Happy Birthday, LeBron James!

King James

LeBron James was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003 straight out of high school. His impact as a teenager was instant – both on the court and off. King James delivered from the very start in the NBA and earned Rookie of the Year honors. The King entered the league when he was just 18 years old. The expectations put on him were huge, and more than any teenager should have to face. King has not only lived up to all the hype, he has exceeded it.

The King never slowed down after his first season in the league, and he has achieved some of the most iconic moments in basketball history. “The Decision,” overcoming a 3-1 game deficit in the 2016 NBA Finals, and bringing a championship to his hometown team, the list goes on and on.

6 feet and 9 inches tall, fast, strong, and skilled. King James deserves the name, King. His god given ability is unmatched. What is overlooked is the work he has obviously put in. LeBron James is one of the smartest players to ever play the game, his basketball IQ is off the charts. James knows what is going to happen on the court before it happens. It is why he is such a brilliant passer and defender.

LeBron has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and the Los Angeles Lakers in his long career. The King has four championship rings, played in 10 NBA Finals, and won two Olympic gold medals. The career of LeBron James is unparalleled.

Below is a look at his 4 rings, and 4 Finals MVP Trophies.

First Finals Victory & MVP #1

The Miami Heat shocked the world when they added LeBron James to their roster in 2010. He joined Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to form what many credit being the first “Super Team.” While the Heat did reach The Finals in the first season of the Wade-Bosh-James combination, they were upset by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 series.

That Finals defeat was fresh on the Heat’s mind as the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season began and Miami made sure it did not falter once again on NBA’s biggest stage. For James in particular, The Finals had been a nightmare in the wins and losses department. In his first Finals trip — James averaged 22 points, seven rebounds and 6.8 assists in the series — his Cleveland Cavaliers were swept by the San Antonio Spurs in 2007. Trip No. 2 to The Finals featured similar numbers from James (17.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.8 assists) … in a six-game series he lost to the Mavs in 2011.

The 2012 Finals were a different story for The King — and his team. His numbers were glimmering (28.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, 7.4 assists) and the Heat blasted Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden’s Oklahoma City Thunder squad in five games. James claimed the first Finals MVP of his career for his efforts and, more importantly to him, got the championship he had wanted.

#2

The Heat would make the NBA Finals again in 2013. This time LeBron’s team would take on the San Antonio Spurs. The series went to 7 Games and was a hard fought series. The Miami Heat would win back to back championships and James would earn back to back Finals MVP awards.

#3

In 2014, James returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers after spending four seasons with Miami. His time with the Heat was successful, James won two Championships. But he believed he had unfinished business in Cleveland. LeBron started his career in Cleveland and left to pursue a ring. Now he wanted to bring the title to the State he was raised in. In 2016, LeBron brought a title to Cleveland when his Cavaliers defeated the Golden State Warriors. James would earn his third Finals MVP award.

#4

LeBron James joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018. By the time James moved to LA, he was already one of the all-time greats. James struggled to find team chemistry in his first few years in Los Angeles. He lacked a true star as a teammate. That would change when the Lakers sent the New Orleans Pelicans a substantial package of players and draft picks for Anthony Davis. Pairing James with Davis had Lakers fans excited. The acquisition paid off big for Los Angeles in Davis’s first season with the squad. In 2020, the Lakers would win the NBA Title, and they were led by Davis and James.

A King’s Ransom

When LeBron signed with Nike as a teenager, he was given a seven year deal worth 90 million. After that deal expired, the King and Nike would eventually agree to a rare in the industry, lifetime deal. Nike and LeBron have agreed to a forever marriage that brings LeBron 30 million a year and the total deal is supposedly worth more than 1 billion. It is believed that LeBron’s signature line, which includes shoes and apparel, is estimated to earn Nike more than $600 million a year.

LeBron x Shoe Palace

You can find Nike products, and LeBron James gear, at Shoe Palace retail locations and on shoepalace.com.

Happy Birthday, King James!

- Adam C. Better