Lebron James at 40
In the 21st century, he is a basketball player who is beloved, hated, and debated. He represents the torch being passed after Michael Jordan passed it to Kobe Bryant. Before him, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Dr. J. Kareem, Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, Pistol Pete, the Iceman, and other NBA Players took the game to the next level with their athleticism and basketball skills. LeBron James has broken records, won championships, and played at a high level being over 40 years old. Whether you view LeBron James as the greatest NBA Player of all time or not, LeBron James' legacy is set in stone as an outstanding player. He doesn't just play basketball. He has been outspoken on social issues from gun violence to fighting police brutality against black people. LeBron James was born in the Midwest in Akron, Ohio. He was raised by his mother, played basketball with his friends, and was called "The Chosen One" by ESPN and the rest of the sports media. He lived up to the hype and went to achieve things beyond people's imagination. Now, he is in his 40s, and a new generation of NBA players are carrying the legacy of greatness too. LeBron James won multiple Olympic gold medals, went to many All-Star games, and currently has more points than any NBA player in basketball history. No one can deny his greatness. He married a great black woman, have great black children, and contributes a lot to his community. It is certainly time to analyze his American story.
Early Life
LeBron James was born on December 20, 1984, in Akron, Ohio. His parents were Gloria Marie James (who was 16 years old when he was born) and Anthony McClelland (who is a controversial person with a criminal record. He was not involved in his life). LeBron James and his family moved from apartment to apartment in seeking economic and social stability. Gloria James wanted to have an adequate job to provide for her family. Gloria allowed him to move into family of Frank Walker, a local youth football coach, who introduced James to basketball when he was nine years old. By the time he was in the fifth grade, James played in organized basketball. He played AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) basketball for the Northeast Ohio Shooting Stars. The team had much success on the local and national level, led by James plus his friends Sian Cotton, Dru Joyce III, and Willie McGree. Their nickname was the Fab Four, and they promised each other that they would attend high school together. In a move that stirred local controversy, they chose to attend St. Vincent–St. Mary High School, a private Catholic school with predominantly white students. As a 6-foot-2-inch (1.88 m) tall freshman, James averaged 18 points and 6.2 rebounds per game for the St. Vincent–St. Mary varsity basketball team. The Fighting Irish went 27–0 en route to the Division III state title, making them the only boys high school team in Ohio to finish the season undefeated.
As a sophomore, James averaged 25.3 points and 7.4 rebounds, along with 5.5 assists and 3.7 steals per game. For some home games during the season, St. Vincent–St. Mary played at the University of Akron's 5,492-seat Rhodes Arena to satisfy ticket demand from alumni, fans, as well as college and NBA scouts who wanted to see James play. The Fighting Irish finished the season 26–1 and repeated as state champions. For his outstanding play, James was named Ohio Mr. Basketball and selected to the USA Today All-USA First Team, becoming the first sophomore to do either.
In 2001, during the summer before his junior year, James was the subject of a feature article in Slam magazine in which writer Ryan Jones lauded the 16-year-old James, who had grown to 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m), as "[possibly] the best high school basketball player in America right now." During the season, James also appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, becoming the first high school basketball underclassman to do so. With averages of 28 points, 8.9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals per game, he was again named Ohio Mr. Basketball and selected to the USA Today All-USA First Team, and became the first junior to be named male basketball Gatorade National Player of the Year. St. Vincent–St. Mary finished the year with a 23–4 record, ending their season with a loss in the Division II championship game. Following the loss, James unsuccessfully petitioned for a change to the NBA's draft eligibility rules in an attempt to enter the 2002 NBA draft. During this time, he used marijuana, which he said was to help cope with the stress that resulted from the constant media attention he was receiving.
The Chosen One
Throughout his senior year, James and the Fighting Irish traveled across the country to play several nationally ranked teams, including a game on December 12, 2002, against Oak Hill Academy that was nationally televised on ESPN2. Time Warner Cable, looking to capitalize on James's popularity, offered St. Vincent–St. Mary's games to Ohio-based subscribers for $7.95 per game on a pay-per-view basis throughout the season, but ended up not being profitable. For the year, James averaged 30.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 2.9 steals per game, was named Ohio Mr. Basketball and selected to the USA Today All-USA First Team for an unprecedented third consecutive year and was named Gatorade National Player of the Year for the second consecutive year. He participated in three year-end high school basketball all-star games—the EA Sports Roundball Classic, the Jordan Brand Capital Classic, and the McDonald's All-American Game—losing his National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) eligibility and making it official that he would enter the 2003 NBA draft.
Also, during his senior year, James was the centerpiece of several controversies. For his 18th birthday, James skirted state amateur bylaws by accepting a Hummer H2 as a gift from his mother, who had secured a loan for the vehicle by utilizing James's future earning power as an NBA player. This prompted an investigation by the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) because its guidelines stated that no amateur may accept any gift valued over $100 as a reward for athletic performance. James was cleared of any wrongdoing because he had accepted the luxury vehicle from a family member and not from an agent or any outside source. Later in the season, James accepted two throwback jerseys worth $845 from an urban clothing store in exchange for posing for pictures, officially violating OHSAA rules and resulting in his being stripped of his high school sports eligibility. James appealed the ruling and his penalty was eventually dropped to a two-game suspension, allowing him to play the remainder of the year. The Irish were also forced to forfeit one of their wins, their only official loss that season. In his first game back after the suspension, James scored a career-high 52 points. St. Vincent–St. Mary went on to win the Division II championship, marking their third division title in four years.
As an underclassman, James played wide receiver for St. Vincent–St. Mary's football team. He was recruited by some Division I programs, including Notre Dame. At the end of his second year, James was named first team all-state, and as a junior, he helped lead the Fighting Irish to the state semifinals. James did not play during his senior year because of a wrist injury that he sustained in an AAU basketball game. Some sports analysts, football critics, high school coaches, as well as former and current professional players have speculated that James could have played in the National Football. Then, LeBron James officially came into the NBA (National Basketball Association) in the year of 2003.
His Early NBA Career
LeBron James started his career in the National Basketball Association in 2003 when he played for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2003 to 2010 during the first era of his career. He was part of the historic 2003 NBA Draft that had iconic basketball players of Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, Mo Williams, Josh Howard, Kyle Korver, and other people. LeBron James was the first pick in the first round being the greatest player of his generation. During his first regular season game, James scored 25 points in a 106-92 loss to the Sacramento Kings, setting an NBA record for the most points scored by a prep to pro player in his debut performance. At the conclusion of the 2003–2004 season, James became the first Cavalier to receive the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. With final averages of 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game, he also became the third player in league history to average at least 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists per game as a rookie (the other two NBA Players are Michael Jordan and Oscar Robertson). Cleveland ultimately finished the season 35–47, failing to make the playoffs despite an 18-game improvement over the previous year. By 2004, he was a complete superstar, beyond just a great player. During the 2004-2005 season, James earned his first NBA All-Star Game selection, contributing 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists in a winning effort for the Eastern Conference. Around the league, teams took note of his rapid development, and Denver Nuggets coach George Karl told Sports Illustrated: "It's weird talking about a 20-year-old kid being a great player, but he is a great player ... He's the exception to almost every rule." On March 20, James scored 56 points against the Toronto Raptors, setting Cleveland's new single-game points record. With final averages of 27.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 2.2 steals per game, he was named to his first All-NBA Team. Despite a 30–20 record to start the year, the Cavaliers again failed to make the playoffs, finishing the season 42–40. This will change at the 2005-2006 season. At the 2006 All-Star Game, LeBron James led the East to victory with 29 points and was named the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player. Behind final season averages of 31.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game, he also finished second in overall NBA Most Valuable Player Award voting to Steve Nash. Under James' leadership, the Cavaliers qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 1998 on April 22, 2006. In his postseason debut, James recorded a triple-double in a winning effort over the Washington Wizards. In Game 3 of the series, he made the first game-winning shot of his career and made another in Game 5. Cleveland would go on to defeat the Wizards before being ousted by the Detroit Pistons in the second round.
By the 2006-2007 season, James finished the regular season with the average of 27.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. With a starting five featuring James, Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden, Aleksandar Pavlović, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas, the Cavaliers finished the season with 50 wins for the second consecutive year and entered the playoffs as the #2-seed in the Eastern Conference. In the first two rounds of the playoffs, LeBron led the team to wins over the Washington Wizards and New Jersey Nets. The Cavaliers then faced the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals. In Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals in 2007, he logged 48 points with nine rebounds and seven assists. His performance is considered one of the greatest playoff performances of all time as he scored 29 of Cleveland's last 30 points, including 25 straight, and the game-winning layup with two seconds left. The Cavaliers won 109–107 double-overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons. After the game, play-by-play announcer Marv Albert called the performance "one of the greatest moments in postseason history" and color commentator Steve Kerr described it as "[Michael] Jordan-esque." In 2012, ESPN ranked the performance the fourth greatest in modern NBA playoff history. The Cavaliers went on to win Game 6 and claim their first-ever Eastern Conference championship, earning them a matchup with the San Antonio Spurs in the Finals. The Spurs at the time were coached by Gregg Popovich and featured a prime Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginóbili, and Bruce Bowen. With no other significant scoring threats, the Spurs built its defense around stopping James from getting into the paint. As James did not have a reliable jump shot yet nor another offensive weapon on his team, he struggled against the Spurs' zone defense. He averaged 22 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game on just 35.6 percent shooting, as Cleveland was eliminated in a four-game sweep.
In February of the 2007–2008 season, James was named All-Star Game MVP for the second time behind a 27-point, eight-rebound, and nine-assist performance. On March 21, he moved past Brad Daugherty as the Cavaliers' all-time leading scorer in a game against the Toronto Raptors, doing so in over 100 fewer games than Daugherty. James' 30 points per game were also the highest in the league, marking his first scoring title. Despite his individual accomplishments, Cleveland's record fell from the year before to 45–37. Seeded fourth in the East entering the playoffs, the Cavaliers defeated the Wizards in the first round for the third consecutive season before being eliminated in seven games by the eventual-champion Boston Celtics in the next round. During the decisive seventh game in Boston, James scored 45 points and Paul Pierce scored 41 in a game the Associated Press described as a "shootout". The rivarly among the Cavaliers and Celtics will continue for years to come.
From 2008 to 2010, LeBron James saw his MVP seasons. At the end of the 2008–2009 season, James finished second in NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award voting and made his first NBA All-Defensive Team, posting 23 chase-down blocks and a career-high 93 total blocks. James also became only the fourth post merger player to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks in a single season. Behind his play and the acquisition of All-Star guard Mo Williams, Cleveland went a franchise record 66–16 and fell just one game short of matching the best home record in league history. With final averages of 28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game, James became the first Cavalier to win the MVP Award. Reflecting on James' performance for ESPN, John Hollinger later wrote: "He's having what is arguably the greatest individual season in history, and it's time we gave him his due for it."
In the playoffs, Cleveland swept the Detroit Pistons and the Atlanta Hawks to earn a matchup with the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals. In Game 1 of the series, James scored 49 points on 66 percent shooting in a losing effort for the Cavaliers. In Game 2, he hit a game-winner to tie the series at 1–1. Cleveland would lose the series in six games, and following the loss in Game 6, James immediately left the floor without shaking hands with his opponents, which was an act that many media members viewed as unsportsmanlike. For the series, James averaged 38.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game, finishing the postseason with a career playoff-high 35.3 points per game.
By the time of February of the 2009–10 season, James was forced into a temporary point guard role following a series of injuries to players in the Cavaliers' backcourt. Behind his leadership, Cleveland lost no momentum, finishing the year with the best record in the league for the second consecutive season. Despite only playing 39 minutes per game, James increased his statistical production, averaging 29.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.6 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.0 block per game on 50 percent shooting en route to another MVP Award. To open the playoffs, Cleveland advanced past the Chicago Bulls to earn a matchup with the Boston Celtics in the second round. James was heavily criticized for not playing well in Game 5 of the series, shooting only 20 percent on 14 shots and scoring 15 points. The team suffered its worst loss in franchise history, and at the conclusion of the game, James walked off the court to a smattering of boos from Cleveland's home crowd. The Cavaliers were officially eliminated from the postseason in Game 6, with James posting 27 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists in the losing effort.
The Decision
LeBron James was an unrestricted free agent on 12:01 am. EDT on July 1, 2010. I remember this time like yesterday. I was in my late 20s back in 2010. James was contacted by many teams like the Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets, and Cavaliers. On July 8, 2010, LeBron James announced a live EPSN special titled The Decision that he would sign to the Miami Heat. It was one of the most important events of basketball history. Many people loved the TV program showing his decision, and many old school people criticized LeBron James for the pomp and circumstance. Me personally, I didn't have a problem with it, because James is a grown man, and he has the right to make his own decision on his own accord. The Decision TV program was hosted on ESPN, and it had high ratings. The television program drew high ratings, with Nielsen announcing that an average of 9.948 million people watched the show in the United States, with 13.1 million watching at the time of James' announcement. Cleveland topped all markets with a 26.0 Nielsen rating and 39 share. The show's Nielsen ratings were 6.1 in households, and 4.1 in 18–49, making it the most watched cable show of the night. After his decision to go to Miami, many of his fans in Cleveland considered his choice a betrayal.
In Cleveland, fans considered James' departure a betrayal that ranks second to The Move (Art Modell's relocation of the Cleveland Browns to Baltimore). Associated Press wrote that The Decision joined The Move, The Drive, The Shot, and The Fumble in "Cleveland's sports hall of shame." Cleveland Cavaliers majority owner Dan Gilbert wrote an open letter to fans published in Comic Sans typeface on the Cavs website, denouncing James' decision as a "selfish", "heartless", "callous", and "cowardly betrayal", while declaring that the Cavs would win an NBA title before the "self-declared former King." Obviously, Gilbert went over the line as LeBron made a legal career decision. William Rhoden of The New York Times defended James by stating that Gilbert's "venomous, face-saving personal attack", along with the ensuing "wrath of jersey-burning fans", only validated James' decision to leave Cleveland. Jesse Jackson, an American civil rights activist, said Gilbert's feelings "personify a slave master mentality", and he was treating James as "a runaway slave." Jackson added, "This is an owner employee relationship between business partners and LeBron honored his contract. On July 12, 2010, Stern fined Gilbert $100,000 for the letter's contents, while also criticizing the way James handled free agency.
Former NBA players criticized his decision to not stay with Cleveland and continuing to try to win a championship as "the guy." Michael Jordan stated that he would not have contacted his rivals from other teams like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird to play on one team together, as "I wanted to defeat those guys." Jordan added that "things are different [now]. I can't say that's a bad thing. It's an opportunity these kids have today." Johnson echoed Jordan's sentiments on teaming with rivals. On September 29, 2010, when asked by Soledad O'Brien of CNN if race was a factor in the fallout from The Decision, James said, "I think so, at times. There's always – you know, a race factor." James had previously stayed clear of racial issues. When an earlier racial controversy over his cover on Vogue became a national debate, James had no comment. The Decision done by LeBron James would prove to be one of the greatest basketball careers moves of his career. He admitted that he would go through the trade in a different way.
The telecast was broadcast from the Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich, Connecticut and raised $2.5 million for the charity. An additional $3.5 million was raised from advertising revenue, which was donated to other charities. The day before the special, fellow free agents Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade also announced that they would sign with Miami; reports later arose that back in 2006 the trio had discussed among themselves their upcoming 2010 free agencies. James decided to join with Bosh and Wade in part so that he could shoulder less of the offensive load; James thought that his improved teammates would give him a better chance of winning an NBA championship than had he stayed in Cleveland. Heat president Pat Riley played a major role in selling James on the idea of playing with Bosh and Wade. James would be relieved of the burden of scoring, and he thought he could be the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double in a season.
Finally (It's About Time)
By 2010, LeBron was in a new era of his career. He was in his physical prime in the 2010s. James officially signed a 6-year, $110 million contract with the Heat on July 10, 2010, through a sign-and-trade deal which sent two second- and two first-round draft picks to the Cavaliers and gave the team the option to swap first-round picks with the Heat in 2012. As part of the first player-created NBA super team, he became only the third reigning MVP to change teams and the first since Moses Malone in 1982. 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. Throughout the 2010–11 season, the media and opposing fanbases treated James and the Heat as villains. To begin the year, they struggled to adjust to these new circumstances, going only 9–8 after 17 games. James later admitted that the constant negativity surrounding the team made him play with an angrier demeanor than in years past. On December 2, James faced the Cleveland Cavaliers in Cleveland for the first time since departing as a free agent. He scored 38 points and led Miami to a victory while being booed every time he touched the ball.
The Heat eventually turned their season around and finished as the East's second seed, with James averaging 26.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game on 51 percent shooting. In the Eastern Conference Semifinals, James and his teammates found themselves matched up with the Boston Celtics for the second consecutive year. In Game 5, he scored Miami's last 10 points to help seal a series-clinching win. After the final buzzer, James famously knelt on the court in an emotional moment, later telling reporters that it was an extremely personal victory for him and the team. The Heat eventually advanced to the Finals, where they lost to the Dallas Mavericks in six games. James received the brunt of the criticism for the loss, averaging only three points in fourth quarters in the series, and scored just eight points in Game 4, a game Miami lost by just three points. His Finals scoring average of 17.8 points per game signified an 8.9-point drop from the regular season, the largest point drop-off in league history. LeBron James won back-to-back championships with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013. The 2011–2012 season was delayed by a lockout, and during that extended summer, James worked with Hakeem Olajuwon in order to improve his post-up game. Humbled by the Heat's loss to the Mavericks, the experience inspired James to leave behind the villain role that he had been embracing, which helped James regain a sense of joy on the court. Behind his expanded skillset, Miami began the year with a franchise-best 18–6 record. James was eventually named MVP for the third time, finishing with averages of 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.9 steals per game on 53 percent shooting.
In the second round of the playoffs, Miami temporarily lost Bosh to an abdominal injury and found themselves trailing the Indiana Pacers 2–1. James responded with a 40-point, 18-rebound, and nine-assist outing in Game 4 to help even the series. To compensate for Bosh's absence, the Heat embraced a small-ball lineup with James at power forward, which they retained even after Bosh's return in the conference finals against the Boston Celtics. Facing elimination in Game 6, James recorded 45 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Heat to victory in what The New York Times called a "career-defining performance." Miami won Game 7 to advance to the Finals, earning them a matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder and James' budding rival Kevin Durant. Later, in Game 4 of the series, James hit a three-pointer to give the Heat a lead, helping them win the game despite missing time with leg cramps. In Game 5, he registered a triple-double as Miami defeated Oklahoma City for their second-ever championship and James' first championship. James was unanimously voted the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player with averages of 28.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game. His full postseason run, in which James averaged 30.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game, was later ranked the second best in modern NBA history by ESPN. LeBron James winning his first championship in 2012 took almost 10 years, but it was product of hard work and teamwork.
In February of the 2012–13 season, James averaged 29.7 points and 7.8 assists per game while setting multiple shooting efficiency records. That same month, the Heat also began a 27-game winning streak, which is the third longest in NBA history. Based on these accomplishments, James' performance was described as a "month for the ages" by Sports Illustrated. Miami eventually finished the year with a franchise and league best 66–16 record, and James was named MVP for the fourth time, falling just one vote shy of becoming the first player in NBA history to win the award unanimously. His final season averages were 26.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 1.7 steals per game on 56.5 percent shooting. In Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, James scored a buzzer-beating layup to give Miami a one-point victory against the Pacers. Throughout the series, his supporting cast struggled significantly, and his added scoring load prompted James to compare his responsibilities to those of his "Cleveland days." Despite these struggles, the Heat advanced to the Finals for a meeting with the San Antonio Spurs, signifying a rematch for James from his first Finals six years earlier. At the beginning of the series, he was criticized for his lack of aggressiveness and poor shot selection as Miami fell behind 2–3. In Game 6, James recorded his second triple-double of the series, including 16 fourth quarter points, to lead the Heat to a comeback victory. In Game 7, he tied the Finals record for most points scored in a Game 7 victory, leading Miami over San Antonio with 37 points. James was named Finals MVP for the second straight season, averaging 25.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 2.3 steals per game for the championship round.
LeBron James had his final season in Miami from the 2013-2014 season. On March 3, 2014, he scored a career high and franchise record of 61 points against the Charlotte Bobcats. He converted on his first eight three-point field goal attempts through three quarters, setting a new record for the most three-point field goals made in a 60-point game. James also set the record for most points in a single game while wearing a mask. Throughout the year, he was one of the few staples for a Heat roster that used 20 different starting lineups due to injuries, finishing with averages of 27.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game on 56.7 percent shooting. In the second round of the playoffs, James tied a career-scoring postseason-high by scoring 49 points in Game 4 against the Brooklyn Nets. In the next round, Miami defeated the Pacers to earn their fourth consecutive Finals berth, becoming one of only four teams in NBA history to do so. In Game 1 of the NBA Finals, James missed most of the fourth quarter because of leg cramps, helping the San Antonio Spurs take an early series lead. In Game 2, he led the Heat to a series-tying victory with 35 points on a 64 percent shooting rate. San Antonio eventually eliminated the Heat in five games, ending Miami's quest for a three-peat. For the Finals, James averaged 28.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game. By this time, he already had the gold medal in the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games for the USA Men's basketball team. After LeBron's career in Miami, he knew that it was time to go home to Cleveland to win a championship in his home state of Ohio. It was time.
Back to Cleveland (Coming Home)
LeBron James returned to Cleveland from 2014 to 2018. On June 25, 2014, James opted out of his contract with the Heat, and on July 1, he officially became an unrestricted free agent. On July 11, James revealed via a first-person essay in Sports Illustrated that he intended to return to the Cavaliers. In contrast to The Decision, his announcement to return to Cleveland was well received. The next day, James officially signed with the team, who had compiled a league-worst 97–215 record in the four seasons following his departure. A month after James' signing, the Cavaliers acquired Kevin Love from the Minnesota Timberwolves, forming a new star trio along with Kyrie Irving. LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers worked hard. By January of the 2014-2015 season, LeBron left the season for two weeks due to lfet knee and lower back strains. That was the longest stretch of missed games in his career for that time. James played 69 games and averaged 25.3 points, 6 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game. During the second round of the playoffs, he he hit a baseline jumper at the buzzer to give Cleveland a 2–2 series tie with the Chicago Bulls. In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Cavaliers defeated the Atlanta Hawks to advance to the NBA Finals, making James the first player since the 1960s to play in five consecutive Finals. For most of the Finals against the Golden State Warriors, Irving and Love were sidelined due to injury, giving James more offensive responsibilities. Behind his leadership, the Cavaliers opened the series with a 2–1 lead before losing in six games. Despite the loss, he received serious consideration for the Finals MVP Award, averaging 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game.
The 2015-2016 season would be different for LeBron James. Cavaliers' coach David Blatt was fired midseason. Cleveland finished the year with 57 wins which was the best record in the East. LeBron had 25.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game on 52 percent shooting (during that season). In the playoffs, the Cavaliers advanced comfortably to the NBA Finals, losing only two games en route to a rematch with the Golden State Warriors, who were coming off a record-setting 73-win season. Golden State in the Final had a 3-1 lead. Many people thought it was over, but LeBron James responses by registering back-to-back 41-point games in Games 5 and 6, leading the Cavaliers to two consecutive wins to stave off elimination. In Game 7, he posted a triple-double and made a number of key plays, including a chasedown block on Andre Iguodala's go-ahead layup attempt, as Cleveland emerged victorious, winning the city's first professional sports title in 52 years and becoming the first team in NBA history to come back from a 3–1 series deficit in the Finals. James became just the third player to record a triple-double in an NBA Finals Game 7, and behind series averages of 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 2.6 steals per game, he also became the first player in league history to lead both teams in all five statistical categories for a playoff round, culminating in a unanimous Finals MVP selection. LeBron James said that after this NBA Championship in 2016, he felt that he was the greatest player in NBA history. LeBron James has many injuries during the 2016-17 season. It was a bizarre year.
Following a January defeat to the New Orleans Pelicans, James publicly criticized Cleveland's front office for constructing a team that he felt was too "top heavy", for which he received counter criticism. The Cavaliers finished the season as the East's second seed, with James averaging 26.4 points and career highs in rebounds (8.6), assists (8.7), and turnovers (4.1) per game. In Game 3 of the first round of the playoffs, he registered 41 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists against the Indiana Pacers, leading Cleveland to a comeback victory after trailing by 25 points at halftime, representing the largest halftime deficit overcome in NBA playoff history. In Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics, James scored 35 points and surpassed Jordan as the league's all-time postseason scoring leader. The Cavaliers won the game and the series, advancing to the NBA Finals for the third consecutive time against the Golden State Warriors, who had signed James' rival Kevin Durant during the off-season. Behind averages of 33.6 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 10.0 assists per game, James .became the first player to average a triple-double in the Finals, but Cleveland was defeated in five games. By the 2017-18 season, Kyrie Irving was traded to the Boston Celtics. Irving didn't want to play with James anymore.
Their turnaround began with a victory over the Wizards on November 3 where James scored 57 points, which represented the second-highest point total of his career and tied a franchise record. In January, the Cavaliers had a losing record, and James was criticized for his lackluster effort. The next month, James won his third All-Star Game MVP Award, after posting 29 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, and several key plays to help Team LeBron win over Team Curry. Following another round of trades in February, Cleveland returned to form and James reached a number of historical milestones; on March 30, he set an NBA record with 867 straight games scoring in double digits. James eventually finished the season with averages of 27.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 9.2 assists, and 4.2 turnovers per game.
In the playoffs, James guided the Cavaliers to another Finals rematch with the Golden State Warriors. Along the way, he had some of the most memorable moments of his career, including a game-winning shot against the Pacers and another against the Raptors, after which a new nickname, "LeBronto" was popularized. In Game 1 of the NBA Finals, James scored a playoff career-high 51 points, but Cleveland lost 124–114 in overtime. Following the loss, James injured his hand after punching a wall in the locker room, which hindered his effectiveness for the remainder of the series. The Cavaliers lost the series in four games, with James averaging 34 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 10.0 assists per game for the Finals.
The Los Angeles Lakers Era
By the 2018-2019 season, LeBron had injuries can went to the Los Angeles Lakers. James's agent Rich Paul wants more championships. LeBron James and the Lakers overcame many challenges to get into victory. The 2018-19 season had to change lineups. It turned around by November. In November, they began a turnaround, which included two of James's strongest performances of the season. On November 14, he registered 44 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists in a victory against the Portland Trail Blazers. Four days later, James scored a season-high 51 points in a victory over the Heat. After blowing out the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day, Los Angeles improved their record to 20–14, but James suffered a groin injury, the first major injury of his career. James missed a then career-high 17 consecutive games, and the Lakers fell out of playoff contention without him, marking the first time that James missed the playoffs since 2005. In March, the Lakers announced that James would begin a minutes restriction, and he was later officially ruled out for the rest of the season. James' final averages were 27.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game. Despite his inconsistent campaign, James was named to the All-NBA Third Team, marking the first time in twelve years that he did not make the All-NBA First Team.
The 2019-2020 season was very special. Anthony Davis was on the team. Frank Vogel was the Lakers's new head coach. The LA Lakers had a great start. Behind James' leadership, the Lakers opened the 2019–20 season with a 17–2 record, matching the best start in franchise history. On January 25, James scored his 33,644th career point, passing Kobe Bryant for third on the all-time regular season scoring list. The following day, Bryant died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. James delivered an improvised eulogy in honor of Kobe Bryant at Staples Center, before a January 31 game against the Portland Trail Blazers. In early March, before the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, James led the Lakers to a victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in a matchup of conference leaders, followed by a streak-breaking victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. Regular season play resumed in July and concluded in August within the confined NBA Bubble, where James ended the regular season as the league leader in assists for the first time in his career, averaging 10.2 assists per game. He earned a record 16th All-NBA Team selection as part of the First Team, extending his record First Team selections to 13.
The Lakers entered the playoffs as the top seed in the West and advanced to the NBA Finals convincingly, with only three total losses along the way. In Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets, James helped clinch the conference championship by scoring a game-high 38 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter. In the Finals, James and his teammates found themselves matched up with his former team, the Miami Heat, and quickly took control of the series with a 2–0 lead. In Game 5, James had his best statistical performance of the Finals with 40 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists in a memorable duel with Miami's Jimmy Butler, but Los Angeles was ultimately defeated in a three-point game. The Lakers eliminated the Heat in Game 6, which earned James, who averaged 29.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game during the series, his fourth NBA championship and fourth Finals MVP award. At 35 years and 287 days old, James became the second-oldest player in league history to win the award, and the only player in NBA history to win the award with three different franchises. James and teammate Danny Green also became the third and fourth players in NBA history to win at least one championship with three different teams each.
The 2020-2021 season was when the LA Lakers was in a new era. On February 18, 2021, James became the third player in NBA history with 35,000 career points, joining Hall of Famers Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone; aged 36 years and 50 days, he was the youngest player to reach the milestone. On March 20, James sprained his ankle against the Atlanta Hawks, but was able to hit a three-point shot afterwards to keep his 10-points streak alive before exiting the game. By March, the Lakers were No. 2, two games behind the Utah Jazz, but they went 14–16 without Davis and 6–10 without James, falling to No. 5. James returned on April 30 after missing 20 games, the longest absence of his career. By the end of the season, he had his 17th consecutive season with 25 points per game, the most in NBA history. The Lakers lost in the first round. Later, in the 2021-2022 season, James worked with Carmelo Anthony and Russell Westbrook in the Lakers.
In a game against the Pistons on November 21, James was ejected in the third quarter after getting into a scuffle with Isaiah Stewart during the 121–116 victory. This was only the second time in his career that he was ejected from a game, and James was suspended for one game due to his actions. In his next 16 games, James averaged 30.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.4 blocks on 54 percent shooting, also achieving his 100th triple-double, while becoming the third player in NBA history to surpass 36,000 career points: during this period, James played 35 percent of his minutes at center. From December 19 to February 26, 2022, playing 23 out of 27 games, he had a streak of 23 consecutive 25-point games.
In December, James became the second player in NBA history (after Jordan) to post 40 points and no turnovers at age 35 or older. By January 20, James became the fifth player in NBA history to record at least 30,000 career points and 10,000 career rebounds; he is the first player to record at least 30,000 career points, 10,000 career rebounds, and 9,000 career assists. In the same period, he surpassed Robertson for fourth all-time free throws made, and Alvin Robertson for 10th all-time in career steals. In February, James surpassed Abdul-Jabbar for the most points scored in both the regular season and playoffs; by March, he passed Karl Malone for second in the all-time minutes and regular season scoring lists. At the 2022 NBA All-Star Game held in Cleveland, James was celebrated among the other 74 players for the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. James led all players in fan votes with his 18th All-Star selection, tying Bryant and just one behind Abdul-Jabbar; his team achieved its fifth consecutive All-Star victory, defeating Team Durant 163–161, with James hitting the game-winning dagger shot in front of his hometown crowd.
In March, James recorded two 50-point games, which were also his Lakers' career-high, becoming the oldest player to have multiple 50-point games in a season, as well as the first Lakers player since Bryant in 2008 to have back-to-back 50-point home games; it was James' 15th 50-point game in his 19-year career, including the postseason. He also recorded his 10,000th career assist, becoming the only player in NBA history to record at least 10,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 10,000 assists. On March 27, James became just the second player in NBA history to score 37,000 points. By the 2022-2023 season, LeBron had the NBA all-time scoring record. Kareem Abdul Jabbar gave him a ball to celebrate his record being broken. On December 13, James scored 33 points in a 122–118 overtime loss to the Celtics, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain for the second-most 30-point games in NBA history. James recorded 516 30-point games in 1,386 career appearances.
On February 7, 2023, James passed Abdul-Jabbar as the all-time leading scorer in NBA history. Abdul-Jabbar had previously set the record on April 5, 1984, eight months before James was born. After James broke the record, the NBA stopped the game with 10.9 seconds left in the third quarter for an on-court ceremony. During the ceremony, he received the game ball from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. James also gave a speech and then embraced Abdul-Jabbar, as well as his family. The Lakers excelled in the Playoffs and lost to the Denver Nuggets in 2023. Entering the 2023–24 season, James was the oldest player in the league, following the retirements of Udonis Haslem and Andre Iguodala. In the season opener against the defending champion Nuggets, James put up 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists in a 119–107 loss. On November 21, in a 131–99 blowout victory over the Utah Jazz, he became the first player in league history to reach 39,000 career points. Six days later, in a 138–94 blowout loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, James surpassed Abdul-Jabbar's record of 66,300 minutes to become the player with the most minutes played in NBA games during the regular season and playoffs. On January 25, 2024, James was named an All-Star starter for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, marking his 20th NBA All-Star selection, surpassing Abdul-Jabbar for the most All-Star selections in NBA history. On April 2, James passed Oscar Schmidt to become the world's all-time scoring leader in basketball history. After the playoffs, the 2024-2025 season saw LeBron play with his son Bronny. This was the first father-son duo in NBA history.
On November 13, he logged a triple-double of 35 points, 12 rebounds, and 14 assists, in a 128–123 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies. At age 39 years and 319 days, he broke his own record previously set in November 2019 for the oldest player to record a triple-double in three consecutive games. On January 3, 2025, James put up 30 points and eight assists in a 119–102 win over the Atlanta Hawks. He surpassed Jordan (562) for the most 30-point games in NBA history. James also passed Dirk Nowitzki (1,522) for the fourth-most games played in the regular season in NBA history. On February 6, James recorded season-highs 42 points and 17 rebounds along with eight assists in a 120–112 win over the Golden State Warriors. He joined Jordan (43 pts) as the only players to record 40+ points in a game at 40 years or older. At 40 years and 38 days, James became the oldest player to score 40+ points in a game. He is also the youngest, at 19 years, 88 days old. He became the first player older than 30 to record 30+ pts, 15+ reb, 5+ ast and 5+ triples in a game. On March 4, 2025, James surpassed 50,000 career points across the regular season and playoffs during a 136–115 win against the New Orleans Pelicans. On April 9, he played his 1,561st regular season game, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for second on the league's games played list. This comes after he won the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games. In the 2025 NBA Playoffs, The Lakers are in the mix. Then, the Los Angeles Lakers was eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves by early 2025.
Is He the Goat?
One question is if LeBron James the GOAT of the NBA? You answer what my answer is. Yet, I can't hate on people who view LeBron James as their GOAT. They have the right to their view and opinion. LeBron James earned the right to be in the Mount Rushmore of the NBA's greatest players by his records, his longevity, his skills, his basketball IQ, and his influence in the game. You can't take that away from him, regardless of how you feel about him. To me, Michael Jordan is the Greatest Basketball Player of NBA's History. The reason is that he made more accomplishments and had more efficiency in a shorter period of time than LeBron James and the greats of basketball. Many people forget that Michael Jordan played baseball at his prime and came back to win another 3 peat in the NBA Finals. Wilt, LeBron, Russell, Kareem, Dream, Oscar, Milken, and Kobe never did that feat in their careers at all. To do that takes courage, resiliency, and greatness. Many of these men that I have mentioned were taller than Michael Jordan. Michael Jordan was 6ft. 6 being 215 pounds making records and other deeds on the basketball court that few people on Earth can do. According to player BJ Armstrong, Jordan had a lack of sleep. With more sleep and rest, Michael Jordan could have been better. Involving statistics, the debate is closer than people think. Michael Jordan has a larger points per game average than LeBron James, but James has a greater rebound and assists rate. Michael Jordan is a greater defender than LeBron James as Jordan led the NBA in steals three times and won the Defensive Player of the Year before. LeBron James has a clear advantage over Michael Jordan on longevity as you can make the case that LeBron James is the greatest longevity player in NBA history being over 40 years old (being the first and only NBA player to have at least 10,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 10,000 assists). Michael Jordan has a greater free throw percentage and LeBron James has a greater 3 point percentage as the times have changed. Also, Michael Jordan played in a rougher era were defense was more harsher against players. Jordan overcame the Pistons, which had fierce defense to win the title. Jordan has a higher player efficiency rating than LeBron. Michael Jordan played more competition in the Eastern Conference (against the Pistons, the Cavaliers, the Pacers, the Knicks, the Heat, and Magic) than LeBron James. In terms of overall NBA accolades, Michael Jordan has a clear advantage over LeBron James. You can't hate on anyone saying that James is the Greatest in their eyes as he has a legitimate case to be in that conversation by the record. LeBron James won 4 championships, 4 MVPs, 4 Finals MVP, 20 All-NBA, 6 All Defense, 21 All-Star titles, and 3 Olympic Gold medals. Michael Jordan won 6 Championships without a loss, 5 MVP Awards, 6 Finals MVP Awards, All-NBA 11 times, All Defense 9 times, 14, All-Star appearances, and 10 scoring titles including 2 Olympic Gold Medals. So, the answer in my eyes is that Michael Jordan is the greatest of all time as he done more in a shorter period of time with more efficiency plus played baseball during his professional sports career at the same time. I have been blessed to live watching Jordan and LeBron play in their primes, and there is only one Michael Jordan. That is my view.
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Conclusion
From Akron, Ohio to Los Angeles, California, LeBron James changed history forever. From him playing basketball in high school shown on ESPN to him playing against the Minnesota Timberwolves by 2025 (with people like the new generation's Anthony Edwards), we have seen his career evolve into massive greatness. Some call him the greatest of all time, and you can't hate on people with that assumption. The reason is that they are entitled to their view. Me personally, I believe that Michael Jordan is the greatest of all time because of many reasons. LeBron James has been one of the most scrutinized, loved, and hated athletes in history. His spotlight as the Chosen One was filled with hype and prestige. LeBron James not only exceed the hype. He brought a whole new generation of basketball players after him who has been great from Giannis to Joker. As a man, James has a sense of humor, is a people person, and defends his family. He has been outspoken on many political issues and invested in education in his own communities for years now with his I Promise movement. James has broken NBA records and became an icon of sports. He is easily the greatest NBA player of the 21st century based on impact, statistics, longevity, and endurance. Likewise, all people have to go to the rain. LeBron James has been through the rain, and he survived. That is what legacy is all about. Legacy is not just about being great. It's about overcoming challenges to solidify your contributions to the world. LeBron James will continue to be among the icons of sports.
Carmelita Jeter at 45
It is always important to recognize legends when they are alive. Track and field is an amazing sport that teaches people about strength, endurance, teamwork, hard work, patience, and a sense of purpose in life. Carmelita Jeter is a Sister who is a living legend involving track and field culture. I am always a fan of track and field. Carmelita Jeter was born in California and worked hard in basketball. Later on, she decided to participate in track and field. She excelled winning many World Championships and one Olympic gold medal. She specializes in the 100m and 200m races, and she has raced in the 4x100m relay on multiple occasions too. In life, we as human beings will go through the rain and storm. The question is whether we will overcome that storm. Carmelita Jeter has overcome many challenges to be the best that she is gifted at. She was coached by many people like John Smith to gain the motivation to take her career to the next level. She is a friend to Tianna Madison, Allyson Felix, Bianca Knight, Shelly Ann-Fraser Pryce, and other track and field athletes. Now, she is the head coach of track and field and cross-country programs at UNLV. She has had that position since May 24, 2023. Carmelita Jeter (who is a younger Generation X black woman) represented among many of the first generation of the new school track and field athletes of the 21st century. Today, we see many women carrying the torch from Sha'Cari Richardson to Gabby Thomas.
Early Life at the West Coast
The story of Carmelita Jeter has a long history. Carmelita Jeter was born on November 24, 1979, in Los Angeles, California. When she was a child, Jeter attended Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance, California. She played basketball at first as that was the preferred sport in her family. Her younger brother, Eugene played the Sacramento Kings. Carmelita Jeter's basketball coach suggested that Jeter should try track out. Her 11.7 second run confirmed her natural talent for sprinting. Jeter graduated from California State University, Dominguez Hills, which is located in Carson, California. She earned her bachelor's degree in physical education. Carmelita Jeter set the record for most NCAA medals by a CSUDH track athlete and became the university's first U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier. A recurring hamstring problem kept her out of competition for much of 2003–05, and it was not until 2007 that she made her first impact in senior track and field athletics, having undergone treatment with deep tissue massage.
Her Early Track and Field Career
Her early track and field took off massively starting in the year of 2007. In 2007, Jeter won a silver medal in the 60 meters at the USA Indoor Track and Field Championships with a personal best of 7.17 seconds, and she remained in good form, improving her 100 m best to 11.04 seconds to take fourth place in the 100 m at the Adidas Track Classic. Building upon this, she qualified for her first major competition by finishing third at the national championships behind Torri Edwards and Lauryn Williams. She went on to win the bronze medal at the World Championships in a personal best time of 11.02 seconds, as well as taking the 100 m gold at the 2007 World Athletics Final. The following year, she competed at the 100 and 200 m U.S. Olympic trials. Although she set a 100 m best of 10.97 seconds in the quarter-finals, she did not progress beyond the semifinals, finishing just two hundredths out of the qualifying positions. A sixth-place finish in the 200m meant she had not made the 2008 Summer Olympics team, despite being one of the favorites for selection. She qualified for the 100 and 200 m races at the 2008 World Athletics Final, but only managed fourth and fifth place, respectively. She changed coach in November, deciding to work with John Smith, who had previously coached athletes such as Maurice Greene. Smith began completely remodelling Jeter's running style.
In her 2009 season, she showed strong performances going into the 2009 World Championships in Athletics. She ran 7.11 seconds in the 60 m in the indoor season, the fastest by any athlete that year and a personal best. She remained in-form in her outdoor season, recording a fast 10.96 seconds at the Mt. SAC Relays, winning gold at the 2009 Nike Prefontaine Classic, and taking her first national title at the 2009 U.S. Outdoor Championships. At the 2009 London Grand Prix, she placed first in the 100 m, clocking a personal best of 10.92; it was the third-fastest time at that point of the season, only slower than Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser and Kerron Stewart. A week prior to the start of the World Championships, Jeter was part of a United States 4 × 100 m relay team that ran the fastest women's sprint relay in twelve years. Lauryn Williams, Allyson Felix, Muna Lee, and Jeter finished with a time of 41.58 seconds, bringing them to eighth on the all-time list.
At the 2009 World Athletics Championships, in Berlin, Jeter was one of the favorites for the gold medal as a 10.83-second personal best in the semis made her the fastest qualifier for the final. She ended up with her second World Championship bronze medal in the 100 m, however, finishing a tenth of a second behind Fraser and Stewart. The races after the championships proved more successful: she beat strong opposition in the IAAF Golden League meets in Zurich and Brussels with two sub-10.90 runs. Jeter was also selected to run as part of the US relay team as the anchor runner. However, in their heat, during the change over between Alexandria Anderson and Muna Lee, Lee horrifically injured her leg which caused elimination from the relay event. Jamaica eventually claimed the gold medal.
She entered the 2009 IAAF World Athletics Final having won her last three races by a significant margin. Even taking this into account, Jeter surprised with one of the highlights of the final edition of the IAAF World Athletics Final. She won the 100 m race in Thessaloniki, Greece with a time of 10.67, to become the third fastest woman in history during that time and set a championship record. This was the fastest run in twelve years; a time which had only been bettered by Marion Jones and Florence Griffith-Joyner, and 0.16 seconds faster than Jeter had ever run before. She ran even faster a week later at the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix, winning in 10.64 seconds (the fourth fastest time ever) to become the second fastest woman outright. In the 2011 World Track and Field Championships at Daegu, Carmelita Jeter won 2 gold medals in the 100m and the 4 X 100m relay. She also won silver in the 200m. After that, it was time for her to shine during the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games. Carmelita Jeter did shine with her family and other talented athletes.
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The 2012 London Olympics
The 2012 London Olympics was one of the greatest times in the track and field career of Carmelita Jeter. First, Carmelita Jeter had to win the June 2012 USA Olympic Trials in order to go into the Olympics. This came after Carmelita Jeter guided the USA Red team to win the New Penn Relays having the record of 42.19 seconds. She won the USA Olympic trials for the 100m in a great fashion. Carmelita Jeter was 32 years old being in the prime of her track and field career. Her time was 10.92 seconds. Tianna Madison had the time of 10.96 seconds, and Jeneba Tarmoh had the time of 11.07 seconds. For the USA Olympic Trials for the 200m, Allyson Felix had the time of 21.69 seconds, Carmelita Jeter had the time of 22.11 seconds, and Sanya Richards Ross had the time of 22.22 seconds. Now, she Carmelita Jeter traveled into London to have the Olympics in 2012. The 2012 London Olympics lasted from July 27, 2012, to August 12, 2012. There ceremony was opened by Queen Elizabeth and closed by IOC President Jacques Rogge. The first event, the group stage in women's football, began on 25 July at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, followed by the opening ceremony on July 27. There were 10,518 athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) who participated in the 2012 Olympics. There were 5,863 men and 4,655 women have participated in the games. The cauldron was lit by Callum Airlie, Jordan Duckitt, Desiree Henry, Katie Kirk, Cameron MacRitchie, Aidan Reynolds, Adelle Tracey, and Austin Playfoot. Many events took place in the Olympic Stadium at Queen Elizabeth Olympics Park.
London became the first city to host the modern Olympics three times, having previously hosted the Summer Games in 1908 and 1948. Construction for the Games involved considerable redevelopment, with an emphasis on sustainability. The main focus was a new 200-hectare (490-acre) Olympic Park, constructed on a former industrial site in Stratford, East London. The Games also used venues that already existed before the bid. The United States topped the medal table, winning the most gold medals (48) and the highest number of medals overall (105). China finished second with a total of 91 medals (38 gold) and Great Britain came third with 65 medals overall (29 gold). Michael Phelps of the United States became the most decorated Olympic athlete of all time, winning his 22nd medal. Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brunei entered women athletes for the first time, meaning that every currently eligible country has now sent a female competitor to at least one Olympic Games. Women's boxing was included for the first time, and the 2012 Games became the first at which every sport had women competitors. The Games received considerable praise for their organization, with the volunteers, the British military and public enthusiasm commended particularly highly. The Games were described as "happy and glorious." The opening ceremony, directed by Academy Award winner Danny Boyle, received widespread acclaim. These were the final Olympic Games under the IOC presidency of Belgian Jacques Rogge, who was succeeded by German Thomas Bach the next year. During the London Olympics in 2012, I was 28 years old (being 29 by December of 2012).
The women's 100m race had strong competition. In the preliminary round, Toea Wisil was the most impressive, winning with a relaxed 11.60 into a -1.6 mps wind, while Noor Hussain Al-Malki's Olympic experience lasted just the first steps out of the blocks before she pulled up. Qualifying into the next rounds, Wisil beat triple world champion Allyson Felix and the rest of her heat out of the blocks and came with in .05 of reaching the semi-final round, from the previously unqualified preliminary round. Carmelita Jeter ran hard for her second-best time of the season to lead the round. Her training partner Blessing Okagbare left an impression by outrunning Tianna Madison for the second best time. Defending champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce exerted minimal effort to secure the fourth best qualifying time. The semi-final round qualifiers was a virtual mirror image of the previous evening's heats, the same top athletes with Jeter again posting a 10.83 and 11.01, the number 8 time. Ezinne Okparaebo's Norwegian national record 11.10 left her two places out of qualifying. After many heats, Carmelita Jeter made the finals of the women's 100m race on August 4, 2012. That race has some of the greatest women track and field sprinters of all time. In the final, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce led from the gun. She was quickest from the blocks with Jeter in close pursuit, and she ultimately leaned at the finish line for a narrow victory to defend her title. Veronica Campbell Brown added to her career medal haul with the bronze medal. Jeter's time was the fastest non-winning time in Olympic history. In fact, all non-winning places 2-4 were the fastest for that place. This was the second race in history to place 5 runners under 10.90 (the other being the 1992 Olympic final). Only the third in history to place two under 10.80 (the others being the 1999 World Championships and the 2009 World Championships 100m final).
*There are many United Kingdom gold medal winners during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Mo Farah won gold in the 5000 and 10,000m races. The famous Jessica Ennis-Hill won gold in the heptathlon. Greg Rutherford won gold in the long jump. Track and field superstar Christine Ohuruogu won gold in the 400m. Chris Holy won gold in cycling's keirin and team spring. Victoria Pendleton won gold in cycling's keirin. Bradley Wiggins won gold in the men's time trial in cycling. Andy Murray won gold in tennis' men's singles. Charlotte Dujardin won gold in equestrian and individual dressage. Anthony Joshua won gold in boxing in the super heavyweight division. Heather Stanning and Anna Watkins won gold in rowing, women's double sculls. Lizzie Armistead won gold in cycling involving the road race.
Carmelita competed in the 200m race too. This was a powerful race. Carmelita won bronze, Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce won silver, and Allyson Felix won gold with a time of 21.88 seconds. This race was special for Allyson Felix as it was her first Olympic gold medal in the 200m. The relay race of the 4 X 100m was one of the greatest relay races in human history. On the first leg of the final, Tianna Madison was able to hold her own against the double 100-metre gold medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. Allyson Felix put the USA into the lead, extended by Bianca Knight around the turn. At the final handoff to individual 100-metre silver medalist Carmelita Jeter, the team enjoyed a 3-metre lead. Secure in the handoffs, Jeter sped to the finish, noticing the time and pointing at the clock before the finish line. Carmelita Jeter at the end of the race helped the USA women's team to win gold in an Olympic world record time. Carmelita Jeter won her first Olympic gold medal in the 4X100m relay women's race. Her teammates were Tianna Madison, Allyson Felix, Bianca Knight, Jenba Tarmoh, and Lauryn Williams. They won the race on August 10, 2012. The team of Jamaica won silver and the team of Ukraine won bronze. The USA team had a time of 40.82 seconds. Carmelita Jeter celebrated with her beautiful black track athlete friends and said, "We did it." They did it by hard work. After the 2012 London Summer Olympics, Carmelita Jeter increased her prestige as one of the icons of track and field indeed.
Her Later Career
After the London 2012 historic Summer Olympics, Carmelita Jeter was in a new era of track and field career. In the Lausanne Diamond League's women 100m race, she won a close finish against many great women athletes, including Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce. Carmelita Jeter had the time of 10.86 seconds. Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce of Jamaica was number 2, and Kelly Ann Baptiste of Trinidad and Tobago was third. On January 26, 2013, Carmelita Jeter ran in the 60m race at the British Athletics Glasgow International Match. She was second place in an upset by the athlete from Germany, Verena Sailer. Yet, Jeter will come back. By 2013, Carmelita Jeter ran in more races like the Caymen 2013 Invitational in the women's 100m race. She had the time of 10.95 seconds, and she won the race. It took place on May 8, 2013. Carmelita Jeter was first, Barbara Pierr was 2nd with the time of 11.02 seconds, then Deandre Whithoren, Me'Lisa Barber, Schillonie Calvert, Sheri Ann Brooks, Kerron Stewart, and Gloria Asumnu. By 2013, there has been a new generation of track and field athletes like Brianna Rollins, Dalilah Muhammad, Nicole Bush, English Gardner, and other human beings.
Later, there will be the 2013 World Championships in Athletics in Moscow. It lasted from August 10 to 18, 2013. It would be a life-changing event for Carmelita Jeter, showing her courage and determination as a track and field icon. Usain Bolt would win many gold medals like the 100m and the 200m, solidifying himself as the greatest sprinter in human history. Jamaica's men won the 4x100 m relay, and the American men won the 4x400m relay. As for the women, Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce won the gold in the 100m and the 200m. Brianna Rollins is a Sister from America who won gold in the 100m hurdles. Jamaica's women won the 4x100m relay, and Americans won the 4x400m relay (with Jessica Beard, Natasha Hastings, Ashley Spencer, Francena McCorory, and Joanna Atkins). During the 100m's women race, Carmelita had torn quadriceps. Most athletes would throw in the towel in dealing with such a brutal injury. Yet, Carmelita Jeter isn't built like that. Carmelita Jeter ran and won bronze with a great time of 10.94 seconds in the 100m race at Moscow. Jeter had to heal from the quadricep injury. Later, she ran sixth in the race at Sainsbury, UK. Michelle-Lee Ahye from Trinidad and Tobago won the race, and Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce from Jamaica won 2nd. By this time, she has her own track and field camp to promote track and field culture for young people. Carmelita Jeter won silver in the 4X100m relay race at the World Relay Championships in Nassau, Bahamas, in 2015. She wanted to go to the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Brazil, but she had an injury and retired from track and field in 2017. Yet, Carmelita Jeter had a powerful career winning gold medal, inspiring people, and being a living legend of a sport that she loves a great deal.
Coaching Track and Field
After Carmelita Jeter retired in 2017, she moved forward with other adventures in her life. She was a great sprinter and her career was iconic. Outside of track and field, she has been involved in fundraising for breast cancer research. In 2014, she was the official ambassador for Susan G. Koleman's California Circle of Promise Initiative. This program was created to raise awareness about breast cancer in the African American community. This is personal for her as her aunt Brenda Washington passed away from breast cancer. Her aunt is Carmelita Jeter's inspiration. Carmelita Jeter revealed that “the women I look up to are everyday women.” She honors the women role models in her family. She is a fan of Serena Williams and Candace Parker (as Jeter was a former basketball player). Jeter loves to watch the WNBA and other sports. Carmelita Jeter in interviews have said that education is very important to study in a university. Carmelita Jeter has been a motivational speaker and track and field coach now. She has served as an assistant coach at USC. In May 2023, she was named the new head coach of the track and field and cross-country programs at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
Other Accomplishments
With her accomplishments on the track field, Carmelita Jeter earned the Jesse Owens Award, one of the most prestigious track and field accolades. Carmelita Jeter has refuted the old stereotypical lie that women have no right to be strong physically. She said that, "I love that women want to be strong not just mentally, but physically.” Carmelita Jeter also clarifies that, "it is definitely inspiring to see the movement to be strong is relating to women and is trickling down to young girls.” Recently, Carmelita Jeter gave birth to her first child. Giving birth to a child is always a blessing.
Epilogue
Hard work pays off. Carmelita Jeter was born in the West Coast in California. Carmelita Jeter played basketball in high school at first. Later, she participated in track and field. Track and field gave her joy, discipline, more power in her life, and more accomplishments. Her relatives and friends have inspired Carmelita Jeter to be the best in her athletic career. She won many gold medals in World Championships and won many medals in the 2012 Olympic Games in London, United Kingdom. In one of the greatest track and field races in history, Carmelita Jeter won gold in London Olympics (in 2012) in the 4 X 100m relay women's race. Her teammates of Tianna Madison, Allyson Felix, and Bianca Knight made history as having the world record of 40.82 seconds. When Carmelita Jeter used the baton to point it at the record, then you knew that it is real. For over a decade, from 2009 to 2021, Carmelita Jeter would be the fastest woman alive. She was courageous to overcome a hamstring injury to win bronze in the 100m in the 2013 Moscow Track and Field Championships. She won silver in the World Relay Championships in 2015 at Nassau, Bahamas in the 4 X 100m women's relay. After retiring from track and field, she started to coach and inspire track and field athletes in California and now in Nevada. Today, we have a newer generation of track and field stars like Melissa Jefferson, Twanisha Terry, Gabby Thomas, Noah Lyles, Kenny Bednarek, Kishane Thompson, Fred Kerley, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Masai Russell, Sha'Carri Richardson, Dina Asher-Smith, Julian Alfred, Jacious Sears, Celera Barnes, and other human beings. Therefore, Carmelita Jeter is a track and field icon, a mother, a coach, and motivates people in the world over.
By Timothy
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