Why He's No. 42

LeBron James first became famous because he could "ball" better than any high schooler in America. When he was a junior in high school, Sports Illustrated put him on their cover, calling James "The Chosen One." Since then, he has become as well-known a basketball player as any collegiate or pro athlete who has ever played the game.

Back Stage

After pushing the seemingly untouchable Detroit Pistons to the limit in the second round of the NBA playoffs, James now has his team believing in a championship run. He has continued to improve in each of his first three seasons in the NBA, increasing his points per game average and field goal percentage each year, and he'll likely continue this trend into his fourth season. With a young core around him and a bright coach, James is poised to make the Cavaliers a power player in the Eastern Conference. As for his plans in the long term, James signed a surprisingly short three-year contract extension with the Cavaliers, leaving the door open to a possible departure down the road. After all, a superstar like James could probably better cash-in on his talents in a city like New York or Los Angeles. James was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. Facing the Sacramento Kings in his first NBA game, James recorded 25 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals and shot 60% from the floor. In the 2004–05 season, James was selected to his first NBA All-Star Game and recorded 13 points, 6 assists, and 8 rebounds, as the Eastern All-Stars defeated the Western All-Stars 125–115. During the season, James became the youngest player in league history to record a triple-double, score 50 points in a game, and make the All-NBA Team. In the 2005–06 season, James was elected to his second straight All-Star Game appearance and led the Eastern All-Stars to a 122–120 victory, with 29 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. He became the youngest All-Star MVP at 21 years, 51 days. James made his playoff debut against the Washington Wizards in 2006. He recorded a triple-double with 32 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds, as the Cavaliers defeated the Wizards 97–86. At the end of the season, James negotiated a three-year contract extension, with a player option for a fourth year. The contract is worth US$60 million and begins at the start of the 2007–08 season. ames was elected to his third consecutive All-Star game appearance during the 2006–07 season. He played a game high 32 minutes and finished with 28 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. In the Eastern Conference Finals, James led the Cavaliers from an 0–2 deficit against the Detroit Pistons to win the series in six games. His performance in Game 5 was especially memorable. James recorded a franchise-record 48 points on 54.5% field goal shooting, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. In addition, James scored 29 of Cleveland's last 30 points, including the team's final 25 points in a double-overtime victory. In the 2007–08 season, James continued his dominant play, earning his fourth consecutive All-Star Game appearance and once again positioning himself as one of the frontrunners for the NBA Most Valuable Player award. On February 19, 2008, James recorded his fifth triple double of the 2007–08 season by putting up 26 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists against the Houston Rockets. Five triple doubles in a season ties his personal and team records for triple doubles in a season. It was the 15th triple double of his career, another Cavaliers' record. On March 3, 2008 James was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Month for February 2008.[40] It was the second straight month that he won the award. James has established himself as a legitimate triple-double threat and has averaged 27.3 points, 6.6 assists and 6.9 rebounds per game for his career.

Forcaste

Since his junior year in high school, LeBron James has been a basketball phenom closely watched by the national eye. He was only the second high school player to be drafted first overall in the NBA draft and has made a seamless transition to the professional game. Just as he dominated fellow students in high school, James now frequently appears on highlight reels embarrassing grown men on the basketball court.

James has single-handedly revived Cleveland's interest in basketball and in the 2005-06 season returned the Cavaliers to the playoffs for the first time since 1998. Finally fitted with a capable supporting cast, James finished an MVP-caliber season in 2006, in which he became the youngest player to average more than 30 points per game, and carried the Cavs into the second round of the playoffs.

He wears number 23 on his jersey and with each passing year, he continues to look as dominant as another player who wore number 23, Michael Jordan.