The great Michael Jordan did not think too highly of LeBron James before he entered the league straight out of high school.
While Jordan acknowledged the potential of the current Los Angeles Lakers superstar, he thought James would not be in the upper echelon of shooting guards and small forwards.
“I think once James gets on this level, he’s not in the upper echelon of shooting guards and small forwards. I think he’s toward the bottom. He has unbelievable potential, but he hasn’t played against the competition consistently in college or the pros. He’s played against high school kids who are probably under 6 feet and have the talent of storywriters.
“Five years from now, if he takes on the dedication of being the best basketball player he can be and continues to improve and accept challenges and not get comfortable with what’s been given to him, or what the expectations may be, he can definitely be a good pro.”
The Cleveland Cavaliers would select him first overall in the 2003 NBA Draft and all he has done in his career is reach eighth straight finals appearances, a total of nine, while winning 3 titles along the way.
Titles and awards:
3-time NBA champion (2012, 2013, 2016)
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3-time NBA Finals MVP (3-6 record in NBA Finals)
4-time NBA MVP (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013)
12-time All-NBA First Team
5-time All-NBA Defensive First Team
1-time NBA scoring champion
16-time NBA All-Star (3-time MVP)
2004 NBA Rookie of the Year
Career averages:
Points: 27.1
Rebounds: 7.4
Assists: 7.4
Steals: 1.6
Blocks: 0.8
FG %: .504
3P %: .344
