I believe that Le Bron James is the best role model of all players currently active in the National Basketball Association (NBA). That is because he has demonstrated for many years his pre-eminence on the basketball court, his ability to win under a range of circumstances, his transition as an individual from self-centered athlete to a notable and successful team player, a strong family man, philanthropist and, more recently, television personality.
Starting from his time in high school Le Bron enjoyed national attention as a player of unusual skills—a physically gifted 6 foot 8 inch 250 pound specimen who could display admirable speed and jumping ability. He has proven to be an excellent shooter, both of 3 pointers from the perimeter and as a fierce combatant close to the basket “in the paint”. Early in his career he was mainly noted for prowess on offense. However as he developed as a well rounded player he achieved equal notoriety for defensive play as well as being a standout team player passing well to allow others to score.
Le Bron was drafted first overall in 2003, directly out of high school. He played for The Cleveland Cavaliers for the seasons 2003 to 2010, making a detour to the Miami Heat for 2010 to 2014, then returning to The Cavaliers, where he continues to play now. Among the honours he has accumulated are 2 NBA Championships (2012 and 2013), 4 NBA Most Valuable Player Awards, 2 Olympic Gold Medals, 12 NBA All-Star teams, six All Defensive teams and an NBA scoring title. He is the Cavaliers all-time leading scorer as well as their all-time assists leader. He is the highest paid basketball player in the world.
Le Bron James has not always been a positive figure in the public eye. At times, particularly early in his career, he was known for making negative and insensitive comments publically and to the media. Perhaps the most negative development occurred in 2010 when he left a Cavaliers team that had grown to count on him to join fellow standouts Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh on The Miami Heat—believing that he had a better chance of winning an NBA Championship there than if had stayed in Cleveland. This event, publically announced on ESPN, was widely criticized as an act of betrayal, particularly in Cleveland which had yet to recover from the desertion by The Cleveland Browns football team. Two NBA national championships were, in fact, forthcoming for The Miami Heat (2012 and 2013). Having achieved his objective, and considerably matured as an individual, Le Bron announced his return to The Cavaliers—returning to his roots in Ohio as he put it as the time. He was warmly welcomed back in Cleveland, where he came to occupy an important place nationwide and in the community as a philanthropist and leader in such charitable organizations as The Boys & Girls Club of America and The Children’s Defense Fund. He has teamed with The University of Akron to provide scholarships to deserving local students.
He has used his national and international stature as an elite and popular athlete to speak out on the need for change in situations such as The War in Darfur, The Trayvon Martin Case, owner Donald Sterling’s racist remarks and the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner. This stature has also led to large licensing deals with McDonald’s Coca-Cola, State Farm, Nike and Samsung as well as appearance in an increasing number of consumer product commercials.
Married with three children he takes great pride in demonstrating this as a realistic outcome for premiere athletes. His exemplary home life adds an important dimension to his ability to serve as a role model for young people of all races and genders. Because of this combination of excellence in sports, demonstration of personal growth, emergence as an important figure in philanthropy and good causes and demonstration that fame can co-exist with a strong family life I believe that Le Bron James is an ideal role model. That is why I have selected him as the subject for my essay.
- LE BRON JAMES, Retrieved from http://expedia.com
- “LeBron James Charity Work, Events and Causes” Look to the Stars. Retrieved 1 July 2012
