LeBron James: Perbedaan antara revisi

| image = LeBron James (15662939969)- 51959723161.jpg

| caption = James pada tahun 20142022

| position = [[Small forward]], [[power forward]]<!--***Please do not change to "point forward" as it is not an official position.***-->

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 8

| weight_lb = 250

| league = [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]

| team = Los Angeles = Cleveland CavaliersLakers

| number = 23

| nationality = Amerika Serikat

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|12|30}}

| birth_place = [[Akron, Ohio]]

| high_school = [[St. Vincent–St. Mary High School|St. Vincent–St. Mary]]<br />(Akron, Ohio)

| draft_year = 2003

| draft_round = 1

| draft_pick = 1

| draft_team = [[Cleveland Cavaliers]]

| career_end = =

| career_number = =

| team1 = [[Cleveland Cavaliers]]

| team2 = [[Miami Heat]]

| years3 = {{nbay|2014|start}}–20182014—2018

| team3 = [[Cleveland Cavaliers]]

| team4 = [[Los Angeles = Houston RocketsLakers]]

* 3×4× [[ListPenghargaan ofPemain NBATerbaik championsFinal NBA|NBA championFinals MVP]] ([[2012 NBA Finals|2012]], [[2013 NBA Finals|2013]], [[2016 NBA Finals|2016]], [[2020 NBA Finals|2020]])

* 3×4× [[BillPenghargaan RussellPemain Terbaik NBA|NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|NBA Finals MVP]] ([[2012 NBA{{nbay|2008|end}}, Finals{{nbay|2012]]2009|end}}, [[2013 NBA Finals{{nbay|2013]]2011|end}}, [[2016 NBA Finals{{nbay|2016]]2012|end}})

* 15×20× [[NBA All-Star]] ({{nasg|2005}}–{{nasg|2024}})
* 3× [[NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award|NBA All-Star Game MVP]] ([[2006 NBA All-Star Game|2006]], [[2008 NBA All-Star Game|2008]], [[2018 NBA All-Star Game|2018]])

* 10×13× [[All-NBA Team|All-NBA First Team]] ({{nbay|2005|end}}, {{nbay|2007|end}}–{{nbay|20152017|end}}, {{nbay|2019|end}})

* 2×3× [[All-NBA Team|All-NBA Second Team]] ({{nbay|2004|end}}, {{nbay|2006|end}}, {{nbay|2020|end}})

| bbr = jamesle01

| profile = lebron_james

| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Basket Pria}}

James bermain basket antar sekolah di [[St. Vincent–St. Mary High School]] di kotanya, [[Akron, Ohio]], dimana ia dipuji setinggi-tingginya oleh media nasional sebagai bintang NBA selanjutnya. Setelah lulus, ia terpilih nomor 1 di [[2003 NBA draft]] oleh [[Cleveland Cavaliers]]. James memimpin [[2006–07 Cleveland Cavaliers season|Cleveland]] hingga penampilan [[NBA Finals|Finals]] pertama Cavaliers di [[2007 NBA Finals|2007]], kalah dari [[2006-07 San Antonio Spurs season|San Antonio Spurs]]. Tahun 2010, ia meninggalkan Cavaliers untuk bermain membela [[Miami Heat]] dalam publikasi spesial [[ESPN]] yang berjudul ''[[The Decision (TV special)|The Decision]]''. James bermain 4 musim untuk Heat, mencapai Finals setiap tahunnya dan memenangkan kejuaraan secara beruntun tahun [[2012 NBA Finals|2012]] dan [[2013 NBA Finals|2013]]. Tahun 2013, ia memimpin Miami dalam 27 kemenangan beruntun, ketiga terbanyak dalam sejarah NBA. Menjelang musim terakhirnya di Miami Heat, James memutuskan tidak memperbarui kontraknya dan bergabung kembali ke Cavaliers. Dengan kepemimpinannya, Cleveland melaju ke 2 Finals beruntun (5 dan 6 beruntun untuk James) melawan [[Golden State Warriors]], memenangkannya pada tahun [[2016Final NBA Finals2016|2016]].

James dilahirkan tanggal 30 Desember, 1984 di [[Akron, Ohio|Akron]], [[Ohio]], oleh ibunya yang berumur 16 tahun, Gloria Marie James, yang membesarkannya sendiri.<ref>{{cite web|title=LeBron James Player Profile|url=http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/1966/lebron-james|publisher=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 2, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Jones2003">{{cite book |last=Jones |first=Ryan |title=King James: Believe the Hype |url=https://archive.org/details/kingjamesbelieve00jone |year=2003 |publisher=St. Martin's Griffin |location=New York |isbn=0-312-34992-0 }}</ref>{{rp|22}} Sejak kecil, mereka harus berjuang dengan kehidupan mereka, ketika mereka pindah dari apartemen satu ke yang lainnya di lingkungan kumuh di Akron sementara Gloria berjuang untuk mendapat pekerjaan tetap.<ref name=jockbio>{{cite web|url=http://www.jockbio.com/Bios/James/James_bio.html|title=LeBron James Biography|work=jockbio.com|accessdate=May 23, 2010|archive-date=2016-01-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117213500/http://jockbio.com/Bios/James/James_bio.html|dead-url=yes}}</ref> Menyadari bahwa ia lebih baik pergi ke keluarga yang lingkungannya lebih stabil, Gloria mengizinkan James untuk pindah ke keluarga Frank Walker pelatih football muda, yang memperkenalkan James bola basket ketika ia masih 9 tahun.<ref name="Jones2003" />{{rp|23}}

Ketika masih muda, James bermain di [[Amateur Athletic Union]] (AAU) untuk Northeast Ohio Shooting Stars.<ref name=jockbio /> Tim itu menikmati kesuksesan di level lokal dan nasional, dipimpin oleh James dan kawannya Sian Cotton, Dru Joyce III, dan Willie McGee.<ref name="Jones2003" />{{rp|24}} Tak terpisahkan, mereka menjuluki mereka sebagai "Fab Four" dan berjanji satu sama lain bahwa mereka akan berada di SMA yang sama<ref name="Jones2003" />{{rp|27}} Dalam kepindahan yang memicu kontroversi di lokal, mereka memilih untuk bersekolah di [[St. Vincent–St. Mary High School]], sekolah Katolik privat yang mayoritas berkulit putih.<ref>{{cite web|last=Covert|first=Colin|title=Movie review: Band of brothers in 'More Than a Game' |url=http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/movies/64387712.html?elr=KArksD:aDyaEP:kD:aUnc5PDiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr|publisher=StarTribune|accessdate=July 1, 2012|archive-date=2013-12-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224102803/http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/movies/64387712.html?elr=KArksD:aDyaEP:kD:aUnc5PDiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr|dead-url=yes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=LeBron James, SVSM teammates to enter school's hall of fame: High school newswatch|url=http://highschoolsports.cleveland.com/news/article/-1627030445399566344/lebron-james-svsm-teammates-to-enter-schools-hall-of-fame-high-school-newswatch/|publisher=Cleveland.com|accessdate=July 1, 2012}}</ref>

Sebelum tahun awal James, ia tampil di ''[[SLAM Magazine]]'' dan dipuji sebagai kemungkinan "pebasket SMA terbaik di Amerika saat ini."<ref>{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Ryan|title=Ohio Player|url=http://www.slamonline.com/online/the-magazine/features/2012/05/ohio-player-lebron-james-first/|publisher=SLAM Magazine|accessdate=May 27, 2012}}</ref> Ketika musim itu, ia tampil di cover ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'', menjadi pebasket kelas bawah SMA pertama yang melakukannya.<ref name="Jones2003" />{{rp|104}} Dengan rata-rata 29 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, dan 3.3 steals per game,<ref name=Prospect /> ia dinamai lagi sebagai Ohio's Mr. Basketball dan terpilih untuk ''USA Today'' All-USA First Team,<ref name=Prospect /> dan menjadi pemain junior pertama yang memenangkan [[Gatorade National Player of the Year|Gatorade National Player of the Year Award]] untuk basket pria.<ref name="Jones2003" />{{rp|117}} St. Vincent-St. Mary finis musim itu dengan rekor 23–4 , mengakhiri musim mereka dengan kekalahan di game kejuaraan Divisi II.<ref name="Jones2003" />{{rp|114}} Setelah kekalahan itu, James mempertimbangkan dengan serius untuk mengikuti [[2002 NBA draft]], gagal mengajukan petisi untuk penyesuaian untuk masuk ke NBA Draft yang calon pemainnya setidaknya lulus SMA.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/09/books/09garner.html|title=An N.B.A. Giant and How He Grew|accessdate=May 3, 2010|date=September 9, 2009|page=C1|work=The New York Times|author=Garner, Dwight}}</ref> Dalam waktu ini, James menggunakan [[marijuana]] untuk menghilangkan stressnya yang berakibat perhatian media yang ia terima.<ref>{{Cite news|date=July 24, 2009|title=LeBron's Book Shows Struggle With Fame|newspaper=CBS News|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/24/entertainment/main5185971.shtml|access-date=2016-10-28|archive-date=2013-09-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908104503/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/24/entertainment/main5185971.shtml|dead-url=yes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Garcia|first=Julian|date=July 23, 2009|title=The pot thickens: LeBron James admits smoking marijuana as a high school junior in new book|newspaper=New York Daily News|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/pot-thickens-lebron-james-admits-smoking-marijuana-high-school-junior-new-book-article-1.428029}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Livingston|first=Bill|date=July 22, 2009|title=New LeBron James book tells of a 'shooting star' always willing to learn lessons|newspaper=Cleveland Plain Dealer|url=http://www.cleveland.com/livingston/index.ssf/2009/07/new_lebron_james_book_tells_of.html}}</ref>

Pada musim [[2006–07 NBA season|2006–07]], rata-rata James menurun hingga 27.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 6 assists, dan 1.6 steals per game.<ref name="nbabio"/> Beberapa analis menyatakan menurunnya keterampilan passingnya, dan pemilihan tembakannya, berasal dari kurangnya usaha dan fokus.<ref name=TBOB499>{{cite book|last=Simmons|first=Bill|title=The Book of Basketball|url=https://archive.org/details/bookofbasketball00simm|year=2009|publisher=ESPN Books|location=New York|isbn=9780345511768|page=[https://archive.org/details/bookofbasketball00simm/page/499 499]}}</ref> Cavaliers finis musim itu dengan 50 kemenangan untuk tahun kedua secara beruntun dan masuk [[2007 NBA Playoffs|playoffs]] sebagai unggulan kedua dari Eastern Conference.<ref>{{cite web|title=Now playoff-bound, Cavs' 50th win caps season |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=270418005 |publisher=ESPN.com|accessdate=June 2, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=2006–07 Cleveland Cavaliers |url=http://basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/2007.html |publisher=Basketball Reference|accessdate=April 29, 2007}}</ref> Pada Game 5 Conference Finals, James mencatat 48 points dengan 9 rebounds dan 7 assists, mencetak 29 poin dari 30 poin terakhir Cleveland, termasuk game-winning lay-up saat tersisa dua detik lagi, melawan [[2006–07 Detroit Pistons season|Pistons]].<ref>{{cite web|title=LeBron bewilders Pistons as Cavaliers inch closer to NBA finals |url=http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=270531008 |publisher=ESPN.com|accessdate=May 31, 2007}}</ref> Setelah game itu, play-by-play announcer [[Marv Albert]] menyebutkan performa itu "salah satu yang terbaik dalam sejarah postseason" dan color commentator [[Steve Kerr]] mendeskripsikan performanya "Mirip dengan Jordan".<ref name="2007DetroitGm5">{{Youtube|d1Px-jPm_TU|LeBron James takes over Game 5!}}</ref> Tahun 2012, [[ESPN]] menilai performa itu sebagai keempat terbaik dalam sejarah playoff NBA modern.<ref name=ESPN>{{cite web|title=Greatest NBA playoff performances|url=http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2012/story/_/id/8068148/nba-playoffs-top-25-performances-ever|publisher=ESPN.com|accessdate=June 23, 2012}}</ref> Cavaliers lalu memenangkan Game 6 dan mendapatkan predikat Eastern Conference pertamanya. Mereka lolos ke [[2007 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]], dimana mereka disapu [[2006–07 San Antonio Spurs season|San Antonio Spurs]].<ref name=BR2007>{{cite web|title=2007 NBA Playoffs Summary|url=http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_2007.html|publisher=Basketball Reference|accessdate=April 13, 2013}}</ref> Untuk Finals, James mencetak rata-rata 22 points, 7 rebounds, dan 6.8 assists per game.<ref name="nbastat"/>

Pada akhir [[2008–09 NBA season|musim 2008–09]], James finis kedua dalam voting [[NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award|NBA Defensive Player of the Year]] dan masuk [[NBA All-Defensive Team]] untuk pertama kalinya, mencatat 23 [[chase-down block]]s dan dengan total block tertinggi di kariernya sebanyak 93.<ref name="Abrams" /><ref name=DPOTY09>{{cite web|title=Howard, Bryant headline 2008–09 NBA All-Defensive First Team|url=http://www.nba.com/2009/news/05/06/defensive.team/index.html|publisher=NBA |date=May 6, 2009}}</ref> Ia juga menjadi pemain keempat [[ABA–NBA merger|setelah merger NBA-ABA]] yang memimpin timnya dalam point, rebound, assist, steal, dan block dalam satu musim.<ref name=TBOB477>{{cite book|last=Simmons|first=Bill|title=The Book of Basketball|url=https://archive.org/details/bookofbasketball00simm|year=2009|publisher=ESPN Books|location=New York|isbn=9780345511768|page=[https://archive.org/details/bookofbasketball00simm/page/477 477]}}</ref> Dibalik permainannya, Cleveland mencetak sejarah baru dengan rekor 66–16 dan hanya berjarak satu game untuk menyamai rekor home terbaik dalam sejarah NBA.<ref>{{cite web|agency=Associated Press|title=LeBron sits as Cavs fail to match best home record|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/Pro/2009/04/16/LeBron-sits-as-Cavs-fail-to-match-best-home-record.html|publisher=Toledo Blade|accessdate=February 18, 2013}}</ref> Dengan rata-rata 28.4 point, 7.6 rebound, 7.2 assist, 1.7 steal, dan 1.2 block per game, ia menjadi pemain Cavalier pertama yang memenangkan penghargaan MVP.<ref>{{cite web|title=James outdistances Bryant in winning Kia MVP award |url=http://www.nba.com/2009/news/05/04/mvp.release.20090504/index.html |publisher=NBA.com|accessdate=May 4, 2009}}</ref>

Dalam [[2009 NBA Playoffs|playoffs]], Cleveland menyapu [[2008–09 Detroit Pistons season|Pistons]] dan [[2008–09 Atlanta Hawks season|Atlanta Hawks]] untuk dapat melawan [[2008-09 Orlando Magic season|Orlando Magic]] dalam Conference Finals.<ref name=BR2009>{{cite web|title=2009 NBA Playoffs Summary|url=http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_2009.html|publisher=Basketball Reference|accessdate=April 13, 2013}}</ref> Dalam Game 1 seri itu, James mencetak 49 point dalam persentase shoot sebanyak 66 persen dalam kekalahan Cavaliers.<ref name=ESPN /> Dalam Game 2, ia mencetak shoot kemenangan untuk menyamai seri itu 1–1.<ref>{{cite web|agency=Associated Press|title=James' dramatic buzzer-beater drops Magic, evens series at 1–1|url=http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=290522005|publisher=ESPN.com|accessdate=February 18, 2013}}</ref> Cleveland lalu dikalahkan dalam 6 game, dan setelah kalah di Game 6, James langsung meninggalkan lapangan tanpa menjabat tangan lawannya, sebuah aksi yang di pandang media sebagai [[unsportsmanlike|sangat tidak sportif]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/phil_taylor/06/02/lebron/index.html|title=LeBron sent a clear message by not shaking hands with Magic|last=Taylor|first=Phil|date=June 2, 2009|accessdate=July 18, 2010|quote=Not only would it have saved him the smattering of grief he's been getting from the media and fans the last few days, it just would have also been the right thing to do|publisher=CNN|archive-date=2009-08-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804043332/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/phil_taylor/06/02/lebron/index.html|dead-url=yes}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/02/sports/basketball/02rhoden.html|title=A Handshake Is Not Too Much to Ask, Even From a King|last=Rhoden|first=William|authorlink=William Rhoden|date=June 2, 2009|newspaper=The New York Times|accessdate=July 18, 2010|quote=It's hard for me to congratulate somebody after you just lose to them}}</ref> Untuk seri itu sendiri, ia mencetak rata-rata 38.5 point, 8.3 rebound, dan 8 assist per game,<ref name=ap_06082013>{{cite news|title=LeBron: Do what's best for team|date=June 8, 2013|publisher=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|url=http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2013/story/_/id/9355736/2013-nba-finals-lebron-james-miami-heat-criticism-done-more-lost|accessdate=June 8, 2013}}</ref> finis pasca-musim itu dengan karier playoff tertinggi dengan 35.3 point per game.<ref name=Reference />

James menjadi [[NBA salary cap#Free agency|bebas kontrak]] pukul 12:01 pagi EDT tanggal 1 Juli, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=FreeAgency-100630|title=NBA Free Agency: Who's going where?|publisher=ESPN.com |date=June 30, 2010|accessdate=October 30, 2010}}</ref> Ketika itu, ia dikaitkan bebarapa tim, termasuk Bulls, [[Los Angeles Clippers]], [[Miami Heat]], [[New York Knicks]], [[New Jersey Nets]], dan Cavaliers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/lebron-james-says-he-will-join-miami-heat-070810|title=LeBron says he'll sign with Miami Heat|publisher=Fox Sports|date=August 9, 2010|accessdate=October 30, 2010}}</ref> Ketika 8 Juli, ia mengumumkan di siaran langsung ESPN ''The Decision'' bahwa ia akan pergi ke Heat.<ref>{{cite web|last=Windhorst|first=Brian|title=A look back at the fateful 'Decision'|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/columns/story?columnist=windhorst_brian&page=jamesdecision-110708|publisher=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 27, 2013}}</ref> Siaran itu, disiarkan dari [[Boys & Girls Clubs of America|Boys & Girls Club]] di [[Greenwich, Connecticut]], menghasilkan $2.5 million untuk amal dan tambahan $3.5 juta dari penghasilan iklan juga didonasikan untuk badan amal lainnya.<ref name="cleveland.com">{{cite web|date=July 12, 2010|work=The Plain Dealer |title= LeBron James' 'Decision' generated $6 million in ad revenue|accessdate=June 10, 2012|url=http://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/index.ssf/2010/07/lebron_james_decision_generate.html}}</ref> Sehari sebelum itu, pemain lainnya seperti [[Chris Bosh]] dan [[Dwyane Wade]] juga memutuskan untuk menandatangani kontrak dengan Miami;<ref>{{cite news|title=Done deals: LeBron, Bosh and Wade sign six-year contracts|date=July 9, 2010|work=NBA.com|agency=Associated Press|url=http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/09/bosh.james.ap/index.html|archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/6El6RTdu3?url=http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/09/bosh.james.ap/index.html|archivedate=February 27, 2013-02-28|deadurl=no|access-date=2016-10-28}}</ref> laporan kemudian muncul bahwa ketiganya telah mendiskusikan masa bebas kontrak mereka pada tahun 2010 pada tahun 2006. James memutuskan untuk mengikuti Bosh dan Wade sehingga ia tidak terlalu memikirkan masalah offense, berpikir bahwa rekan tim yang bagus, akan memberinya kesempatan menjadi juara lebih besar dibandingkan bertahan di Cleveland.<ref>{{cite news|last=Thomsen|first=Ian|title=The Plot Starts Here ... ... Showtime Starts Here (Page 3)|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1172070/3/index.htm|publisher=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=July 1, 2012|date=July 19, 2010|archive-date=2012-11-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114115034/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1172070/3/index.htm|dead-url=yes}}</ref> Presiden Heat [[Pat Riley]] adalah peran utama dalam memberikan ide pada James untuk bermain dengan Bosh dan Wade. Bebas dari beban mencetak angka, James mengira ia bisa menjadi pemain pertama yang mencetak rata-rata triple-double dalam satu musim sejak [[Oscar Robertson]].<ref name="thomsen">{{cite news|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1172070/2/index.htm|title=The Plot Starts Here ... Showtime Starts Here|last=Thomsen|first=Ian|date=July 19, 2010|quote=One advantage of Riley's intelligence gathering was his understanding—as relayed to him by Wade—that James wanted to become less of a scorer and more of a distributor, and that he looked forward to no longer carrying the offense night after night.|magazine=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=January 23, 2011|archive-date=2010-08-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100820130012/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1172070/2/index.htm|dead-url=yes}}</ref>

James mendapat kritikan dari analis olahraga, para eksekutif, fans, dan mantan serta rekan timnya sekarang dengan kepergiannya dari Cavaliers. ''The Decision'' itu sendiri juga dikritik dan dicap sebagai tidak perlu. Banyak yang berpikir keputusan James ini tidak professional dan bahkan timnya sendiri tidak mengetahui keputusannya sebelum menjelang acara.<ref name=yahoo_20100716>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-heatfreeagency071610|title=Inside look at LeBron's free-agent coup|first=Adrian|last=Wojnarowski|authorlink=Adrian Wojnarowski|date=July 16, 2010|archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/5u6WgX5XH?url=http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-heatfreeagency071610|archivedate=November 9, 2010-11-09|accessdate=November 9, 2010|quote=... the issue of James' immaturity and downright disrespectfulness had become a consuming topic on the march to the Olympics|dead-url=no}}</ref> Ketikan mengetahui James tidak akan kembali ke Cleveland, pemilik Cleveland Dan Gilbert membuat suarat terbuak untuk fans bahwa ia sangat mencela aksi James.<ref name=Letter>{{cite press release|url=http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbert_letter_100708.html|title=Open Letter to Fans from Cavaliers Majority Owner Dan Gilbert|publisher=[[Cleveland Cavaliers]]|date=July 8, 2010|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5r6UbJyWJ|archivedate=July 9, 2010|accessdate=November 9, 2010}}</ref> Beberapa fans tim yang marah merekam video mereka membakar jerseynya.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sports.nationalpost.com/2010/07/09/cleveland-plain-dealers-final-word-on-lebron-james|title=Cleveland Plain Dealer's final word on LeBron James|work=National Post |location=Canada |archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/5u6VTATTe?url=http://sports.nationalpost.com/2010/07/09/cleveland-plain-dealers-final-word-on-lebron-james/|archivedate=November 9, 2010-11-09|date=November 9, 2010|access-date=2016-10-28|dead-url=no}}</ref> Mantan pemain NBA termasuk [[Michael Jordan]] dan [[Magic Johnson]] juga mengkritik James, mengutuknya karena bergabung dengan Bosh dan Wade di Miami dan tidak mencoba memenangkan kejuaraan sebagai "pria utama".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/10/sports/basketball/10heat.html?_r=1|title=Criticism Grows as James Arrives in Miami|author=Jonathan Abrams|author2=Catherine Shipp|newspaper=The New York Times|date=July 10, 2010|archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/5u6WE9tSM?url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/10/sports/basketball/10heat.html?_r=2|archivedate=November 9, 2010-11-09|accessdate=November 9, 2010|dead-url=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5391478|title=Jordan wouldn't have called Magic, Bird|publisher=ESPN.com |date=July 19, 2010|accessdate=July 19, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-07-20/magic-johnson-criticizes-lebron-james-says-he-wouldn-t-have-joined-bird.html|last=Rothbard|first=Barry|title=Magic Johnson Says He Wouldn't Have Joined Bird After LeBron James's Move|agency=Bloomberg L.P.|date=July 20, 2010|archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/5u6UVAdjv?url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-07-20/magic-johnson-criticizes-lebron-james-says-he-wouldn-t-have-joined-bird.html|archivedate=November 9, 2010-11-09|accessdate=November 9, 2010|quote=From college, I was trying to figure out how to beat Larry Bird.|dead-url=no}}</ref> James mendapat kritikan lebih jauh dalam wawancara dengan CNN pada September ketika ia mengklaim bahwa ras mungkin menjadi faktor dalam ''The Decision''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Freeman|first=Mike|authorlink=Mike Freeman (columnist)|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/14047127/lambasted-lebron-conveniently-sees-hurtful-role-of-race|title=Lambasted LeBron conveniently sees hurtful role of race|publisher=CBS Sports|date=September 30, 2010|archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/5u6UoxmK3?url=http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/14047127/lambasted-lebron-conveniently-sees-hurtful-role-of-race|archivedate=November 9, 2010-11-09|accessdate=November 9, 2010|quote=He has catered to corporate America, mostly ignored issues that affect people of color, and then when so many people turned on James, he's now suddenly seeing the racial light.|dead-url=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Whitlock|first=Jason|authorlink=Jason Whitlock|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/LeBron-James-should-put-away-the-race-card-and-just-apologize-093010|title=Point the finger at yourself, LeBron|publisher=Fox Sports|date=September 30, 2010|archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/5u6V72lJ7?url=http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/LeBron-James-should-put-away-the-race-card-and-just-apologize-093010|archivedate=November 9, 2010-11-09|accessdate=November 9, 2010|quote=LeBron's enablers are providing him the racial cocoon of denial. They're giving LeBron an excuse to avoid dealing with his own bad (The) Decision.|dead-url=no}}</ref> Sebagai hasil dari aksinya ketika masa bebas kontrak tahun 2010, ia dengan cepat mendapat reputasi sebagai atlit Amerika yang paling tidak disukai, perubahan besar dari tahun-tahun sebelumnya.<ref>{{cite news|first=Michael|last=McCarthy|title=Forbes: Vick, Tiger among most 'disliked' athletes|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2012/02/vick-tiger-lead-list-of-americas-most-disliked-athletes-michael-vick-tiger-woods-forbes/1|newspaper=USA Today|archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/68k8YRCX7?url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2012/02/vick-tiger-lead-list-of-americas-most-disliked-athletes-michael-vick-tiger-woods-forbes/1|archivedate=June 27, 2012-06-27|deadurl=no|date=February 8, 2012|access-date=2016-10-28}}</ref><ref name=Regret>{{cite news|first=Tom|last=Weir|title=LeBron James expresses regrets about 'The Decision'|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2011/12/lebron-james-expresses-regrets-about-the-decision/1|newspaper=USA Today|date=December 6, 2011|archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/68k7JXZ2k?url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2011/12/lebron-james-expresses-regrets-about-the-decision/1|archivedate=June 27, 2012-06-27|deadurl=no|access-date=2016-10-28}}</ref> Frasa "membawa talentaku ke Pantai Selatan (South Beach)" menjadi olokan kritik.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wetzel|first=Dan|title=LeBron's decisive backlash tops all stories|date=December 21, 2010|publisher=Yahoo! Sports|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=dw-storyoftheyear122110|archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/68kDQXWR9?url=http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=dw-storyoftheyear122110|archivedate=June 27, 2012-06-27|deadurl=no|access-date=2016-10-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Kerasotis|first=Peter|title=For Miami Heat, High Hopes but Lower Volume|date=December 25, 2011|page=SP8|newspaper=The New York Times|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/25/sports/basketball/for-miami-heat-high-hopes-but-lower-volume.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all|accessdate=June 27, 2012}}</ref>

Segera setelah ''The Decision'', James mengklaim bahwa tidak ada yang akan ia ubah dalam mengendalikan keputusan bebas kontraknya meski banjir kritikan.<ref>{{cite news|last=Moehringer|first=J.R.|authorlink=J.R. Moehringer|title=Into the Funhouse with King James|date=September 2010|magazine=GQ|url=http://www.gq.com/sports/profiles/201009/lebron-james-september-gq-miami-heat-summer-lebronathon|archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/5u6UMLIpY?url=http://www.gq.com/sports/profiles/201009/lebron-james-september-gq-miami-heat-summer-lebronathon|archivedate=November 9, 2010-11-09|accessdate=November 9, 2010|quote=During that postmortem interview, when Moehringer asked James what he'd change if he had a do-over, James replied, 'Nothing at all.'|dead-url=no}}</ref> Sejak itu, ia menyesali aksinya. Ketika musim 2011/11, ia mengatakan bahwa ia "mungkin akan mealukannya sedikit berbeda... Tapi aku bahagia dengan keputusanku."<ref name=kaplan>{{cite news|last=Kaplan|first=Thomas|title=James Faces Jeering, but Little Competition|date=November 1, 2010|newspaper=The New York Times|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/01/sports/basketball/01nets.html?_r=1&scp=5&sq=lebron%20james&st=cse

James resmi menjadi member Heat pada 10 Juli 2010.<ref name=HeatContract>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/heat/news/heat_resign_wade_acquire_bosh_james_2010_07_10.html|title=HEAT Re-Sign Wade and Acquire James and Bosh|work=NBA.com|date=July 10, 2010}}</ref> Dengan ini, ia menjadi pemain ketiga yang berganti tim setelah menjadi MVP dan yang pertama sejak [[Moses Malone]] pada tahun [[1981–82 NBA season|1982]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hochman|first=Benjamin|date=July 9, 2010|accessdate=July 13, 2010|title=LeBron James' choice puts Miami back in the game|newspaper=Denver Post|url=http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_15472852}}</ref> Malam itu, Heat membuat pesta selamat datang untuk "[[Big Three (Miami Heat)|tiga besar]]" mereka di [[American Airlines Arena]], acara yang beratmosfir seperti konser rock.<ref>{{cite news|title=Heat throw welcome party for LeBron James, Chris Bosh|date=July 9, 2010|newspaper=USA Today|agency=Associated Press|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/heat/2010-07-09-lebron-james-welcome-party_N.htm|accessdate=November 4, 2010|quote=With 13,000 fans chanting "Yes We Did!" amid an atmosphere more suited to a rock concert than a basketball game, the Miami Heat welcomed the NBA's newest trio of superstars Friday night for a celebration unlike just about any other in team history.}}</ref> Ketika berkumpul, James memprediksikan dinasti untuk Heat dan menyinggung ke beberapa kejuaraan.<ref>{{cite interview |last1=Wade|first1=Dwyane|last2=Bosh|first2=Chris|last3=James|first3=LeBron|interviewer=[[Eric Reid (television announcer)|Eric Reid]]|title=On Stage Interview with Wade, Bosh and James – July 9, 2010|date=July 10, 2010|work=NBA.com|url=http://www.nba.com/heat/news/on_stage_interview_wade_bosh_james_2010_07_10.html|accessdate=June 13, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Wharton|first=David|title=Miami's upgrade status holds lessons for Clippers|date=January 10, 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jan/10/sports/la-sp-miami-heat-20120111|accessdate=June 13, 2012}}</ref> Diluar Miami, acara itu tidak diterima dengan baik, membuat persepsi negatif untuk James semakin kuat.<ref>{{cite news|last=Beck|first=Howard|title=Shift in Talent Fortifies Elite Teams|page=B–12|date=October 26, 2010|newspaper=The New York Times|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/26/sports/basketball/26stern.html?_r=1&ref=basketball|archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/5u6WUl2iI?url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/26/sports/basketball/26stern.html?_r=2|archivedate=November 9, 2010-11-09|accessdate=November 9, 2010|quote=In that moment on July 9, amid the pyrotechnics, the Miami Heat became a national Rorschach test. Everyone saw something: greatness, arrogance, self-indulgence, boldness, cowardice, pride, friendship, collusion, joy, cynicism, heroes, mercenaries.|dead-url=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Blocks|first=Starting|title=LeBron James: 'Not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5, not 6, not 7' titles...None?: Video|url=http://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/index.ssf/2011/06/lebron_james_not_2_not_3_not_4.html|publisher=Cleveland.com|accessdate=June 28, 2012}}</ref>

Selama [[2010–11 NBA season|musim 2010–11]], James merangkul peran penjahat yang diberikan kepadanya oleh media; ia kemudian mengakuai bahwa ia menyesali pendekatan ini.<ref>{{cite web|last=Windhorst|first=Brian|title=LeBron James: No more Mr. Bad Guy|url=http://espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/story/_/id/7322299/lebron-james-miami-heat-says-done-villain-role|publisher=ESPN.com|accessdate=June 28, 2012}}</ref> Pada 2 Desember, ia kembali ke [[2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers season|Cleveland]] untuk pertama kalinya setelah pergi sebagai pemain bebas kontrak, mencetak 38 poin dan memimpin Miami menang meski dicemooh setiap kali ia menyentuh bola.<ref>{{cite news |title=LeBron James returns to Cleveland |date=December 3, 2010 |publisher=ESPN.com |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/news/story?id=5875623 |archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/5x5hF7kvP?url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/news/story?id=5875623 |archivedate=March2011-03-10 |access-date=2016-10,-28 |dead-url=no 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=LeBron shrugs off boos in return to Cleveland to lead Heat to easy win |date=December 2, 2010 |publisher=ESPN.com |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=301202005 |archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/5x5htuQnm?url=http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=301202005 |archivedate=March2011-03-10 |access-date=2016-10,-28 |dead-url=no 2011}}</ref> Ia finis dengan rata-rata 26.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, dan 7 assists per game dengan persentase menembak sebesar 51 persen.<ref name=Reference /> Memasuki [[2011 NBA Playoffs|playoffs]] sebagai unggulan kedua East, Miami melaju ke [[2011 NBA Finals|Finals]] sebelum tersandung melawan [[2010–11 Dallas Mavericks season|Dallas Mavericks]], kalah dalam 6 game meski mengantongi keunggulan seri 2-1 menjelang game 4.<ref name=Eleven>{{cite web|title=2011 NBA Playoffs Summary|url=http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_2011.html|publisher=Basketball Reference|accessdate=February 19, 2013}}</ref> James menerima beban kritik atas kekalahan tersebut, mencetak rata-rata hanya 3 poin di quarter keempat pada seri itu.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kevin Durant, Thunder pull away from Heat, win Game 1|date=June 12, 2012|work=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=320612025|archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/68OZJcouX?url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=320612025|deadurl=no|archivedate=June 13, 2012-06-13|access-date=2016-10-28}}</ref> Rata-rata point di Finals-nya adalah 17.8 points per game yang menandakan turunnya 8.9 point dari musim regulernya, yang terbesar dalam sejarah NBA.<ref>[http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/06/hot_corner_with_nba_title_at_s.html Hot Corner: With NBA title at stake, LeBron James was a big flop | al.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

Dicemooh karena kekalahan Heat dari Mavericks, James menghabiskan akhir musim berlatih dengan [[Hakeem Olajuwon]] untuk meningkatkan ''post game''nya.<ref>{{cite web|last=Berger|first=Ken|title=King James has his crown, finally, and he earned every bit of it|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/19401102/king-james-has-his-crown-finally-and-he-earned-every-bit-of-it|publisher=CBS Sports|accessdate=June 22, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Tomasson|first=Chris|title=Olajuwon thrilled by LeBron's breakthrough|url=http://www.foxsportsflorida.com/06/22/12/Olajuwon-thrilled-by-LeBrons-breakthroug/landing_heat.html?blockID=750374&feedID=10140|publisher=FoxSports Florida|accessdate=June 22, 2012}}</ref> Latihannya dengan Olajuwon terbayarkan, yang dikatakn oleh Kirk Goldsberry dari [[Grantland]]<nowiki/>sebagai "Salah satu transformasi terhebat dan terpenting dalam sejarah olahraga kini".<ref name=Goldsberry /> Selain permainan James yang lebih mengorientasikan ''post play'',<ref name=Goldsberry /> Miami menyamai start terbaik mereka dalam sejarah Heat,<ref>{{cite web|title=James, Bryant named Eastern, Western players of the month|url=http://www.nba.com/2012/news/02/03/players-of-the-month-jan/index.html|publisher=NBA.com|accessdate=May 26, 2013}}</ref> dan di akhir dari [[2011–12 NBA season|musim 2011–12]] yang diperpendek, ia dinamai MVP untuk ketiga kalinya, finis dengan rata-rata 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, dan 1.9 steals per game dengan persentase 53 persen.<ref name=FMVP2>{{cite news|title=LeBron James wins 3rd NBA MVP award|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-400_162-57433236/lebron-james-wins-3rd-nba-mvp-award/|publisher=CBS News|accessdate=June 22, 2012|archive-date=2012-06-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628135928/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-400_162-57433236/lebron-james-wins-3rd-nba-mvp-award/|dead-url=yes}}</ref>

Januari pada [[2014–15 NBA season|musim 2014–15]], James absen dua minggu dengan cedera lutut kiri dan punggung bawahnya, absen terlama sepanjang kariernya.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Feldman|first1=Dan|title=LeBron James out two weeks with multiple injuries|url=http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/01/01/lebron-james-out-two-weeks-with-multiple-injuries/|publisher=NBC Sports|accessdate=25 January 2015}}</ref> Total, ia bermain di 69 game (terendah sepanjang kariernya) dan rata-rata akhirnya adalah 25.3 points, 6 rebounds, dan 7.4 assists per game.<ref name=Reference /> Ronde kedua [[2015 NBA Playoffs|playoffs]], ia mencetak dari tepi lapangan ketika ''buzzer'' untuk membuat Cleveland seri 2-2 dalam seri melawan [[2014-15 Chicago Bulls season|Bulls]].<ref>{{cite web|title=LeBron James hits buzzer beater as Cavaliers edge Bulls|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/james-hits-buzzer-beater-lift-cavs-past-bulls-230515268--nba.html|publisher=Yahoo Sports|accessdate=May 10, 2015|archive-date=2015-07-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701100532/https://sports.yahoo.com/news/james-hits-buzzer-beater-lift-cavs-past-bulls-230515268--nba.html|dead-url=yes}}</ref> Di Conference Finals, Cavaliers mengalahkan [[2014-15 Atlanta Hawks season|Hawks]] untuk melaju ke [[2015 NBA Finals|Finals]], membuat James menjadi pemain pertama sejak 1960an yang bermain di 5 Finals beruntun.<ref name=Finals5 /> Mayoritas game di Finals melawan [[2014-15 Golden State Warriors season|Golden State Warriors]], Irving dan Love absen karena cedera, memberi James beban untuk bagian ''offensive''.<ref name=Finals5>{{cite web|last1=Moore|first1=Matt|title=The crown is forever heavy: LeBron James and his Finals legacy|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/25198956/the-crown-is-forever-heavy-lebron-james-and-his-finals-legacy|publisher=CBS Sports|access-date=2016-10-28|archive-date=2015-09-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910114601/http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/25198956/the-crown-is-forever-heavy-lebron-james-and-his-finals-legacy|dead-url=yes}}</ref> Karenanya, Cavaliers membuka seri dengan menang 2-1 sebelum kalah dalam 6 game.<ref name=2015Finals>{{cite web|title=2015 NBA Finals|url=http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2015-nba-finals-cavaliers-vs-warriors.html|publisher=Basketball Reference|accessdate=18 June 2015}}</ref> Meski kalah, ia dipertimbangkan dengan serius untuk Finals MVP,<ref>{{cite web|title=Neck and neck: Just how close was Finals MVP voting?|url=http://www.foxsports.com/nba/story/andre-iguodala-wins-finals-mvp-lebron-james-7-4-vote-total-golden-state-warriors-champs-061615|publisher=Fox Sports|accessdate=24 July 2016}}</ref> mencetak rata-rata 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, dan 8.8 assists per game di Finals.<ref name=2015Finals />

James membuat debutnya untuk [[United States men's national basketball team|tim nasional Amerika Serikat]] ketika [[2004 United States men's Olympic basketball team|Olimpiade 2004]] di [[Athens|Athena, Yunani]].<ref name=USA>{{cite web|title=LeBron James Bio|url=http://www.usabasketball.com/bios/james_lebron.html|publisher=USA Basketball|accessdate=February 26, 2013|archive-date=2013-07-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130710085235/http://www.usabasketball.com/bios/james_lebron.html|dead-url=yes}}</ref> Ia menghabiskan mayoritas Olimpiade itu di bangku cadangan,<ref>{{cite news|title=Off the bench: LeBron, Dwyane, 'Melo back with U.S. team|date=July 20, 2006|newspaper=Reading Eagle|page=C6|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mtIvAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JqIFAAAAIBAJ&dq=lebron%20james%20attitude%20olympics%20brown&pg=5150%2C2299210|accessdate=February 26, 2013}}</ref><ref name=understand>{{cite news|title=LeBron: Now I Understand What It Means To Be An Olympian|date=August 8, 2008|work=TSN.ca|url=http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=245620|archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/6Ej4xrhen?url=http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=245620|archivedate=February 26, 2013-02-26|access-date=2016-10-28|dead-url=no}}</ref> mencetak rata-rata 14.6 menit per game dengan 5.8 points dan 2.6 rebounds per game dalam 8 game.<ref name=USA /> Tim AS finis dengan medali perunggu, menjadi tim basket AS pertama yang kembali tanpa medali emas sejak memasukkan pemain profesional ke line-up mereka.<ref name=USA /><ref>{{cite web|agency=Associated Press|title=U.S.: 3-for-24 from 3-point range|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summer04/basketball/news/story?id=1859825|publisher=ESPN.com|accessdate=February 26, 2013}}</ref> James merasa terbatasnya ia bermain adalah "buruk" dan percaya ia tidak diberikan "kesempatan yang adil untuk bermain".<ref>{{cite news|last=Thamel|first=Pete|title=After Sitting in 2004, Ready to Stand and Deliver|date=July 28, 2008|newspaper=The New York Times|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/28/sports/olympics/28hoops.html|accessdate=February 26, 2013}}</ref> Sikapnya ketika selama Olimpide dideskripsikan "kasar" dan "dibenci" oleh masing-masing kolumnis, [[Adrian Wojnarowski]] dan [[Peter Vecsey (sports columnist)|Peter Vecsey]].<ref name=wojnarowski_08122012>{{cite news|last=Wojnarowski|first=Adrian|title=Season of LeBron ends with Olympic gold medal|date=August 12, 2012|work=yahoo.com|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--season-of-lebron-ends-with-olympic-gold-medal.html|archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/6Ej6QLSZl?url=http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--season-of-lebron-ends-with-olympic-gold-medal.html|archivedate=February 26, 2013-02-26|deadurl=no|access-date=2016-10-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Vecsey|first=Peter|title=Get Coach K For Olympic Team|date=February 6, 2005|newspaper=New York Post|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/item_AOiebnsvbVGVhHtVvRuvrM|archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/6Ej6ZaPUX?url=http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/item_AOiebnsvbVGVhHtVvRuvrM|archivedate=February 26, 2013-02-26|deadurl=no|access-date=2016-10-28}}</ref>

Ketika [[2006 FIBA World Championship]] in [[Japan|Jepang]], James mengambil peran lebih penting untuk Tim AS, mencetak rata-rata 13.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, dan 4.1 assists per game sebagai kapten bersama.<ref name="usabbb">usabasketball.com, [http://www.usabasketball.com/seniormen/2006/06_mwc_cumulative_stats.html 2006 USA Men's World Championship team: Stats] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070513145308/http://www.usabasketball.com/seniormen/2006/06_mwc_cumulative_stats.html |date=2007-05-13 }}, accessed May 1, 2007.</ref><ref>nba.com, [http://www.nba.com/nuggets/news/anthony_usa_captain_081706.html Melo joins LeBron James and Dwyane Wade as captains], accessed May 7, 2007.</ref> Mereka finis dengan rekor 8-1, kembali memenangkan medali perunggu.<ref name="usabbb"/> Perilaku James kembali dipertanyakan, kali ini oleh rekan setim [[Bruce Bowen]], yang menghadapi James ketika tryout mengenai perlakuannya kepada member staff.<ref name=wojnarowski_08122012/><ref>{{cite news|last=Wojnarowski|first=Adrian|title=Team USA's declaration of independence|date=September 3, 2007|work=yahoo.com|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-teamusa090307|archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/6Ej7s4rLu?url=http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-teamusa090307|archivedate=February 26, 2013-02-26|deadurl=no|access-date=2016-10-28}}</ref>

Sebelum memanggil James pada [[2008 United States men's Olympic basketball team|tim Olimpiade 2008]], Direktur Pengelola Tim AS [[Jerry Colangelo]] dan pelatih [[Mike Krzyzewski]] memberi James ultimatum untuk memperbaiki sikapnya, dan ia mematuhi saran mereka.<ref name=wojnarowski_08122012/><ref>{{cite news|last=Helin|first=Kurt|title=USA Basketball president lauds LeBron James' maturity|date=August 14, 2012|work=probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com|url=http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/08/14/usa-basketball-president-lauds-lebron-james-maturity/|accessdate=February 26, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> Ketika [[FIBA Americas Championship 2007]], ia mencetak rata-rata 18.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, dan 4.7 assists per game, termasuk performa 31-point melawan Argentina di game kejuaraan, yang terbanyak dari pemain Amerika di kualifikasi Olimpiade.<ref>{{cite web|title=LeBron James Player Stats|url=http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/07/fibaAmer/men/teamPlay/play/p/competitioncode//eventid/3965/langlc/en/playernumber/48642/roundid/3965/season//fe_teamPlay_playStat.html|publisher=2007 FIBA Americas Championship|accessdate=February 26, 2013}}</ref><ref>espn.com, [http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/olybb/news/story?id=3002435 James' record outing highlights Team USA's dominance in title game], September 3, 2007.</ref> Tim AS finis dengan rekor 10–0, memenangkan medali emas dan lolos untuk [[2008 Olympics|Olimpiade 2008]] di [[Beijing|Beijing, China]].<ref name=USA /> James memuji sikap tim dan pengalaman untuk kemajuannya, mengatakan:"Aku tak berpikir kita mengerti seperti apa mengenakan seragam tim AS dan semua orang yang kami wakili tahun 2004. Sekarang pastinya kami tahu."<ref name=understand/> Pada Olimpiade, Tim AS tak terkalahkan, memenangkan medali emas pertama mereka sejak [[2000 Olympics|tahun 2000]].<ref name=Spain>{{cite web|title=Team USA beats Spain for Men's Basketball gold|url=http://www.olympic2012.org/2012/06/16/team-usa-beats-spain-for-mens-basketball-gold-2/|publisher=Olympic2012|accessdate=July 4, 2012}}{{Pranala mati|date=Februari 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Pada game final, James mencetak 14 points, 6 rebounds, dan 3 assists melawan Spanyol.<ref name=Spain />

James tidak bermain pada [[2010 United States men's FIBA World Championship team|2010 FIBA World Championship]] namun masuk kembali pada [[2012 United States men's Olympic basketball team|Olimpiade 2012]] in [[London|London, Inggris]].<ref>{{cite web|title=LeBron 'probably not playing' for USA at World Championships|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/13141643/lebron-probably-not-playing-for-usa-at-world-championships|work=cbssports.com|accessdate=August 2, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|agency=Reuters|title=LeBron, Kobe return to U.S. team for London Games|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-07-07/sports/sns-rt-us-teambre867002-20120707_1_carmelo-anthony-thunder-lebron-james|publisher=Chicago Tribune|accessdate=July 8, 2012|date=July 7, 2012|archive-date=2012-07-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709045617/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-07-07/sports/sns-rt-us-teambre867002-20120707_1_carmelo-anthony-thunder-lebron-james|dead-url=yes}}</ref> Ia memimpin tim dengan [[Kobe Bryant]], yang akan berusia 34, mundur.<ref name=ap_column>{{cite news|title=Column: Going out in style – 'K Boys' golden again|date=August 12, 2012|work=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=oly&id=8262281|archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/69tfnB8jj?url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=oly|archivedate=August 13, 2012-08-13|deadurl=no|access-date=2016-10-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Medina|first=Mark|title=Kobe Bryant ends Olympic career on a high note|date=August 12, 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-la-london-olympics-kobe-bryant-ends-olympic-career-on-a-high-note-20120813,0,6931992.story|archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/69tg5zH1W?url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-la-london-olympics-kobe-bryant-ends-olympic-career-on-a-high-note-20120813,0,6931992.story|archivedate=August 13, 2012-08-13|deadurl=no|access-date=2016-10-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Medina|first=Mark|title=London Olympics: 5 things to take from Team USA's win over Spain|date=August 12, 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-la-london-olympics-5-things-to-take-from-team-usas-win-over-spain-20120812,0,6456027.story|archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/69tgFXNJH?url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-la-london-olympics-5-things-to-take-from-team-usas-win-over-spain-20120812,0,6456027.story|archivedate=August 13, 2012-08-13|deadurl=no|access-date=2016-10-28}}</ref> James memfasilitasi offense dari sisi ke sisi, memanggil set defensive, dan mencetak point jika dibutuhkan.<ref>{{cite news|last=Freeman|first=Eric|title=The Team USA Reputations Index: How the gold medal changes our opinions of these players|date=August 13, 2012|work=yahoo.com|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/team-usa-reputations-index-gold-medal-changes-opinions-140024134--nba.html|archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/69tklmjoF?url=http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/team-usa-reputations-index-gold-medal-changes-opinions-140024134--nba.html|archivedate=August 13, 2012-08-13|deadurl=no|access-date=2016-10-28}}</ref><ref name=cacciola>{{cite news|last=Cacciola|first=Scott|title=Summer of LeBron Ends With Gold|date=August 12, 2012|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444318104577585193378735380.html|archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/69vBbpXYR?url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444318104577585193378735380.html|archivedate=August 14, 2012-08-14|deadurl=no|access-date=2016-10-28}}</ref><ref name=bishop_nigeria>{{cite news|last=Bishop|first=Greg|title=LeBron James Is Content With Dishing Off During U.S. Feast|date=August 2, 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/03/sports/olympics/lebron-james-prefers-to-assist-in-us-teams-victories.html?partner=rss&emc=rss|archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/69faDjwFj?url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/03/sports/olympics/lebron-james-prefers-to-assist-in-us-teams-victories.html?_r=1|archivedate=August 4, 2012-08-04|deadurl=no|access-date=2016-10-28}}</ref><ref name=stein_08082012>{{cite news|last=Stein|first=Marc|title=Once again, LeBron answers the call|date=August 8, 2012|work=ESPN.com|url=http://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8249604/2012-olympics-once-again-lebron-james-answers-call|archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/69vE85m5W?url=http://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8249604/2012-olympics-once-again-lebron-james-answers-call|archivedate=August 14, 2012-08-14|deadurl=no|access-date=2016-10-28}}</ref> Ketika game melawan [[Australia men's national basketball team|Australia]], ia mencetak triple-double pertamanya dalam sejarah Olimpiade Basket AS dengan 11 points, 14 rebounds dan 12 assists.{{refn|Assists were recorded as an official Olympic statistic starting in 1976.<ref name=triple_double>{{cite web|title=LeBron James Tallies First Triple-Double In U.S. Olympic History To Power USA To Semifinals With 119–86 Win Against Australia|date=August 8, 2012|work=usabasketball.com|url=http://www.usabasketball.com/mens/national/12_moly_game_06.html|archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/69vDFCmyl?url=http://www.usabasketball.com/mens/national/12_moly_game_06.html|archivedate=August 14, 2012-08-14|deadurl=noyes|access-date=2016-10-28}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}}<ref name=stein_08082012/> Tim AS melaju untuk memenangkan medali keduanya beruntun, kembali mengalahkan Spanyol di final.<ref name=Spain2>{{cite web|agency=Associated Press|title=Kevin Durant, U.S. pull through in final as Spain can't rain on parade|url=http://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/men/recap?gameId=1172|publisher=ESPN.com|accessdate=February 26, 2013}}</ref> James mencetak 19 point dalam game itu, menjadi pemimpin scorer sepanjang sejarah tim basket AS.<ref name=USA /><ref name=Spain2 /> Ia dengan Michael Jordan menjadi satu-satunya pemain yang memenangkan NBA MVP, Kejuaraan NBA, MVP NBA Finals, dan medali emas Olimpiade pada tahun yang sama.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2012/08/12/u-s-surges-past-spain-late-claims-second-straight-olympic-gold-medal/|title=U.S. Surges Past Spain Late, Claims Second Straight Olympic Gold Medal|first=Sekou|last=Smith|date=August 12, 2012|accessdate=August 13, 2012|work=NBA.com|publisher=NBA.com|archive-date=2015-11-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126163535/http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2012/08/12/u-s-surges-past-spain-late-claims-second-straight-olympic-gold-medal/|dead-url=yes}}</ref> Setelahnya, Krzyzewski mengatakan James "adalah pemain terbaik, ia adalah pemimpin terbaik dan ia sepintar siapapun yang bermain basket saat ini."<ref>{{cite news|last=Deveney|first=Sean|title=Olympics 2012: The golden era of LeBron James|date=August 12, 2012|work=SportingNews.com|url=http://aol.sportingnews.com/olympics/story/2012-08-12/olympics-2012-lebron-james-team-usa-spain-carmelo-anthony-london-games-us-gold-m|archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/69thGegfJ?url=http://aol.sportingnews.com/olympics/story/2012-08-12/olympics-2012-lebron-james-team-usa-spain-carmelo-anthony-london-games-us-gold-m|archivedate=August 13, 2012-08-13|deadurl=no|access-date=2016-10-28}}</ref>

Dengan tinggi {{convert|6|ft|8|in|m|2}} dan berat {{convert|250|lbs|kg|1}}, James sudah menjadi starter di [[small forward]] dan [[power forward (basketball)|power forward]], tapi ia juga bisa bermain di tiga posisi lainnya.<ref name=Simmons>{{cite web|last=Simmons|first=Bill|title=LeBron Makes LeLeap|url=http://grantland.com/features/lebron-makes-leleap/|publisher=Grantland|accessdate=June 22, 2012}}</ref> Dengan rata-rata karier 27.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.9 assists, dan 1.7 steals per game,<ref name=Reference>{{cite web|title=LeBron James NBA & ABA Stats|url=http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jamesle01.html|publisher=Basketball Reference|accessdate=April 21, 2013}}</ref> ia dipertimbangkan sebagai salah satu pemain yang paling atletik dan serba-guna di NBA,<ref name=Goldsberry>{{cite web|last=Goldsberry|first=Kirk|title=The Evolution of King James|url=http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9109245/how-lebron-james-transformed-game-become-highly-efficient-scoring-machine|publisher=Grantland|accessdate=April 21, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Davis|first=Nate|title=Jalen Rose, Warren Sapp scoff at notion of LeBron in NFL|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2011/11/jalen-rose-warren-sapp-scoff-at-notion-of-lebron-james-playing-in-nfl/1?csp=34sports&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+UsatodaycomNba-TopStories+%28Sports+-+NBA+-+Top+Stories%29#.T-UYWStYvv4|publisher=USA Today|accessdate=June 23, 2012|date=November 17, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Sports Illustrated's Fittest 50|url=http://www.si.com/edge/photos/2014/08/05/sports-illustrated-fittest-50-athletes-sports#50|website=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=10 August 2014}}</ref> dan sudah disejajarkan dengan Hall of Famers seperti Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan.<ref name="nbastat"/><ref name="comp">{{cite news|last=DuPree|first=David|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/playoffs/2006-04-20-james-cover_x.htm|title=King James' next conquest|work=USA Today|date=April 21, 2006|accessdate=August 21, 2006}}</ref> Sejak 2011, ia menduduki tempat ESPN dan ''Sports Illustrated'' sebagai pemain terbaik NBA.{{refn|ESPN.<ref>{{cite web|title=#NBArank (2011)|url=http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7116977/nba-player-rankings-1|publisher=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 27, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=#NBArank (2012)|url=http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8429392/2012-nba-player-rankings-no-1|publisher=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 27, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=#NBArank (2013)|url=http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9139400/nba-player-rankings-no-1-lebron-james|publisher=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 27, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=#NBArank (2013 II)|url=http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9862025/2013-nba-player-rankings-1|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=October 26, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=#NBArank No. 1: LeBron James|url=http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11777186/2014-nba-player-rankings-1|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=16 November 2014}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}}{{refn|''Sports Illustrated''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lowe|first=Zach|title=Top 100 NBA Players – Nos. 1-10|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/blogs/nba-point-forward/2011/08/16/top-100-nba-players-nos-1-10/|publisher=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=October 4, 2013|archive-date=2013-10-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005010519/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/blogs/nba-point-forward/2011/08/16/top-100-nba-players-nos-1-10/|dead-url=yes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Top 100 players of 2014: Nos. 10-1|url=http://nba.si.com/2013/09/20/top-100-players-of-2014-nos-10-1/|publisher=The Point Forward|accessdate=October 4, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=SI.com's Top 100 NBA players of 2015|url=http://www.si.com/nba/2014/top-100-nba-players-2015-list|publisher=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=16 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=SI.com's Top 100 NBA players of 2017|url=http://www.si.com/nba/2016/09/12/nba-top-100-player-rankings|publisher=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=18 September 2016}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}}

Banyak analis, pelatih, dan fans, pemain basket dulu dan sekarang mempertimbangkan James sebagai salah satu pemain terbaik sepanjang masa, sering ditempatkan sebagai small forward terbaik dan berada di 5 besar secara keseluruhan.<ref>{{cite web|title=All-Time #NBArank: LeBron James tops list of best small forwards|url=http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/nbarankSFs/ranking-top-10-small-forwards-ever|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=27 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=All-Time #NBArank: LeBron No. 3|url=http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/nbarank3/all-nbarank-3|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=27 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=5-on-5: Debating the all-time greats|url=http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14739278/debating-all-greats|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=27 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=McCallum|first1=Jack|title=SI's 50 greatest players in NBA history|url=http://www.si.com/nba/2016/02/09/michael-jordan-lebron-james-stephen-curry-nba-greatest|publisher=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=20 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Simmons|first1=Bill|title=LeBron Is Still Painting His Masterpiece|url=https://theringer.com/lebron-is-still-painting-his-masterpiece-bdad85037eb0#.4uzg82g2m|publisher=The Ringer|accessdate=26 October 2016}}</ref> Ia sudah menerima penghargaan All-NBA setiap musim sejak tahun sophomorenya, All-Defensive setiap musim dari tahun 2009-2014, dan dinamai Rookie of the Year pada musim pertamanya.<ref name=Reference /> Dengan 4 MVP, ia bergabung dengan grup pemain yang memenangkannya 4 kali, termasuk Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, dan [[Bill Russell]]; hanya ia dan Russell yang memenangkan 4 MVP dalam jangka 5 tahun.<ref>{{cite web|title=LeBron takes 2013 Kia Most Valuable Player award|url=http://www.nba.com/2013/news/05/05/lebron-2013-mvp-award/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt3b|publisher=NBA.com|accessdate=May 5, 2013}}</ref> Sementara James tidak pernah memenangkan Defensive Player of the Year, ia finis di tempat kedua dan menjadikannya sebagai salah satu target utamanya.<ref name=DPOTY09 /><ref>{{cite news|last=Wallace|first=Michael|title=LeBron James wins 4th MVP award|date=May 5, 2013|work=ESPN.com|url=http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2013/story/_/id/9244504/lebron-james-miami-heat-1-vote-shy-unanimous-mvp-honor|archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/6GP9iMo61?url=http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2013/story/_/id/9244504/lebron-james-miami-heat-1-vote-shy-unanimous-mvp-honor|archivedate=May 5, 2013-05-06|deadurl=no|access-date=2016-10-28}}</ref> James sudah tampil di Finals 7 kali dan memenangkan 3 diantaranya; beberapa analis mengkritiknya karena rekor Finals yang tidak terlalu bagus, sedangkan yang lain membelanya, berargumen bahwa peran rekannya buruk dan ia dikalahkan oleh kompetisi yang lebih superior meski bermain dengan baik.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Paine|first1=Neil|title=Where This Year's Cavs Rank Among LeBron's NBA Finals Supporting Casts|url=http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/where-this-years-cavs-rank-among-lebrons-nba-finals-supporting-casts/|publisher=FiveThirtyEight|accessdate=7 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Haberstroh|first1=Tom|title=LeBron's 2-4 Finals record is one of his greatest achievements|url=http://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/15882307/what-lebron-james-losing-nba-finals-record-really-means-nba|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=7 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Lowe|first1=Zach|title=The Rematch: An NBA Finals preview|url=http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/15888230/this-matchup-cavs-warriors-what-saw-2015|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=7 August 2016}}</ref>

James memasuki NBA pada usia muda dan membuat dampak ofensif dengan cepat; ia memegang beberapa rekor "pemain termuda" beberapa kali, termasuk menjadi pemain termuda yang mencetak 25.000 point dalam kariernya.{{refn|<ref name="nbabio"/><ref name="nbastat"/><ref name="NBA.com">{{cite web|title=James Wins MVP as East Rallies Past West|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20050220/ESTWST/recap.html|publisher=NBA.com|accessdate=April 27, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=James receives 78 of 118 first-place votes|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1786166|publisher=ESPN.com|accessdate=May 7, 2007}}</ref><ref name="usabio">{{cite web|publisher=USA Basketball|url=http://www.usabasketball.com/biosmen/lebron_james_bio.html|title=USA Basketball: LeBron James Bio]|work=usabasketball.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070514045140/http://www.usabasketball.com/biosmen/lebron_james_bio.html|archivedate=May 14, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = LeBron is youngest NBA player to score 25,000|url = http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14040860/lebron-james-cleveland-cavaliers-became-youngest-nba-history-score-25000-points|website = ESPN.com|accessdate = 2015-11-04}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}} Pada masa pertama bersama Cavaliers, ia digunakan sebagai [[point forward]] pemegang bola, dan meskipun shooting-nya cenderung lebih ke perimeter,<ref name=Goldsberry /> ia tak diragukan sebagai salah satu [[Slasher (basketball)|slashers]] dan finisher terbaik dalam basket, memimpin NBA dalam [[three-point play|three point plays]] tahun 2006.<ref name="Taneja">{{cite book |last=Taneja |first=Anil |title=World of Sports Indoor |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XDDKml6q3c8C&dq |accessdate=June 13, 2013 |year=2009 |publisher=Gyan Publishing |location=Delhi |isbn=978-81-7835-765-2 |page=56}}</ref> Sekitar waktu ini, ia sering dikritik karena tidak mengembangkan [[Jump shot (basketball)|jump shot]] atau post game tepercaya,<ref>{{cite news |last=Araton |first=Harvey |title=With Stars Aplenty, Heat Looks for Leader |date=March 8, 2011 |page=B11 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/08/sports/basketball/08dribble.html?_r=1&scp=16&sq=miami+heat&st=nyt |archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/5x78M6mi8?url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/08/sports/basketball/08dribble.html?_r=2 |archivedate=March 2011-03-11, 2011|access-date=2016-10-28 |dead-url=no }}</ref> area yang dikembangkannya di Miami, dimana pelatih Heat [[Erik Spoelstra]] mengubah peran James menjadi lebih unik.<ref name=Goldsberry /> James mulai lebih cenderung di post dan mengurangi shooting di three-pointer, membuat 149 di 2012, terendah sepanjang kariernya.<ref name=Reference /><ref name=Goldsberry /> Ia mengembangkan pilihan dan akurasi shooting pada jump shotnya, finis kedua di NBA dalam persentase catch-and-shoot terbaik tahun 2013.<ref>{{cite web|last=Haberstroh|first=Tom|title=Is LeBron James an elite shooter?|url=http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/PerDiem-130225/nba-lebron-james-shooting-star|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=June 17, 2013}}{{subscription required}}</ref> Ia juga belajar sebagai "pemotong operan" dalam offense Heat yang mengutamakan passing.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lowe|first=Zach|title=The Miami Juggernaut|url=http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9098417/how-miami-heat-went-historic-winning-streak-came-dominate-league|publisher=Grantland|accessdate=April 21, 2013}}</ref> Pada masa ini, Tom Haberstroh dari ESPN mengatakan free throw shooting adalah kelemahan James, mendeskripsikannya sebagai "biasa".<ref name=Haber>{{cite web|last=Haberstroh|first=Tom|title=Miami Heat: 2013-14 roster (Subscription required)|url=http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/preview2013/story/_/page/2013-14-mia-preview/miami-heat-player-profiles|publisher=ESPN Insider|accessdate=September 20, 2013}}</ref> Kembali ke Cavaliers, James mulai mengalami penurunan produktivitas berhubung usia,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Shoals|first1=Bethlehem|title=LeBron James Is Underrated and Overlooked|url=http://www.gq.com/story/lebron-james-is-underrated-and-overlooked|publisher=GQ|accessdate=9 April 2016}}</ref> mencetak rata-rata scoring terendah sejak musim rookie-nya pada tahun 2015 dan 2016.<ref name=Reference /><ref>{{cite web|last1=Engelmann|first1=Jeremias|title=NBA has co-MVPs this season|url=http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/15160735/nba-co-mvps-season|publisher=ESPN Insider|accessdate=9 April 2016}}</ref> Shootingnya juga menurun, dan terkadang dinilai sebagai ''high-volume outside shooter'' terburuk di area ''3-pointer'' dalam NBA.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Schuhmann|first1=John|title=The worst high-volume shooters from outside the paint, a list topped by LeBron James & Kobe Bryant.|url=https://twitter.com/johnschuhmann/status/681848369392828416/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw|publisher=Twitter|accessdate=29 March 2016}}</ref>

Selama kariernya, kemampuan playmaking James banyak dipuji; dalam satu artikel, Zach Lowe dari Grantland mengatakannya sebagai "salah satu passer terbaik".<ref name=Lowe2>{{cite web|last1=Lowe|first1=Zach|title=The Decision 2.0: OK, What's Next?|url=http://grantland.com/the-triangle/lebron-james-cleveland-cavaliers-aftermath-miami-heat/|website=Grantland}}</ref> Menggunakan ukuran, visi, dan perhatian yang ia dapat dari lawannya menjadi keunggulannya,<ref name=Rosenberg>{{cite news|last=Rosenberg|first=Michael|title=Don't hate LeBron, enjoy him; he's most gifted player in NBA history |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/michael_rosenberg/05/21/lebron/index.html|publisher=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=June 7, 2013|date=May 21, 2012|archive-date=2013-09-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921061338/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/michael_rosenberg/05/21/lebron/index.html|dead-url=yes}}</ref> James mampu membuat poin mudah untuk rekannya dengan assist yang akuran, membuat 2.6 three pointer per game, terbanyak di NBA, hanya dari passingnya pada tahun 2013.<ref name=Mahoney>{{cite web|last=Mahoney|first=Rob|title=The Case For: LeBron James as Most Valuable Player|url=http://nba.si.com/2013/04/16/lebron-james-mvp-nba-2013/|publisher=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=June 7, 2013}}</ref>

Pada karier awal James, ia dikritik oleh media karena permainannya dalam situasi tertekan; spesifiknya, untuk passing daripada shooting pada saat terakhir dalam pertandingan sengit.<ref>{{cite news |last=Morre |first=Matt |title=Heat 93, Pacers 91: LeBron is clutch, then not clutch, clutch enough? |date=March 10, 2012 |work=CBSSports.com |url=http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/eye-on-basketball/17717241/heat-93-pacers-91-lebron-is-clutch-then-not-clutch-clutch-enough |archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/66VM9Isj8?url=http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/eye-on-basketball/17717241/heat-93-pacers-91-lebron-is-clutch-then-not-clutch-clutch-enough |archivedate=March2012-03-28 |access-date=2016-10-28, 2012|dead-url=no }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Jackson |first=Scoop |title=LeBron's stomach-turning stigma |date=March 8, 2012 |publisher=ESPN.com |url=http://espn.go.com/espn/commentary/story/_/page/jackson-120308/lebron-james-passing-last-second-shots-earns-long-lasting-stigma |archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/66VMHDIZB?url=http://espn.go.com/espn/commentary/story/_/page/jackson-120308/lebron-james-passing-last-second-shots-earns-long-lasting-stigma |archivedate=March2012-03-28 |access-date=2016-10-28, 2012|dead-url=no }}</ref> Pada wawancara tahun 2011, rekan Chris Bosh menyatakan bahwa ia lebih memilih Dwyane Wade melakukan shot saat terakhir daripada James.<ref>{{cite news |last=Chiavetta |first=Ryan |title=Chris Bosh Says Dwyane Wade, Not Lebron James, Should Be Heat Closer |date=January 13, 2012 |publisher=New England Sports Network |url=http://www.nesn.com/2012/01/chris-bosh-says-dwyane-wade-not-lebron-james-should-be-heat-closer.html |archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/64fRgmRg4?url=http://www.nesn.com/2012/01/chris-bosh-says-dwyane-wade-not-lebron-james-should-be-heat-closer.html |archivedate=January 2012-01-13, 2012|access-date=2016-10-28 |dead-url=no }}</ref> Kemudian dalam karier James, ''clutch play'' James dipandang lebih menguntungkan; sebagai contoh, artikel tahun 2011 oleh Henry Abbott mengungkapkan bahwa James mempunyai ''shooting percentage'' yang lebih baik ketika saat penting dibandingkan pebasket seperti [[Ray Allen]] and Kobe Bryant.<ref>{{cite web|last=Abbott|first=Henry|title=The truth about Kobe Bryant in crunch time|url=http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/24200/the-truth-about-kobe-bryant-in-crunch-time|publisher=ESPN.com|accessdate=June 28, 2012}}</ref> Pada 2015, [[FiveThirtyEight]] menulis bahwa ia mungkin "''playoff shooter'' paling penting dalam generasinya".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pane|first1=Neil|title=LeBron May Be The Most Clutch Playoff Shooter Of His Generation|url=http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/lebron-may-be-the-most-clutch-playoff-shooter-of-his-generation/|accessdate=22 May 2015}}</ref>

James melamar Savannah Brinson, kekasihnya di SMA, pada 31 Desember 2011, pada Pesta Malam Tahun Baru dan ulang tahunnya yang ke-27.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jan/01/sports/la-sp-newswire-20120102|title=LeBron James and Savannah Brinson are engaged|work=Los Angeles Times|author=Wire Reports|date=January 1, 2012|accessdate=January 2, 2012}}</ref> Keduanya menikah pada 14 September 2013 di San Diego.<ref>{{cite web|title=LEBRON WEDS GIRLFRIEND IN SAN DIEGO|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/ap-source-lebron-weds-girlfriend-san-diego|publisher=AP|accessdate=September 15, 2013|archive-date=2013-09-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130918100116/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/ap-source-lebron-weds-girlfriend-san-diego|dead-url=yes}}</ref> Bersama, mereka memiliki tiga anak: LeBron James Jr. (lahir 6 Oktober 2004),<ref>{{Cite web|title = LeBron James' Kids: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know|url = http://heavy.com/sports/2015/06/lebron-james-kids-children-family-sons-daughter-savannah-brinson/|website = Heavy.com|accessdate = 2015-10-07|last = Amato}}</ref> Bryce Maximus James (lahir 14 Juni 2007),<ref>{{Cite web|title = LeBron James Kids|url = http://www.therichest.com/expensive-lifestyle/entertainment/lebron-james-kids/|website = TheRichest|accessdate = 2015-10-07|last = Said}}</ref> dan Zhuri James.<ref>{{cite web|title=LeBron James Fast Facts|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/07/sport/lebron-james-fast-facts/|publisher=CNN|accessdate=August 18, 2014|author=CNN Library}}</ref> Ketika ia bermain untuk Heat, James tinggal di [[Coconut Grove]], lingkungan Miami yang makmur, dimana ia membeli mansion bertingkat tiga menghadap [[Biscayne Bay]] seharga $9&nbsp;juta.<ref>{{cite news|last=Carter|first=Nicole|title=Miami heat: LeBron James buys $9M mansion in Coconut Grove, Fla|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/real-estate/miami-heat-lebron-james-buys-9m-mansion-coconut-grove-fla-article-1.470576|publisher=NY Daily News|accessdate=July 4, 2012|date=December 9, 2010|location=New York}}</ref> Pada November 2015, James membeli mansion bergaya East Coast berukuran 9.350 kaki di [[Brentwood, Los Angeles]] dengan harga sekitar $21&nbsp;juta.<ref>{{cite news |title=LeBron James Snags Brentwood Mansion for $21 Million |work=Variety |date=November 10, 2015 |url=https://variety.com/2015/dirt/real-estalker/lebron-james-buys-brentwood-manse-1201635639/ }}</ref>

James diwakili oleh agen [[Rich Paul]] dari Klutch Sports.<ref>{{cite news|title=LeBron James&nbsp;– Forbes|url=http://www.forbes.com/profile/lebron-james/|publisher=Forbes|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> Agen pertamanya ialah [[Aaron Goodwin]], yang ia tinggalkan pada tahun 2005 untuk [[Leon Rose]]. Rose bergabung dengan [[Creative Artists Agency]] (CAA) pada tahun 2007, dan ia bekerja dengan rekan agen CAA, [[Henry Thomas]], yang mewakili Dwyane Wade dan Chris Bosh, untuk membawa James ke Miami pada tahun 2010. James meninggalkan CAA untuk Paul pada tahun 2012.<ref>{{cite news|last=Windhost|first=Brian|title=LeBron chooses Rich Paul as agent|date=September 13, 2012|work=ESPN.com|url=http://espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/story/_/id/8372301/miami-heat-lebron-james-parts-caa-leon-rose-hires-friend-rich-paul-new-agent|archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/6SQ4XLMMz?url=http://espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/story/_/id/8372301/miami-heat-lebron-james-parts-caa-leon-rose-hires-friend-rich-paul-new-agent|archivedate=September 7, 2014-09-07|deadurl=no|access-date=2016-10-28}}</ref> James, Paul, Maverick Carter, dan Randy Mims—teman masa kecil James—membentuk perusahaan pemasaran agen dan olahraga, LRMR setelah James meninggalkan Goodwin. LRMR menagani pemasaran James, termasuk pemasaran ''The Decision'', yang mana dikritik.<ref>{{cite news|last=Freeman|first=Eric|title=On LeBron James' bold move to leave CAA, and the league-wide implications that could result|date=September 13, 2012|work=yahoo.com|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/lebron-james-bold-move-leave-caa-league-wide-130137478--nba.html|archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/6SQ5KZPYW?url=http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/lebron-james-bold-move-leave-caa-league-wide-130137478--nba.html|archivedate=September 7, 2014-09-07|deadurl=no|access-date=2016-10-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Taddeo|first=Lisa|title=LeBron James's Magnum-sized, Ultrashiny, Nike-powered Lawn Mower to the Next Century|date=July 6, 2010|magazine=Esquire|url=http://www.esquire.com/features/75-most-influential/lebron-james-1008-2|archiveurl=httphttps://www.webcitation.org/6SQ79cHSZ?url=http://www.esquire.com/features/75-most-influential/lebron-james-1008-2|archivedate=September 7, 2014-09-07|deadurl=noyes|access-date=2016-10-28}}</ref>

Selama kariernya, James mengambil pendekatan unik dalam kontraknya, biasanya memilih untuk meneken kontrak jangka pendek untuk memaksimalkan potensial pendapatan dan fleksibel.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Windhorst|first1=Brian|title=LeBron James transitioning from businessman to a business, man|url=http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14339246/nba-lebron-james-transitioning-businessman-business-man|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=8 May 2016}}</ref> Pada tahun 2006, ia dan Cavaliers menegosiasi perpanjangan kontrak 3 tahun senilai $60 juta alih-alih maksimal 4 tahun, karena ia mendapat banyak pilihan untuk keuntungan yang lebih besar sebagai pemain bebas tim pada musim 2010.<ref name="contract">{{cite web|title=LeBron officially signs contract extension with Cavs |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2523410 |publisher=ESPN.com|accessdate=May 7, 2007}}</ref> Meski kontrak ''[[sign-and-trade|]]''sign-and-trade'']]<nowiki/>nya selama 6 tahun bersama Heat dapat memberinya gaji maksimal dibawah , six-year contract with the Heat would have allowed him to earn the maximum salary under the [[NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement|perjanjian kerja sama]], ia mengambil uang lebih sedikit sehingga Miami dapat membeli Chris Bosh dan Dwyane Wade sebagaimana pemain lainnya.<ref name=HeatContract /><ref>{{cite web|last=Winderman,|first=Ira|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2010-07-08/sports/sfl-lebron-james-decision-070810_1_james-and-bosh-dwyane-wade-lebron-james|title=Sun Sentinel: LeBron James to join Chris Bosh, Heat's Dwyane Wade|work=SunSentinel|date=July 8, 2010|accessdate=July 7, 2013|archive-date=2014-07-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714181611/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2010-07-08/sports/sfl-lebron-james-decision-070810_1_james-and-bosh-dwyane-wade-lebron-james|dead-url=yes}}</ref> Pada 2014, ia kembali bergabung ke Cleveland dalam kontrak 2 tahun senilai $42,1 juta dengan pilihan menjadi pemain bebas tim pada tahun 2015.<ref name="LeBron deal has eye on future cap"/> ''Offseason'' berikutnya, ia memilih keluar dari kontrak dan meneken ulang dengan Cavaliers untuk 2 tahun lagi dengan pilihan pemain pada tahun kedua.<ref>{{cite web|title=LeBron James Opts Out of Contract|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/lebron-james-has-opted-out-his-contract-1987162|publisher=International Business Times|accessdate=29 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/james-signing-150710|title=Cavalers Re-sign Forward LeBron James|work=NBA.com|date=July 10, 2015|accessdate=July 11, 2015}}</ref> Pada saat itu, analis berspekulasi bahwa James keluar dari kontrak dan meneken ulang kontrak setelah tiap musim untuk mengambil keuntungan dari gaji yang lebih tinggi, hasil dari batas gaji NBA yang lebih tinggi.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sam|first1=Amick|title=LeBron James gets two-year contract with Cavaliers|url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/cavaliers/2015/07/09/lebron-james-two-year-contract--cavaliers/29916673/|publisher=USA Today|accessdate=8 May 2016}}</ref> Tahun 2016, ia meneken ulang dengan Cleveland selama 3 tahun,<ref>{{cite web|title=Cavaliers And LeBron James Sign Multi-Year Contract|url=http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/james-signing-2016|work=NBA.com|date=August 12, 2016|accessdate=August 12, 2016}}</ref> menjadi pemain bergaji tertinggi di NBA pertama kalinya dalam kariernya.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bradley|first1=Pat|title=NBA Scoreboard Stats Standings Teams Players Odds LeBron James Just Became NBA's Highest-Paid Player For First Time Ever|url=http://nesn.com/2016/08/lebron-james-just-became-the-nbas-highest-paid-player-for-the-first-time-ever/|publisher=NESN|accessdate=2 September 2016}}</ref>

James mempunyai beberapa kontrak sponsor; beberapa perusahaan yang berbisnis dengannya adalah [[Audemars Piguet]],<ref>{{cite web|title=AUDEMARS PIGUET CONGRATULATES ITS AMBASSADOR LEBRON JAMES FOR HIS NBA CHAMPIONSHIP|url=http://www.audemarspiguet.com/en/news/2012/06/22/audemars-piguet-congratulates-its-ambassador-lebron-james-for-his-nba-championship|publisher=Audemars Piguet Website|accessdate=July 4, 2012|archive-date=2015-01-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104185139/http://www.audemarspiguet.com/en/news/2012/06/22/audemars-piguet-congratulates-its-ambassador-lebron-james-for-his-nba-championship|dead-url=yes}}</ref> [[Coca-Cola]],<ref name=Endorsements /> [[Dunkin' Brands]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/05/us-dunkinbrands-idUSTRE8240HX20120305 |title=Dunkin' aims at China with pork donuts, LeBron James |date=March 5, 2012 |accessdate=June 5, 2012 |work=Reuters |archive-date=2014-04-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413132125/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/05/us-dunkinbrands-idUSTRE8240HX20120305 |dead-url=yes }}</ref> [[McDonald's]],<ref>{{cite web|agency=Associated Press|title=James to endorse for McDonald's|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4867029|publisher=ESPN.com|accessdate=July 4, 2012}}</ref> [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]],<ref name=Endorsements>{{cite news|last=Highkin|first=Sean|title=Magic Johnson thinks LeBron doesn't have enough endorsements|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/05/magic-johnson-thinks-lebron-doesnt-have-enough-endorsements/|publisher=USA Today|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> [[State Farm]],<ref name="StateFarm-USAToday">{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/advertising/2008-02-13-lebron-state-farm_N.htm|title=LeBron James enters partnership with State Farm|date=February 13, 2008|work=USA Today|accessdate=October 27, 2009}}</ref> dan [[Samsung]].<ref name=Endorsements /> Keluar dari SMA, ia adalah target 3 sponsor antara Nike, [[Reebok]], dan [[Adidas]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Rovell|first=Darren|title=LeBron James Signs New Deal With Nike|url=http://www.cnbc.com/id/36120334|publisher=CNBC|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> yang mana ia meneken dengan Nike sekitar $90 juta.<ref>{{cite web|last=Berman|first=John|title=Is LeBron James Worth $90 Million?|url=http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=129682&page=1#.UbT7ihw1btI|publisher=ABC News|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> Sepatu khususnya terjual dengan baik untuk Nike, dan pada tahun 2013 ia memimpin penjualan sepatu seluruh pemain NBA.<ref>{{cite web|last=Eagle|first=Ben|title=LeBron James reportedly leads all NBA players in U.S. shoe sales|url=http://nba.si.com/2013/05/23/lebron-james-shoes-kobe-bryant-carmelo-anthony/|publisher=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> Tahun 2011, [[Fenway Sports Group]] menjadi satu-satunya pemilik hak pemasarannya, dan sebagai bagian dari perjanjian, ia diberikan sedikit bagian dari klub [[Premier League]] Inggris,[[Liverpool FC]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703280904576246640754493456.html |title=LeBron James in Deal With Fenway Sports |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=April 6, 2011 |accessdate=April 6, 2011 |first=Matthew |last=Futterman}}</ref> klub yang ia klaim sebagai klub favoritnya.<ref>{{cite web|title=10 famous Liverpool fans from North America|url=http://www.lfctour.com/news/latest-news/10-famous-liverpool-fans-from-north-america|publisher=[[Liverpool FC]]|accessdate=20 November 2015|date=12 April 2014|archive-date=2016-02-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202171515/http://www.lfctour.com/news/latest-news/10-famous-liverpool-fans-from-north-america|dead-url=yes}}</ref> Sebagai hasil dari uang sponsor dan gaji NBA, ia terdaftar sebagai salah satu atlit bergaji tertinggi.<ref>{{cite news|title=Full List: The World's 50 Highest-Paid Athletes|url=http://www.forbes.com/2011/05/31/highest-paid-athletes_slide_4.html|publisher=Forbes|accessdate=July 2, 2012|first=Kurt|last=Badenhausen}}</ref> Tahun 2013, ia melampaui Kobe Bryant sebagai pemain basket bergaji tertinggi dengan gaji sebesar $56,5 juta.<ref>{{cite web|last=Golliver|first=Ben|title=LeBron James passes Kobe Bryant on SI's 'Fortunate 50' highest-earning athletes list|url=http://nba.si.com/2013/05/15/lebron-james-passes-kobe-bryant-on-sis-fortunate-50-highest-earning-athletes-list/|publisher=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=May 26, 2013|archive-date=2013-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607175346/http://nba.si.com/2013/05/15/lebron-james-passes-kobe-bryant-on-sis-fortunate-50-highest-earning-athletes-list/|dead-url=yes}}</ref> Tahun 2014, James menyadari keuntungan lebih dari $30 juta sebagai bagian dari pengambil-alihan [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] terhadap [[Beats Electronics]]; mulanya ia mendapatkan bagian kecil dari perusahaan itu sebagai ganti dari mempromosikan headphonenya.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Windhorst|first1=Brian|title=Heat look to target Carmelo Anthony|url=http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2014/story/_/id/11068709/miami-heat-discussing-options-target-carmelo-anthony-free-agency|website=ESPN|accessdate=June 21, 2014}}</ref> Tahun 2015, ia menduduki tempat keenam sebagai atlit bergaji tinggi,<ref>{{cite news|title=The World's Highest-Paid Celebrities|url=http://www.forbes.com/celebrities/list/#tab:overall|agency=Forbes|date=November 15, 2015}}</ref> dan ketiga tertinggi tahun 2016 (setelah [[Cristiano Ronaldo]] dan [[Lionel Messi]]).<ref>{{cite news|title=The World's Highest Paid Athletes List 2016|url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbespr/2016/06/08/forbes-releases-the-worlds-highest-paid-athletes-list-2016/#6f45059a1bb9|publisher=Forbes|date=June 15, 2016}}</ref> James menyatakan bahwa ia ingin memiliki sebuah tim NBA pada masa mendatang, meski dalam kapasitas lepas tangan.<ref>[http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/lebron-james-my-dream-is-to-actually-own-an-nba-team-news.23533.html LeBron James: "My Dream Is To Actually Own An NBA Team"]</ref>

James, dengan komedian [[Jimmy Kimmel]], membawa acara 2007 [[ESPY Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|author=ESPN.com news services|title=LeBron, Kimmel to co-host ESPY Awards|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2814649|publisher=ESPN.com|accessdate=February 26, 2013}}</ref> Dalam pengejaran komedi lainnya, ia membawa acara premier musim ke33 ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=SNL Transcripts: LeBron James|url=http://snltranscripts.jt.org/07/07a.phtml|publisher=SNL Transcripts|accessdate=February 26, 2013}}</ref> Ia juga mencoba berakting, muncul sebagai cameo dalam seri [[HBO]], ''[[Entourage (U.S. TV series)|Entourage]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lebron James Matt Damon "Entourage" Cameo October 4|url=http://www.popcrunch.com/lebron-james-matt-damon-entourage-cameo-oct-4/|publisher=Pop Crunch|accessdate=July 2, 2012|archive-date=2012-07-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703054256/http://www.popcrunch.com/lebron-james-matt-damon-entourage-cameo-oct-4/|dead-url=yes}}</ref> Tahun 2015, ia berperan sebagai dirinya sendiri dalam film garapan [[Judd Apatow]] berjudul ''[[Trainwreck (film)|Trainwreck]]'',<ref>{{cite web|last1=Smith|first1=Troy L.|title=LeBron James filming 'Trainwreck' with Amy Schumer and other movie projects|url=http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/08/lebron_james_filming_trainwrec.html|publisher=Cleveland.com|accessdate=August 31, 2014}}</ref> menerima ulasan positif atas performanya.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-greatest-movie-performance-by-an-active-professional-basketball-player | title=The Greatest Movie Performance by an Active Professional Basketball Player | work=[[The New Yorker]] | date=July 20, 2015 | accessdate=July 21, 2015}}</ref> Pada tahun yang sama, perusahaan video digital James, Uninterrupted, menghasilkan $15.8 juta dari [[Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.|Warner Bros. Entertainment]] dan [[Turner Sports]] untuk mengembangkan usaha perusahaan untuk membawa konten yang dibuat atlit untuk fans. Ditampilkan di [[Bleacher Report]] dan digunakan oleh beberapa atlit lainnya termasuk ''tight end'' [[New England Patriots]] [[Rob Gronkowski]] dan ''cornerback'' [[Seattle Seahawks]] [[Richard Sherman (American football)|Richard Sherman]].<ref>{{cite web|title=LeBron James's confessional video web site for athletes gets investment from Turner and Warner Bros.|url=http://mashable.com/2015/12/03/lebron-james-uninterrupted/#oROYKPAwhqqV|website=Mashable|accessdate=3 December 2015}}</ref>

James diperingkati oleh ''Forbes'' sebagai salah satu atlit paling berpengaruh sepanjang kariernya.<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/2010/04/21/lance-armstrong-endorsements-business-sports-influential-athletes.html The Most Influential Athletes]. [[Forbes]]; April 21, 2010.</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Most Influential Athletes 2013|url=http://www.forbes.com/pictures/eddf45kkml/lebron-james-4/|publisher=Forbes|accessdate=July 27, 2013|first=Tom|last=Van Riper}}</ref> Ketika masa pertama bersama Cavaliers, ia disukai oleh fans lokal, dengan [[Sherwin-Williams]] menunjukkan spanduk raksasa yang diproduksi Nike di kantor pusatnya.<ref>{{cite web|last=Cho|first=Janet|title=Sherwin-Williams replaces LeBron poster with Cleveland skyline|url=http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/10/sherwin-williams_replaces_lebr.html|publisher=Cleveland.com|accessdate=July 1, 2012}}</ref> Meski menunjukkan kecintaan mereka untuk James, fans Cleveland dan kritik kadang terganggu ketika ia menghadiri game [[Cleveland Indians]] melawan [[New York Yankees]] dengan menggunakan topi Yankees.<ref name="MLB.com">{{cite web|first=David|last=Briggs|publisher=MLB.com|date=October 5, 2007|title=LeBron spurns Tribe, sports Yanks cap|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071004&content_id=2250946&vkey=ps2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|access-date=2016-10-28|archive-date=2021-05-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511015349/https://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071004&content_id=2250946&vkey=ps2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|dead-url=yes}}</ref> Setelah aksinya ketika masa bebas tim 2010, khususnya ''The Decision'', ia dicap sebagai atlit yang paling dibenci.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnbc.com/id/39170785/LeBron_s_Q_Score_Takes_Huge_Hit |title=LeBron's Q Score Takes Huge Hit |date=September 14, 2010 |last=Rovell |first=Darren |work=[[CNBC.com]] |accessdate=June 12, 2011 |archive-date=2014-08-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140824213125/http://www.cnbc.com/id/39170785/LeBron_s_Q_Score_Takes_Huge_Hit |dead-url=yes }}</ref><ref>[http://www.forbes.com/pictures/eddf45fkhi/lebron-james-2/ America's Most Disliked Athletes]. [[Forbes]]; February 7, 2012.</ref> Pada 2013, citranya itu hampir tertutup dan ia dilaporkan oleh ESPN sebagai pemain paling populer di NBA untuk kedua kalinya dalam kariernya.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rovell|first=Darren|title=LeBron James NBA's most popular|url=http://espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/story/_/id/9512608/poll-shows-lebron-james-passes-kobe-bryant-nba-most-popular-player|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=July 27, 2013}}</ref> Tahun 2014, ia dinamai atlit pria paling populer di Amerika oleh the Harris Poll.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Harper|first1=Zach|title=LeBron James is finally the most popular male athlete in America|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24625627/lebron-james-is-finally-the-most-popular-male-athlete-in-america|publisher=CBS Sports|accessdate=25 July 2014|archive-date=2017-01-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126121400/http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24625627/lebron-james-is-finally-the-most-popular-male-athlete-in-america|dead-url=yes}}</ref> Ia memimpin NBA dalam penjualan jersey 6 kali.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rovell|first=Darren|title=LeBron James tops jersey sale|url=http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10795792/lebron-james-miami-heat-tops-nba-jersey-sales|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=April 27, 2014}}</ref>

James telah mengambil sikap dalam beberapa isu kontroversial selama kariernya, has taken stances on controversial issues throughout his career, menyebut dalam beberapa kesempatan rasa bertanggung jawab untuk memberi efek perubahan menggunakan statusnya.<ref name=Sterling>{{cite web|last=Wallace|first=Michael|title=LeBron: No place for Sterling|url=http://espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/story/_/id/10845651/nba-lebron-james-scores-most-telling-point-sterling|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=April 27, 2014}}</ref> Itu termasuk [[War in Darfur|Perang di Darfur]],<ref>{{Cite news|date=May 28, 2007|title=James Draws Criticism For Stand on Darfur Issue|publisher=Yahoo|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AuUKIgRXZ7o9QUghAK6qsoM5nYcB?slug=stcavaliersjamesdarfur&prov=st&type=lgns}}{{Pranala mati|date=Januari 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="nytdarfur">{{Cite news|last=Beck|first=Howard|date=May 16, 2007|accessdate=June 8, 2007|title=Cavalier Seeks Players' Support for Darfur|newspaper=The New York Times|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/16/sports/basketball/16cavaliers.html}}</ref><ref name="csm">{{Cite news|accessdate=June 7, 2007|title=On Darfur, LeBron James drops the ball|newspaper=Christian Science Monitor|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0524/p09s01-coop.html?page=1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Smith|first=Shelley|date=May 16, 2008|title=LeBron speaking out on Darfur|newspaper=ESPN|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3398947&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab5pos2}}</ref> [[Shooting of Trayvon Martin|kasus Trayvon Martin]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Hill|first=Jemele|title=The Heat's hoodies as change agent|url=http://espn.go.com/espn/commentary/story/_/page/hill-120326/lebron-james-other-athletes-protest-trayvon-martin-shooting-show-change-agent-power-sports|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=April 27, 2014}}</ref> komentar rasis pemilik NBA [[Donald Sterling]] pada tahun 2014,<ref name=Sterling /> putusan [[Shooting of Michael Brown|Michael Brown]],<ref>{{cite web|last1=McMenamin|first1=Dave|title=LeBron James: Bigger issues at play|url=http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11938106/lebron-james-others-comment-ferguson-decision|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=11 December 2014}}</ref> dan [[death of Eric Garner|kematian Eric Garner]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=McMenamin|first1=Dave|title=LeBron, Irving in 'I Can't Breathe' tees|url=http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/12001456/lebron-james-kyrie-irving-cleveland-cavaliers-kevin-garnett-deron-williams-brooklyn-nets-wear-breathe-shirt-reference-eric-garner|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=11 December 2014}}</ref> Pada Juni 2008, James mendonasikan $20 ribu untuk sebuah komite untuk memilih [[Barack Obama]].<ref name="insidehoops">{{cite web|url=http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=1529|title=Lebron donates cash to Obama|work=InsideHoops.com|date=July 31, 2008|accessdate=May 7, 2013}}</ref> Pada tahun yang sama, James mengumpulkan hampir 20 ribu orang di [[Quicken Loans Arena]] untuk melihat iklan televisi 30 menit calon presiden partai Demokrat, Barack Obama, ''[[American Stories, American Solutions]]'' .<ref name="msnbc.msn.com">{{cite news|url=http://www.today.com/id/27455428|title=Jay-Z, LeBron James get out vote for Obama|work=msnbc|date=October 30, 2008|access-date=2016-10-28|archive-date=2019-07-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722153318/http://www.today.com/id/27455428|dead-url=yes}}</ref> Iklan itu ditunjukkan pada layar besar diatas panggung, dimana [[Jay-Z]] kemudian mengadakan konser gratis.<ref name="msnbc.msn.com"/>

;Tim Nasional<ref>{{cite web|title=LeBron James|url=http://www.usabasketball.com/bios/james_lebron.html|publisher=USA Basketball Official Website|accessdate=June 22, 2013|archive-date=2013-07-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130710085235/http://www.usabasketball.com/bios/james_lebron.html|dead-url=yes}}</ref>

* Nomor 23 dipensiunkan oleh St. Vincent-St. Mary<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.cincinnati.com/preps/2003/02/20/wwwlebron.html|title=James' Number Retired|publisher=Associated Press via cincinnati.com|accessdate=2003-02-20|archive-date=2003-02-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030223200824/http://cincinnati.com/preps/2003/02/20/wwwlebron.html|dead-url=yes}}</ref>

* St. Vincent-St. Mary Hall of Fame (kelas tahun 2011)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stvm.com/athletics/lebron_james_arena.php|title=LeBron James Arena|publisher=St. Vincent-St. Mary High School|accessdate=2015-04-25|archive-date=2015-04-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150428014638/http://www.stvm.com/athletics/lebron_james_arena.php|dead-url=yes}}</ref>

* Lapangan basket St. Vincent-St. Mary dinamakan LeBron James Arena<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stvm.com/athletics/lebron_james_arena.php|title=LeBron James Arena|publisher=St. Vincent St. Mary|accessdate=2016-06-26|archive-date=2015-04-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150428014638/http://www.stvm.com/athletics/lebron_james_arena.php|dead-url=yes}}</ref>

* 2 kali Cleveland Sports Awards Professional Athlete of the Year: 2009, 2016<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clevelandsportsawards.com/Events/Sports-Awards-15/SA-15-Details/Finalists|title=Finalists & Past Winners|publisher=Cleveland Sports Awards|accessdate=2016-01-28|archive-date=2016-01-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125164048/http://www.clevelandsportsawards.com/Events/Sports-Awards-15/SA-15-Details/Finalists|dead-url=yes}}</ref>

* ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' [[Sportsman of the Year]] tahun 2012<ref>{{cite news|last=Jenkins|first=Lee|title=Miami Heat's LeBron James named SI's Sportsman of the Year|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/magazine/sportsman/12/02/lebron-james-2012-sportsman/index.html|publisher=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=July 19, 2013|date=December 3, 2012|archive-date=2013-10-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007011207/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/magazine/sportsman/12/02/lebron-james-2012-sportsman/index.html|dead-url=yes}}</ref>

* [[Sporting News#Athlete of the Year|''News'' Athlete of the Year]] tahun 2012<ref>{{cite web|title=Sporting News Athlete of the Year 2012|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2012-12-18/lebron-james-athlete-of-the-year-2012-photos-miami-heat-mvp-finals-olympics|publisher=Sporting News|accessdate=July 19, 2013|archive-date=2014-03-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310201228/http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2012-12-18/lebron-james-athlete-of-the-year-2012-photos-miami-heat-mvp-finals-olympics/|dead-url=yes}}</ref>

* [[List of 2009 all-decade Sports Illustrated awards and honors#NBA All-Decade Team|''Sports Illustrated'' NBA All-Decade First Team]] (2000an)<ref>{{cite news|title=The NBA All-Decade Team|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/magazine/specials/2000s/12/03/nba.all.decade.team/|publisher=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=July 19, 2013|date=December 15, 2009|archive-date=2016-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304084153/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/magazine/specials/2000s/12/03/nba.all.decade.team/|dead-url=yes}}</ref>

* {{cite book |author=[[Lew Freedman|Freedman, Lew]] |year=2008 |title=LeBron James: A Biography |url=https://archive.org/details/lebronjamesbiogr0000free |location=Westport, CT |publisher=Greenwood Press |isbn=978-0-313-34361-2 }}

* {{cite book |last=Morgan |first=David Lee |year=2003 |title=LeBron James: The Rise of a Star |url=https://archive.org/details/lebronjamesriseo00morg |location=Cleveland |publisher=Gray & Co. |isbn=1-886228-74-4 }}

* {{cite book |last=Pluto |first=Terry |last2=Windhorst |first2=Brian |year=2007 |title=The Franchise: Lebron James and the Remaking of the Cleveland Cavaliers |url=https://archive.org/details/franchiselebronj0000plut |location=Cleveland |publisher=Gray & Co. |isbn=1-59851-028-2 }}