By Andrew Krumme

"The sports world and the NBA especially are witnessing the rise of quite possibly one of the greatest athletes to ever grace any court, field or arena, that being the King." – LeBron James.

Now, in this crazy time for sports, with college basketball in full swing and an always-entertaining NFL season at an end, the National Basketball Association often gets overlooked. As I was listening to “J.T. the Brick” on late-night talk radio, I came across a break in the show for highlights and heard that LeBron James had become the youngest player ever to record a triple-double at the ripe age of 20. Mr. James dropped a cool 27 points, 11 boards and 10 dimes on the Portland Trailblazers in a 107-101 win in Portland. After winning Rookie of the Year honors last year and becoming the third NBA rookie to average 20 points, five rebounds and five assists in his first season – not to mention carrying his team a near-playoff birth – the King has done nothing but step his game up in his second year in the League.

LeBron is well on his way to becoming an all-time great. He is currently ranked fifth in the NBA in scoring, dropping almost 25 a game. In addition, he is snatching seven boards and dishing out seven assists a game on top of averaging almost two-and-a-half steals. Did I mention this kid is only 20?

So should basketball commentators, journalists and fans give LeBron an abbreviation, equivalent to “B.C.” or “A.D.,” of his own? “Shaq was drafted in 1992 B.L. (Before LeBron) while Tracy McGrady led the league in scoring in 2004 A.L. (After LeBron).”

But when we take a look at this kid (and he still is a kid) what sets him apart from all the other high schoolers and young guns coming into the league? Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett and Jermaine O’Neal were arguably as talented as, if not more talented than LeBron when they came into their own. But Kobe only averaged seven points a game his first year and did not top the 20-point plateau for a season until his fourth year. Kevin Garnett didn’t reach 20 points a game until his fourth season either. Jermaine O’Neal rotted on the Trailblazers bench for almost four years but is now an elite player in the NBA.

The simple fact is that LeBron was physically ready. While he came in at a ridiculous 6’8”, Kobe, Kevin and Jermaine were all stick figures. At 240 pounds, LeBron could have come out of high school and knocked defensive backs in the NFL on their butt.

Having seen him play in person while he was in high school and later on TV in the NBA almost every night has made it clear to me why he is so good at such a young age. The kid is built like a 10-year-veteran. Bron-Bron is already the most complete NBA player and in a couple years will surpass Tim Duncan as the best in league.

While his stats are gaudy (in addition to the stats already listed, LeBron is among the top six in the NBA in three other categories), he is also leading his team to wins, which is the most important stat of all. The Cavs have the second best record in the East and are on their way to their first playoff appearance since 1998. While lately the West has ruled the NBA, LeBron and the Cavs are on the rise, and who knows what may lie ahead. …

NBA Champs 2006 A.L. – Cleveland Cavaliers. … NBA Champs 2007 A.L. – Cleveland Cavaliers. … NBA Champs 2008 A.L. – Cleveland Cavaliers. …

 

Andrew Krumme is a sophomore pursuing an Finance major, and is Assistant Sports Editor for The Louisville Cardinal. E-mail him at: [email protected].