[Saba Sports News] The Sacramento Kings paid tribute to LeBron James as he marked his 20th year in the NBA, commemorating his debut against the Kings in 2003. The Kings presented LeBron with a bottle of wine, a pair of Nike sneakers, and a framed photo from his debut game.
LeBron’s NBA journey began on October 29, 2003, with the Cleveland Cavaliers, facing the formidable Sacramento Kings at the time. He made an impressive debut, scoring 25 points, recording nine assists, six rebounds, and four steals. This debut marked the start of LeBron’s illustrious career, culminating in becoming the league’s all-time leading scorer last season.
Reflecting on his first NBA points, LeBron shared his nervousness and the play details from that game. Despite not making the All-Star or All-NBA teams in his rookie season, LeBron quickly proved himself as a legitimate NBA prospect, averaging 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists as a 19-year-old rookie.
Over the years, numerous young prospects have been dubbed “the next LeBron,” with high expectations. However, LeBron’s enduring impact remains unparalleled, and the latest prospect, Victor Wembanyama, is seen as having potential but still has a long way to go to match LeBron’s legendary career.