Although it took LeBron until his fifth NBA season to achieve his first League MVP Trophy, from the first time he hit the court he was considered one of the league's best and brightest stars.
His rookie season statistics were impressive, though by no means unique. Averages of around twenty points, five assists and rebounds per game - marred by an underwhelming field goal percentage just shy of 42%. The initial success of his team was similarly unspectacular. Thirty wins and forty seven losses, finishing fifth in the Central Division. Compare this to other NBA greats. With the addition of Larry Bird, the 1979-80 Boston Celtics improved from a horrendous 29-53 to 61-21; the league's best record that season. Magic Johnson's rookie season concluded with him cradling the Larry O'Brien Trophy as Finals MVP.
Despite the absence of the dramatic turn around in the fortunes of the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron was seen as a sure thing. He was going to be a star. And he did.
However, does such a 'sure thing' exist out there today, amongst the ranks of the NBA's young rising stars? Who will be holding the MVP Trophy five years from now, when Kobe is out of contention (and po ...
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Article written by J.B. Bird
LeBron James 2.0: Who Will Be The NBA’s Next Superstar?
January 27th, 2011 by J.B. Bird Leave a reply »
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