Lebron James, a Modern Basketball Player

Since his arrival in the NBA, Lebron or King James has been characterized by breaking and pulverizing most of the records. Find out more about his career!
Lebron James, a Modern Basketball Player

Last update: 15 October, 2019

No one else is considered to be the best basketball player of all time, since Michael Jordan. However, NBA fans have obsessively sought out someone to take the throne of this renowned sport. For many, Lebron James, a current Lakers player, is the chosen one.

For the few who don’t know him, Lebron James is a 34-year-old player born in Ohio, United States. Winner of three NBA titles, in 2012, 2013 and 2016, he’s an athlete who has broken the majority of basketball records worldwide.

Lebron’s unusual career path

The story of Lebron James is somewhat different from most players who end up playing in the NBA. Most players usually play basketball for four years at a college level before being drafted by professional teams

Instead, Lebron became a star immediately after refusing a spot at a college. He was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team in 2003. This career path is usually referred to as “prep-to-pro” in which NBA teams draft players right out of high school. This path was also followed by other basketball superstars such as Kevin Garnett in 1995, Kobe Bryant in 1996, and Dwight Howard in 2004.

After leaving the Cleveland team, Lebron led the Miami Heat team to the NBA titles in 2012 and 2013 and won another championship with Cleveland in 2016, before joining the Los Angeles Lakers team in 2018.

Because of his stellar career, Lebron James is considered one of the best players in history. His outstanding achievements are constantly compared with those obtained by Michael Jordan. Lebron stands out for his physique, which makes him unstoppable in many aspects of the game.

However, as you can see in this article, the numbers that Lebron James averages are impressive even taking into account some of the biggest players in basketball history, such as Michael Jordan himself.

Lebron James playing for the Lakers
Lebron James playing for the Lakers

A modern basketball player

While it’s true that Lebron James has some detractors, the reality is that he’s a modern basketball player in all its right. This means that he’s a very physical player, who dominates all records, both in attack and defense. Able to score from any distance and defend all player profiles, Lebron is a physical wonder that some sports critics have dubbed to be fit for other sports such as soccer.

Lebron James, as other Ohio-born players, has a privileged physique and unique conditions that have made it possible to achieve his outstanding records on the court. He’s a leader on and off the court and has remained motivated even in the most adverse situations.

In this light, Lebron is one of the most athletic players in NBA history. Among other things, his impressive height allows him to have a great advantage in the area of rebounds. However, bouncing is not just about stature, but also about technique, anticipation, and strength. In all that, Lebron is one of the best players in history.

Lebron’s impressive conditions were evident to the world after the 2016 NBA finals. The Cleveland Cavaliers won against the powerful Golden State Warriors, who at that point were the best team of all time. Lebron managed to win and got the first title in the franchise’s history.

Since his drafting in 2003, LeBron is a potential candidate to become the best basketball player of all time and dethrone Michael Jordan. While many Jordan fans disagree, their importance in the NBA and even on other issues such as politics can help us understand the influence of basketball stars on and off of the court.

James during his time playing with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
James during his time playing with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Lebron James’ statistics in the NBA

Since his arrival in the NBA, King James has been characterized by breaking and pulverizing most of the records.

Fans of the best basketball league worldwide are lovers of data and statistics. Taking advantage of that fact, we’ll review the figures of Lebron James since his arrival at the championship:

  • 3 times NBA champion: 2012, 2013, 2016.
  • 3 times MVP – Most Valuable Player – of the NBA finals: 2012, 2013, 2016.
  • 4 times NBA MVP: 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013.
  • 15 times selected to play the NBA All-Star: from 2005 to 2019.
  • 3 times chosen as the Most Valuable Player in the NBA All-Star Game: 2006, 2008, 2018.
  • 12 times included in the First All-NBA team: 2006, 2008–2018.
  • 2 times selected in the Second All-NBA Team: 2005, 2007.

James is for many, the best player in the NBA.

  • 5 times elected in the First NBA Defensive Team: 2009–2013.
  • Included in the second NBA Defensive Team: 2014.
  • Elected Rookie of the Year in the NBA: 2004.
  • Gold medal Olympic Games Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

What the future hold for Lebron James

In January 2018, at 33, LeBron James surpassed Kobe Bryant as the youngest player to accumulate 30 thousand points in his career.

As of mid-2019, Lebron James is registered as a player with the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most successful teams in basketball history. However, the entity’s poor sports planning and lack of good squires have led the team to fail at qualifying to play the playoffs in the 2019 season.

In this sense, NBA fans are impatient to see what the possible successor to Michael Jordan is capable of doing. Do you think Lebron will be able to reverse the situation?


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.


    • Brown, K. A., Dickhaus, J., & Long, M. C. (2012). LeBron James and “The Decision”: An Empirical Examination of Image Repair in Sports. Journal of Sports Media, 7(1), 149–175. https://doi.org/10.1353/jsm.2012.0010
    • Mocarski, R., & Billings, A. C. (2014). Manufacturing a Messiah: How Nike and LeBron James Co-Constructed the Legend of King James. Communication and Sport, 2(1), 3–23. https://doi.org/10.1177/2167479513481456

This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.