born december american professional basketball player free agent james won nba championships nba valuable player awards olympic gold medals nba scoring title nba rookie year award selected nba star teams named game mvp twice nba teams defensive teams time leading scorer james played high school basketball vincent mary high school hometown ohio highly promoted national media future nba superstar graduating selected overall pick nba draft james led cleveland franchise finals appearance losing left miami heat highly publicized espn special titled decision james played seasons heat reaching finals years winning championships led miami game winning streak longest league history following final season heat james opted contract joined leadership cleveland advanced consecutive finals golden state warriors winning championship court james accumulated considerable wealth fame numerous endorsement deals public life subject scrutiny ranked america influential popular athletes featured books documentaries television commercials hosted saturday night live appeared film early life james born december ohio year old mother raised growing life struggle family moved apartment apartment neighborhoods james mother struggled find steady work realizing better stable family environment allowed james family local youth football coach introduced james basketball years old youth james played amateur athletic union basketball team enjoyed success local national level led james friends dubbed promised attend high school stirred local controversy chose attend largely white private catholic school high school career basketball freshman james averaged points rebounds game vincent mary varsity team fighting irish finished year winning state title sophomore averaged points rebounds assists steals game home games season played seat satisfy ticket demand alumni fans college nba scouts wanted james play fighting irish finished season repeated state champions outstanding play james named ohio basketball selected sophomore prior start james junior year appeared lauded possibly best high school basketball player america right season appeared cover sports_illustrated high school basketball player averages points rebounds assists steals game named ohio basketball selected junior win boys basketball national player year award vincent mary finished year record ending season loss division championship game following loss james seriously considered declaring nba draft unsuccessfully adjustment nba draft eligibility rules required prospective players graduated high school time james marijuana help cope stress resulting constant media attention receiving senior year james fighting irish traveled country play number nationally ranked teams including game nationally televised looking capitalize james popularity offered games subscribers pay view basis season year james averaged points rebounds assists steals game named ohio basketball unprecedented consecutive year named participated year end high school basketball star games jordan capital classic losing ncaa eligibility making official enter nba draft according writer james left high school basketball player senior year james centerpiece controversies 18th birthday accepted mother secured loan vehicle utilizing future earning power professional athlete prompted investigation guidelines state amateur accept gift valued reward athletic performance later season james accepted throwback worth urban clothing store exchange posing pictures officially violating rules resulting stripped high school sports eligibility james appealed ruling penalty eventually dropped game suspension allowing play remainder year irish forced wins official loss season game suspension james scored career high points football james played wide receiver vincent mary football team high school recruited division programs including notre dame sophomore named team state junior led fighting irish state semifinals football career came end senior year broke wrist basketball game sports analysts football critics high school coaches current players speculated played national_football_league professional career rookie season james selected overall pick nba draft professional game recorded points sacramento kings setting nba record points scored prep pro player debut outing eventually named nba rookie year finishing averages points rebounds assists game receive honor player nba history average points rebounds assists game rookie year finished season failing playoffs despite game improvement previous year rise james earned selection contributing points rebounds assists winning effort march scored points setting cleveland new single game points record averages points rebounds assists steals game finish season named nba team despite record start year failed playoffs finishing season star game james led east victory points named nba star game valuable player final season averages points rebounds assists game finished second nba valuable player award voting james leadership qualified playoffs time postseason debut recorded triple double winning effort versus game series game winning shot career making game cleveland defeat ousted second round james averages declined points rebounds assists steals game analysts attributed fall passing skills shot selection stemming lack effort focus finished season wins second consecutive year entered playoffs east second seed game conference finals james points rebounds assists scoring cleveland points including game winning lay seconds left game play play announcer called performance greatest moments postseason history color commentator called espn ranked performance fourth greatest modern nba playoff history went win game claim championship advanced swept finals james averaged points rebounds assists game february season james named star game mvp second time point rebound assist performance march moved past time leading scorer game games seven triple doubles finish year james set new personal team record triple doubles season points game highest league representing scoring title despite individual accomplishments cleveland record fell year seeded fourth east entering playoffs defeated round consecutive season eliminated seven games round decisive seventh game boston james scored points scored game associated_press described shootout mvp tenure conclusion season james finished second year voting chase blocks career high total blocks fourth player lead team points rebounds assists steals blocks single season play cleveland went franchise record fell game short matching best home record league history averages points rebounds assists steals blocks game win mvp award playoffs cleveland swept atlanta hawks earn match conference finals game series james scored points percent shooting losing effort game hit game winner tie series cleveland lose series games following loss game james immediately left floor shaking hands opponents act media members viewed series averaged points rebounds assists game finishing postseason career playoff high points game midway season guards experienced significant injuries forcing james temporary point guard role increased minutes team primary ball averaged career high assists points rebounds steals block game percent shooting route second consecutive cleveland finished season league best record second straight year playoffs beat round fell second round james heavily criticized playing game series shot percent shots scoring points conclusion game walked court cleveland home crowd team having suffered worst home playoff loss eliminated playoffs game defeat despite james recording points rebounds assists free agency james free agent july free agency courted teams including july announced live espn special titled decision sign heat telecast broadcast connecticut raised million charity additional million advertisement revenue donated charities day special fellow free agents wade announced sign miami reports later arose trio discussed free agencies james decided join wade shoulder load thinking improved teammates better chance winning championship stayed cleveland heat president played major role selling james idea playing wade relieved burden scoring james thought player average triple double season james drew immense criticism sports analysts executives fans current players leaving decision viewed unnecessary thought prolonged wait james choice teams aware decision moments learning james returning cleveland owner published open letter fans aggressively denounced james actions angry fans team recorded videos burning jersey nba players including critical james condemning joining wade miami trying win championship guy james drew criticism september interview cnn claimed race factor fallout decision result actions free agency period quickly gained reputation america disliked athletes radical change years prior phrase taking talents punch line critics immediately following decision james claimed change handling free agency despite criticism expressed regret actions season said probably little bit different happy decision james relented special season shoe foot fan passionate player decided leave upset way handled debut season james officially member heat july completing sign trade year contract team reigning mvp change teams moses contract allowed earn maximum salary collective agreement took money order miami able afford wade roster support evening heat threw welcome party new big event took rock concert atmosphere gathering james predicted dynasty heat alluded multiple championships outside miami spectacle received negative public perception james season james embraced villain role bestowed media later admitted regretted approach december returned cleveland time departing free agent scoring points leading miami win time touched ball finished season averages points rebounds assists game percent shooting entering playoffs east second seed miami advanced finals dallas losing games despite holding series lead going game james received criticism loss averaging points fourth quarters series finals scoring average points game point drop regular season largest point drop league history championships heat loss james spent offseason working post game work paid called greatest important recent sports history james post oriented play miami matched best start season franchise history conclusion shortened campaign named mvp time finishing averages points rebounds assists steals game percent shooting game second round playoffs james registered points rebounds assists help series miami eventually defeated games facing elimination game conference finals james scored points lead heat victory new_york_times called career defining performance miami won game advance finals earning matchup late game series james hit heat lead helping win game despite missing time leg game registered triple double miami defeated second championship james championship james unanimously voted bill russell nba finals valuable player averages points rebounds assists game february season james described sports_illustrated month ages averaging points assists game setting multiple shooting efficiency records period heat began game winning streak longest nba history play miami finished year franchise league best record james named mvp fourth time falling vote shy player nba history win award unanimously final season averages points rebounds assists steals game percent shooting game conference finals james scored beating miami point victory series supporting cast struggled significantly added scoring load prompted compare responsibilities cleveland days despite struggles heat won series advanced finals meeting spurs signifying rematch james finals years earlier beginning series criticized lack poor shot selection miami fell game recorded second triple double series including fourth quarter points lead heat comeback victory game tied finals record points scored game victory leading miami san_antonio points named finals mvp second straight season averaging points rebounds assists steals game series fourth consecutive finals march season james scored career high franchise record points game year staples heat roster different starting line ups injuries finishing averages points rebounds assists game percent shooting second round playoffs tied career postseason high scoring points game brooklyn nets round miami defeated earn fourth consecutive finals berth teams nba history game finals james missed fourth quarter leg helping spurs early series lead game led heat series tying victory points percent shooting rate san_antonio eventually eliminated heat games ending miami quest finals james averaged points rebounds steals game return june james opted contract heat officially free agent july july revealed person essay sports_illustrated intended rejoin contrast decision announcement return cleveland received july officially signed team month james signing acquired forming new star trio january season james missed weeks left knee lower strains longest stretch missed games career total played career low games final averages points rebounds assists game second round playoffs hit cleveland series tie defeated hawks advance finals making james player 1960s play consecutive finals finals golden state warriors love sidelined injury giving james offensive responsibilities leadership opened series lead eliminated games despite loss received consideration averaging points rebounds assists game series season james criticized role court controversies including midseason firing head coach despite cleveland finished year wins best record east james final averages points rebounds assists game percent shooting playoffs advanced comfortably finals losing games route rematch warriors coming record setting win campaign begin series cleveland fell including losses james responded registering point games games leading consecutive wins elimination game posted triple double number key plays including memorable chase block final minutes cleveland emerged victorious winning city professional sports title years team nba history come series deficit finals james player record triple double nba finals game series averages points rebounds assists blocks steals game player league history lead teams statistical categories playoff round culminating unanimous finals mvp selection national team career james debut united_states national team olympics athens greece spent games bench averaging minutes game points rebounds game games finished competition bronze medal basketball team return home gold medal adding professionals line james felt limited playing time believed given fair opportunity play attitude olympics described respectively world championship japan james took greater role averaging points rebounds assists game captain team finished tournament record winning bronze medal james behavior questioned time teammate confronted james treatment staff members naming james olympic team managing director coach gave james ultimatum improve attitude advice averaged points rebounds assists game including point performance argentina championship game american olympic went winning gold medal qualifying olympics beijing china james credited team attitude experience improvement saying don think understood meant usa uniform people representing definitely know olympics went unbeaten winning gold medal final game james turned points rebounds assists spain james play world championship rejoined olympics london england leader team soon stepping james facilitated offense post perimeter called defensive sets provided scoring needed game australia recorded triple double olympic basketball history points rebounds assists went win second straight gold medal defeating spain final game james contributed points win time leading scorer men basketball history joined players win award nba championship olympic gold medal year said best player best leader smart anybody playing game right player profile standing feet inches weighing pounds james started small forward power forward play positions career averages points rebounds assists steals game considered athletic versatile players nba history compared hall ranked best player nba espn sports_illustrated basketball analysts coaches fans current players consider james greatest players time ranking best small forward overall earned nba honors season sophomore year defensive honors season named rookie year debut season mvp awards select group players won award times including jordan chamberlain russell won mvp awards year span james won defensive player year award finished second voting twice lists main goals offense james entered nba early age immediate offensive impact holds numerous youngest including youngest player score career points term ball point forward shooting tendencies perimeter oriented established best finishers basketball leading nba point plays time frequently criticized having developed reliable jump shot post game areas improved miami heat coach changed james role unconventional james began spending time post shooting fewer attempting career low improved shot selection accuracy jump shots finishing second league catch shoot field goal percentage learned work ball cutter heat pass happy offense period espn called james free throw shooting biggest weakness describing average returning james began experience subtle age related declines productivity posting lowest scoring averages rookie season shooting briefly ranked worst high volume outside shooter outside paint nba career james ability praised article called greatest size vision attention opposing defenses advantage james able create easy points teammates accurate assists manufacturing league leading game way passing early james career criticized media play pressure situations specifically passing instead shooting seconds close games interview teammate stated wade second shot james later james career clutch play viewed favorably example article revealed james better shooting percentage game line wrote clutch playoff shooter generation defense beginning james career considered poor defensive player improved steadily years near end tenure cleveland proficient chase block coming opposition transition block shot miami developed versatile defender heat relied guard positions paired teammates wade miami james ultra aggressive defensive scheme james cheating ball help inside position james criticized having defensive season stemming lack effort tendency court james proposed high school sweetheart december party celebrating new year eve 27th birthday married september san_diego children born october born june tenure heat james resided affluent miami neighborhood bought story mansion overlooking million november james bought square feet east_coast style mansion los_angeles million business interests james represented agent sports agent left rose rose joined creative artists agency worked fellow agent represented wade bring james miami james left paul james paul childhood friends formed agent sports marketing company handles james marketing including marketing decision criticized career james taken unique approach playing contracts usually opting sign shorter term deals order maximize earnings potential flexibility negotiated year million contract extension instead year maximum allotted james option seeking new contract worth money free agent following season rejoined cleveland year contract worth million option free agent offseason opted contract signed year contract player option second year analysts speculated james opting signing new contracts season order advantage higher salaries resulting nba rising salary cap james numerous endorsement contracts companies business mcdonald coming high school target way bidding war eventually signing approximately million signature shoes performed led nba players shoe sales sole global rights deal granted minority stake english football club claimed support result james endorsement money nba salary listed world highest paid athletes surpassed highest paid basketball player world earnings million ranked sixth highest earning highest james realized profit million apple acquisition originally struck deal small stake company inception exchange promoting james comedian hosted awards comedic pursuits hosted 33rd season premiere saturday night live tried hand acting appearing cameo role hbo series entourage played film receiving positive reviews performance year james digital video company raised million help expand company efforts bring athlete created content fans hosted athletes including new england patriots tight end seattle business partner james owns production company work lions gate documentary game released james high school years series produced include disney sports documentaries sitcom survivor remorse animated web series air series hosted james called coming financed condition neighborhood cleveland public image james considered including fellow players face nba opinions yielded significant influence important league decisions example asked commissioner increase duration star break request granted following season february james elected vice president james ranked forbes world influential athletes career tenure local fans displaying giant produced banner james world headquarters despite affection cleveland fans critics frequently annoyed attended cleveland_indians games new_york_yankees dressed yankees hat following actions free agency period specifically decision listed world disliked athletes image recovered reported espn popular player nba second time career named popular male athlete america led league jersey sales times philanthropist james active supporter children defense fund charity foundation based foundation held annual bike raise money causes james announced partnership provide scholarships children beginning march james black man man overall appear cover vogue posing sports considered cover offensive describing demeanor james holding reference classic imagery movie monster dark savage capturing light skinned love interest james taken controversial issues career mentioning occasions feeling obligation effect change status include war case nba owner racist comments verdict death june james donated committee elect barack_obama later year james gathered people loans arena viewing democratic presidential nominee barack_obama minute television advertisement shown large screen stage jay-z later held free concert nba career statistics regular season playoffs awards honors nba time nba champion time mvp time nba valuable player time time nba star game mvp time nba team time nba second team time nba rookie year nba rookie team nba scoring champion player time points assists leaders national team time olympic gold medal winner olympic bronze medal winner world championship bronze medal winner americas championship gold medal winner year commemorative banner miami gold medal won member miami heat high school national champion time champion time national player year time year time ohio basketball time usa today usa team time parade high school player year prep player year classic mvp jordan capital classic mvp number retired class home basketball court named james arena time year athlete year sports illustrated year sporting news athlete year sporting news nba mvp sporting news rookie year sports illustrated nba decade team 2000s time award winner categories individually team downtown renamed king story commemorative banner downtown cleveland story commemorative banner downtown
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