How Did LeBron James Become The “King”?

LeBron James is primarily recognized as one of the best basketball players of his generation. He is one of the top athletes in the world because of his extraordinary mix of strength, abilities, height, and leaping ability. 

If you want to discover more about this guy and his nickname, read on with Scott Fujita!

Who Is LeBron James?

LeBron James.

LeBron James is a basketball player with the Los Angeles Lakers in the United States. James rose to prominence after being named the best high school basketball player. 

He was a four-time NBA MVP thanks to his unusual mix of size, athleticism, and court vision. After winning titles with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013, James returned to Cleveland in 2016 to assist the Browns in winning their first championship.

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How Old Is LeBron James?

On December 30, 1984, LeBron James was born in Akron, Ohio. So, now he is 37 years old. He grew up in Akron, Ohio, and had a difficult upbringing. His father was a convicted felon who was absent while a child. 

His family was impoverished and going through a difficult period. Fortunately, LeBron’s basketball coach, Frankie Walker, took him under his wing and let him stay with his family, away from the projects, to concentrate on school and basketball.

LeBron James Stats And Points

In January 2018, at the age of 33, James passed Bryant as the youngest player in NBA history to reach 30,000 career points, becoming the eighth player.

He fell slightly over 8,000 points short of Abdul-all-time Jabbar’s high of 38,387 points. James moved into the fourth position on the all-time list in 2019, surpassing Jordan’s career total of 32,292 points.

In January 2020, one night before his predecessor’s unexpected death in a helicopter crash, he surpassed Bryant’s total of 33,643 points to move into the third position.

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LeBron James’ numbers after 16 NBA seasons included regular-season per-game averages of:

• 38.6 minutes.
• 27.2 points.
• 0.343 3-point field-goal percentage.
• 0.736 free-throw percentage.
• 0.504 field-goal percentage.
• 6.2 defensive rebounds.
• 1.2 offensive rebounds.
• 0.8 blocks.
• 3.5 turnovers.
• 7.2 assists.
• 1.6 steals.

How Did He Become The “King James”?

Even now, most members of the media, as well as players and coaches, refer to LBJ by this moniker. LeBron has absorbed this identity into his life to the point that ‘King’ appears before his name on his social media profiles.

There are numerous legends about how a high school athlete became the King, but none are true. While some say, LeBron called him the King because he thought he was more significant than the other players.

On the other hand, some audience members think a local newspaper gave him the moniker during his high school years. So it’s unknown how LeBron got to be known as “The King,” but whatever the case may be, this is something that will always be associated with LBJ.

Early Life and High School Basketball Career

He In LA Lakers.

LeBron James was born in Akron, Ohio, on December 30, 1984. James has a natural knack for basketball from a young age. In 1999, he was persuaded to join the basketball squad at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School.

James amassed 2,657 points, 892 rebounds, and 523 assists during his four years there. James scored 18 points a game as a rookie. He scored 25 points in the championship game to help the squad win the Division III state championship.

James’ outstanding basketball abilities were well-known, and he got multiple awards due to his efforts. LeBron James was named team USA or Today All-USA First Team as a high school sophomore.

He was the first sophomore to get this honor. For the second year in a row, his team won the Division III state championship. James was selected PARADE magazine’s High School Boys Basketball Player of the Year and Gatorade Player of the Year the following school year. 

After his junior year, LeBron James was such a good player that he considered turning pro.  James had a fantastic final year on the court after deciding to continue his education. 

He scored 31.6 points per game on his way to his team’s third state championship. That year, the St. Vincent-St. The Mary High School squad was ranked first in the country. James would quickly establish himself as one of the best players in the NBA.

What NBA Teams LeBron James Played For?

The Cleveland Cavaliers picked LeBron, and he spent his first seven seasons with them. He was considered a hero of the hometown team and Cleveland’s biggest celebrity ever because he grew up just down the road in Akron, Ohio.

Despite LeBron’s outstanding play on the court, the team could not win a title. LeBron James became a free agency in 2010. As a result, he was free to join any team he pleased.

It was important news when he announced which side he would support. LeBron James even had his show on ESPN dubbed “The Decision” when he announced that he would be joining the Miami Heat.

LeBron James led the Miami Heat to the NBA championship finals every year during his four years with the team, winning twice. LeBron returned to Cleveland in 2014. He aspired to deliver a title to his hometown.

In 2014, the Cavaliers advanced to the NBA Finals but were defeated when Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving’s key players were injured. In 2016, LeBron delivered the NBA title to Cleveland for the first time.

James opted to leave the Cavaliers and join the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018. A few years later, in 2020, he led the Lakers to their fourth NBA title and was named Finals MVP.

According to Ryan Ward of the Lakers, James is expected to play in Tuesday’s game against the Kings. In starting Sunday’s game 110-106 win against the Pistons, James logged a team-high 33 points, nine assists, two steals, five rebounds, and a block in 37 minutes despite a right abdominal strain.

He maintained he didn’t exacerbate his abdominal injury during the game and that he’ll be ready to play Tuesday during his postgame news conference.

Draft

It’s no surprise that James was the first player selected in the 2003 NBA Draft right out of high school, given his stellar NBA record. 

The big young forward was signed by the Cleveland Cavaliers, and he proved to be a vital addition to the ailing organization. The squad had finished ninth in the Eastern and Western Conference the previous season.

Los Angeles Lakers

James And His Ring.

On July 1, 2018, LeBron James revealed that he would be moving on to the next chapter of his career by signing a four-year, $153.3 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. This renowned team has produced legends like Kobe Bryant, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Magic Johnson.

By midseason, the positive sentiments had worn off, and the Lakers had stuttered through a 17-game run without their injured star. “If you’re still allowing distractions to affect the way you play, this is the wrong franchise to be a part of,” James said in late February 2019, when the team was still struggling.

When the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from playoff contention in March 2019, it ended James’ streak of 13 consecutive postseason appearances and eight consecutive appearances in the NBA Finals.

The Los Angeles Lakers announced that their star would miss the last six games due to a nagging groin ailment, capping up a challenging first season in Los Angeles.

The following season, the team got off to a much better start, thanks mainly to acquiring athletic big man Anthony Davis to the squad. In November 2019, James became the first player in NBA history to post a triple-double against all 30 teams, propelling the Lakers to the top.

James was named Associated Press Male Athlete of the Decade the following month, adding to his ever-growing list of achievements.

All-Star Games and MVP Awards 

In 2005, James was picked for the first time in the NBA All-Star Game, and he would go on to play in the annual showcase for the following 15 seasons.

The NBA announced in January 2018 that James and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry had won the most votes and will be captains of the 2018 All-Star Game.

In 2006, James was awarded the NBA All-Star Game’s Most Valuable Player, which he would repeat in 2008 and 2018. In 2008-09, 2009-10, 2011-12, and 2012-13, LeBron James was voted NBA MVP four times.

LeBron James Family Foundation

His Mother.

James has volunteered his time outside of the NBA to benefit others. In 2004, he and his mother Gloria founded the LeBron James Family Foundation to aid children and single-parent households in need. 

Among its various initiatives, the group constructs playgrounds in low-income regions and holds an annual bike-a-thon.

His Champion Rings

From the 2010-11 season until the 2018-19 season, James was a member of eight consecutive NBA titles. He won three championship rings during that period, twice with the Heat (2011-12 and 2012-13) and once with the Cavaliers (2015-16).

Final Thoughts

How do you feel about LeBron James after reading this article? If you want to read more about NBA history and the best players of all time, Scott Fujita is the way to go.

Thanks for reading!