LeBron James was apart of the 2012 USA Olympic team that won the Gold Medal
In the Finals, the Heat were matched up with the upstart Oklahoma City Thunder, led by young stars Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. Despite holding a 13-point first half lead in Game 1, Miami lost the first game of the series. In Game 2, the Heat again built a double-digit lead, this time holding on and winning to tie the series at 1–1. Back in Miami, the Heat took Game 3 to go up 2–1. Game 4 proved to be a memorable one for James. With five minutes left in the game, he started experiencing leg cramps and was carried off the floor. He returned soon after and hit a three-pointer with 2:51 left to give Miami a three point lead they did not relinquish. In Game 5, James registered his only triple-double of the season with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists as Miami defeated Oklahoma City for their second ever championship and James' first championship. James was unanimously voted the NBA Finals MVP with averages of 28.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game. His postseason totals were 30.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game.
James officially became a member of the Heat on July 9, completing a sign-and-trade six-year contract with the team. With the move, he became only the third reigning MVP to change teams and the first since Moses Malone in 1982. Although his contract would have allowed him to earn the maximum salary under the collective bargaining agreement, he took less money in order for Miami to be able to afford Bosh and Wade as well as further roster support. That evening, the Heat threw a welcome party for their new "big three" at the American Airlines Arena, an event that took on a rock concert atmosphere. During the gathering, James predicted a dynasty for the Heat and alluded to multiple championships. Outside of Miami the spectacle was not well-received, furthering the negative public perception of James.
James was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the number one overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. In his first professional game he recorded 25 points, setting an NBA record for most points scored by a prep-to-pro player in his debut outing. He also added 9 assists, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals on 60 percent shooting. Along the way, James became the first player to earn at least 2.5 million All-Star Game votes three times and was selected to his sixth consecutive All-Star Game. In a mid-season loss to the Denver Nuggets, he tallied 43 points, 13 rebounds, 15 assists, two steals, and four blocks, becoming the first player to have at least 40 points, 15 assists and 13 rebounds in a game since Robertson did so on February 13, 1962. On March 13, he became the youngest player in league history to score 15,000 regular season points during a 92–85 win over the Chicago Bulls. At the end of the season, he was named NBA MVP for the second consecutive year.
The "Fab Five" at St. Vincent - St. Mary
James gained national attention during his junior year. Prior to the start of the season, he appeared in SLAM Magazine and was lauded as possibly "the best high school basketball player in America right now" by writer Ryan Jones. With averages of 29 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 3.3 steals per game, he was again named Ohio's Mr. Basketball and selected to the All-USA First Team. Additionally, he was named the 2001–02 boys' basketball Gatorade National Player of the Year. By the time James' senior year began, he had already appeared on the covers of ESPN The Magazine and Sports Illustrated. As his following expanded, St. Vincent-St. Mary was forced to move their games and practices to James A. Rhodes Arena at the University of Akron. The Irish's regular season games were frequently attended by celebrities such as Shaquille O'Neal, with some being televised nationally on ESPN2 and regionally on pay-per-view. For the season, James averaged 31.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 3.4 steals per game. He was named Ohio's Mr. Basketball and selected to the All-USA First Team for an unprecedented third consecutive year. He participated in three year-end high school basketball all-star games – the EA Sports Roundball Classic, the Jordan Capital Classic, and the 2003 McDonald's All-American Game.
