Joe Matela Mullins Green/1 April 13, 2012 Rough Draft They inbound the ball, he takes it past mid-court with only 2 seconds left; he dribbles to the three-point line and somehow gets the shot off. It goes in! They win the hard-fought game by nailing the buzzer-beater; this is just one of the 17 game-winning shots that LeBron James has made in his short, eight-year career to give his team the lead in the final seconds of the game. LeBron James is just one of the many athletes that play the exciting game of American Basketball, a fast-paced sport that is extremely entertaining and viewed by an abundance of people through-out the globe. There have been, there are, and there will be many individuals who play the game of basketball very …show more content…
“James’ basketball coach at the time, Frankie Walker, offered to school LeBron and give him a nice home until his mother Gloria was able to afford to take care of him,” (“LeBron James: American Basketball player.” Newsmakers 1). During these tough times, LeBron formed an immense admiration towards his mother. During an Interview, James said, “My mother is my everything. Always has been. Always will be,” (“LeBron James: American”1). “Toward the end of elementary school, LeBron found a true stabilizing influence in his life: basketball,” (“LeBron James: American Basketball player.” Newsmakers 1). He first started playing basketball when he was about nine years old with a team called the Hornets at the Summit Lake Community Center (Bissinger 17). In 8th grade, LeBron joined an Amateur Athletic Union team called the, “Shooting Stars,” coached by Dru Joyce, a graduate from Ohio University, (“LeBron James: American Basketball player.” Newsmakers 1). Also on the team was Coach Dru’s son, nicknamed, “Little Dru,” who would later become one of LeBron’s best friends (Bissinger 20). The Shooting Stars would continue on to win a handful of national tournament catching the attention of many recruiters. James’ and his team were later invited to a private Catholic school, St. Vincent- St. Mary high school in Akron, Ohio, (“LeBron James: American Basketball player.” Newsmakers 1). Even Keith Dambrot put Coach Dru on the staff because of what he did with the, “Fab
Many people wish for greatness; Larry Bird worked for it until he achieved it, particularly in basketball. Basketball has always been a fast-paced, exciting game to watch. The sport has even been nationally televised for decades. The game has gained special popularity because of its superstars. National Basketball Association (NBA) superstars are recognized by many as the most recognizable pro athletes. Larry Bird was one of the most famous stars of the league, and his popularity greatly increased the publics’ interest in the league. Larry Bird’s fame and basketball success was brought about by his hard work and competitiveness.
While James was in high school he excelled in two sports, football and his more known sport, basketball. LeBron excelled greatly in football, he was named All-State wide receiver in his sophmore year (Smithwick 10). His mom was worried about James and wanted him to quit football, so he wouldn’t get hurt. Later he broke his finger in a football game and his mother made him quit. When he was in high school, James made the rounds of the postseason all-star games, and he earned most valuable player of the year award at the McDonald’s High School All-American Game (Newsmakers B2). LeBron wanted to skip his senior year to enter into the NBA draft, but was against NBA rules, so he returned to high school now the most famous high school player. Even before James entered the NBA draft he had already signed a $90 million contract with the brand Nike (Contemporary C4). LeBron James entered the NBA draft in the summer of 2003, and was selected by the "struggling to make it in the NBA" Cleveland Cavaliers (Smithwick 14). The three year contract that James signed with the Cavaliers amounted to nothing beside the more than $100 million in endorsement contracts he has signed with Nike, Sprite, Powerade, Upper Deck Cards, and Bubblicious bubble gum. If it was anybody's guess, they would have said that James was going to play poorly in his first year, but he proved them wrong, everybody wrong. He was named rookie
This isn't the only time he has felt the need to take responsibility for his team's success. At the end of just about every close game, everyone watching knows that Michael Jordan is taking the ball to take the last shot, and with some deadly precision. He has made over 25 game winning shots in his career, all with the same amount of greatness (Is Michael Jordan the Greatest).
On December 30th, 1984, in Akron, Ohio, LeBron James was born into a family with a sixteen year-old mother and an unknown father. LeBron was always close with his mother, Gloria James. He lived in a big house in Akron with his mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and two uncles. In 1987, LeBron’s grandmother had a heart attack and passed away in their house. The house became too expensive to maintain, and eventually, the house was condemned by the city. After that, a neighbor offered to have them to sleep on their couch so they could have a place to stay. They stayed there for a few months before moving to a cousin’s house. They spent the next six years moving to different houses and apartments. Finally, they moved to an apartment near Gloria’s friends who could help take
One reason why LeBron James is the greatest NBA player ever is because he got a lot of recognition from the media and the NBA when he played in High School. According to BallisLife, LeBron James had his game televised by ESPN by his senior year. ESPN is a well-known sports television channel that analyzes sports games such as basketball, football, etc. To be featured on ESPN is not only an accomplishment, but it acts as recognition that sports teams are looking for when they recruit players. Although only one of his games was televised, having ESPN televise it in the first place is amazing. Another example of this is also seen in BallisLife, where LeBron James is said to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated which is a magazine that also analyzes
Charmayne James was a shy girl that grew up in small town of Clayton, New Mexico. Beginning her way to being the Million Dollar Cowgirl she is today at the age of 3 riding from sun up to sun down. She started rodeo at a young age on a horse named Bardo. When Charmayne needed her next horse she looked to a young bay gelding that was used in her fathers feed lot. This bay gelding became Charmayne’s once in a life time horse. The pair was entered in the Rodeo Hall of Fame, and hold the record for most consecutive qualifications into the NFR for men or women.
First and foremost, LeBron James is a hardworking man, who has a very demanding job. Despite these demands and pressure, LeBron James is one of the youngest players to reach many National Basketball Association (NBA) benchmarks, such as scoring 10,000 career points and winning Rookie of the Year award for the 2003-2004 basketball season (Augustyn). Not only is LeBron James a great NBA player, but he has gone to the Summer Olympic Games to be on the United States of America (USA) basketball team. Amazingly, this basketball
It was in the first grade that Sammy Jordan was lifted up by his dad to be eye to eye with the rim and shoot the basketball. From that moment on, Sammy loved the game. He lived and breathed basketball. Every Saturday night Sammy and his dad would pop a squat on the couch, turn on the TV, and watch their home town team the North Carolina Tar Heels play. Sammy Jordan’s dream has always been to play for the University of North Carolina and then be drafted into the National Basketball Association.
The book ‘Shooting Stars’, is and autobiography written by Lebron James and Buzz Bissinger, provided a fantastic read. Published in 2009, the book briefly covered Lebron’s early life while spending the majority of the time covering his teen years. The reader is informed about the struggles that Lebron and his single mother faced through his early years. He had to move houses often due to financial circumstances and thus found it hard to make friends. James soon found a passion for basketball and formed a strong bond with his 4 best friends: Dru Joyce the 3rd, Romeo Travis, Sian Cotton and Wille McGee. They combined to create ‘The Fab 5’ and began on a journey to win the ‘National Championship’. They began to feel invincible as a result of
Also, Lebron James had the desire to make his high school basketball team, however, he lacked the money to afford the bills that came with the sport of basketball.
LeBron Raymone James was born on December 30, 1984 in Akron, Ohio to a 16-year-old mother, Gloria Marie James, who raised the child on her own. When James was growing up, life was often a struggle for the family, as they moved from apartment to apartment in the seedier neighborhoods of Akron while Gloria struggled to find steady work. Realizing that her son would be better off in a more stable family environment, Gloria allowed him to move in with the family of Frank Walker, a local youth football coach, who introduced James to basketball when he was nine years old. While james was young he played AAU ball . Lebrons freshman year he went to St. vincent- St. mary high school . then lebron averaged 21 points 6 rebounds per game as the season went on james led them to a 27-0 season In 2002, LeBron tried to enter the NBA, but was considered ineligible because he had not yet graduated from High School. In his senior year LeBron’s average stood at 31.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 3.4 steals per game. For his achievements, he was named Ohio’s Mr. Basketball for three years in a row. He was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated which was a hint at the expectations that rested on him. All his matches were having seating problems because of the increased number of spectators coming to watch him play. In 2003, he was selected in the NBA draft to play for the
Lebron James, the first pick taken in this year’s draft, may be the prototype for an athlete having immediate fame and wealth by jumping straight to the NBA. Almost undoubtedly, he has set the bar for years to come. Before he even played in an actual NBA game, he already had his own commercial and shoe deals. When he was a senior in high school, ESPN and ESPN2 were already publicizing his regular season games whenever they had the chance. Amazingly, as a junior in high school, he was already being considered the next Michael Jordan (Broussard).
They received an package deal, to continue their basketball careers together. They continued their careers together on Saint Vincent-Saint Mary High School, a small school in downtown Akron. James led his school, the Fighting Irish, to a state championship with a record of 27-0 since 1984. “James averaged a little under twenty points, and was the team leader in rebounds, assists and steals. With NBA and College scouts at Lebron's game versus the warriors, James scored thirty-three points, also finishing fastbreaks with amazing dunks. Lots of mouths saying Cleveland Cavaliers has already been filling James head up with good news, and talks like they already want him. James entered the finals for his second year in a row, also played in front of 1700 people including scouts. He scored 54 points in that game, and was tournament MVP. “For the year James averaged 25.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assists”. Lebron James was the first sophomore to be voted as state’s Mr. Basketball in Ohio history. James was named
LeBron Raymone James was born into poverty on December 30,1984. His father left him before he was born and it was only him, his mom, and his grandma. When his grandma past away it started to get difficult for them. They had to go to house to house almost everyday. His AAU coach looked after him and took him under his wing until his mom got her stuff together. The high school he went to was called St. Vincent - St. Mary High School in his hometown of Akron,Ohio were he was highly promoted in the National Media as a future NBA superstar. After he graduated he went into the NBA draft and he was selected by his hometown team Cleveland Cavaliers, as the 1st overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft. LeBron led the Cavs to their first NBA Championship
“I’m just a little kid from Akron”-LeBron James. Lebron James is one of the greatest basketball players to ever play the game and even at age thirty two he is still crushing the game. That is a big reason why he is my hero because he has always been a superstar from the start. At St.Vincent-St. Mary High School where LeBron went to highschool he led them on to win three Division III state championships. He was the first sophomore ever selected for USA Today All-USA First Team and then kept going from there to be named Parade magazine's High School Boys basketball Player of the Year and Gatorade Player of the Year in just his Junior year. He just kept getting better and better every year. His senior year he lead his team to the top national ranking and then went straight out of highschool to the NBA.