He had not finished school yet, and in the Cleveland's illegal training sessions, which the league subsequently fined, the club looked better than any of the then Cavs representatives. Now he is only 21 (“only 21!” - this phrase with various ahs and oohs skips in any material about LeBron), and behind him three years in professional basketball, several records, a couple of individual prizes and a huge contract that is only small part of the total income - advertising gives more. A fantastic future is predicted for him, at every step comparing with childhood idol Michael Jordan, and the great Mike at that age only made his debut in the NBA!
LeBron James has not looked like a teenager for a long time. And he does not intend to follow Jordan's schedule: he has long been ready for great accomplishments. Why? We have three "hundred" arguments for this.
StatisticsUsually in April they recognize the best player as the best player of the best championship team. Not the fact that “Cleveland”, which did not spend a decent staffing deal in the offseason, will be able to make significant progress. On the other hand, it is unlikely that the team will randomly retreat from the grandmaster line of 50 victories achieved in the 2005/06 season (more on that below). If the “cavalrymen” move even a step further, this may well be enough for LeBron’s chances to soar skyward. And the leader of “Cavs” does not stand up for numbers. Over the past year, the guy gave phenomenal statistics: 31.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 6.6 assists on average per match. Only three superstars - Oscar Robertson, Jerry West and Michael Jordan - managed to cross 31 + 7 + 6 until now. In addition, James became the youngest player in NBA history to score 6,000 points and win the MVP All-Star Match.
And one more thing: it took Jordan seven years to raise a prize named after Larry O'Brien over his head. Let LeBron be far from the champion title, but the individual trophy is very close. On his conquest, the original number 23 took only four seasons. James starts fourth.
DiligenceWith talent you can be born. Mastery is to gain. But where diligence comes from in people, the desire to become better every day is not known for certain. Apparently, this is also innate. In this case, LeBron’s parents were doubly distinguished - this guy, whom many already call the best basketball player in the world, is ready to add more.
Previously meticulous critics sniffing tar in barrels of honey, James called the lack of ability to attack from afar. Now, when the forward gain in this indicator becomes obvious, they point to another gap - an insufficiently confident game in defense.
In fact, LeBron’s defensive statistics are not bad. But numbers are not always measured skills. Ask Bruce Bowen or Shane Battye, for example - you will not see their names on the tops of the league leader lists for interceptions or block shots. They just know how to stop the opponent’s nimble snipers.
LB, on the contrary, intercepts great - largely due to natural dexterity and speed. But here he rarely worked out positionally. Moreover, the Cleveland coach Mike Brown did not demand this, trying to save the strength of his leader in attacking actions. The head of the US national team, Mike d'Anthony, albeit an adherent of bright basketball, in the summer guided James on the right path. Fortunately, the star team of the States did not require huge tension from the young LeBron. “He didn’t have a rare opportunity to learn the basics in college,” Batty said. “I had to take a young fighter course, and it hardens very well. Now it reads the desire to progress, to work on myself.”
“If you want to become great, you must be able to defend yourself,” the words are not from the boy, but from LeBron’s husband. In “Team USA,” he did not receive the gold of the World Cup, but he proved a lot to ill-wishers, defending himself well against players from playmakers to heavy forwards. Just recall how the normally uncontrollable Dirk Nowitzki was exhausted under his pressure ...
Finally, James was literally pounded by statements that he was not ready to decide the fate of difficult matches, often preferring to give a good, but a pass to his partner. Last season was the best refutation: only in the playoffs he scored three decisive goals in the last seconds (two more scored after his passes). Then they talked a lot about LeBron's runs at the time of the implementation of these historical throws, but here one more achievement appears - he learned to hypnotize the judges with his greatness.
StabilityI would like to explain the unusual passivity on the off-season transfer market for one of the favorites of the championship due to the slowness of the managerial team Danny Ferry. Only the Cleveland authorities have a completely reasonable explanation for this. In recent years, the Cavaliers have desperately lacked stability. Just think: for three seasons of performances in the NBA, 38 partners acted next to LeBron James (only Zhidrunas Ilgauskas and Ira Newbl have survived until today), they were led by three coaches, and even the club owner managed to change.
Yes, there has been no significant increase in Cleveland over the summer. Ronald Murray left, came David Wesley with Scott Pollard. But Ferry succeeded in another acquisition: team spirit can not be exchanged for any carriages. It will now be easier for LeBron to interact with partners, and Cleveland will inevitably add to the coordination of actions and, God forbid, the results.
Finance is also in order. The new boss Dan Gilbert is happy to put out money for any whims of your favorites, whether it be new locker rooms or gyms. But - most importantly - he allowed James (and, at the same time, another key "cavalryman", Drew Gooden) to sleep peacefully at night. The contract with the King is extended until 2010, for the maximum possible amount. LeBron can only fulfill his hopes. According to the advertising slogan of manufacturers of sports equipment, this is "we are witnesses."
Nikolai TSYNKEVICH