LeBron James

In only his second year in the NBA, LeBron James became just the 5th player to average at least 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists for an entire season, along with Oscar Robertson (6 times), John Havlicek (2 times), Larry Bird, and Michael Jordan (1 each). On February 12, 2005 Iverson scored a career-high 60 points against the Orlando Magic. Frustration with Cleveland management have fueled talk that James will leave the franchise when his rookie contract expires, although James has denied that he is looking to leave the organization. The explicit lyrics of the album caused an uproar in Philadelphia, prompting him to stop the release before it hit the shelves. Despite his prodigious talents, James failed to lead his Cleveland Cavaliers to the playoffs in his first two years in the league, while fellow 2003 Draftees Carmelo Anthony and Dwayne Wade experienced some playoff success. Iverson also attempted to release a rap album named "40 Bars" under the alias "Jewelz". [1] (http://www.snopes.com/photos/commercials/lebron.asp) A similiar commercial involves Mike Vick of the NFL throwing a pass into the upper deck of a stadium during practice. One such incident involved a family party where he allegedly threatened his wife with a handgun, but was later acquitted of the charges.

The Coca Cola brand Powerade sports drink included James in a series in which an off duty sports reporter and crew accidently catch James during his teams practice making 5 shots in a row from full court which was made possible by computer effects. Dating back to his teenage years, Iverson has had some run-ins with the law. On March 2005, bubble gum brand Bubblilicious launched the "Lebron James Lemon Lime" flavor. Iverson has at times been a controversial personality in the NBA. Much like one of his predecessors, Michael Jordan, James has been signed by many companies to sell their products via advertisements, including Coca Cola, which contracted him to sponsor their Sprite product. Gold had been expected from a team stacked with NBA players. At 20 years and 110 days of age, he is more than two years younger than the previous record holder Kobe Bryant (22 years 161 days) and Magic Johnson (22 years 231 days). Things did not go as planned for the American team, however, as they returned home with only a bronze medal.

On April 19, 2005, after recording 32 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists against the Boston Celtics, James became the youngest player to reach 3,500 points, 1,000 rebounds and 1,000 assists. Iverson later reunited with Larry Brown as a member and co-captain of the 2004 USA Olympics basketball team. Barry was 21 years, 261 days old when he scored 57 for the San Francisco Warriors against the New York Knicks, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. We're talking about practice". At 20 years, 80 days old, James eclipsed Rick Barry as the youngest player to score 50 or more points in a game. We're not even talking about the game, the actual game, when it matters. On March 20, 2005, James scored 56 points in a loss to the Toronto Raptors. After the 76ers were defeated in the first round of the 2002 playoffs and Iverson was criticized by Brown for missing practices, Iverson held a press conference in which he said "We're talking about practice.

The second-year star reached the mark at 20 years, 20 days, breaking the record held by Lamar Odom, who was 20 years, 54 days when he posted a triple-double for the Los Angeles Clippers on December 30, 1999 -- James' 15th birthday. He had a love-hate relationship with Brown, however. On January 20, 2005, James achieved yet another milestone as he became the youngest player in league history to record a Triple-double with 27 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists as the Cavaliers rolled to a 107-101 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. He has leveled lavish praise on coach Larry Brown, often saying that he would not have reached the heights that he has in the sport without Brown's guidance. At 19 years, 272 days old, James was a full 277 days younger than Bryant had been when he reached the mark. These rules limited his effectiveness over the next few years, but he was still able lead the NBA in steals and minutes played while maintaining his high scoring averages. Kobe Bryant had previously held the record, having reached his 2,000th point at 20 years, 183 days. The NBA changed several rules the next offseason, most notably allowing zone defenses.

On November 27, 2004, he scored his 2,000th point, becoming the youngest player ever to attain that mark. Most of the basketball world expected the Lakers to sweep through the finals, but Allen Iverson carried his team to a shocking overtime victory in the opener at Los Angeles, and nearly upset the Lakers again in game two. James is often associated with fellow rookie sensation Carmelo Anthony, though he has begun to separate himself as he continues to improve while Carmelo's image has taken multiple hits. In these finals, the Sixers faced Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, who had reached the final series undefeated throughout the playoffs. He was named Rookie of the Year and nearly led his team, previously the worst in the NBA, to the playoffs. He had his best season in 2001, leading the league in scoring, winning the MVP award, and reaching the NBA Finals. During his rookie season, James largely met the extremely high expectations placed on him. As a rookie he quickly gained national popularity for a famous crossover dribble he made while being guarded by Michael Jordan.

Cleveland confirmed his selection as the #1 pick over a month before the draft, and contract negotiations were concluded some time in advance. Later known as "The Answer," Iverson was drafted as the first pick in the 1996 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers and has led the team in scoring ever since. Because James was seen as a consensus first pick, the 2003 NBA Draft Lottery was described by many as the "LeBron Lottery." James's hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, successfully drew the first pick. He opted for basketball, enrolling at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., which does not play top-level football. He then signed a contract with Nike for $90 million over 7 years. While attending Bethel High School in Hampton, Iverson was a spectacular all-around athlete who was regarded not only as one of the top basketball players in the country, but also arguably the country's top high school football quarterback. To the surprise of no one, LeBron officially declared for the draft on April 25, 2003. He is an all-star point guard for the Philadelphia 76ers.

He also earned MVP honors at the McDonald's All-American Game, the EA Sports Roundball Classic, and the Jordan Capital Classic. Allen Ezail Iverson (born June 7, 1975 in Hampton, Virginia) is an American basketball player. Basketball and to the All-USA First Team. Mary won a third state title, and James, for an unprecedented third time, was named Mr. Despite the distractions, St. Vincent-St.

James's team was forced to forfeit one of their wins as a result. James appealed, and a judge blocked the ruling, reducing the penalty to a two-game suspension, allowing him to play the remainder of the season. When James later accepted two jerseys from a Cleveland sports store worth $845 in exchange for him posing for pictures to be displayed on its walls, the OHSAA stripped him of his eligibility. Under the OHSAA guidelines, no amateur may accept any gift valued over $100 as a reward for athletic performance.

Gloria James touched off a firestorm of controversy when she was allowed to use her son's future earning power as collateral to secure a bank loan to buy an $80,000 Hummer H2 for his 18th birthday, prompting an investigation by the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA). Celebrities such as Shaquille O'Neal were attending his games, a few of which were being televised nationally on ESPN2 and on pay-per-view. The petition was unsuccessful, but it led to an unprecedented level of attention on him as he entered his senior year. "King" James was already on the covers of Sports Illustrated and ESPN The Magazine. LeBron then attempted to declare for the NBA draft, petitioning for an adjustment to the rule stating that a player must finish high school in order to be eligible.

Mary failed to defend their title as it moved up to the more-challenging Division II. Vincent-St. St. He also began using the nickname "King" James.

Basketball and a spot on the All-USA First Team. In James's junior year, he averaged 29 points and 8 rebounds and was once again named Mr. He added to his resume by being first-team all-state in high school football. Basketball" and USA Today selected him for the All-USA First Team, making him the first sophomore to be honored with such a nomination.

He was named Ohio's "Mr. Mary won another state title. Vincent-St. He averaged 25 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals as a sophomore as St.

Mary High School 2000 State Championship team. Vincent-St. James first captured attention following a solid freshman year for the Division III St. His combinations of size, strength, and athletisism have many people predicting him to become the greatest player of all time.

Although he primarily plays the small forward position, he is capable of playing point guard and shooting guard as well. Today James, who stands 6 feet 8½ inches (2.05 m) and weighs 241 pounds, is one of the most versatile players in the NBA. A neighborhood couple befriended the boy and taught him basketball, for which he almost immediately showed a gift. The identity of James's father has always been a mystery; the Akron Beacon Journal has reported that he is dead.

Born to a single mother, James was raised by her and a succession of her boyfriends, many of whom had criminal records. LeBron James (born December 30, 1984 in Akron, Ohio) is an NBA basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers. ISBN 1886228744. Morgan, David Lee: LeBron James: The Rise of a Star, Gray & Company Publishers 2003.

ISBN 0312322291. Martin's Griffin 2003. Jones, Ryan: King James: Believe the Hype, St.