Even within the last 18 seconds of the NBA finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors, LeBron James was still getting knocked to the ground. Compared to the many tribulations in LeBron’s life, a blow mid-dunk was certainly not enough to set him back from rising to the occasion and draining the final free throw of one of the most historic NBA championship final games.
As seen in Number 23’s perpetual perseverance, LeBron sets a realistic image of overcoming life’s setbacks; he exemplifies how life is not perfect yet that does not mean one should give up. Hey, he missed the first of those two final free throws, but still made the last one. The end result is what people remember anyways, not the slip-ups or the missed shots along the way. Unless you’re a flaw analyst, but people often forget their commentaries too.
The 6’8” 250 pound forward has racked up three NBA championships titles (2012, 2013, 2016), four NBA Most Valuable Player Awards (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013), three NBA Finals MVP Awards (2012, 2013, 2016), and two Olympic Gold medals, just to mention of few of his numerous accolades. But what sets LeBron apart from the many other sports heroes is the hope he has provided to the economically deprived Cleveland, Ohio.
Many dub the financial prosperity LeBron has brought to the region “LeConomics.” Since LeBron’s July 11 announcement on returning to the Cavs after four years with the Miami Heat, the Cav’s revenue has increased from 2.03 million during July 1, 2014 – January 31, 2015 to 3.66 million during the same period of the subsequent year. This revenue helps the surrounding area.
The increase in ticket sales alleviates the debt for building the Cavalier’s arena, the Q, due to the tax on ticket sales. Bar revenues have increased exponentially as well as hotel incomes, which are 8.6 percent higher than the national average according to STR, a global hotel analytics firm. The recent NBA title win will only increases these values. Monetary values aside, the faith LeBron has provided to Cleveland merely pays tribute to his humbling upbringing.
Like the people of Cleveland, LeBron faced a challenging road to success. After growing up in multiple apartments with his mother, Gloria, and a neglectful father in Akron, Ohio, James had a tough card dealt to him. He slept in a one-bedroom apartment where his mother’s parties ran late into the night. He often skipped school and stayed home to play video games. Finally, Bruce Kelker noticed LeBron in a project parking lot while recruiting players for a football team. LeBron began playing football and eventually living with Bruce Kelker. LeBron’s life began to take shape. He then lived with the Walker family who taught him basketball. Kelker and Walker helped grow LeBron into an outstanding athlete.
In these unfair living situations one might ask, “Why me?” but LeBron explained after earning Cleveland’s first NBA title, “I just kept that same positive attitude. Instead of saying, 'Why me?'"
