From that very first game, LeBron established his style and approach to basketball. When the game is on the line, LeBron James wants the ball. He wants to be the one taking the last shot, and the majority of the time, he makes it.
Last season, LeBron willed his team into the playoffs and then put them on his back and carried them into the finals. After several gutsy and dominant performances in which he was unstoppable, LeBron started to get mentioned as one of the best players in the NBA.
In a career-defining game against the Pistons during the 2007 playoffs, LeBron scored 29 of the Cavaliers' last 30 points including 25 in a row, marching them into the finals. In that game he hit fade away threes, cut to the lane in fierce fashion, and played outstanding defense.
In that moment all the hype culminated in one inspiring performance. LeBron electrified and showed the potential of how good he could be and of the greatness to come.
It is rare to see a player in the NBA astonish a crowd night in and night out. What is even more rare is to see a player literally exhibit seemingly impossible maneuvers every single game.
LeBron has succeeded not only as a player but as a revered teammate, entertainer, leader, and role model.
His formula has been a championship mixture of very special ingredients: maturity beyond his years, tenacity and will, dedication to team, humility and perspective, and a rock solid, balanced image.
Despite the pressure he faced, LeBron managed to become a once-in-a-lifetime player and managed to tame the hype that had surrounded him.
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