jonathan\|last2=Shipp\|first2=Catherine\|newspaper=The New York Times\|date=July 10, 2010\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120915082254/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/10/sports/basketball/10heat.html?_r=2\|archive-date=September 15, 2012\|access-date=November 9, 2010\|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=5391478\|title=Jordan wouldn't have called Magic, Bird\|publisher=[[ESPN]]\|date=July 19, 2010\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222090323/https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=5391478\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2010-07-20/magic-johnson-criticizes-lebron-james-says-he-wouldn-t-have-joined-bird\|last=Rothbard\|first=Barry\|title=Magic Johnson Says He Wouldn't Have Joined Bird After LeBron James's Move\|agency=Bloomberg\|date=July 20, 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723102747/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-07-20/magic-johnson-criticizes-lebron-james-says-he-wouldn-t-have-joined-bird.html\|archive-date=July 23, 2010\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|quote=From college, I was trying to figure out how to beat Larry Bird.\|url-status=dead}}</ref> Some commentators did defend ~~LeBron~~ James' decision to join the Miami Heat by noting the Cavaliers' inability to build a strong supporting cast around him. They argued that other NBA greats had benefitted from talented teammates: Magic Johnson had [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]] and [[James Worthy]], [[Larry Bird]] had [[Kevin McHale (basketball)]] and [[Robert Parish]] on the Celtics, and [[Michael Jordan]] had [[Scottie Pippen]] with the Bulls.<ref>{{cite web \|last=Napieralski \|first=Chris \|title=Jordan, Bird, and Magic Shouldn't Be Questioning LeBron's Move to Miami \|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/425428-jordan-bird-and-magic-shouldnt-be-questioning-lebrons-move-to-miami \|website=Bleacher Report \|date=2010-07-28 \|access-date=2024-10-18}}</ref> James drew further criticism in a September interview with [[CNN]] when he claimed that race might have been a factor in the fallout from ''The Decision''.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Freeman\|first=Mike\|author-link=Mike Freeman (columnist)\|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/14047127/lambasted-lebron-conveniently-sees-hurtful-role-of-race\|title=Lambasted LeBron conveniently sees hurtful role of race\|work=CBS Sports\|date=September 30, 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001075600/http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/14047127/lambasted-lebron-conveniently-sees-hurtful-role-of-race\|archive-date=October 1, 2010\|access-date=November 9, 2010\|quote=He has catered to corporate America, mostly ignored issues that affect people of color, and then when so many people turned on James, he's now suddenly seeing the racial light.\|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Whitlock\|first=Jason\|author-link=Jason Whitlock\|url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/point-the-finger-at-yourself-lebron\|title=Point the finger at yourself, LeBron\|work=Fox Sports\|date=September 30, 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101004120418/http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/LeBron-James-should-put-away-the-race-card-and-just-apologize-093010\|archive-date=October 4, 2010\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|quote=LeBron's enablers are providing him the racial cocoon of denial. They're giving LeBron an excuse to avoid dealing with his own bad (The) Decision.}}</ref> As a result of his actions during the 2010 free agency period, James quickly gained a reputation as one of America's most disliked athletes, which marked a radical change from prior years.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Michael\|last=McCarthy\|title=Forbes: Vick, Tiger among most 'disliked' athletes\|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2012/02/vick-tiger-lead-list-of-americas-most-disliked-athletes-michael-vick-tiger-woods-forbes/1\|newspaper=USA Today\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210182055/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2012/02/vick-tiger-lead-list-of-americas-most-disliked-athletes-michael-vick-tiger-woods-forbes/1\|archive-date=February 10, 2012\|url-status=live\|date=February 8, 2012}}</ref><ref name=Regret>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Tom\|last=Weir\|title=LeBron James expresses regrets about 'The Decision'\|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2011/12/lebron-james-expresses-regrets-about-the-decision/1\|newspaper=USA Today\|date=December 6, 2011\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108094631/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2011/12/lebron-james-expresses-regrets-about-the-decision/1\|archive-date=January 8, 2012\|url-status=live}}</ref> The phrase "taking my talents to South Beach" became a punch line for critics.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Wetzel\|first=Dan\|title=LeBron's decisive backlash tops all stories\|date=December 21, 2010\|publisher=Yahoo! Sports\|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=dw-storyoftheyear122110\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224120529/http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=dw-storyoftheyear122110\|archive-date=December 24, 2010\|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Kerasotis\|first=Peter\|title=For Miami Heat, High Hopes but Lower Volume\|date=December 25, 2011\|page=SP8\|newspaper=The New York Times\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/25/sports/basketball/for-miami-heat-high-hopes-but-lower-volume.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all\|access-date=June 27, 2012\|archive-date=May 21, 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521230310/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/25/sports/basketball/for-miami-heat-high-hopes-but-lower-volume.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all\|url-status=live}}</ref> In retrospect, James has expressed some regret over his handling of ''The Decision''.<ref name=Regret/><ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Moehringer\|first=J. R.\|author-link=J. R. Moehringer\|title=Into the Funhouse with King James\|date=September 2010\|magazine=GQ\|url=https://www.gq.com/sports/profiles/201009/lebron-james-september-gq-miami-heat-summer-lebronathon\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819162817/http://www.gq.com/sports/profiles/201009/lebron-james-september-gq-miami-heat-summer-lebronathon\|archive-date=August 19, 2010\|access-date=November 9, 2010\|quote=During that postmortem interview, when Moehringer asked James what he'd change if he had a do-over, James replied, 'Nothing at all.'\|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=kaplan>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Kaplan\|first=Thomas\|title=James Faces Jeering, but Little Competition\|date=November 1, 2010\|newspaper=The New York Times\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/01/sports/basketball/01nets.html?_r=1&scp=5&sq=lebron%20james&st=cse\|access-date=November 5, 2010\|quote='If I had to go back on it, I probably would do it a little bit different,' James said before the game. 'But I'm happy with my decision.' He declined to be more specific.\|archive-date=January 14, 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130114135337/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/01/sports/basketball/01nets.html?_r=1&scp=5&sq=lebron%20james&st=cse\|url-status=live}}</ref>		Upon leaving the Cavaliers, James drew intense criticism from sports analysts, executives, fans, and current and former players. ''The Decision'' itself was also scrutinized and viewed as unnecessary. Many thought that the prolonged wait for James' choice was unprofessional as not even the teams courting him were aware of his decision until moments before the show.<ref name=yahoo_20100716>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-heatfreeagency071610\|title=Inside look at LeBron's free-agent coup\|first=Adrian\|last=Wojnarowski\|author-link=Adrian Wojnarowski\|date=July 16, 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100718140458/http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-heatfreeagency071610\|archive-date=July 18, 2010\|access-date=November 9, 2010\|quote=... the issue of James' immaturity and downright disrespectfulness had become a consuming topic on the march to the Olympics.\|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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' actions.<ref name=Letter>{{cite press release\|url=http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbert_letter_100708.html\|title=Open Letter to Fans from Cavaliers Majority Owner Dan Gilbert\|publisher=NBA\|date=July 8, 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100710014850/http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbert_letter_100708.html\|archive-date=July 10, 2010\|access-date=November 9, 2010\|url-status=dead}}</ref> Some angry fans of the team recorded videos of themselves burning his jersey.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|url=http://sports.nationalpost.com/2010/07/09/cleveland-plain-dealers-final-word-on-lebron-james\|title=Cleveland Plain Dealer's final word on LeBron James\|newspaper=National Post\|last=Ron\|first=Nurwisah\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714032424/http://sports.nationalpost.com/2010/07/09/cleveland-plain-dealers-final-word-on-lebron-james/\|archive-date=July 14, 2012\|date=November 9, 2010\|url-status=dead}}</ref> Former NBA players, including [[Michael Jordan]] and [[Magic Johnson]], were also critical of James, condemning him for forming a superteam with Bosh and Wade in Miami and not trying to win a championship in Cleveland, though Jordan did acknowledge that the options players had at the time were much more expansive than those he and others had in the 1980s and 1990s.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/10/sports/basketball/10heat.html?_r=1\|title=Criticism Grows as James Arrives in Miami\|last1=Abrams\|first1=Jonathan\|last2=Shipp\|first2=Catherine\|newspaper=The New York Times\|date=July 10, 2010\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120915082254/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/10/sports/basketball/10heat.html?_r=2\|archive-date=September 15, 2012\|access-date=November 9, 2010\|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=5391478\|title=Jordan wouldn't have called Magic, Bird\|publisher=[[ESPN]]\|date=July 19, 2010\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222090323/https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=5391478\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2010-07-20/magic-johnson-criticizes-lebron-james-says-he-wouldn-t-have-joined-bird\|last=Rothbard\|first=Barry\|title=Magic Johnson Says He Wouldn't Have Joined Bird After LeBron James's Move\|agency=Bloomberg\|date=July 20, 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723102747/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-07-20/magic-johnson-criticizes-lebron-james-says-he-wouldn-t-have-joined-bird.html\|archive-date=July 23, 2010\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|quote=From college, I was trying to figure out how to beat Larry Bird.\|url-status=dead}}</ref> Some commentators did defend James' decision to join the Miami Heat by noting the Cavaliers' inability to build a strong supporting cast around him. They argued that other NBA greats had benefitted from talented teammates: Magic Johnson had [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]] and [[James Worthy]], [[Larry Bird]] had [[Kevin McHale (basketball)]] and [[Robert Parish]] on the Celtics, and [[Michael Jordan]] had [[Scottie Pippen]] with the Bulls.<ref>{{cite web \|last=Napieralski \|first=Chris \|title=Jordan, Bird, and Magic Shouldn't Be Questioning LeBron's Move to Miami \|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/425428-jordan-bird-and-magic-shouldnt-be-questioning-lebrons-move-to-miami \|website=Bleacher Report \|date=2010-07-28 \|access-date=2024-10-18}}</ref> James drew further criticism in a September interview with [[CNN]] when he claimed that race might have been a factor in the fallout from ''The Decision''.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Freeman\|first=Mike\|author-link=Mike Freeman (columnist)\|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/14047127/lambasted-lebron-conveniently-sees-hurtful-role-of-race\|title=Lambasted LeBron conveniently sees hurtful role of race\|work=CBS Sports\|date=September 30, 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001075600/http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/14047127/lambasted-lebron-conveniently-sees-hurtful-role-of-race\|archive-date=October 1, 2010\|access-date=November 9, 2010\|quote=He has catered to corporate America, mostly ignored issues that affect people of color, and then when so many people turned on James, he's now suddenly seeing the racial light.\|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Whitlock\|first=Jason\|author-link=Jason Whitlock\|url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/point-the-finger-at-yourself-lebron\|title=Point the finger at yourself, LeBron\|work=Fox Sports\|date=September 30, 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101004120418/http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/LeBron-James-should-put-away-the-race-card-and-just-apologize-093010\|archive-date=October 4, 2010\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|quote=LeBron's enablers are providing him the racial cocoon of denial. They're giving LeBron an excuse to avoid dealing with his own bad (The) Decision.}}</ref> As a result of his actions during the 2010 free agency period, James quickly gained a reputation as one of America's most disliked athletes, which marked a radical change from prior years.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Michael\|last=McCarthy\|title=Forbes: Vick, Tiger among most 'disliked' athletes\|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2012/02/vick-tiger-lead-list-of-americas-most-disliked-athletes-michael-vick-tiger-woods-forbes/1\|newspaper=USA Today\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210182055/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2012/02/vick-tiger-lead-list-of-americas-most-disliked-athletes-michael-vick-tiger-woods-forbes/1\|archive-date=February 10, 2012\|url-status=live\|date=February 8, 2012}}</ref><ref name=Regret>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Tom\|last=Weir\|title=LeBron James expresses regrets about 'The Decision'\|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2011/12/lebron-james-expresses-regrets-about-the-decision/1\|newspaper=USA Today\|date=December 6, 2011\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108094631/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2011/12/lebron-james-expresses-regrets-about-the-decision/1\|archive-date=January 8, 2012\|url-status=live}}</ref> The phrase "taking my talents to South Beach" became a punch line for critics.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Wetzel\|first=Dan\|title=LeBron's decisive backlash tops all stories\|date=December 21, 2010\|publisher=Yahoo! Sports\|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=dw-storyoftheyear122110\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224120529/http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=dw-storyoftheyear122110\|archive-date=December 24, 2010\|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Kerasotis\|first=Peter\|title=For Miami Heat, High Hopes but Lower Volume\|date=December 25, 2011\|page=SP8\|newspaper=The New York Times\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/25/sports/basketball/for-miami-heat-high-hopes-but-lower-volume.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all\|access-date=June 27, 2012\|archive-date=May 21, 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521230310/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/25/sports/basketball/for-miami-heat-high-hopes-but-lower-volume.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all\|url-status=live}}</ref> In retrospect, James has expressed some regret over his handling of ''The Decision''.<ref name=Regret/><ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Moehringer\|first=J. R.\|author-link=J. R. Moehringer\|title=Into the Funhouse with King James\|date=September 2010\|magazine=GQ\|url=https://www.gq.com/sports/profiles/201009/lebron-james-september-gq-miami-heat-summer-lebronathon\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819162817/http://www.gq.com/sports/profiles/201009/lebron-james-september-gq-miami-heat-summer-lebronathon\|archive-date=August 19, 2010\|access-date=November 9, 2010\|quote=During that postmortem interview, when Moehringer asked James what he'd change if he had a do-over, James replied, 'Nothing at all.'\|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=kaplan>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Kaplan\|first=Thomas\|title=James Faces Jeering, but Little Competition\|date=November 1, 2010\|newspaper=The New York Times\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/01/sports/basketball/01nets.html?_r=1&scp=5&sq=lebron%20james&st=cse\|access-date=November 5, 2010\|quote='If I had to go back on it, I probably would do it a little bit different,' James said before the game. 'But I'm happy with my decision.' He declined to be more specific.\|archive-date=January 14, 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130114135337/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/01/sports/basketball/01nets.html?_r=1&scp=5&sq=lebron%20james&st=cse\|url-status=live}}</ref>

	====2010–2011: Year of media and fan scrutiny====		====2010–2011: Year of media and fan scrutiny====

MathEcon: /* The Decision */

2024-10-19T00:53:10Z

The Decision

← Previous revision		Revision as of 00:53, 19 October 2024
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	James became an unrestricted [[Free agent (NBA)\|free agent]] at 12:01 a.m. EDT on July 1, 2010.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?page=FreeAgency-100630\|title=NBA Free Agency: Who's going where?\|publisher=[[ESPN]]\|date=June 30, 2010\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222090322/https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?page=FreeAgency-100630\|url-status=live}}</ref> During this time, he was contacted by several teams, including the Bulls, [[Los Angeles Clippers]], [[Miami Heat]], [[New York Knicks]], [[Brooklyn Nets\|New Jersey Nets]], and Cavaliers.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/lebron-says-hell-sign-with-miami-heat\|title=LeBron says he'll sign with Miami Heat\|work=Fox Sports\|date=August 9, 2010\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222090317/https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/lebron-says-hell-sign-with-miami-heat\|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 8, James announced on a live ESPN special titled ''The Decision'' that he would sign with the Heat.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|last=Windhorst\|first=Brian\|title=A look back at the fateful 'Decision'\|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/columns/story?columnist=windhorst_brian&page=jamesdecision-110708\|publisher=[[ESPN]]\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|date=July 8, 2011\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222090317/https://www.espn.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/columns/story?columnist=windhorst_brian&page=jamesdecision-110708\|url-status=live}}</ref> The telecast was broadcast from the [[Boys & Girls Clubs of America\|Boys & Girls Club]] of [[Greenwich, Connecticut]] and raised $2.5 million for the charity. An additional $3.5 million was raised from advertising revenue, which was donated to other charities.<ref name="cleveland.com">{{#invoke:cite web\|\|date=July 12, 2010\|website=cleveland.com\|title=LeBron James' 'Decision' generated $6 million in ad revenue\|access-date=June 10, 2012\|url=https://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/2010/07/lebron_james_decision_generate.html\|publisher=The Plain Dealer\|archive-date=December 10, 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210194629/https://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/2010/07/lebron_james_decision_generate.html\|url-status=live}}</ref> The day before the special, fellow free agents [[Chris Bosh]] and [[Dwyane Wade]] also announced that they would sign with Miami;<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|url=http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/07/wade.bosh.heat.ap/?ls=iref:nbahpt1\|title=Wade granted one of his wishes with Bosh coming to Miami\|date=July 7, 2010\|website=NBA.com\|agency=Associated Press\|access-date=October 30, 2010\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100915005634/http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/07/wade.bosh.heat.ap/?ls=iref%3Anbahpt1\|archive-date=September 15, 2010}}</ref> reports later arose that back in 2006 the trio had discussed among themselves their upcoming 2010 free agencies.<ref name=plaindealer20100710>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|url=https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2010/07/inside_the_decision_miamis_cou.html\|title=Inside 'The Decision': Miami's coup was a 'surprise' built on long-coveted goal of James, Wade and Bosh\|last=Windhorst\|first=Brian\|author-link=Brian Windhorst\|newspaper=The Plain Dealer\|date=July 10, 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713120048/http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2010/07/inside_the_decision_miamis_cou.html\|archive-date=July 13, 2010\|access-date=December 22, 2021}}</ref> James decided to join with Bosh and Wade in part so that he could shoulder less of the offensive load; James thought that his improved teammates would give him a better chance of winning an [[NBA championship]] than had he stayed in Cleveland.<ref name=thomsen>{{cite magazine\|last=Thomsen\|first=Ian\|title=The Plot Starts Here ... Showtime Starts Here\|url=https://www.si.com/vault/2010/07/19/105961094/the-plot-starts-here--showtime-starts-here\|magazine=Sports Illustrated\|access-date=March 8, 2018\|date=July 19, 2010\|archive-date=March 9, 2018\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309182705/https://www.si.com/vault/2010/07/19/105961094/the-plot-starts-here--showtime-starts-here\|url-status=live}}</ref> Heat president [[Pat Riley]] played a major role in selling James on the idea of playing with Bosh and Wade.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|last=Biggane\|first=Brian\|title=LeBron James admits Pat Riley sold him on being part of a family with Miami Heat\|url=http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/sports/basketball/lebron-james-admits-pat-riley-sold-him-on-being-pa/nL8N6/\|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post\|access-date=July 3, 2012\|date=July 10, 2010\|archive-date=January 15, 2015\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115091814/http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/sports/basketball/lebron-james-admits-pat-riley-sold-him-on-being-pa/nL8N6/\|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name=thomsen/>		James became an unrestricted [[Free agent (NBA)\|free agent]] at 12:01 a.m. EDT on July 1, 2010.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?page=FreeAgency-100630\|title=NBA Free Agency: Who's going where?\|publisher=[[ESPN]]\|date=June 30, 2010\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222090322/https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?page=FreeAgency-100630\|url-status=live}}</ref> During this time, he was contacted by several teams, including the Bulls, [[Los Angeles Clippers]], [[Miami Heat]], [[New York Knicks]], [[Brooklyn Nets\|New Jersey Nets]], and Cavaliers.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/lebron-says-hell-sign-with-miami-heat\|title=LeBron says he'll sign with Miami Heat\|work=Fox Sports\|date=August 9, 2010\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222090317/https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/lebron-says-hell-sign-with-miami-heat\|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 8, James announced on a live ESPN special titled ''The Decision'' that he would sign with the Heat.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|last=Windhorst\|first=Brian\|title=A look back at the fateful 'Decision'\|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/columns/story?columnist=windhorst_brian&page=jamesdecision-110708\|publisher=[[ESPN]]\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|date=July 8, 2011\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222090317/https://www.espn.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/columns/story?columnist=windhorst_brian&page=jamesdecision-110708\|url-status=live}}</ref> The telecast was broadcast from the [[Boys & Girls Clubs of America\|Boys & Girls Club]] of [[Greenwich, Connecticut]] and raised $2.5 million for the charity. An additional $3.5 million was raised from advertising revenue, which was donated to other charities.<ref name="cleveland.com">{{#invoke:cite web\|\|date=July 12, 2010\|website=cleveland.com\|title=LeBron James' 'Decision' generated $6 million in ad revenue\|access-date=June 10, 2012\|url=https://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/2010/07/lebron_james_decision_generate.html\|publisher=The Plain Dealer\|archive-date=December 10, 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210194629/https://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/2010/07/lebron_james_decision_generate.html\|url-status=live}}</ref> The day before the special, fellow free agents [[Chris Bosh]] and [[Dwyane Wade]] also announced that they would sign with Miami;<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|url=http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/07/wade.bosh.heat.ap/?ls=iref:nbahpt1\|title=Wade granted one of his wishes with Bosh coming to Miami\|date=July 7, 2010\|website=NBA.com\|agency=Associated Press\|access-date=October 30, 2010\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100915005634/http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/07/wade.bosh.heat.ap/?ls=iref%3Anbahpt1\|archive-date=September 15, 2010}}</ref> reports later arose that back in 2006 the trio had discussed among themselves their upcoming 2010 free agencies.<ref name=plaindealer20100710>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|url=https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2010/07/inside_the_decision_miamis_cou.html\|title=Inside 'The Decision': Miami's coup was a 'surprise' built on long-coveted goal of James, Wade and Bosh\|last=Windhorst\|first=Brian\|author-link=Brian Windhorst\|newspaper=The Plain Dealer\|date=July 10, 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713120048/http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2010/07/inside_the_decision_miamis_cou.html\|archive-date=July 13, 2010\|access-date=December 22, 2021}}</ref> James decided to join with Bosh and Wade in part so that he could shoulder less of the offensive load; James thought that his improved teammates would give him a better chance of winning an [[NBA championship]] than had he stayed in Cleveland.<ref name=thomsen>{{cite magazine\|last=Thomsen\|first=Ian\|title=The Plot Starts Here ... Showtime Starts Here\|url=https://www.si.com/vault/2010/07/19/105961094/the-plot-starts-here--showtime-starts-here\|magazine=Sports Illustrated\|access-date=March 8, 2018\|date=July 19, 2010\|archive-date=March 9, 2018\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309182705/https://www.si.com/vault/2010/07/19/105961094/the-plot-starts-here--showtime-starts-here\|url-status=live}}</ref> Heat president [[Pat Riley]] played a major role in selling James on the idea of playing with Bosh and Wade.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|last=Biggane\|first=Brian\|title=LeBron James admits Pat Riley sold him on being part of a family with Miami Heat\|url=http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/sports/basketball/lebron-james-admits-pat-riley-sold-him-on-being-pa/nL8N6/\|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post\|access-date=July 3, 2012\|date=July 10, 2010\|archive-date=January 15, 2015\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115091814/http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/sports/basketball/lebron-james-admits-pat-riley-sold-him-on-being-pa/nL8N6/\|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name=thomsen/>

	Upon leaving the Cavaliers, James drew intense criticism from sports analysts, executives, fans, and current and former players. ''The Decision'' itself was also scrutinized and viewed as unnecessary. Many thought that the prolonged wait for James' choice was unprofessional as not even the teams courting him were aware of his decision until moments before the show.<ref name=yahoo_20100716>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-heatfreeagency071610\|title=Inside look at LeBron's free-agent coup\|first=Adrian\|last=Wojnarowski\|author-link=Adrian Wojnarowski\|date=July 16, 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100718140458/http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-heatfreeagency071610\|archive-date=July 18, 2010\|access-date=November 9, 2010\|quote=... the issue of James' immaturity and downright disrespectfulness had become a consuming topic on the march to the Olympics.\|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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' actions.<ref name=Letter>{{cite press release\|url=http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbert_letter_100708.html\|title=Open Letter to Fans from Cavaliers Majority Owner Dan Gilbert\|publisher=NBA\|date=July 8, 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100710014850/http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbert_letter_100708.html\|archive-date=July 10, 2010\|access-date=November 9, 2010\|url-status=dead}}</ref> Some angry fans of the team recorded videos of themselves burning his jersey.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|url=http://sports.nationalpost.com/2010/07/09/cleveland-plain-dealers-final-word-on-lebron-james\|title=Cleveland Plain Dealer's final word on LeBron James\|newspaper=National Post\|last=Ron\|first=Nurwisah\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714032424/http://sports.nationalpost.com/2010/07/09/cleveland-plain-dealers-final-word-on-lebron-james/\|archive-date=July 14, 2012\|date=November 9, 2010\|url-status=dead}}</ref> Former NBA players, including Michael Jordan and [[Magic Johnson]], were also critical of James, condemning him for forming a superteam with Bosh and Wade in Miami and not trying to win a championship as "the man".<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/10/sports/basketball/10heat.html?_r=1\|title=Criticism Grows as James Arrives in Miami\|last1=Abrams\|first1=Jonathan\|last2=Shipp\|first2=Catherine\|newspaper=The New York Times\|date=July 10, 2010\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120915082254/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/10/sports/basketball/10heat.html?_r=2\|archive-date=September 15, 2012\|access-date=November 9, 2010\|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=5391478\|title=Jordan wouldn't have called Magic, Bird\|publisher=[[ESPN]]\|date=July 19, 2010\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222090323/https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=5391478\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2010-07-20/magic-johnson-criticizes-lebron-james-says-he-wouldn-t-have-joined-bird\|last=Rothbard\|first=Barry\|title=Magic Johnson Says He Wouldn't Have Joined Bird After LeBron James's Move\|agency=Bloomberg\|date=July 20, 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723102747/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-07-20/magic-johnson-criticizes-lebron-james-says-he-wouldn-t-have-joined-bird.html\|archive-date=July 23, 2010\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|quote=From college, I was trying to figure out how to beat Larry Bird.\|url-status=dead}}</ref> James drew further criticism in a September interview with [[CNN]] when he claimed that race might have been a factor in the fallout from ''The Decision''.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Freeman\|first=Mike\|author-link=Mike Freeman (columnist)\|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/14047127/lambasted-lebron-conveniently-sees-hurtful-role-of-race\|title=Lambasted LeBron conveniently sees hurtful role of race\|work=CBS Sports\|date=September 30, 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001075600/http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/14047127/lambasted-lebron-conveniently-sees-hurtful-role-of-race\|archive-date=October 1, 2010\|access-date=November 9, 2010\|quote=He has catered to corporate America, mostly ignored issues that affect people of color, and then when so many people turned on James, he's now suddenly seeing the racial light.\|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Whitlock\|first=Jason\|author-link=Jason Whitlock\|url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/point-the-finger-at-yourself-lebron\|title=Point the finger at yourself, LeBron\|work=Fox Sports\|date=September 30, 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101004120418/http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/LeBron-James-should-put-away-the-race-card-and-just-apologize-093010\|archive-date=October 4, 2010\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|quote=LeBron's enablers are providing him the racial cocoon of denial. They're giving LeBron an excuse to avoid dealing with his own bad (The) Decision.}}</ref> As a result of his actions during the 2010 free agency period, James quickly gained a reputation as one of America's most disliked athletes, which marked a radical change from prior years.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Michael\|last=McCarthy\|title=Forbes: Vick, Tiger among most 'disliked' athletes\|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2012/02/vick-tiger-lead-list-of-americas-most-disliked-athletes-michael-vick-tiger-woods-forbes/1\|newspaper=USA Today\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210182055/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2012/02/vick-tiger-lead-list-of-americas-most-disliked-athletes-michael-vick-tiger-woods-forbes/1\|archive-date=February 10, 2012\|url-status=live\|date=February 8, 2012}}</ref><ref name=Regret>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Tom\|last=Weir\|title=LeBron James expresses regrets about 'The Decision'\|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2011/12/lebron-james-expresses-regrets-about-the-decision/1\|newspaper=USA Today\|date=December 6, 2011\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108094631/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2011/12/lebron-james-expresses-regrets-about-the-decision/1\|archive-date=January 8, 2012\|url-status=live}}</ref> The phrase "taking my talents to South Beach" became a punch line for critics.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Wetzel\|first=Dan\|title=LeBron's decisive backlash tops all stories\|date=December 21, 2010\|publisher=Yahoo! Sports\|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=dw-storyoftheyear122110\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224120529/http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=dw-storyoftheyear122110\|archive-date=December 24, 2010\|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Kerasotis\|first=Peter\|title=For Miami Heat, High Hopes but Lower Volume\|date=December 25, 2011\|page=SP8\|newspaper=The New York Times\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/25/sports/basketball/for-miami-heat-high-hopes-but-lower-volume.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all\|access-date=June 27, 2012\|archive-date=May 21, 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521230310/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/25/sports/basketball/for-miami-heat-high-hopes-but-lower-volume.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all\|url-status=live}}</ref> In retrospect, James has expressed some regret over his handling of ''The Decision''.<ref name=Regret/><ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Moehringer\|first=J. R.\|author-link=J. R. Moehringer\|title=Into the Funhouse with King James\|date=September 2010\|magazine=GQ\|url=https://www.gq.com/sports/profiles/201009/lebron-james-september-gq-miami-heat-summer-lebronathon\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819162817/http://www.gq.com/sports/profiles/201009/lebron-james-september-gq-miami-heat-summer-lebronathon\|archive-date=August 19, 2010\|access-date=November 9, 2010\|quote=During that postmortem interview, when Moehringer asked James what he'd change if he had a do-over, James replied, 'Nothing at all.'\|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=kaplan>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Kaplan\|first=Thomas\|title=James Faces Jeering, but Little Competition\|date=November 1, 2010\|newspaper=The New York Times\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/01/sports/basketball/01nets.html?_r=1&scp=5&sq=lebron%20james&st=cse\|access-date=November 5, 2010\|quote='If I had to go back on it, I probably would do it a little bit different,' James said before the game. 'But I'm happy with my decision.' He declined to be more specific.\|archive-date=January 14, 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130114135337/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/01/sports/basketball/01nets.html?_r=1&scp=5&sq=lebron%20james&st=cse\|url-status=live}}</ref>		Upon leaving the Cavaliers, James drew intense criticism from sports analysts, executives, fans, and current and former players. ''The Decision'' itself was also scrutinized and viewed as unnecessary. Many thought that the prolonged wait for James' choice was unprofessional as not even the teams courting him were aware of his decision until moments before the show.<ref name=yahoo_20100716>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-heatfreeagency071610\|title=Inside look at LeBron's free-agent coup\|first=Adrian\|last=Wojnarowski\|author-link=Adrian Wojnarowski\|date=July 16, 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100718140458/http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-heatfreeagency071610\|archive-date=July 18, 2010\|access-date=November 9, 2010\|quote=... the issue of James' immaturity and downright disrespectfulness had become a consuming topic on the march to the Olympics.\|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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' actions.<ref name=Letter>{{cite press release\|url=http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbert_letter_100708.html\|title=Open Letter to Fans from Cavaliers Majority Owner Dan Gilbert\|publisher=NBA\|date=July 8, 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100710014850/http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbert_letter_100708.html\|archive-date=July 10, 2010\|access-date=November 9, 2010\|url-status=dead}}</ref> Some angry fans of the team recorded videos of themselves burning his jersey.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|url=http://sports.nationalpost.com/2010/07/09/cleveland-plain-dealers-final-word-on-lebron-james\|title=Cleveland Plain Dealer's final word on LeBron James\|newspaper=National Post\|last=Ron\|first=Nurwisah\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714032424/http://sports.nationalpost.com/2010/07/09/cleveland-plain-dealers-final-word-on-lebron-james/\|archive-date=July 14, 2012\|date=November 9, 2010\|url-status=dead}}</ref> Former NBA players, including Michael Jordan and [[Magic Johnson]], were also critical of James, condemning him for forming a superteam with Bosh and Wade in Miami and not trying to win a championship as "the man".<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/10/sports/basketball/10heat.html?_r=1\|title=Criticism Grows as James Arrives in Miami\|last1=Abrams\|first1=Jonathan\|last2=Shipp\|first2=Catherine\|newspaper=The New York Times\|date=July 10, 2010\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120915082254/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/10/sports/basketball/10heat.html?_r=2\|archive-date=September 15, 2012\|access-date=November 9, 2010\|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=5391478\|title=Jordan wouldn't have called Magic, Bird\|publisher=[[ESPN]]\|date=July 19, 2010\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222090323/https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=5391478\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2010-07-20/magic-johnson-criticizes-lebron-james-says-he-wouldn-t-have-joined-bird\|last=Rothbard\|first=Barry\|title=Magic Johnson Says He Wouldn't Have Joined Bird After LeBron James's Move\|agency=Bloomberg\|date=July 20, 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723102747/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-07-20/magic-johnson-criticizes-lebron-james-says-he-wouldn-t-have-joined-bird.html\|archive-date=July 23, 2010\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|quote=From college, I was trying to figure out how to beat Larry Bird.\|url-status=dead}}</ref> Some commentators did defend LeBron James' decision to join the Miami Heat by noting the Cavaliers' inability to build a strong supporting cast around him. They argued that other NBA greats had benefitted from talented teammates: Magic Johnson had [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]] and [[James Worthy]], [[Larry Bird]] had [[Kevin McHale (basketball)]] and [[Robert Parish]] on the Celtics, and [[Michael Jordan]] had [[Scottie Pippen]] with the Bulls.<ref>{{cite web \|last=Napieralski \|first=Chris \|title=Jordan, Bird, and Magic Shouldn't Be Questioning LeBron's Move to Miami \|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/425428-jordan-bird-and-magic-shouldnt-be-questioning-lebrons-move-to-miami \|website=Bleacher Report \|date=2010-07-28 \|access-date=2024-10-18}}</ref> James drew further criticism in a September interview with [[CNN]] when he claimed that race might have been a factor in the fallout from ''The Decision''.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Freeman\|first=Mike\|author-link=Mike Freeman (columnist)\|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/14047127/lambasted-lebron-conveniently-sees-hurtful-role-of-race\|title=Lambasted LeBron conveniently sees hurtful role of race\|work=CBS Sports\|date=September 30, 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001075600/http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/14047127/lambasted-lebron-conveniently-sees-hurtful-role-of-race\|archive-date=October 1, 2010\|access-date=November 9, 2010\|quote=He has catered to corporate America, mostly ignored issues that affect people of color, and then when so many people turned on James, he's now suddenly seeing the racial light.\|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Whitlock\|first=Jason\|author-link=Jason Whitlock\|url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/point-the-finger-at-yourself-lebron\|title=Point the finger at yourself, LeBron\|work=Fox Sports\|date=September 30, 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101004120418/http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/LeBron-James-should-put-away-the-race-card-and-just-apologize-093010\|archive-date=October 4, 2010\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|quote=LeBron's enablers are providing him the racial cocoon of denial. They're giving LeBron an excuse to avoid dealing with his own bad (The) Decision.}}</ref> As a result of his actions during the 2010 free agency period, James quickly gained a reputation as one of America's most disliked athletes, which marked a radical change from prior years.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Michael\|last=McCarthy\|title=Forbes: Vick, Tiger among most 'disliked' athletes\|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2012/02/vick-tiger-lead-list-of-americas-most-disliked-athletes-michael-vick-tiger-woods-forbes/1\|newspaper=USA Today\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210182055/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2012/02/vick-tiger-lead-list-of-americas-most-disliked-athletes-michael-vick-tiger-woods-forbes/1\|archive-date=February 10, 2012\|url-status=live\|date=February 8, 2012}}</ref><ref name=Regret>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Tom\|last=Weir\|title=LeBron James expresses regrets about 'The Decision'\|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2011/12/lebron-james-expresses-regrets-about-the-decision/1\|newspaper=USA Today\|date=December 6, 2011\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108094631/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2011/12/lebron-james-expresses-regrets-about-the-decision/1\|archive-date=January 8, 2012\|url-status=live}}</ref> The phrase "taking my talents to South Beach" became a punch line for critics.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Wetzel\|first=Dan\|title=LeBron's decisive backlash tops all stories\|date=December 21, 2010\|publisher=Yahoo! Sports\|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=dw-storyoftheyear122110\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224120529/http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=dw-storyoftheyear122110\|archive-date=December 24, 2010\|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Kerasotis\|first=Peter\|title=For Miami Heat, High Hopes but Lower Volume\|date=December 25, 2011\|page=SP8\|newspaper=The New York Times\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/25/sports/basketball/for-miami-heat-high-hopes-but-lower-volume.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all\|access-date=June 27, 2012\|archive-date=May 21, 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521230310/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/25/sports/basketball/for-miami-heat-high-hopes-but-lower-volume.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all\|url-status=live}}</ref> In retrospect, James has expressed some regret over his handling of ''The Decision''.<ref name=Regret/><ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Moehringer\|first=J. R.\|author-link=J. R. Moehringer\|title=Into the Funhouse with King James\|date=September 2010\|magazine=GQ\|url=https://www.gq.com/sports/profiles/201009/lebron-james-september-gq-miami-heat-summer-lebronathon\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819162817/http://www.gq.com/sports/profiles/201009/lebron-james-september-gq-miami-heat-summer-lebronathon\|archive-date=August 19, 2010\|access-date=November 9, 2010\|quote=During that postmortem interview, when Moehringer asked James what he'd change if he had a do-over, James replied, 'Nothing at all.'\|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=kaplan>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Kaplan\|first=Thomas\|title=James Faces Jeering, but Little Competition\|date=November 1, 2010\|newspaper=The New York Times\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/01/sports/basketball/01nets.html?_r=1&scp=5&sq=lebron%20james&st=cse\|access-date=November 5, 2010\|quote='If I had to go back on it, I probably would do it a little bit different,' James said before the game. 'But I'm happy with my decision.' He declined to be more specific.\|archive-date=January 14, 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130114135337/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/01/sports/basketball/01nets.html?_r=1&scp=5&sq=lebron%20james&st=cse\|url-status=live}}</ref>

	====2010–2011: Year of media and fan scrutiny====		====2010–2011: Year of media and fan scrutiny====

MathEcon: /* Cleveland Cavaliers (2003–2010) */

2024-10-19T00:41:29Z

Cleveland Cavaliers (2003–2010)

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MathEcon: /* Cleveland Cavaliers (2003–2010) */

2024-10-19T00:38:46Z

Cleveland Cavaliers (2003–2010)

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MathEcon at 00:06, 19 October 2024

2024-10-19T00:06:11Z

← Previous revision		Revision as of 00:06, 19 October 2024
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	In addition to being the [[List of NBA career scoring leaders\|NBA's all-time leading scorer]] and ranking [[List of National Basketball Association career assists leaders\|fourth in career assists]], James holds several individual honors: four [[NBA MVP\|Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards]], four [[NBA Finals MVP\|Finals MVP Awards]], three [[NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant Most Valuable Player Award\|All-Star Game MVP Awards]], and the inaugural NBA Cup MVP award. He has been named an [[NBA All-Star\|All-Star]] a record 20 times, selected to the [[All-NBA Team]] 20 times (including 13 First Team selections)<ref name="Quinn 2021"/><ref name="Singh 2021">{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Sanjesh\|last=Singh\|title=LeBron James selected to 2020–21 All-NBA Second Team\|url=https://lebronwire.usatoday.com/2021/06/15/lakers-news-lebron-james-selected-to-2020-21-all-nba-second-team/\|newspaper=USA Today\|date=June 15, 2021\|access-date=April 3, 2022\|archive-date=May 27, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527115608/https://lebronwire.usatoday.com/2021/06/15/lakers-news-lebron-james-selected-to-2020-21-all-nba-second-team/\|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[NBA All-Defensive First Team\|All-Defensive Team]] six times, and was a runner-up for the [[NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award]] twice in his career.<ref name=Reference/><ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Kyle\|last=Daubs\|title=LeBron James' Almost Perfect Season In 2013 Was Ruined By Marc Gasol\|url=https://fadeawayworld.net/nba/lebron-james-almost-perfect-season-in-2013-was-ruined-by-marc-gasol\|newspaper=Fadeaway World\|date=August 17, 2021\|access-date=August 17, 2021\|archive-date=August 17, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817132250/https://fadeawayworld.net/nba/lebron-james-almost-perfect-season-in-2013-was-ruined-by-marc-gasol\|url-status=live}}</ref> James is noted for his longevity and is currently the [[List of oldest and youngest NBA players\|oldest player in the NBA]].<ref name="NBAOldestPlayer"/>		In addition to being the [[List of NBA career scoring leaders\|NBA's all-time leading scorer]] and ranking [[List of National Basketball Association career assists leaders\|fourth in career assists]], James holds several individual honors: four [[NBA MVP\|Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards]], four [[NBA Finals MVP\|Finals MVP Awards]], three [[NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant Most Valuable Player Award\|All-Star Game MVP Awards]], and the inaugural NBA Cup MVP award. He has been named an [[NBA All-Star\|All-Star]] a record 20 times, selected to the [[All-NBA Team]] 20 times (including 13 First Team selections)<ref name="Quinn 2021"/><ref name="Singh 2021">{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Sanjesh\|last=Singh\|title=LeBron James selected to 2020–21 All-NBA Second Team\|url=https://lebronwire.usatoday.com/2021/06/15/lakers-news-lebron-james-selected-to-2020-21-all-nba-second-team/\|newspaper=USA Today\|date=June 15, 2021\|access-date=April 3, 2022\|archive-date=May 27, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527115608/https://lebronwire.usatoday.com/2021/06/15/lakers-news-lebron-james-selected-to-2020-21-all-nba-second-team/\|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[NBA All-Defensive First Team\|All-Defensive Team]] six times, and was a runner-up for the [[NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award]] twice in his career.<ref name=Reference/><ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Kyle\|last=Daubs\|title=LeBron James' Almost Perfect Season In 2013 Was Ruined By Marc Gasol\|url=https://fadeawayworld.net/nba/lebron-james-almost-perfect-season-in-2013-was-ruined-by-marc-gasol\|newspaper=Fadeaway World\|date=August 17, 2021\|access-date=August 17, 2021\|archive-date=August 17, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817132250/https://fadeawayworld.net/nba/lebron-james-almost-perfect-season-in-2013-was-ruined-by-marc-gasol\|url-status=live}}</ref> James is noted for his longevity and is currently the [[List of oldest and youngest NBA players\|oldest player in the NBA]].<ref name="NBAOldestPlayer"/>

	James grew up playing basketball for [[St. Vincent–St. Mary High School]] in his hometown of [[Akron, Ohio]]. He was heavily touted by the national media as a future NBA superstar for his all-around scoring, passing, athleticism and playmaking abilities.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|title=Ohio High School Junior LeBron James Is So Good That He's Already Being Mentioned as the Heir to Air Jordan\|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/2002/02/18/ahead-of-his-class-ohio-high-school-junior-lebron-james-is-so-good-that-hes-already-being-mentioned-as-the-heir-to-air-jordan\|newspaper=Sports Illustrated Vault \| Si.com\|date=February 18, 2002\|access-date=July 1, 2023\|archive-date=July 2, 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702103936/https://vault.si.com/vault/2002/02/18/ahead-of-his-class-ohio-high-school-junior-lebron-james-is-so-good-that-hes-already-being-mentioned-as-the-heir-to-air-jordan\|url-status=live}}</ref> A [[prep-to-pro]], James was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the [[List of first overall NBA draft picks\|first overall pick]] of the [[2003 NBA draft]]. Named the 2004 [[NBA Rookie of the Year]],<ref name="Gordon 2021"/> he soon established himself as one of the league's premier players, leading the Cavaliers to their first NBA Finals appearance in [[2007 NBA Finals\|2007]] and winning the NBA MVP award in 2009 and 2010.<ref name=Reference/> James left in 2010 as a [[Free agent (NBA)\|free agent]] to join the [[Miami Heat]];<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Tom\|last=Withers\|title=AP Was There: LeBron James dumps Cleveland for Miami\|url=https://apnews.com/article/miami-heat-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-entertainment-sports-c842cbbffbd42a55ed8374fd1e1b4a93\|work=AP News\|date=April 6, 2022\|access-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415214923/https://apnews.com/article/miami-heat-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-entertainment-sports-c842cbbffbd42a55ed8374fd1e1b4a93\|url-status=live}}</ref> this was announced in a nationally televised special titled ''[[The Decision (TV program)\|The Decision]]'' and is among the most controversial free agency moves in sports history, despite the show raising ~~money~~ for national charities.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|first=Don Jr.\|last=Van Natta\|title=ESPN show confirms The Decision was fan's idea, not LeBron James'\|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29375906/espn-show-confirms-decision-was-fan-idea-not-lebron-james\|website=ESPN.com\|date=June 28, 2020\|access-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415214923/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29375906/espn-show-confirms-decision-was-fan-idea-not-lebron-james\|url-status=live}}</ref>		James grew up playing basketball for [[St. Vincent–St. Mary High School]] in his hometown of [[Akron, Ohio]]. He was heavily touted by the national media as a future NBA superstar for his all-around scoring, passing, athleticism and playmaking abilities.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|title=Ohio High School Junior LeBron James Is So Good That He's Already Being Mentioned as the Heir to Air Jordan\|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/2002/02/18/ahead-of-his-class-ohio-high-school-junior-lebron-james-is-so-good-that-hes-already-being-mentioned-as-the-heir-to-air-jordan\|newspaper=Sports Illustrated Vault \| Si.com\|date=February 18, 2002\|access-date=July 1, 2023\|archive-date=July 2, 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702103936/https://vault.si.com/vault/2002/02/18/ahead-of-his-class-ohio-high-school-junior-lebron-james-is-so-good-that-hes-already-being-mentioned-as-the-heir-to-air-jordan\|url-status=live}}</ref> A [[prep-to-pro]], James was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the [[List of first overall NBA draft picks\|first overall pick]] of the [[2003 NBA draft]]. Named the 2004 [[NBA Rookie of the Year]],<ref name="Gordon 2021"/> he soon established himself as one of the league's premier players, leading the Cavaliers to their first NBA Finals appearance in [[2007 NBA Finals\|2007]] and winning the NBA MVP award in 2009 and 2010.<ref name=Reference/> James left in 2010 as a [[Free agent (NBA)\|free agent]] to join the [[Miami Heat]];<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Tom\|last=Withers\|title=AP Was There: LeBron James dumps Cleveland for Miami\|url=https://apnews.com/article/miami-heat-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-entertainment-sports-c842cbbffbd42a55ed8374fd1e1b4a93\|work=AP News\|date=April 6, 2022\|access-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415214923/https://apnews.com/article/miami-heat-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-entertainment-sports-c842cbbffbd42a55ed8374fd1e1b4a93\|url-status=live}}</ref> this was announced in a nationally televised special titled ''[[The Decision (TV program)\|The Decision]]'' and is among the most controversial free agency moves in sports history, despite the show raising millions for national charities.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|first=Don Jr.\|last=Van Natta\|title=ESPN show confirms The Decision was fan's idea, not LeBron James'\|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29375906/espn-show-confirms-decision-was-fan-idea-not-lebron-james\|website=ESPN.com\|date=June 28, 2020\|access-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415214923/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29375906/espn-show-confirms-decision-was-fan-idea-not-lebron-james\|url-status=live}}</ref>

	James won his first two NBA championships while playing for the Heat in [[2012 NBA Finals\|2012]] and [[2013 NBA Finals\|2013]]; in both of these years, he also earned the league's MVP and Finals MVP awards. After his fourth season with the Heat in 2014, James opted out of his contract and returned to the Cavaliers. In [[2016 NBA Finals\|2016]], he led the Cavaliers to victory over the [[Golden State Warriors]] in the Finals by [[List of teams that have overcome 3–1 series deficits#National Basketball Association\|coming back from a 3–1 deficit]], delivering the team's first championship and ending the [[Cleveland sports curse]].<ref name="Bontemps 2016"/> In 2018, James exercised his contract option to leave the Cavaliers and signed with the Lakers, where he won the [[2020 NBA championship]] and his fourth Finals MVP.<ref name="Quinn 2020"/> On February 7, 2023, James surpassed [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]] to become the leading scorer in league history.		James won his first two NBA championships while playing for the Heat in [[2012 NBA Finals\|2012]] and [[2013 NBA Finals\|2013]]; in both of these years, he also earned the league's MVP and Finals MVP awards. After his fourth season with the Heat in 2014, James opted out of his contract and returned to the Cavaliers. In [[2016 NBA Finals\|2016]], he led the Cavaliers to victory over the [[Golden State Warriors]] in the Finals by [[List of teams that have overcome 3–1 series deficits#National Basketball Association\|coming back from a 3–1 deficit]], delivering the team's first championship and ending the [[Cleveland sports curse]].<ref name="Bontemps 2016"/> In 2018, James exercised his contract option to leave the Cavaliers and signed with the Lakers, where he won the [[2020 NBA championship]] and his fourth Finals MVP.<ref name="Quinn 2020"/> On February 7, 2023, James surpassed [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]] to become the leading scorer in league history.

MathEcon at 00:05, 19 October 2024

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	In addition to being the [[List of NBA career scoring leaders\|NBA's all-time leading scorer]] and ranking [[List of National Basketball Association career assists leaders\|fourth in career assists]], James holds several individual honors: four [[NBA MVP\|Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards]], four [[NBA Finals MVP\|Finals MVP Awards]], three [[NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant Most Valuable Player Award\|All-Star Game MVP Awards]], and the inaugural NBA Cup MVP award. He has been named an [[NBA All-Star\|All-Star]] a record 20 times, selected to the [[All-NBA Team]] 20 times (including 13 First Team selections)<ref name="Quinn 2021"/><ref name="Singh 2021">{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Sanjesh\|last=Singh\|title=LeBron James selected to 2020–21 All-NBA Second Team\|url=https://lebronwire.usatoday.com/2021/06/15/lakers-news-lebron-james-selected-to-2020-21-all-nba-second-team/\|newspaper=USA Today\|date=June 15, 2021\|access-date=April 3, 2022\|archive-date=May 27, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527115608/https://lebronwire.usatoday.com/2021/06/15/lakers-news-lebron-james-selected-to-2020-21-all-nba-second-team/\|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[NBA All-Defensive First Team\|All-Defensive Team]] six times, and was a runner-up for the [[NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award]] twice in his career.<ref name=Reference/><ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Kyle\|last=Daubs\|title=LeBron James' Almost Perfect Season In 2013 Was Ruined By Marc Gasol\|url=https://fadeawayworld.net/nba/lebron-james-almost-perfect-season-in-2013-was-ruined-by-marc-gasol\|newspaper=Fadeaway World\|date=August 17, 2021\|access-date=August 17, 2021\|archive-date=August 17, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817132250/https://fadeawayworld.net/nba/lebron-james-almost-perfect-season-in-2013-was-ruined-by-marc-gasol\|url-status=live}}</ref> James is noted for his longevity and is currently the [[List of oldest and youngest NBA players\|oldest player in the NBA]].<ref name="NBAOldestPlayer"/>		In addition to being the [[List of NBA career scoring leaders\|NBA's all-time leading scorer]] and ranking [[List of National Basketball Association career assists leaders\|fourth in career assists]], James holds several individual honors: four [[NBA MVP\|Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards]], four [[NBA Finals MVP\|Finals MVP Awards]], three [[NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant Most Valuable Player Award\|All-Star Game MVP Awards]], and the inaugural NBA Cup MVP award. He has been named an [[NBA All-Star\|All-Star]] a record 20 times, selected to the [[All-NBA Team]] 20 times (including 13 First Team selections)<ref name="Quinn 2021"/><ref name="Singh 2021">{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Sanjesh\|last=Singh\|title=LeBron James selected to 2020–21 All-NBA Second Team\|url=https://lebronwire.usatoday.com/2021/06/15/lakers-news-lebron-james-selected-to-2020-21-all-nba-second-team/\|newspaper=USA Today\|date=June 15, 2021\|access-date=April 3, 2022\|archive-date=May 27, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527115608/https://lebronwire.usatoday.com/2021/06/15/lakers-news-lebron-james-selected-to-2020-21-all-nba-second-team/\|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[NBA All-Defensive First Team\|All-Defensive Team]] six times, and was a runner-up for the [[NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award]] twice in his career.<ref name=Reference/><ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Kyle\|last=Daubs\|title=LeBron James' Almost Perfect Season In 2013 Was Ruined By Marc Gasol\|url=https://fadeawayworld.net/nba/lebron-james-almost-perfect-season-in-2013-was-ruined-by-marc-gasol\|newspaper=Fadeaway World\|date=August 17, 2021\|access-date=August 17, 2021\|archive-date=August 17, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817132250/https://fadeawayworld.net/nba/lebron-james-almost-perfect-season-in-2013-was-ruined-by-marc-gasol\|url-status=live}}</ref> James is noted for his longevity and is currently the [[List of oldest and youngest NBA players\|oldest player in the NBA]].<ref name="NBAOldestPlayer"/>

	James grew up playing basketball for [[St. Vincent–St. Mary High School]] in his hometown of [[Akron, Ohio]]. He was heavily touted by the national media as a future NBA superstar for his all-around scoring, passing, athleticism and playmaking abilities.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|title=Ohio High School Junior LeBron James Is So Good That He's Already Being Mentioned as the Heir to Air Jordan\|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/2002/02/18/ahead-of-his-class-ohio-high-school-junior-lebron-james-is-so-good-that-hes-already-being-mentioned-as-the-heir-to-air-jordan\|newspaper=Sports Illustrated Vault \| Si.com\|date=February 18, 2002\|access-date=July 1, 2023\|archive-date=July 2, 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702103936/https://vault.si.com/vault/2002/02/18/ahead-of-his-class-ohio-high-school-junior-lebron-james-is-so-good-that-hes-already-being-mentioned-as-the-heir-to-air-jordan\|url-status=live}}</ref> A [[prep-to-pro]], James was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the [[List of first overall NBA draft picks\|first overall pick]] of the [[2003 NBA draft]]. Named the 2004 [[NBA Rookie of the Year]],<ref name="Gordon 2021"/> he soon established himself as one of the league's premier players, leading the Cavaliers to their first NBA Finals appearance in [[2007 NBA Finals\|2007]] and winning the NBA MVP award in 2009 and 2010.<ref name=Reference/> ~~After failing to win a championship with Cleveland,~~ James left in 2010 as a [[Free agent (NBA)\|free agent]] to join the [[Miami Heat]];<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Tom\|last=Withers\|title=AP Was There: LeBron James dumps Cleveland for Miami\|url=https://apnews.com/article/miami-heat-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-entertainment-sports-c842cbbffbd42a55ed8374fd1e1b4a93\|work=AP News\|date=April 6, 2022\|access-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415214923/https://apnews.com/article/miami-heat-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-entertainment-sports-c842cbbffbd42a55ed8374fd1e1b4a93\|url-status=live}}</ref> this was announced in a nationally televised special titled ''[[The Decision (TV program)\|The Decision]]'' and is among the most controversial free agency moves in sports history.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|first=Don Jr.\|last=Van Natta\|title=ESPN show confirms The Decision was fan's idea, not LeBron James'\|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29375906/espn-show-confirms-decision-was-fan-idea-not-lebron-james\|website=ESPN.com\|date=June 28, 2020\|access-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415214923/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29375906/espn-show-confirms-decision-was-fan-idea-not-lebron-james\|url-status=live}}</ref>		James grew up playing basketball for [[St. Vincent–St. Mary High School]] in his hometown of [[Akron, Ohio]]. He was heavily touted by the national media as a future NBA superstar for his all-around scoring, passing, athleticism and playmaking abilities.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|title=Ohio High School Junior LeBron James Is So Good That He's Already Being Mentioned as the Heir to Air Jordan\|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/2002/02/18/ahead-of-his-class-ohio-high-school-junior-lebron-james-is-so-good-that-hes-already-being-mentioned-as-the-heir-to-air-jordan\|newspaper=Sports Illustrated Vault \| Si.com\|date=February 18, 2002\|access-date=July 1, 2023\|archive-date=July 2, 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702103936/https://vault.si.com/vault/2002/02/18/ahead-of-his-class-ohio-high-school-junior-lebron-james-is-so-good-that-hes-already-being-mentioned-as-the-heir-to-air-jordan\|url-status=live}}</ref> A [[prep-to-pro]], James was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the [[List of first overall NBA draft picks\|first overall pick]] of the [[2003 NBA draft]]. Named the 2004 [[NBA Rookie of the Year]],<ref name="Gordon 2021"/> he soon established himself as one of the league's premier players, leading the Cavaliers to their first NBA Finals appearance in [[2007 NBA Finals\|2007]] and winning the NBA MVP award in 2009 and 2010.<ref name=Reference/> James left in 2010 as a [[Free agent (NBA)\|free agent]] to join the [[Miami Heat]];<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Tom\|last=Withers\|title=AP Was There: LeBron James dumps Cleveland for Miami\|url=https://apnews.com/article/miami-heat-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-entertainment-sports-c842cbbffbd42a55ed8374fd1e1b4a93\|work=AP News\|date=April 6, 2022\|access-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415214923/https://apnews.com/article/miami-heat-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-entertainment-sports-c842cbbffbd42a55ed8374fd1e1b4a93\|url-status=live}}</ref> this was announced in a nationally televised special titled ''[[The Decision (TV program)\|The Decision]]'' and is among the most controversial free agency moves in sports history, despite the show raising money for national charities.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|first=Don Jr.\|last=Van Natta\|title=ESPN show confirms The Decision was fan's idea, not LeBron James'\|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29375906/espn-show-confirms-decision-was-fan-idea-not-lebron-james\|website=ESPN.com\|date=June 28, 2020\|access-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415214923/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29375906/espn-show-confirms-decision-was-fan-idea-not-lebron-james\|url-status=live}}</ref>

	James won his first two NBA championships while playing for the Heat in [[2012 NBA Finals\|2012]] and [[2013 NBA Finals\|2013]]; in both of these years, he also earned the league's MVP and Finals MVP awards. After his fourth season with the Heat in 2014, James opted out of his contract and ~~re-signed~~ ~~with~~ the Cavaliers. In [[2016 NBA Finals\|2016]], he led the Cavaliers to victory over the [[Golden State Warriors]] in the Finals by [[List of teams that have overcome 3–1 series deficits#National Basketball Association\|coming back from a 3–1 deficit]], delivering the team's first championship and ending the [[Cleveland sports curse]].<ref name="Bontemps 2016"/> In 2018, James exercised his contract option to leave the Cavaliers and signed with the Lakers, where he won the [[2020 NBA championship]] and his fourth Finals MVP.<ref name="Quinn 2020"/> On February 7, 2023, James surpassed [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]] to become the leading scorer in league history.		James won his first two NBA championships while playing for the Heat in [[2012 NBA Finals\|2012]] and [[2013 NBA Finals\|2013]]; in both of these years, he also earned the league's MVP and Finals MVP awards. After his fourth season with the Heat in 2014, James opted out of his contract and returned to the Cavaliers. In [[2016 NBA Finals\|2016]], he led the Cavaliers to victory over the [[Golden State Warriors]] in the Finals by [[List of teams that have overcome 3–1 series deficits#National Basketball Association\|coming back from a 3–1 deficit]], delivering the team's first championship and ending the [[Cleveland sports curse]].<ref name="Bontemps 2016"/> In 2018, James exercised his contract option to leave the Cavaliers and signed with the Lakers, where he won the [[2020 NBA championship]] and his fourth Finals MVP.<ref name="Quinn 2020"/> On February 7, 2023, James surpassed [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]] to become the leading scorer in league history.

	Off the court, James has earned further wealth and fame from numerous endorsement contracts. He is the first player in NBA history to accumulate $1 billion in earnings as an active player.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|first=Jasmyn\|last=Wimbish\|title=LeBron James becomes first player in NBA history to make $1 billion in earnings while still playing\|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-becomes-first-player-in-nba-history-to-make-1-billion-in-earnings-while-still-playing/\|work=CBS Sports\|date=July 22, 2021\|access-date=July 24, 2021\|archive-date=July 25, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725082200/https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-becomes-first-player-in-nba-history-to-make-1-billion-in-earnings-while-still-playing/\|url-status=live}}</ref> James has been featured in books, documentaries (including winning three [[Sports Emmy Award]]s as an executive producer), and television commercials. He was among ''[[Time (magazine)\|Time]]''{{'}}s [[Time 100\|100 most influential people in the world]] in 2005, 2013, 2017, and 2019 – the most selections for a professional athlete. James has won 20 [[ESPY Awards]], hosted ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', and starred in the sports film ''[[Space Jam: A New Legacy]]'' (2021). He has been a part-owner of [[Liverpool F.C.]] since 2011 and leads the LeBron James Family Foundation, which has opened an elementary school, housing complex, retail plaza, and medical center in Akron.<ref>{{cite magazine\|first=Sean\|last=Gregory\|title=Exclusive: LeBron James to Open New Community Hub in Akron\|url=https://time.com/5921157/lebron-james-house-three-thirty-akron/\|magazine=Time\|date=December 15, 2020\|access-date=May 19, 2021\|archive-date=October 15, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015222042/https://time.com/5921157/lebron-james-house-three-thirty-akron/\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name = "LBJ MC">{{#invoke:cite news\|\|title=LeBron James foundation to open new medical center\|url=https://fox8.com/news/lebron-james-foundation-to-open-new-medical-center/\|work=Fox 8.com (WJW-TV)\|date=June 7, 2022\|access-date=June 7, 2022\|archive-date=June 7, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607132338/https://fox8.com/news/lebron-james-foundation-to-open-new-medical-center/\|url-status=live }}</ref>		Off the court, James has earned further wealth and fame from numerous endorsement contracts. He is the first player in NBA history to accumulate $1 billion in earnings as an active player.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|first=Jasmyn\|last=Wimbish\|title=LeBron James becomes first player in NBA history to make $1 billion in earnings while still playing\|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-becomes-first-player-in-nba-history-to-make-1-billion-in-earnings-while-still-playing/\|work=CBS Sports\|date=July 22, 2021\|access-date=July 24, 2021\|archive-date=July 25, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725082200/https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-becomes-first-player-in-nba-history-to-make-1-billion-in-earnings-while-still-playing/\|url-status=live}}</ref> James has been featured in books, documentaries (including winning three [[Sports Emmy Award]]s as an executive producer), and television commercials. He was among ''[[Time (magazine)\|Time]]''{{'}}s [[Time 100\|100 most influential people in the world]] in 2005, 2013, 2017, and 2019 – the most selections for a professional athlete. James has won 20 [[ESPY Awards]], hosted ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', and starred in the sports film ''[[Space Jam: A New Legacy]]'' (2021). He has been a part-owner of [[Liverpool F.C.]] since 2011 and leads the LeBron James Family Foundation, which has opened an elementary school, housing complex, retail plaza, and medical center in Akron.<ref>{{cite magazine\|first=Sean\|last=Gregory\|title=Exclusive: LeBron James to Open New Community Hub in Akron\|url=https://time.com/5921157/lebron-james-house-three-thirty-akron/\|magazine=Time\|date=December 15, 2020\|access-date=May 19, 2021\|archive-date=October 15, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015222042/https://time.com/5921157/lebron-james-house-three-thirty-akron/\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name = "LBJ MC">{{#invoke:cite news\|\|title=LeBron James foundation to open new medical center\|url=https://fox8.com/news/lebron-james-foundation-to-open-new-medical-center/\|work=Fox 8.com (WJW-TV)\|date=June 7, 2022\|access-date=June 7, 2022\|archive-date=June 7, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607132338/https://fox8.com/news/lebron-james-foundation-to-open-new-medical-center/\|url-status=live }}</ref>

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	James began playing organized basketball in the fifth grade.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|last=Nichols\|first=Rachel\|date=July 30, 2018\|title=LeBron James opens up on his new school, the Lakers and life's challenges\|url=http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24194051/lebron-james-discusses-opening-public-school-akron-move-los-angeles-lakers-nba\|access-date=July 31, 2018\|work=ESPN.com\|archive-date=December 28, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228025705/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24194051/lebron-james-discusses-opening-public-school-akron-move-los-angeles-lakers-nba\|url-status=live}}</ref> He later played [[Amateur Athletic Union]] (AAU) basketball for the Northeast Ohio Shooting Stars.<ref name=jockbio/> The team enjoyed success on a local and national level, led by James and his friends Sian Cotton, [[Dru Joyce III]], and Willie McGee.<ref name="Jones2003"/>{{rp\|24}} The group dubbed themselves the "Fab Four" and promised each other that they would attend high school together.<ref name="Jones2003"/>{{rp\|27}} In a move that stirred local controversy, they chose to attend [[St. Vincent–St. Mary High School]], a private [[Catholic school]] with predominantly white students.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Covert\|first=Colin\|title=Movie review: Band of brothers in 'More Than a Game'\|url=http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/movies/64387712.html?elr=KArksD:aDyaEP:kD:aUnc5PDiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr\|newspaper=Star Tribune\|access-date=July 1, 2012\|date=October 15, 2009\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224102803/http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/movies/64387712.html?elr=KArksD:aDyaEP:kD:aUnc5PDiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr\|archive-date=December 24, 2013\|url-status=dead}}</ref>		James began playing organized basketball in the fifth grade.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|last=Nichols\|first=Rachel\|date=July 30, 2018\|title=LeBron James opens up on his new school, the Lakers and life's challenges\|url=http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24194051/lebron-james-discusses-opening-public-school-akron-move-los-angeles-lakers-nba\|access-date=July 31, 2018\|work=ESPN.com\|archive-date=December 28, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228025705/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24194051/lebron-james-discusses-opening-public-school-akron-move-los-angeles-lakers-nba\|url-status=live}}</ref> He later played [[Amateur Athletic Union]] (AAU) basketball for the Northeast Ohio Shooting Stars.<ref name=jockbio/> The team enjoyed success on a local and national level, led by James and his friends Sian Cotton, [[Dru Joyce III]], and Willie McGee.<ref name="Jones2003"/>{{rp\|24}} The group dubbed themselves the "Fab Four" and promised each other that they would attend high school together.<ref name="Jones2003"/>{{rp\|27}} In a move that stirred local controversy, they chose to attend [[St. Vincent–St. Mary High School]], a private [[Catholic school]] with predominantly white students.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Covert\|first=Colin\|title=Movie review: Band of brothers in 'More Than a Game'\|url=http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/movies/64387712.html?elr=KArksD:aDyaEP:kD:aUnc5PDiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr\|newspaper=Star Tribune\|access-date=July 1, 2012\|date=October 15, 2009\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224102803/http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/movies/64387712.html?elr=KArksD:aDyaEP:kD:aUnc5PDiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr\|archive-date=December 24, 2013\|url-status=dead}}</ref>

	===High school===		==High school==
	====Basketball====		===Basketball===
	As a {{convert\|6\|ft\|2\|in\|m\|adj=on}} tall freshman, James averaged 18 [[point (basketball)\|points]] and 6.2 [[rebound (basketball)\|rebounds]] per game for the St. Vincent–St. Mary [[Varsity sports\|varsity]] basketball team.<ref name=Prospect>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|title=Prospect Profile: LeBron James\|url=http://www.nba.com/draft2003/profiles/JamesLeBron.html\|website=NBA.com\|access-date=March 4, 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709135603/http://www.nba.com/draft2003/profiles/JamesLeBron.html\|archive-date=July 9, 2013\|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Fighting Irish went <span class="nowrap">27–0</span> en route to the Division III state title, making them the only boys high school team in Ohio to finish the season undefeated.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last1=Gaffney\|first1=Tom\|last2=Morgan\|first2=David Lee\|date=March 26, 2000\|title=Winning one for Carter\|page=D8\|work=Akron Beacon Journal\|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21535260/lebron_james_hs_freshman/\|via=Newspapers.com\|access-date=July 3, 2018\|archive-date=July 4, 2018\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704093259/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21535260/lebron_james_hs_freshman/\|url-status=live}} {{free access}}</ref> As a sophomore, James averaged 25.3 points and 7.4 rebounds, along with 5.5 [[Assist (basketball)\|assists]] and 3.7 [[Steal (basketball)\|steals]] per game.<ref name="nbabio"/> For some home games during the season, <span class="nowrap">St. Vincent–St. Mary</span> played at the [[University of Akron]]'s 5,492-seat Rhodes Arena to satisfy ticket demand from alumni, fans, as well as college and NBA scouts who wanted to see James play.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Abrams\|first=Jonathan\|title=Heading Home to Celebrate\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/03/sports/basketball/03lebron.html\|newspaper=The New York Times\|access-date=May 30, 2012\|date=May 2, 2010\|archive-date=May 14, 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100514071130/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/03/sports/basketball/03lebron.html\|url-status=live}}</ref> The Fighting Irish finished the season 26–1 and repeated as state champions.<ref name=Prospect/> For his outstanding play, James was named [[Ohio Mr. Basketball]] and selected to the [[USA Today All-USA high school basketball team\|''USA Today'' All-USA First Team]], becoming the first sophomore to do either.<ref name=Prospect/>		As a {{convert\|6\|ft\|2\|in\|m\|adj=on}} tall freshman, James averaged 18 [[point (basketball)\|points]] and 6.2 [[rebound (basketball)\|rebounds]] per game for the St. Vincent–St. Mary [[Varsity sports\|varsity]] basketball team.<ref name=Prospect>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|title=Prospect Profile: LeBron James\|url=http://www.nba.com/draft2003/profiles/JamesLeBron.html\|website=NBA.com\|access-date=March 4, 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709135603/http://www.nba.com/draft2003/profiles/JamesLeBron.html\|archive-date=July 9, 2013\|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Fighting Irish went <span class="nowrap">27–0</span> en route to the Division III state title, making them the only boys high school team in Ohio to finish the season undefeated.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last1=Gaffney\|first1=Tom\|last2=Morgan\|first2=David Lee\|date=March 26, 2000\|title=Winning one for Carter\|page=D8\|work=Akron Beacon Journal\|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21535260/lebron_james_hs_freshman/\|via=Newspapers.com\|access-date=July 3, 2018\|archive-date=July 4, 2018\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704093259/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21535260/lebron_james_hs_freshman/\|url-status=live}} {{free access}}</ref> As a sophomore, James averaged 25.3 points and 7.4 rebounds, along with 5.5 [[Assist (basketball)\|assists]] and 3.7 [[Steal (basketball)\|steals]] per game.<ref name="nbabio"/> For some home games during the season, <span class="nowrap">St. Vincent–St. Mary</span> played at the [[University of Akron]]'s 5,492-seat Rhodes Arena to satisfy ticket demand from alumni, fans, as well as college and NBA scouts who wanted to see James play.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Abrams\|first=Jonathan\|title=Heading Home to Celebrate\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/03/sports/basketball/03lebron.html\|newspaper=The New York Times\|access-date=May 30, 2012\|date=May 2, 2010\|archive-date=May 14, 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100514071130/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/03/sports/basketball/03lebron.html\|url-status=live}}</ref> The Fighting Irish finished the season 26–1 and repeated as state champions.<ref name=Prospect/> For his outstanding play, James was named [[Ohio Mr. Basketball]] and selected to the [[USA Today All-USA high school basketball team\|''USA Today'' All-USA First Team]], becoming the first sophomore to do either.<ref name=Prospect/>

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	Also during his senior year, James was the centerpiece of several controversies. For his 18th birthday, James skirted state amateur bylaws by accepting a [[Hummer H2]] as a gift from his mother, who had secured a loan for the vehicle by utilizing James's future earning power as an NBA player.<ref name=SUV>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|website=ESPN\|date=January 27, 2003\|access-date=March 8, 2009\|title=Prep star James can continue drive for state title\|url=http://static.espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0127/1499490.html\|agency=Associated Press\|archive-date=February 5, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205193816/http://static.espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0127/1499490.html\|url-status=live}}</ref> 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. 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.<ref name=Free/> Later in the season, James accepted two throwback jerseys worth $845 from an urban clothing store in exchange for posing for pictures, officially violating OHSAA rules and resulting in his being stripped of his high school sports eligibility.<ref name=Free>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|date=January 31, 2003\|access-date=March 8, 2009\|publisher=[[ESPN]]\|title=James ruled ineligible, plans to appeal decision\|url=http://static.espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0131/1502001.html\|archive-date=March 2, 2015\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150302120629/http://static.espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0131/1502001.html\|url-status=live}}</ref> James appealed the ruling and his penalty was eventually dropped to a two-game suspension, allowing him to play the remainder of the year. The Irish were also forced to forfeit one of their wins, their only official loss that season.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|url=http://www.ncaapublications.com/DownloadPublication.aspx?download=D110.pdf\|title=2009–2010 NCAA Division I Manual\|date=August 2009\|publisher=National Collegiate Athletic Association\|page=163\|access-date=July 10, 2010\|archive-date=January 11, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111055237/http://www.ncaapublications.com/DownloadPublication.aspx?download=D110.pdf\|url-status=live}}</ref> In his first game back after the suspension, James scored a career-high 52 points.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Bolch\|first=Ben\|title=James Is Too Much for Westchester\|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-feb-09-sp-hslebron9-story.html\|work=Los Angeles Times\|date=February 9, 2003\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222073241/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-feb-09-sp-hslebron9-story.html\|url-status=live}}</ref> St. Vincent–St. Mary went on to win the Division II championship, marking their third division title in four years.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|title=Boys Basketball D2 State Champs\|url=http://www.yappi.com/boysbasketball/D2.html\|access-date=June 12, 2018\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070113105032/http://www.yappi.com/boysbasketball/D2.html\|archive-date=January 13, 2007\|url-status=dead}}</ref>		Also during his senior year, James was the centerpiece of several controversies. For his 18th birthday, James skirted state amateur bylaws by accepting a [[Hummer H2]] as a gift from his mother, who had secured a loan for the vehicle by utilizing James's future earning power as an NBA player.<ref name=SUV>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|website=ESPN\|date=January 27, 2003\|access-date=March 8, 2009\|title=Prep star James can continue drive for state title\|url=http://static.espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0127/1499490.html\|agency=Associated Press\|archive-date=February 5, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205193816/http://static.espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0127/1499490.html\|url-status=live}}</ref> 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. 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.<ref name=Free/> Later in the season, James accepted two throwback jerseys worth $845 from an urban clothing store in exchange for posing for pictures, officially violating OHSAA rules and resulting in his being stripped of his high school sports eligibility.<ref name=Free>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|date=January 31, 2003\|access-date=March 8, 2009\|publisher=[[ESPN]]\|title=James ruled ineligible, plans to appeal decision\|url=http://static.espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0131/1502001.html\|archive-date=March 2, 2015\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150302120629/http://static.espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0131/1502001.html\|url-status=live}}</ref> James appealed the ruling and his penalty was eventually dropped to a two-game suspension, allowing him to play the remainder of the year. The Irish were also forced to forfeit one of their wins, their only official loss that season.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|url=http://www.ncaapublications.com/DownloadPublication.aspx?download=D110.pdf\|title=2009–2010 NCAA Division I Manual\|date=August 2009\|publisher=National Collegiate Athletic Association\|page=163\|access-date=July 10, 2010\|archive-date=January 11, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111055237/http://www.ncaapublications.com/DownloadPublication.aspx?download=D110.pdf\|url-status=live}}</ref> In his first game back after the suspension, James scored a career-high 52 points.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Bolch\|first=Ben\|title=James Is Too Much for Westchester\|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-feb-09-sp-hslebron9-story.html\|work=Los Angeles Times\|date=February 9, 2003\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222073241/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-feb-09-sp-hslebron9-story.html\|url-status=live}}</ref> St. Vincent–St. Mary went on to win the Division II championship, marking their third division title in four years.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|title=Boys Basketball D2 State Champs\|url=http://www.yappi.com/boysbasketball/D2.html\|access-date=June 12, 2018\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070113105032/http://www.yappi.com/boysbasketball/D2.html\|archive-date=January 13, 2007\|url-status=dead}}</ref>

	====Football====		===Football===
	As an underclassman, James played [[wide receiver]] for St. Vincent–St. Mary's [[American football\|football]] team.<ref name="Jones2003"/>{{rp\|51}} He was recruited by some [[List of NCAA Division I FBS football programs\|Division I programs]], including [[Notre Dame Fighting Irish football\|Notre Dame]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|title=Remember that time Urban Meyer tried to recruit LeBron James?\|publisher=[[ESPN]]\|date=June 2, 2016\|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/133392/remembering-that-time-urban-meyer-tried-to-recruit-lebron-james\|last=Ward\|first=Austin\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222073241/https://www.espn.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/133392/remembering-that-time-urban-meyer-tried-to-recruit-lebron-james\|url-status=live}}</ref> At the end of his second year, James was named first team all-state, and as a junior, he helped lead the Fighting Irish to the state semifinals.<ref name="nbabio">{{#invoke:cite web\|\|title=LeBron James stats, details, videos, and news\|url=http://www.nba.com/players/lebron/james/2544\|website=NBA.com\|access-date=May 27, 2017\|archive-date=May 29, 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170529171606/http://www.nba.com/players/lebron/james/2544\|url-status=live}}</ref> James did not play during his senior year because of a wrist injury that he sustained in an AAU basketball game.<ref name=Two>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Abrams\|first=Jonathan\|title=LeBron James: Two Sports, One Superstar\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/sports/basketball/03james.html?pagewanted=all\|newspaper=The New York Times\|access-date=May 27, 2012\|date=May 3, 2009\|archive-date=September 26, 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926124037/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/sports/basketball/03james.html?pagewanted=all\|url-status=live}}</ref> Some sports analysts, football critics, high school coaches, as well as former and current professional players have speculated that James could have played in the [[National Football League]] (NFL).{{efn\|These include Ryan Jones,<ref name="Jones2003"/>{{rp\|91}} [[Tim Graham (sports journalist)\|Tim Graham]],<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4194437\|title=LBJ and NFL: A fantasy based in reality\|last=Graham\|first=Tim\|date=May 31, 2009\|publisher=[[ESPN]]\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222073242/https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4194437\|url-status=live}}</ref> John Breech,<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|last=Breech\|first=John\|title=Theismann: LeBron James is 'talented enough' to be an NFL QB\|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/theismann-lebron-james-is-talented-enough-to-be-an-nfl-qb/\|work=CBS Sports\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|date=May 27, 2013\|archive-date=April 29, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429190658/https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/theismann-lebron-james-is-talented-enough-to-be-an-nfl-qb/\|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Bill Barnwell]],<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|last=Barnwell\|first=Bill\|title=Could LeBron James Really Play in the NFL?\|url=http://grantland.com/features/bill-barnwell-examines-lebron-james-possibility-success-nfl/\|website=Grantland\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|date=August 5, 2013\|archive-date=June 5, 2016\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605173801/http://grantland.com/features/bill-barnwell-examines-lebron-james-possibility-success-nfl/\|url-status=live}}</ref> and Ryan Wilson.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|last=Wilson\|first=Ryan\|title=Mike Wallace latest to say LeBron James would dominate NFL\|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/mike-wallace-latest-to-say-lebron-james-would-dominate-nfl/\|work=CBS Sports\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|date=August 12, 2013\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222073240/https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/mike-wallace-latest-to-say-lebron-james-would-dominate-nfl/\|url-status=live}}</ref>}}		As an underclassman, James played [[wide receiver]] for St. Vincent–St. Mary's [[American football\|football]] team.<ref name="Jones2003"/>{{rp\|51}} He was recruited by some [[List of NCAA Division I FBS football programs\|Division I programs]], including [[Notre Dame Fighting Irish football\|Notre Dame]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|title=Remember that time Urban Meyer tried to recruit LeBron James?\|publisher=[[ESPN]]\|date=June 2, 2016\|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/133392/remembering-that-time-urban-meyer-tried-to-recruit-lebron-james\|last=Ward\|first=Austin\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222073241/https://www.espn.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/133392/remembering-that-time-urban-meyer-tried-to-recruit-lebron-james\|url-status=live}}</ref> At the end of his second year, James was named first team all-state, and as a junior, he helped lead the Fighting Irish to the state semifinals.<ref name="nbabio">{{#invoke:cite web\|\|title=LeBron James stats, details, videos, and news\|url=http://www.nba.com/players/lebron/james/2544\|website=NBA.com\|access-date=May 27, 2017\|archive-date=May 29, 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170529171606/http://www.nba.com/players/lebron/james/2544\|url-status=live}}</ref> James did not play during his senior year because of a wrist injury that he sustained in an AAU basketball game.<ref name=Two>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Abrams\|first=Jonathan\|title=LeBron James: Two Sports, One Superstar\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/sports/basketball/03james.html?pagewanted=all\|newspaper=The New York Times\|access-date=May 27, 2012\|date=May 3, 2009\|archive-date=September 26, 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926124037/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/sports/basketball/03james.html?pagewanted=all\|url-status=live}}</ref> Some sports analysts, football critics, high school coaches, as well as former and current professional players have speculated that James could have played in the [[National Football League]] (NFL).{{efn\|These include Ryan Jones,<ref name="Jones2003"/>{{rp\|91}} [[Tim Graham (sports journalist)\|Tim Graham]],<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4194437\|title=LBJ and NFL: A fantasy based in reality\|last=Graham\|first=Tim\|date=May 31, 2009\|publisher=[[ESPN]]\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222073242/https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4194437\|url-status=live}}</ref> John Breech,<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|last=Breech\|first=John\|title=Theismann: LeBron James is 'talented enough' to be an NFL QB\|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/theismann-lebron-james-is-talented-enough-to-be-an-nfl-qb/\|work=CBS Sports\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|date=May 27, 2013\|archive-date=April 29, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429190658/https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/theismann-lebron-james-is-talented-enough-to-be-an-nfl-qb/\|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Bill Barnwell]],<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|last=Barnwell\|first=Bill\|title=Could LeBron James Really Play in the NFL?\|url=http://grantland.com/features/bill-barnwell-examines-lebron-james-possibility-success-nfl/\|website=Grantland\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|date=August 5, 2013\|archive-date=June 5, 2016\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605173801/http://grantland.com/features/bill-barnwell-examines-lebron-james-possibility-success-nfl/\|url-status=live}}</ref> and Ryan Wilson.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|last=Wilson\|first=Ryan\|title=Mike Wallace latest to say LeBron James would dominate NFL\|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/mike-wallace-latest-to-say-lebron-james-would-dominate-nfl/\|work=CBS Sports\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|date=August 12, 2013\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222073240/https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/mike-wallace-latest-to-say-lebron-james-would-dominate-nfl/\|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

WikiOriginal-9: /* High school career */ ce

2024-10-15T20:22:01Z

High school career: ce

← Previous revision		Revision as of 20:22, 15 October 2024
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	James began playing organized basketball in the fifth grade.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|last=Nichols\|first=Rachel\|date=July 30, 2018\|title=LeBron James opens up on his new school, the Lakers and life's challenges\|url=http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24194051/lebron-james-discusses-opening-public-school-akron-move-los-angeles-lakers-nba\|access-date=July 31, 2018\|work=ESPN.com\|archive-date=December 28, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228025705/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24194051/lebron-james-discusses-opening-public-school-akron-move-los-angeles-lakers-nba\|url-status=live}}</ref> He later played [[Amateur Athletic Union]] (AAU) basketball for the Northeast Ohio Shooting Stars.<ref name=jockbio/> The team enjoyed success on a local and national level, led by James and his friends Sian Cotton, [[Dru Joyce III]], and Willie McGee.<ref name="Jones2003"/>{{rp\|24}} The group dubbed themselves the "Fab Four" and promised each other that they would attend high school together.<ref name="Jones2003"/>{{rp\|27}} In a move that stirred local controversy, they chose to attend [[St. Vincent–St. Mary High School]], a private [[Catholic school]] with predominantly white students.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Covert\|first=Colin\|title=Movie review: Band of brothers in 'More Than a Game'\|url=http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/movies/64387712.html?elr=KArksD:aDyaEP:kD:aUnc5PDiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr\|newspaper=Star Tribune\|access-date=July 1, 2012\|date=October 15, 2009\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224102803/http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/movies/64387712.html?elr=KArksD:aDyaEP:kD:aUnc5PDiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr\|archive-date=December 24, 2013\|url-status=dead}}</ref>		James began playing organized basketball in the fifth grade.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|last=Nichols\|first=Rachel\|date=July 30, 2018\|title=LeBron James opens up on his new school, the Lakers and life's challenges\|url=http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24194051/lebron-james-discusses-opening-public-school-akron-move-los-angeles-lakers-nba\|access-date=July 31, 2018\|work=ESPN.com\|archive-date=December 28, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228025705/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24194051/lebron-james-discusses-opening-public-school-akron-move-los-angeles-lakers-nba\|url-status=live}}</ref> He later played [[Amateur Athletic Union]] (AAU) basketball for the Northeast Ohio Shooting Stars.<ref name=jockbio/> The team enjoyed success on a local and national level, led by James and his friends Sian Cotton, [[Dru Joyce III]], and Willie McGee.<ref name="Jones2003"/>{{rp\|24}} The group dubbed themselves the "Fab Four" and promised each other that they would attend high school together.<ref name="Jones2003"/>{{rp\|27}} In a move that stirred local controversy, they chose to attend [[St. Vincent–St. Mary High School]], a private [[Catholic school]] with predominantly white students.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Covert\|first=Colin\|title=Movie review: Band of brothers in 'More Than a Game'\|url=http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/movies/64387712.html?elr=KArksD:aDyaEP:kD:aUnc5PDiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr\|newspaper=Star Tribune\|access-date=July 1, 2012\|date=October 15, 2009\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224102803/http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/movies/64387712.html?elr=KArksD:aDyaEP:kD:aUnc5PDiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr\|archive-date=December 24, 2013\|url-status=dead}}</ref>

	==High school ~~career~~==		===High school===
	===Basketball===		====Basketball====
	As a {{convert\|6\|ft\|2\|in\|m\|adj=on}} tall freshman, James averaged 18 [[point (basketball)\|points]] and 6.2 [[rebound (basketball)\|rebounds]] per game for the St. Vincent–St. Mary [[Varsity sports\|varsity]] basketball team.<ref name=Prospect>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|title=Prospect Profile: LeBron James\|url=http://www.nba.com/draft2003/profiles/JamesLeBron.html\|website=NBA.com\|access-date=March 4, 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709135603/http://www.nba.com/draft2003/profiles/JamesLeBron.html\|archive-date=July 9, 2013\|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Fighting Irish went <span class="nowrap">27–0</span> en route to the Division III state title, making them the only boys high school team in Ohio to finish the season undefeated.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last1=Gaffney\|first1=Tom\|last2=Morgan\|first2=David Lee\|date=March 26, 2000\|title=Winning one for Carter\|page=D8\|work=Akron Beacon Journal\|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21535260/lebron_james_hs_freshman/\|via=Newspapers.com\|access-date=July 3, 2018\|archive-date=July 4, 2018\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704093259/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21535260/lebron_james_hs_freshman/\|url-status=live}} {{free access}}</ref> As a sophomore, James averaged 25.3 points and 7.4 rebounds, along with 5.5 [[Assist (basketball)\|assists]] and 3.7 [[Steal (basketball)\|steals]] per game.<ref name="nbabio"/> For some home games during the season, <span class="nowrap">St. Vincent–St. Mary</span> played at the [[University of Akron]]'s 5,492-seat Rhodes Arena to satisfy ticket demand from alumni, fans, as well as college and NBA scouts who wanted to see James play.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Abrams\|first=Jonathan\|title=Heading Home to Celebrate\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/03/sports/basketball/03lebron.html\|newspaper=The New York Times\|access-date=May 30, 2012\|date=May 2, 2010\|archive-date=May 14, 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100514071130/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/03/sports/basketball/03lebron.html\|url-status=live}}</ref> The Fighting Irish finished the season 26–1 and repeated as state champions.<ref name=Prospect/> For his outstanding play, James was named [[Ohio Mr. Basketball]] and selected to the [[USA Today All-USA high school basketball team\|''USA Today'' All-USA First Team]], becoming the first sophomore to do either.<ref name=Prospect/>		As a {{convert\|6\|ft\|2\|in\|m\|adj=on}} tall freshman, James averaged 18 [[point (basketball)\|points]] and 6.2 [[rebound (basketball)\|rebounds]] per game for the St. Vincent–St. Mary [[Varsity sports\|varsity]] basketball team.<ref name=Prospect>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|title=Prospect Profile: LeBron James\|url=http://www.nba.com/draft2003/profiles/JamesLeBron.html\|website=NBA.com\|access-date=March 4, 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709135603/http://www.nba.com/draft2003/profiles/JamesLeBron.html\|archive-date=July 9, 2013\|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Fighting Irish went <span class="nowrap">27–0</span> en route to the Division III state title, making them the only boys high school team in Ohio to finish the season undefeated.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last1=Gaffney\|first1=Tom\|last2=Morgan\|first2=David Lee\|date=March 26, 2000\|title=Winning one for Carter\|page=D8\|work=Akron Beacon Journal\|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21535260/lebron_james_hs_freshman/\|via=Newspapers.com\|access-date=July 3, 2018\|archive-date=July 4, 2018\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704093259/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21535260/lebron_james_hs_freshman/\|url-status=live}} {{free access}}</ref> As a sophomore, James averaged 25.3 points and 7.4 rebounds, along with 5.5 [[Assist (basketball)\|assists]] and 3.7 [[Steal (basketball)\|steals]] per game.<ref name="nbabio"/> For some home games during the season, <span class="nowrap">St. Vincent–St. Mary</span> played at the [[University of Akron]]'s 5,492-seat Rhodes Arena to satisfy ticket demand from alumni, fans, as well as college and NBA scouts who wanted to see James play.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Abrams\|first=Jonathan\|title=Heading Home to Celebrate\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/03/sports/basketball/03lebron.html\|newspaper=The New York Times\|access-date=May 30, 2012\|date=May 2, 2010\|archive-date=May 14, 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100514071130/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/03/sports/basketball/03lebron.html\|url-status=live}}</ref> The Fighting Irish finished the season 26–1 and repeated as state champions.<ref name=Prospect/> For his outstanding play, James was named [[Ohio Mr. Basketball]] and selected to the [[USA Today All-USA high school basketball team\|''USA Today'' All-USA First Team]], becoming the first sophomore to do either.<ref name=Prospect/>

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	Also during his senior year, James was the centerpiece of several controversies. For his 18th birthday, James skirted state amateur bylaws by accepting a [[Hummer H2]] as a gift from his mother, who had secured a loan for the vehicle by utilizing James's future earning power as an NBA player.<ref name=SUV>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|website=ESPN\|date=January 27, 2003\|access-date=March 8, 2009\|title=Prep star James can continue drive for state title\|url=http://static.espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0127/1499490.html\|agency=Associated Press\|archive-date=February 5, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205193816/http://static.espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0127/1499490.html\|url-status=live}}</ref> 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. 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.<ref name=Free/> Later in the season, James accepted two throwback jerseys worth $845 from an urban clothing store in exchange for posing for pictures, officially violating OHSAA rules and resulting in his being stripped of his high school sports eligibility.<ref name=Free>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|date=January 31, 2003\|access-date=March 8, 2009\|publisher=[[ESPN]]\|title=James ruled ineligible, plans to appeal decision\|url=http://static.espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0131/1502001.html\|archive-date=March 2, 2015\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150302120629/http://static.espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0131/1502001.html\|url-status=live}}</ref> James appealed the ruling and his penalty was eventually dropped to a two-game suspension, allowing him to play the remainder of the year. The Irish were also forced to forfeit one of their wins, their only official loss that season.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|url=http://www.ncaapublications.com/DownloadPublication.aspx?download=D110.pdf\|title=2009–2010 NCAA Division I Manual\|date=August 2009\|publisher=National Collegiate Athletic Association\|page=163\|access-date=July 10, 2010\|archive-date=January 11, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111055237/http://www.ncaapublications.com/DownloadPublication.aspx?download=D110.pdf\|url-status=live}}</ref> In his first game back after the suspension, James scored a career-high 52 points.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Bolch\|first=Ben\|title=James Is Too Much for Westchester\|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-feb-09-sp-hslebron9-story.html\|work=Los Angeles Times\|date=February 9, 2003\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222073241/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-feb-09-sp-hslebron9-story.html\|url-status=live}}</ref> St. Vincent–St. Mary went on to win the Division II championship, marking their third division title in four years.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|title=Boys Basketball D2 State Champs\|url=http://www.yappi.com/boysbasketball/D2.html\|access-date=June 12, 2018\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070113105032/http://www.yappi.com/boysbasketball/D2.html\|archive-date=January 13, 2007\|url-status=dead}}</ref>		Also during his senior year, James was the centerpiece of several controversies. For his 18th birthday, James skirted state amateur bylaws by accepting a [[Hummer H2]] as a gift from his mother, who had secured a loan for the vehicle by utilizing James's future earning power as an NBA player.<ref name=SUV>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|website=ESPN\|date=January 27, 2003\|access-date=March 8, 2009\|title=Prep star James can continue drive for state title\|url=http://static.espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0127/1499490.html\|agency=Associated Press\|archive-date=February 5, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205193816/http://static.espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0127/1499490.html\|url-status=live}}</ref> 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. 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.<ref name=Free/> Later in the season, James accepted two throwback jerseys worth $845 from an urban clothing store in exchange for posing for pictures, officially violating OHSAA rules and resulting in his being stripped of his high school sports eligibility.<ref name=Free>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|date=January 31, 2003\|access-date=March 8, 2009\|publisher=[[ESPN]]\|title=James ruled ineligible, plans to appeal decision\|url=http://static.espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0131/1502001.html\|archive-date=March 2, 2015\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150302120629/http://static.espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0131/1502001.html\|url-status=live}}</ref> James appealed the ruling and his penalty was eventually dropped to a two-game suspension, allowing him to play the remainder of the year. The Irish were also forced to forfeit one of their wins, their only official loss that season.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|url=http://www.ncaapublications.com/DownloadPublication.aspx?download=D110.pdf\|title=2009–2010 NCAA Division I Manual\|date=August 2009\|publisher=National Collegiate Athletic Association\|page=163\|access-date=July 10, 2010\|archive-date=January 11, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111055237/http://www.ncaapublications.com/DownloadPublication.aspx?download=D110.pdf\|url-status=live}}</ref> In his first game back after the suspension, James scored a career-high 52 points.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Bolch\|first=Ben\|title=James Is Too Much for Westchester\|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-feb-09-sp-hslebron9-story.html\|work=Los Angeles Times\|date=February 9, 2003\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222073241/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-feb-09-sp-hslebron9-story.html\|url-status=live}}</ref> St. Vincent–St. Mary went on to win the Division II championship, marking their third division title in four years.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|title=Boys Basketball D2 State Champs\|url=http://www.yappi.com/boysbasketball/D2.html\|access-date=June 12, 2018\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070113105032/http://www.yappi.com/boysbasketball/D2.html\|archive-date=January 13, 2007\|url-status=dead}}</ref>

	===Football===		====Football====
	As an underclassman, James played [[wide receiver]] for St. Vincent–St. Mary's [[American football\|football]] team.<ref name="Jones2003"/>{{rp\|51}} He was recruited by some [[List of NCAA Division I FBS football programs\|Division I programs]], including [[Notre Dame Fighting Irish football\|Notre Dame]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|title=Remember that time Urban Meyer tried to recruit LeBron James?\|publisher=[[ESPN]]\|date=June 2, 2016\|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/133392/remembering-that-time-urban-meyer-tried-to-recruit-lebron-james\|last=Ward\|first=Austin\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222073241/https://www.espn.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/133392/remembering-that-time-urban-meyer-tried-to-recruit-lebron-james\|url-status=live}}</ref> At the end of his second year, James was named first team all-state, and as a junior, he helped lead the Fighting Irish to the state semifinals.<ref name="nbabio">{{#invoke:cite web\|\|title=LeBron James stats, details, videos, and news\|url=http://www.nba.com/players/lebron/james/2544\|website=NBA.com\|access-date=May 27, 2017\|archive-date=May 29, 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170529171606/http://www.nba.com/players/lebron/james/2544\|url-status=live}}</ref> James did not play during his senior year because of a wrist injury that he sustained in an AAU basketball game.<ref name=Two>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Abrams\|first=Jonathan\|title=LeBron James: Two Sports, One Superstar\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/sports/basketball/03james.html?pagewanted=all\|newspaper=The New York Times\|access-date=May 27, 2012\|date=May 3, 2009\|archive-date=September 26, 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926124037/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/sports/basketball/03james.html?pagewanted=all\|url-status=live}}</ref> Some sports analysts, football critics, high school coaches, as well as former and current professional players have speculated that James could have played in the [[National Football League]] (NFL).{{efn\|These include Ryan Jones,<ref name="Jones2003"/>{{rp\|91}} [[Tim Graham (sports journalist)\|Tim Graham]],<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4194437\|title=LBJ and NFL: A fantasy based in reality\|last=Graham\|first=Tim\|date=May 31, 2009\|publisher=[[ESPN]]\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222073242/https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4194437\|url-status=live}}</ref> John Breech,<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|last=Breech\|first=John\|title=Theismann: LeBron James is 'talented enough' to be an NFL QB\|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/theismann-lebron-james-is-talented-enough-to-be-an-nfl-qb/\|work=CBS Sports\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|date=May 27, 2013\|archive-date=April 29, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429190658/https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/theismann-lebron-james-is-talented-enough-to-be-an-nfl-qb/\|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Bill Barnwell]],<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|last=Barnwell\|first=Bill\|title=Could LeBron James Really Play in the NFL?\|url=http://grantland.com/features/bill-barnwell-examines-lebron-james-possibility-success-nfl/\|website=Grantland\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|date=August 5, 2013\|archive-date=June 5, 2016\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605173801/http://grantland.com/features/bill-barnwell-examines-lebron-james-possibility-success-nfl/\|url-status=live}}</ref> and Ryan Wilson.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|last=Wilson\|first=Ryan\|title=Mike Wallace latest to say LeBron James would dominate NFL\|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/mike-wallace-latest-to-say-lebron-james-would-dominate-nfl/\|work=CBS Sports\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|date=August 12, 2013\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222073240/https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/mike-wallace-latest-to-say-lebron-james-would-dominate-nfl/\|url-status=live}}</ref>}}		As an underclassman, James played [[wide receiver]] for St. Vincent–St. Mary's [[American football\|football]] team.<ref name="Jones2003"/>{{rp\|51}} He was recruited by some [[List of NCAA Division I FBS football programs\|Division I programs]], including [[Notre Dame Fighting Irish football\|Notre Dame]].<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|title=Remember that time Urban Meyer tried to recruit LeBron James?\|publisher=[[ESPN]]\|date=June 2, 2016\|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/133392/remembering-that-time-urban-meyer-tried-to-recruit-lebron-james\|last=Ward\|first=Austin\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222073241/https://www.espn.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/133392/remembering-that-time-urban-meyer-tried-to-recruit-lebron-james\|url-status=live}}</ref> At the end of his second year, James was named first team all-state, and as a junior, he helped lead the Fighting Irish to the state semifinals.<ref name="nbabio">{{#invoke:cite web\|\|title=LeBron James stats, details, videos, and news\|url=http://www.nba.com/players/lebron/james/2544\|website=NBA.com\|access-date=May 27, 2017\|archive-date=May 29, 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170529171606/http://www.nba.com/players/lebron/james/2544\|url-status=live}}</ref> James did not play during his senior year because of a wrist injury that he sustained in an AAU basketball game.<ref name=Two>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|last=Abrams\|first=Jonathan\|title=LeBron James: Two Sports, One Superstar\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/sports/basketball/03james.html?pagewanted=all\|newspaper=The New York Times\|access-date=May 27, 2012\|date=May 3, 2009\|archive-date=September 26, 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926124037/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/sports/basketball/03james.html?pagewanted=all\|url-status=live}}</ref> Some sports analysts, football critics, high school coaches, as well as former and current professional players have speculated that James could have played in the [[National Football League]] (NFL).{{efn\|These include Ryan Jones,<ref name="Jones2003"/>{{rp\|91}} [[Tim Graham (sports journalist)\|Tim Graham]],<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4194437\|title=LBJ and NFL: A fantasy based in reality\|last=Graham\|first=Tim\|date=May 31, 2009\|publisher=[[ESPN]]\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222073242/https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4194437\|url-status=live}}</ref> John Breech,<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|last=Breech\|first=John\|title=Theismann: LeBron James is 'talented enough' to be an NFL QB\|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/theismann-lebron-james-is-talented-enough-to-be-an-nfl-qb/\|work=CBS Sports\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|date=May 27, 2013\|archive-date=April 29, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429190658/https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/theismann-lebron-james-is-talented-enough-to-be-an-nfl-qb/\|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Bill Barnwell]],<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|last=Barnwell\|first=Bill\|title=Could LeBron James Really Play in the NFL?\|url=http://grantland.com/features/bill-barnwell-examines-lebron-james-possibility-success-nfl/\|website=Grantland\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|date=August 5, 2013\|archive-date=June 5, 2016\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605173801/http://grantland.com/features/bill-barnwell-examines-lebron-james-possibility-success-nfl/\|url-status=live}}</ref> and Ryan Wilson.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|last=Wilson\|first=Ryan\|title=Mike Wallace latest to say LeBron James would dominate NFL\|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/mike-wallace-latest-to-say-lebron-james-would-dominate-nfl/\|work=CBS Sports\|access-date=December 22, 2021\|date=August 12, 2013\|archive-date=December 22, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222073240/https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/mike-wallace-latest-to-say-lebron-james-would-dominate-nfl/\|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

← Previous revision		Revision as of 00:06, 19 October 2024
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	In addition to being the [[List of NBA career scoring leaders\|NBA's all-time leading scorer]] and ranking [[List of National Basketball Association career assists leaders\|fourth in career assists]], James holds several individual honors: four [[NBA MVP\|Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards]], four [[NBA Finals MVP\|Finals MVP Awards]], three [[NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant Most Valuable Player Award\|All-Star Game MVP Awards]], and the inaugural NBA Cup MVP award. He has been named an [[NBA All-Star\|All-Star]] a record 20 times, selected to the [[All-NBA Team]] 20 times (including 13 First Team selections)<ref name="Quinn 2021"/><ref name="Singh 2021">{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Sanjesh\|last=Singh\|title=LeBron James selected to 2020–21 All-NBA Second Team\|url=https://lebronwire.usatoday.com/2021/06/15/lakers-news-lebron-james-selected-to-2020-21-all-nba-second-team/\|newspaper=USA Today\|date=June 15, 2021\|access-date=April 3, 2022\|archive-date=May 27, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527115608/https://lebronwire.usatoday.com/2021/06/15/lakers-news-lebron-james-selected-to-2020-21-all-nba-second-team/\|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[NBA All-Defensive First Team\|All-Defensive Team]] six times, and was a runner-up for the [[NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award]] twice in his career.<ref name=Reference/><ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Kyle\|last=Daubs\|title=LeBron James' Almost Perfect Season In 2013 Was Ruined By Marc Gasol\|url=https://fadeawayworld.net/nba/lebron-james-almost-perfect-season-in-2013-was-ruined-by-marc-gasol\|newspaper=Fadeaway World\|date=August 17, 2021\|access-date=August 17, 2021\|archive-date=August 17, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817132250/https://fadeawayworld.net/nba/lebron-james-almost-perfect-season-in-2013-was-ruined-by-marc-gasol\|url-status=live}}</ref> James is noted for his longevity and is currently the [[List of oldest and youngest NBA players\|oldest player in the NBA]].<ref name="NBAOldestPlayer"/>		In addition to being the [[List of NBA career scoring leaders\|NBA's all-time leading scorer]] and ranking [[List of National Basketball Association career assists leaders\|fourth in career assists]], James holds several individual honors: four [[NBA MVP\|Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards]], four [[NBA Finals MVP\|Finals MVP Awards]], three [[NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant Most Valuable Player Award\|All-Star Game MVP Awards]], and the inaugural NBA Cup MVP award. He has been named an [[NBA All-Star\|All-Star]] a record 20 times, selected to the [[All-NBA Team]] 20 times (including 13 First Team selections)<ref name="Quinn 2021"/><ref name="Singh 2021">{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Sanjesh\|last=Singh\|title=LeBron James selected to 2020–21 All-NBA Second Team\|url=https://lebronwire.usatoday.com/2021/06/15/lakers-news-lebron-james-selected-to-2020-21-all-nba-second-team/\|newspaper=USA Today\|date=June 15, 2021\|access-date=April 3, 2022\|archive-date=May 27, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527115608/https://lebronwire.usatoday.com/2021/06/15/lakers-news-lebron-james-selected-to-2020-21-all-nba-second-team/\|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[NBA All-Defensive First Team\|All-Defensive Team]] six times, and was a runner-up for the [[NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award]] twice in his career.<ref name=Reference/><ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Kyle\|last=Daubs\|title=LeBron James' Almost Perfect Season In 2013 Was Ruined By Marc Gasol\|url=https://fadeawayworld.net/nba/lebron-james-almost-perfect-season-in-2013-was-ruined-by-marc-gasol\|newspaper=Fadeaway World\|date=August 17, 2021\|access-date=August 17, 2021\|archive-date=August 17, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817132250/https://fadeawayworld.net/nba/lebron-james-almost-perfect-season-in-2013-was-ruined-by-marc-gasol\|url-status=live}}</ref> James is noted for his longevity and is currently the [[List of oldest and youngest NBA players\|oldest player in the NBA]].<ref name="NBAOldestPlayer"/>

	James grew up playing basketball for [[St. Vincent–St. Mary High School]] in his hometown of [[Akron, Ohio]]. He was heavily touted by the national media as a future NBA superstar for his all-around scoring, passing, athleticism and playmaking abilities.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|title=Ohio High School Junior LeBron James Is So Good That He's Already Being Mentioned as the Heir to Air Jordan\|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/2002/02/18/ahead-of-his-class-ohio-high-school-junior-lebron-james-is-so-good-that-hes-already-being-mentioned-as-the-heir-to-air-jordan\|newspaper=Sports Illustrated Vault \| Si.com\|date=February 18, 2002\|access-date=July 1, 2023\|archive-date=July 2, 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702103936/https://vault.si.com/vault/2002/02/18/ahead-of-his-class-ohio-high-school-junior-lebron-james-is-so-good-that-hes-already-being-mentioned-as-the-heir-to-air-jordan\|url-status=live}}</ref> A [[prep-to-pro]], James was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the [[List of first overall NBA draft picks\|first overall pick]] of the [[2003 NBA draft]]. Named the 2004 [[NBA Rookie of the Year]],<ref name="Gordon 2021"/> he soon established himself as one of the league's premier players, leading the Cavaliers to their first NBA Finals appearance in [[2007 NBA Finals\|2007]] and winning the NBA MVP award in 2009 and 2010.<ref name=Reference/> James left in 2010 as a [[Free agent (NBA)\|free agent]] to join the [[Miami Heat]];<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Tom\|last=Withers\|title=AP Was There: LeBron James dumps Cleveland for Miami\|url=https://apnews.com/article/miami-heat-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-entertainment-sports-c842cbbffbd42a55ed8374fd1e1b4a93\|work=AP News\|date=April 6, 2022\|access-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415214923/https://apnews.com/article/miami-heat-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-entertainment-sports-c842cbbffbd42a55ed8374fd1e1b4a93\|url-status=live}}</ref> this was announced in a nationally televised special titled ''[[The Decision (TV program)\|The Decision]]'' and is among the most controversial free agency moves in sports history, despite the show raising ~~money~~ for national charities.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|first=Don Jr.\|last=Van Natta\|title=ESPN show confirms The Decision was fan's idea, not LeBron James'\|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29375906/espn-show-confirms-decision-was-fan-idea-not-lebron-james\|website=ESPN.com\|date=June 28, 2020\|access-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415214923/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29375906/espn-show-confirms-decision-was-fan-idea-not-lebron-james\|url-status=live}}</ref>		James grew up playing basketball for [[St. Vincent–St. Mary High School]] in his hometown of [[Akron, Ohio]]. He was heavily touted by the national media as a future NBA superstar for his all-around scoring, passing, athleticism and playmaking abilities.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|title=Ohio High School Junior LeBron James Is So Good That He's Already Being Mentioned as the Heir to Air Jordan\|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/2002/02/18/ahead-of-his-class-ohio-high-school-junior-lebron-james-is-so-good-that-hes-already-being-mentioned-as-the-heir-to-air-jordan\|newspaper=Sports Illustrated Vault \| Si.com\|date=February 18, 2002\|access-date=July 1, 2023\|archive-date=July 2, 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702103936/https://vault.si.com/vault/2002/02/18/ahead-of-his-class-ohio-high-school-junior-lebron-james-is-so-good-that-hes-already-being-mentioned-as-the-heir-to-air-jordan\|url-status=live}}</ref> A [[prep-to-pro]], James was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the [[List of first overall NBA draft picks\|first overall pick]] of the [[2003 NBA draft]]. Named the 2004 [[NBA Rookie of the Year]],<ref name="Gordon 2021"/> he soon established himself as one of the league's premier players, leading the Cavaliers to their first NBA Finals appearance in [[2007 NBA Finals\|2007]] and winning the NBA MVP award in 2009 and 2010.<ref name=Reference/> James left in 2010 as a [[Free agent (NBA)\|free agent]] to join the [[Miami Heat]];<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Tom\|last=Withers\|title=AP Was There: LeBron James dumps Cleveland for Miami\|url=https://apnews.com/article/miami-heat-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-entertainment-sports-c842cbbffbd42a55ed8374fd1e1b4a93\|work=AP News\|date=April 6, 2022\|access-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415214923/https://apnews.com/article/miami-heat-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-entertainment-sports-c842cbbffbd42a55ed8374fd1e1b4a93\|url-status=live}}</ref> this was announced in a nationally televised special titled ''[[The Decision (TV program)\|The Decision]]'' and is among the most controversial free agency moves in sports history, despite the show raising millions for national charities.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|first=Don Jr.\|last=Van Natta\|title=ESPN show confirms The Decision was fan's idea, not LeBron James'\|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29375906/espn-show-confirms-decision-was-fan-idea-not-lebron-james\|website=ESPN.com\|date=June 28, 2020\|access-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415214923/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29375906/espn-show-confirms-decision-was-fan-idea-not-lebron-james\|url-status=live}}</ref>

	James won his first two NBA championships while playing for the Heat in [[2012 NBA Finals\|2012]] and [[2013 NBA Finals\|2013]]; in both of these years, he also earned the league's MVP and Finals MVP awards. After his fourth season with the Heat in 2014, James opted out of his contract and returned to the Cavaliers. In [[2016 NBA Finals\|2016]], he led the Cavaliers to victory over the [[Golden State Warriors]] in the Finals by [[List of teams that have overcome 3–1 series deficits#National Basketball Association\|coming back from a 3–1 deficit]], delivering the team's first championship and ending the [[Cleveland sports curse]].<ref name="Bontemps 2016"/> In 2018, James exercised his contract option to leave the Cavaliers and signed with the Lakers, where he won the [[2020 NBA championship]] and his fourth Finals MVP.<ref name="Quinn 2020"/> On February 7, 2023, James surpassed [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]] to become the leading scorer in league history.		James won his first two NBA championships while playing for the Heat in [[2012 NBA Finals\|2012]] and [[2013 NBA Finals\|2013]]; in both of these years, he also earned the league's MVP and Finals MVP awards. After his fourth season with the Heat in 2014, James opted out of his contract and returned to the Cavaliers. In [[2016 NBA Finals\|2016]], he led the Cavaliers to victory over the [[Golden State Warriors]] in the Finals by [[List of teams that have overcome 3–1 series deficits#National Basketball Association\|coming back from a 3–1 deficit]], delivering the team's first championship and ending the [[Cleveland sports curse]].<ref name="Bontemps 2016"/> In 2018, James exercised his contract option to leave the Cavaliers and signed with the Lakers, where he won the [[2020 NBA championship]] and his fourth Finals MVP.<ref name="Quinn 2020"/> On February 7, 2023, James surpassed [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]] to become the leading scorer in league history.

← Previous revision		Revision as of 00:05, 19 October 2024
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	In addition to being the [[List of NBA career scoring leaders\|NBA's all-time leading scorer]] and ranking [[List of National Basketball Association career assists leaders\|fourth in career assists]], James holds several individual honors: four [[NBA MVP\|Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards]], four [[NBA Finals MVP\|Finals MVP Awards]], three [[NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant Most Valuable Player Award\|All-Star Game MVP Awards]], and the inaugural NBA Cup MVP award. He has been named an [[NBA All-Star\|All-Star]] a record 20 times, selected to the [[All-NBA Team]] 20 times (including 13 First Team selections)<ref name="Quinn 2021"/><ref name="Singh 2021">{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Sanjesh\|last=Singh\|title=LeBron James selected to 2020–21 All-NBA Second Team\|url=https://lebronwire.usatoday.com/2021/06/15/lakers-news-lebron-james-selected-to-2020-21-all-nba-second-team/\|newspaper=USA Today\|date=June 15, 2021\|access-date=April 3, 2022\|archive-date=May 27, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527115608/https://lebronwire.usatoday.com/2021/06/15/lakers-news-lebron-james-selected-to-2020-21-all-nba-second-team/\|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[NBA All-Defensive First Team\|All-Defensive Team]] six times, and was a runner-up for the [[NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award]] twice in his career.<ref name=Reference/><ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Kyle\|last=Daubs\|title=LeBron James' Almost Perfect Season In 2013 Was Ruined By Marc Gasol\|url=https://fadeawayworld.net/nba/lebron-james-almost-perfect-season-in-2013-was-ruined-by-marc-gasol\|newspaper=Fadeaway World\|date=August 17, 2021\|access-date=August 17, 2021\|archive-date=August 17, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817132250/https://fadeawayworld.net/nba/lebron-james-almost-perfect-season-in-2013-was-ruined-by-marc-gasol\|url-status=live}}</ref> James is noted for his longevity and is currently the [[List of oldest and youngest NBA players\|oldest player in the NBA]].<ref name="NBAOldestPlayer"/>		In addition to being the [[List of NBA career scoring leaders\|NBA's all-time leading scorer]] and ranking [[List of National Basketball Association career assists leaders\|fourth in career assists]], James holds several individual honors: four [[NBA MVP\|Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards]], four [[NBA Finals MVP\|Finals MVP Awards]], three [[NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant Most Valuable Player Award\|All-Star Game MVP Awards]], and the inaugural NBA Cup MVP award. He has been named an [[NBA All-Star\|All-Star]] a record 20 times, selected to the [[All-NBA Team]] 20 times (including 13 First Team selections)<ref name="Quinn 2021"/><ref name="Singh 2021">{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Sanjesh\|last=Singh\|title=LeBron James selected to 2020–21 All-NBA Second Team\|url=https://lebronwire.usatoday.com/2021/06/15/lakers-news-lebron-james-selected-to-2020-21-all-nba-second-team/\|newspaper=USA Today\|date=June 15, 2021\|access-date=April 3, 2022\|archive-date=May 27, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527115608/https://lebronwire.usatoday.com/2021/06/15/lakers-news-lebron-james-selected-to-2020-21-all-nba-second-team/\|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[NBA All-Defensive First Team\|All-Defensive Team]] six times, and was a runner-up for the [[NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award]] twice in his career.<ref name=Reference/><ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Kyle\|last=Daubs\|title=LeBron James' Almost Perfect Season In 2013 Was Ruined By Marc Gasol\|url=https://fadeawayworld.net/nba/lebron-james-almost-perfect-season-in-2013-was-ruined-by-marc-gasol\|newspaper=Fadeaway World\|date=August 17, 2021\|access-date=August 17, 2021\|archive-date=August 17, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817132250/https://fadeawayworld.net/nba/lebron-james-almost-perfect-season-in-2013-was-ruined-by-marc-gasol\|url-status=live}}</ref> James is noted for his longevity and is currently the [[List of oldest and youngest NBA players\|oldest player in the NBA]].<ref name="NBAOldestPlayer"/>

	James grew up playing basketball for [[St. Vincent–St. Mary High School]] in his hometown of [[Akron, Ohio]]. He was heavily touted by the national media as a future NBA superstar for his all-around scoring, passing, athleticism and playmaking abilities.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|title=Ohio High School Junior LeBron James Is So Good That He's Already Being Mentioned as the Heir to Air Jordan\|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/2002/02/18/ahead-of-his-class-ohio-high-school-junior-lebron-james-is-so-good-that-hes-already-being-mentioned-as-the-heir-to-air-jordan\|newspaper=Sports Illustrated Vault \| Si.com\|date=February 18, 2002\|access-date=July 1, 2023\|archive-date=July 2, 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702103936/https://vault.si.com/vault/2002/02/18/ahead-of-his-class-ohio-high-school-junior-lebron-james-is-so-good-that-hes-already-being-mentioned-as-the-heir-to-air-jordan\|url-status=live}}</ref> A [[prep-to-pro]], James was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the [[List of first overall NBA draft picks\|first overall pick]] of the [[2003 NBA draft]]. Named the 2004 [[NBA Rookie of the Year]],<ref name="Gordon 2021"/> he soon established himself as one of the league's premier players, leading the Cavaliers to their first NBA Finals appearance in [[2007 NBA Finals\|2007]] and winning the NBA MVP award in 2009 and 2010.<ref name=Reference/> ~~After failing to win a championship with Cleveland,~~ James left in 2010 as a [[Free agent (NBA)\|free agent]] to join the [[Miami Heat]];<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Tom\|last=Withers\|title=AP Was There: LeBron James dumps Cleveland for Miami\|url=https://apnews.com/article/miami-heat-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-entertainment-sports-c842cbbffbd42a55ed8374fd1e1b4a93\|work=AP News\|date=April 6, 2022\|access-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415214923/https://apnews.com/article/miami-heat-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-entertainment-sports-c842cbbffbd42a55ed8374fd1e1b4a93\|url-status=live}}</ref> this was announced in a nationally televised special titled ''[[The Decision (TV program)\|The Decision]]'' and is among the most controversial free agency moves in sports history.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|first=Don Jr.\|last=Van Natta\|title=ESPN show confirms The Decision was fan's idea, not LeBron James'\|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29375906/espn-show-confirms-decision-was-fan-idea-not-lebron-james\|website=ESPN.com\|date=June 28, 2020\|access-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415214923/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29375906/espn-show-confirms-decision-was-fan-idea-not-lebron-james\|url-status=live}}</ref>		James grew up playing basketball for [[St. Vincent–St. Mary High School]] in his hometown of [[Akron, Ohio]]. He was heavily touted by the national media as a future NBA superstar for his all-around scoring, passing, athleticism and playmaking abilities.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|title=Ohio High School Junior LeBron James Is So Good That He's Already Being Mentioned as the Heir to Air Jordan\|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/2002/02/18/ahead-of-his-class-ohio-high-school-junior-lebron-james-is-so-good-that-hes-already-being-mentioned-as-the-heir-to-air-jordan\|newspaper=Sports Illustrated Vault \| Si.com\|date=February 18, 2002\|access-date=July 1, 2023\|archive-date=July 2, 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702103936/https://vault.si.com/vault/2002/02/18/ahead-of-his-class-ohio-high-school-junior-lebron-james-is-so-good-that-hes-already-being-mentioned-as-the-heir-to-air-jordan\|url-status=live}}</ref> A [[prep-to-pro]], James was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the [[List of first overall NBA draft picks\|first overall pick]] of the [[2003 NBA draft]]. Named the 2004 [[NBA Rookie of the Year]],<ref name="Gordon 2021"/> he soon established himself as one of the league's premier players, leading the Cavaliers to their first NBA Finals appearance in [[2007 NBA Finals\|2007]] and winning the NBA MVP award in 2009 and 2010.<ref name=Reference/> James left in 2010 as a [[Free agent (NBA)\|free agent]] to join the [[Miami Heat]];<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Tom\|last=Withers\|title=AP Was There: LeBron James dumps Cleveland for Miami\|url=https://apnews.com/article/miami-heat-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-entertainment-sports-c842cbbffbd42a55ed8374fd1e1b4a93\|work=AP News\|date=April 6, 2022\|access-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415214923/https://apnews.com/article/miami-heat-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-entertainment-sports-c842cbbffbd42a55ed8374fd1e1b4a93\|url-status=live}}</ref> this was announced in a nationally televised special titled ''[[The Decision (TV program)\|The Decision]]'' and is among the most controversial free agency moves in sports history, despite the show raising money for national charities.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|first=Don Jr.\|last=Van Natta\|title=ESPN show confirms The Decision was fan's idea, not LeBron James'\|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29375906/espn-show-confirms-decision-was-fan-idea-not-lebron-james\|website=ESPN.com\|date=June 28, 2020\|access-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415214923/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29375906/espn-show-confirms-decision-was-fan-idea-not-lebron-james\|url-status=live}}</ref>

	James won his first two NBA championships while playing for the Heat in [[2012 NBA Finals\|2012]] and [[2013 NBA Finals\|2013]]; in both of these years, he also earned the league's MVP and Finals MVP awards. After his fourth season with the Heat in 2014, James opted out of his contract and ~~re-signed~~ ~~with~~ the Cavaliers. In [[2016 NBA Finals\|2016]], he led the Cavaliers to victory over the [[Golden State Warriors]] in the Finals by [[List of teams that have overcome 3–1 series deficits#National Basketball Association\|coming back from a 3–1 deficit]], delivering the team's first championship and ending the [[Cleveland sports curse]].<ref name="Bontemps 2016"/> In 2018, James exercised his contract option to leave the Cavaliers and signed with the Lakers, where he won the [[2020 NBA championship]] and his fourth Finals MVP.<ref name="Quinn 2020"/> On February 7, 2023, James surpassed [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]] to become the leading scorer in league history.		James won his first two NBA championships while playing for the Heat in [[2012 NBA Finals\|2012]] and [[2013 NBA Finals\|2013]]; in both of these years, he also earned the league's MVP and Finals MVP awards. After his fourth season with the Heat in 2014, James opted out of his contract and returned to the Cavaliers. In [[2016 NBA Finals\|2016]], he led the Cavaliers to victory over the [[Golden State Warriors]] in the Finals by [[List of teams that have overcome 3–1 series deficits#National Basketball Association\|coming back from a 3–1 deficit]], delivering the team's first championship and ending the [[Cleveland sports curse]].<ref name="Bontemps 2016"/> In 2018, James exercised his contract option to leave the Cavaliers and signed with the Lakers, where he won the [[2020 NBA championship]] and his fourth Finals MVP.<ref name="Quinn 2020"/> On February 7, 2023, James surpassed [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]] to become the leading scorer in league history.

	Off the court, James has earned further wealth and fame from numerous endorsement contracts. He is the first player in NBA history to accumulate $1 billion in earnings as an active player.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|first=Jasmyn\|last=Wimbish\|title=LeBron James becomes first player in NBA history to make $1 billion in earnings while still playing\|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-becomes-first-player-in-nba-history-to-make-1-billion-in-earnings-while-still-playing/\|work=CBS Sports\|date=July 22, 2021\|access-date=July 24, 2021\|archive-date=July 25, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725082200/https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-becomes-first-player-in-nba-history-to-make-1-billion-in-earnings-while-still-playing/\|url-status=live}}</ref> James has been featured in books, documentaries (including winning three [[Sports Emmy Award]]s as an executive producer), and television commercials. He was among ''[[Time (magazine)\|Time]]''{{'}}s [[Time 100\|100 most influential people in the world]] in 2005, 2013, 2017, and 2019 – the most selections for a professional athlete. James has won 20 [[ESPY Awards]], hosted ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', and starred in the sports film ''[[Space Jam: A New Legacy]]'' (2021). He has been a part-owner of [[Liverpool F.C.]] since 2011 and leads the LeBron James Family Foundation, which has opened an elementary school, housing complex, retail plaza, and medical center in Akron.<ref>{{cite magazine\|first=Sean\|last=Gregory\|title=Exclusive: LeBron James to Open New Community Hub in Akron\|url=https://time.com/5921157/lebron-james-house-three-thirty-akron/\|magazine=Time\|date=December 15, 2020\|access-date=May 19, 2021\|archive-date=October 15, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015222042/https://time.com/5921157/lebron-james-house-three-thirty-akron/\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name = "LBJ MC">{{#invoke:cite news\|\|title=LeBron James foundation to open new medical center\|url=https://fox8.com/news/lebron-james-foundation-to-open-new-medical-center/\|work=Fox 8.com (WJW-TV)\|date=June 7, 2022\|access-date=June 7, 2022\|archive-date=June 7, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607132338/https://fox8.com/news/lebron-james-foundation-to-open-new-medical-center/\|url-status=live }}</ref>		Off the court, James has earned further wealth and fame from numerous endorsement contracts. He is the first player in NBA history to accumulate $1 billion in earnings as an active player.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|first=Jasmyn\|last=Wimbish\|title=LeBron James becomes first player in NBA history to make $1 billion in earnings while still playing\|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-becomes-first-player-in-nba-history-to-make-1-billion-in-earnings-while-still-playing/\|work=CBS Sports\|date=July 22, 2021\|access-date=July 24, 2021\|archive-date=July 25, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725082200/https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-becomes-first-player-in-nba-history-to-make-1-billion-in-earnings-while-still-playing/\|url-status=live}}</ref> James has been featured in books, documentaries (including winning three [[Sports Emmy Award]]s as an executive producer), and television commercials. He was among ''[[Time (magazine)\|Time]]''{{'}}s [[Time 100\|100 most influential people in the world]] in 2005, 2013, 2017, and 2019 – the most selections for a professional athlete. James has won 20 [[ESPY Awards]], hosted ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', and starred in the sports film ''[[Space Jam: A New Legacy]]'' (2021). He has been a part-owner of [[Liverpool F.C.]] since 2011 and leads the LeBron James Family Foundation, which has opened an elementary school, housing complex, retail plaza, and medical center in Akron.<ref>{{cite magazine\|first=Sean\|last=Gregory\|title=Exclusive: LeBron James to Open New Community Hub in Akron\|url=https://time.com/5921157/lebron-james-house-three-thirty-akron/\|magazine=Time\|date=December 15, 2020\|access-date=May 19, 2021\|archive-date=October 15, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015222042/https://time.com/5921157/lebron-james-house-three-thirty-akron/\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name = "LBJ MC">{{#invoke:cite news\|\|title=LeBron James foundation to open new medical center\|url=https://fox8.com/news/lebron-james-foundation-to-open-new-medical-center/\|work=Fox 8.com (WJW-TV)\|date=June 7, 2022\|access-date=June 7, 2022\|archive-date=June 7, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607132338/https://fox8.com/news/lebron-james-foundation-to-open-new-medical-center/\|url-status=live }}</ref>

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	James grew up playing basketball for [[St. Vincent–St. Mary High School]] in his hometown of [[Akron, Ohio]]. He was heavily touted by the national media as a future NBA superstar for his all-around scoring, passing, athleticism and playmaking abilities.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|title=Ohio High School Junior LeBron James Is So Good That He's Already Being Mentioned as the Heir to Air Jordan\|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/2002/02/18/ahead-of-his-class-ohio-high-school-junior-lebron-james-is-so-good-that-hes-already-being-mentioned-as-the-heir-to-air-jordan\|newspaper=Sports Illustrated Vault \| Si.com\|date=February 18, 2002\|access-date=July 1, 2023\|archive-date=July 2, 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702103936/https://vault.si.com/vault/2002/02/18/ahead-of-his-class-ohio-high-school-junior-lebron-james-is-so-good-that-hes-already-being-mentioned-as-the-heir-to-air-jordan\|url-status=live}}</ref> A [[prep-to-pro]], James was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the [[List of first overall NBA draft picks\|first overall pick]] of the [[2003 NBA draft]]. Named the 2004 [[NBA Rookie of the Year]],<ref name="Gordon 2021"/> he soon established himself as one of the league's premier players, leading the Cavaliers to their first NBA Finals appearance in [[2007 NBA Finals\|2007]] and winning the NBA MVP award in 2009 and 2010.<ref name=Reference/> After failing to win a championship with Cleveland, James left in 2010 as a [[Free agent (NBA)\|free agent]] to join the [[Miami Heat]];<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Tom\|last=Withers\|title=AP Was There: LeBron James dumps Cleveland for Miami\|url=https://apnews.com/article/miami-heat-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-entertainment-sports-c842cbbffbd42a55ed8374fd1e1b4a93\|work=AP News\|date=April 6, 2022\|access-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415214923/https://apnews.com/article/miami-heat-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-entertainment-sports-c842cbbffbd42a55ed8374fd1e1b4a93\|url-status=live}}</ref> this was announced in a nationally televised special titled ''[[The Decision (TV program)\|The Decision]]'' and is among the most controversial free agency moves in sports history.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|first=Don Jr.\|last=Van Natta\|title=ESPN show confirms The Decision was fan's idea, not LeBron James'\|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29375906/espn-show-confirms-decision-was-fan-idea-not-lebron-james\|website=ESPN.com\|date=June 28, 2020\|access-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415214923/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29375906/espn-show-confirms-decision-was-fan-idea-not-lebron-james\|url-status=live}}</ref>		James grew up playing basketball for [[St. Vincent–St. Mary High School]] in his hometown of [[Akron, Ohio]]. He was heavily touted by the national media as a future NBA superstar for his all-around scoring, passing, athleticism and playmaking abilities.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|title=Ohio High School Junior LeBron James Is So Good That He's Already Being Mentioned as the Heir to Air Jordan\|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/2002/02/18/ahead-of-his-class-ohio-high-school-junior-lebron-james-is-so-good-that-hes-already-being-mentioned-as-the-heir-to-air-jordan\|newspaper=Sports Illustrated Vault \| Si.com\|date=February 18, 2002\|access-date=July 1, 2023\|archive-date=July 2, 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702103936/https://vault.si.com/vault/2002/02/18/ahead-of-his-class-ohio-high-school-junior-lebron-james-is-so-good-that-hes-already-being-mentioned-as-the-heir-to-air-jordan\|url-status=live}}</ref> A [[prep-to-pro]], James was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the [[List of first overall NBA draft picks\|first overall pick]] of the [[2003 NBA draft]]. Named the 2004 [[NBA Rookie of the Year]],<ref name="Gordon 2021"/> he soon established himself as one of the league's premier players, leading the Cavaliers to their first NBA Finals appearance in [[2007 NBA Finals\|2007]] and winning the NBA MVP award in 2009 and 2010.<ref name=Reference/> After failing to win a championship with Cleveland, James left in 2010 as a [[Free agent (NBA)\|free agent]] to join the [[Miami Heat]];<ref>{{#invoke:cite news\|\|first=Tom\|last=Withers\|title=AP Was There: LeBron James dumps Cleveland for Miami\|url=https://apnews.com/article/miami-heat-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-entertainment-sports-c842cbbffbd42a55ed8374fd1e1b4a93\|work=AP News\|date=April 6, 2022\|access-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415214923/https://apnews.com/article/miami-heat-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-entertainment-sports-c842cbbffbd42a55ed8374fd1e1b4a93\|url-status=live}}</ref> this was announced in a nationally televised special titled ''[[The Decision (TV program)\|The Decision]]'' and is among the most controversial free agency moves in sports history.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|first=Don Jr.\|last=Van Natta\|title=ESPN show confirms The Decision was fan's idea, not LeBron James'\|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29375906/espn-show-confirms-decision-was-fan-idea-not-lebron-james\|website=ESPN.com\|date=June 28, 2020\|access-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-date=April 15, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415214923/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29375906/espn-show-confirms-decision-was-fan-idea-not-lebron-james\|url-status=live}}</ref>

	James won his first two NBA championships while playing for the Heat in [[2012 NBA Finals\|2012]] and [[2013 NBA Finals\|2013]]; in both of these years, he also earned the league's MVP and Finals MVP awards. After his fourth season with the Heat in 2014, James opted out of his contract and re-signed with the Cavaliers. In [[2016 NBA Finals\|2016]], he led the Cavaliers to victory over the [[Golden State Warriors]] in the Finals by [[~~Comeback~~ ~~(sports)~~\|coming back]] from a 3–1 deficit, delivering the team's first championship and ending the [[Cleveland sports curse]].<ref name="Bontemps 2016"/> In 2018, James exercised his contract option to leave the Cavaliers and signed with the Lakers, where he won the [[2020 NBA championship]] and his fourth Finals MVP.<ref name="Quinn 2020"/> On February 7, 2023, James surpassed [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]] to become the leading scorer in league history.		James won his first two NBA championships while playing for the Heat in [[2012 NBA Finals\|2012]] and [[2013 NBA Finals\|2013]]; in both of these years, he also earned the league's MVP and Finals MVP awards. After his fourth season with the Heat in 2014, James opted out of his contract and re-signed with the Cavaliers. In [[2016 NBA Finals\|2016]], he led the Cavaliers to victory over the [[Golden State Warriors]] in the Finals by [[List of teams that have overcome 3–1 series deficits#National Basketball Association\|coming back from a 3–1 deficit]], delivering the team's first championship and ending the [[Cleveland sports curse]].<ref name="Bontemps 2016"/> In 2018, James exercised his contract option to leave the Cavaliers and signed with the Lakers, where he won the [[2020 NBA championship]] and his fourth Finals MVP.<ref name="Quinn 2020"/> On February 7, 2023, James surpassed [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]] to become the leading scorer in league history.

	Off the court, James has earned further wealth and fame from numerous endorsement contracts. He is the first player in NBA history to accumulate $1 billion in earnings as an active player.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|first=Jasmyn\|last=Wimbish\|title=LeBron James becomes first player in NBA history to make $1 billion in earnings while still playing\|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-becomes-first-player-in-nba-history-to-make-1-billion-in-earnings-while-still-playing/\|work=CBS Sports\|date=July 22, 2021\|access-date=July 24, 2021\|archive-date=July 25, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725082200/https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-becomes-first-player-in-nba-history-to-make-1-billion-in-earnings-while-still-playing/\|url-status=live}}</ref> James has been featured in books, documentaries (including winning three [[Sports Emmy Award]]s as an executive producer), and television commercials. He was among ''[[Time (magazine)\|Time]]''{{'}}s [[Time 100\|100 most influential people in the world]] in 2005, 2013, 2017, and 2019 – the most selections for a professional athlete. James has won 20 [[ESPY Awards]], hosted ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', and starred in the sports film ''[[Space Jam: A New Legacy]]'' (2021). He has been a part-owner of [[Liverpool F.C.]] since 2011 and leads the LeBron James Family Foundation, which has opened an elementary school, housing complex, retail plaza, and medical center in Akron.<ref>{{cite magazine\|first=Sean\|last=Gregory\|title=Exclusive: LeBron James to Open New Community Hub in Akron\|url=https://time.com/5921157/lebron-james-house-three-thirty-akron/\|magazine=Time\|date=December 15, 2020\|access-date=May 19, 2021\|archive-date=October 15, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015222042/https://time.com/5921157/lebron-james-house-three-thirty-akron/\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name = "LBJ MC">{{#invoke:cite news\|\|title=LeBron James foundation to open new medical center\|url=https://fox8.com/news/lebron-james-foundation-to-open-new-medical-center/\|work=Fox 8.com (WJW-TV)\|date=June 7, 2022\|access-date=June 7, 2022\|archive-date=June 7, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607132338/https://fox8.com/news/lebron-james-foundation-to-open-new-medical-center/\|url-status=live }}</ref>		Off the court, James has earned further wealth and fame from numerous endorsement contracts. He is the first player in NBA history to accumulate $1 billion in earnings as an active player.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web\|\|first=Jasmyn\|last=Wimbish\|title=LeBron James becomes first player in NBA history to make $1 billion in earnings while still playing\|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-becomes-first-player-in-nba-history-to-make-1-billion-in-earnings-while-still-playing/\|work=CBS Sports\|date=July 22, 2021\|access-date=July 24, 2021\|archive-date=July 25, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725082200/https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-becomes-first-player-in-nba-history-to-make-1-billion-in-earnings-while-still-playing/\|url-status=live}}</ref> James has been featured in books, documentaries (including winning three [[Sports Emmy Award]]s as an executive producer), and television commercials. He was among ''[[Time (magazine)\|Time]]''{{'}}s [[Time 100\|100 most influential people in the world]] in 2005, 2013, 2017, and 2019 – the most selections for a professional athlete. James has won 20 [[ESPY Awards]], hosted ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', and starred in the sports film ''[[Space Jam: A New Legacy]]'' (2021). He has been a part-owner of [[Liverpool F.C.]] since 2011 and leads the LeBron James Family Foundation, which has opened an elementary school, housing complex, retail plaza, and medical center in Akron.<ref>{{cite magazine\|first=Sean\|last=Gregory\|title=Exclusive: LeBron James to Open New Community Hub in Akron\|url=https://time.com/5921157/lebron-james-house-three-thirty-akron/\|magazine=Time\|date=December 15, 2020\|access-date=May 19, 2021\|archive-date=October 15, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015222042/https://time.com/5921157/lebron-james-house-three-thirty-akron/\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name = "LBJ MC">{{#invoke:cite news\|\|title=LeBron James foundation to open new medical center\|url=https://fox8.com/news/lebron-james-foundation-to-open-new-medical-center/\|work=Fox 8.com (WJW-TV)\|date=June 7, 2022\|access-date=June 7, 2022\|archive-date=June 7, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607132338/https://fox8.com/news/lebron-james-foundation-to-open-new-medical-center/\|url-status=live }}</ref>