NBA: LeBron James becomes all-time leading scorer

Europe 1 with AFP 06:31, February 08, 2023, modified at 06:31, February 08, 2023

Ultimate basketball player with exceptional longevity, undisputed NBA superstar, influential spokesperson: LeBron James has forged a unique destiny for himself, overcoming a miserable childhood to become one of the greatest sportsmen in history, with an obsession for to be the greatest player of all time.

LeBron James continues to write his legend

It has been twenty years, more than half of his life, that the "Chosen One" ("the Chosen") - two words tattooed on his back -, thus designated by Sports Illustrated when he was still only a high school student, certainly already nicknamed "King" ("King"), embraces excellence.

Now the best scorer in history ahead of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James continues at 38 to write his legend.

And to fill in records a gargantuan track record (4 times champion, 4 times MVP, 2 times Olympic champion...) summoning all the superlatives during a career where his great victories were built on harsh failures, to better the place in orbit in the galaxy of immense champions.

Before glory, a miserable childhood

But before the glory there was the galley, for LeBron Raymone James, born on December 30, 1984, of a teenage mother, Gloria, and a delinquent father with absent subscribers.

His first ten years are unstable.

Precariousness is his daily life, moves follow one another, he goes from school to school, misses half of the year of CM1.

"I come from the cities, I saw drugs, weapons, murders", sums up the one who likes to present himself "just" as "a kid from Akron" (Ohio), to give an idea of ​​the path taken.

His fate changes when Frank Walker, an American football coach, spots him.

Impressed by his physical abilities, he puts him in basketball and persuades Gloria to welcome LeBron into his family, while she stabilizes his situation.

At 12, he is closely scrutinized

At 12, he was scrutinized by high school recruiters, dazzled by his power and his basketball IQ.

He will opt for St. Vincent - St. Mary, an establishment composed mainly of whites, rather than John Buchtel High School, where studies Savannah Brinson, his future wife and mother of their three children.

The reason for this choice, perceived as a betrayal by the African-American community?

LeBron wants to stay with his buddies.

Among them, Maverick Carter, who became his partner in shrewd investments (cinema, sports clubs, etc.), which, in addition to his salaries and advertising contracts, made him the first active billionaire sportsman.

At 18, he became the youngest N.1 in draft history, chosen by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Brute strength and polished diamond, James impresses: we have never seen a panzer of 2.03 m and 120 kg move like that, with the agility of a moped.

But he still doesn't win, despite all the talcum powder thrown in the air before matches, his superstitious ritual.

He lost his first two finals, with the Cavs in 2007, then with Miami in 2011, where he decided, the previous summer, "to take (his) talents", in his own words, long mocked.

But at the Heat, a competitive team finally surrounds him and James wins his first title the following season.

A double even awaited him in 2013 against San Antonio, but the following final ended in a heavy setback against revengeful Spurs.

James then decides to come back home: there is a job to finish.

With Cleveland, four other consecutive finals follow, all against Golden State.

He loses three, but one is enough to unbolt his reputation as a magnificent loser.

Because the coronation of 2016, after being led 3 wins to 1, is a feat never seen in the NBA.

an american story

One image remains: this stratospheric and decisive counter on Andre Iguodala in match N.7.

Perhaps the most memorable action of his career.

"I thought to myself that I was the best player that people had ever seen," he confided later, reigniting the debate as to whether he or Michael Jordan deserved this status.

During this final, he watches "The Godfather" six times, undoubtedly inspired by the rise of a man who started from nothing, for whom family values ​​are everything.

In short, an American story, like that of James, who also wants to be an actor in his country on the social level, like Bill Russell or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar before him.

On social networks, he denounces racial injustices

Very present on social networks (143 million subscribers on Instagram), he denounces racial injustices, supports "Black Lives Matter", criticizes President Donald Trump, even if it means being told "dribble and shut up".

He founded a school in Akron, financed aid programs and in 2020 created an association aimed at encouraging black people to vote.

A "game changer", which benefits Joe Biden elected.

That year, James put on his 4th championship ring, with the Lakers, showing that he was not in early retirement in Los Angeles, even if Hollywood offered him the leading role in "Space Jam 2", 25 years after Michael Jordan.

Jordan, again and again.

Up there, with his six crowns of champion in as many finals, when he is only four out of ten possible.

But LeBron doesn't let go, driven by an ultimate dream: one day to play with his son Bronny.

"As long as I'm on the court, I will try to be the best player of all time. And also, the best man and the best father. All of this, on the same path."