LeBron James is often considered one of the most hyped prospects in NBA history. The expectations around LeBron James were massive, with him being dubbed ‘The Chosen One’ before he played even a second of NBA basketball. And so, any team that got the chance to draft him would be thrilled to get him.
The Cleveland Cavaliers were given the number 1 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft lottery. And the Cavs’ front office went berzerk when the draft lottery revealed that they would get the chance to draft LeBron James, a player who would go on to change the course of their historically struggling franchise.
20 years ago the .@cavs won the lottery ball to draft LeBron James. This video of the Cavs front office celebrating encapsulates how all of Cleveland felt.
From TroyTutt4517 on YT pic.twitter.com/jDHansdHbT
— Barstool Cleveland (@BS_Cleveland) May 22, 2023
The Cleveland Cavaliers receiving the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft was almost perfect. LeBron James, who was considered the undisputed unanimous first-overall pick, grew up just a few miles away from Cleveland in Akron, Ohio. For James, he would be drafted by his home franchise and play close to home.
LeBron James Put The Cavs On The Map
LeBron James would go on to become a superstar for the Cavaliers. In his first 7 years with the franchise, LeBron would become an All-Star, win multiple MVP trophies, and lead the Cavaliers to their first NBA Finals in franchise history. However, a lack of support from the front office led to him leaving the Cavaliers and joining the Heat.
LeBron would return to Cleveland in 2014, wanting to bring a championship to the city. And in 2016, LeBron did just that, completing the greatest comeback in NBA history, as he and the Cavs went from being 3-1 down to the Golden State Warriors to winning the NBA championship.
LeBron James will undoubtedly go down as the greatest player in the history of the Cavaliers franchise and will be remembered as a legend who changed the fortunes of the franchise.
LeBron James is now in Los Angeles as a Laker. Despite some concerns about him potentially retiring, LeBron is expected to return next season. Can he bring another championship to LA? We will have to wait and see next season.
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