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LeBron proves to be spark for resurgent Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James has been described as "The King," "The Chosen One" and "The Gift."
Not that the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2003/4 Rookie of the Year could soak in too many accolades -- nor enjoy his birthday -- he was nursing a fractured cheekbone courtesy of Houston Rockets center Dikembe Mutombo's elbow.
The 6-foot-8 swingman was listed as a "day-to-day" proposition by Cavaliers medical staff after he sustained the injury last month, but turned up for their game against the Charlotte Bobcats on Monday wearing a protective mask.
"That's the best present I could have received," Cavaliers head coach Paul Silas told the club's Web Site. "Your worst fear is that he's going to be out for a long time."
James played 41 minutes and scored 26 points in their 94-83 victory, ensuring Cleveland (18-12) held their one-game Eastern Conference Central division lead.
It has been a remarkable turnaround for the franchise since they won the top pick in the 2003 draft lottery, just as the media hype surrounding James's entrance to the professional ranks straight from St Vincent-St Mary's High School in nearby Akron was reaching its peak.
Such was the interest, his school's games were transferred to a bigger venue at a local university and televised by cable network ESPN.
On the same day the Cavs earned the top pick, James signed a $90 million endorsement contract with sportswear company Nike -- before he had played a single minute as a professional.
Gund was so delighted for his team, who finished the 2002-03 season tied with the Denver Nuggets for the league-worst record of 17-65, that he posed with a Cavaliers jersey with James's name emblazoned on it.
The draft was not held until June 26, more than a month later, and the Cavaliers duly fulfilled the dream match of the highly-rated local boy playing for his "hometown" club.
GOOD INVESTMENT
The investment paid off.
On the court James led the team to a 35-47 record but off it is where his presence really counted.
According to a report in the Cleveland Plain Dealer at the end of his first season, when he averaged almost 21 points a game and won the Rookie of the Year title, the team's attendance was at a franchise high and television ratings were 300 percent up on the previous season.
Merchandise sales increased 500 percent and James's replica jersey was ranked number one in sales. Reporters from 21 countries were also accredited to cover the team last season.
James's golden year did not continue, however, when the highly-fancied U.S. team could manage only the bronze medal at the Athens Olympics.
This season, despite the loss of fellow Olympian Carlos Boozer to the Utah Jazz in a bizarre contract dispute, Cleveland have got better under James, who seems to have raised his game to a new level. His play this season prompted SI.com (Sports Illustrated) basketball columnist Marty Burns to describe him as the "best all-round wing man in the Eastern Conference" and in December he became the first Cavalier to be named the NBA's Eastern Conference Player of the Month. The city of Cleveland, which has been told by new owner Dan Gilbert the franchise will not be moving, is holding its breath that James can push the team to even greater heights.
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