Hoops Habit
Fansided

Ranking every first overall pick in NBA history

By Christopher Jeter

MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Miami Heat on November 18, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Miami Heat on November 18, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NBA Draft
Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images /

1. 2003: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

Come on, did you really expect anyone else to be here?

Barring a catastrophic injury, a sharp decline, or the Monstars sapping him of his abilities, LeBron James will probably end up near the top of every major all-time leaderboard when he finally decides to retire. As of Dec. 22, James ranks fifth all-time in points, 11th all-time in assists, sixth all-time in win shares per 48 minutes, fourth all-time in cumulative win shares, and only Michael Jordan had a higher career PER.

James, of course, entered the league out of high school in 2003 as part of one of the best draft classes in NBA history; a group that includes some fellow future HOFers. Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade all were selected in the same draft class.

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It took a couple of seasons, but James’ brilliance yanked his hometown Cavaliers out of the doldrums and made them a consistent playoff team. Even more impressive, he did this while having the likes of Larry Hughes and Mo Williams as “viable second options”.

However, James left the team in 2010 to team up with Wade and Bosh in Miami for four seasons, where he won two of his four MVP awards and two championships.

His greatest championship triumph, however, occurred when he returned to Cleveland. In 2016, James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, and the Cavs upset the 72-win Golden State Warriors to give the city its first championship of any kind since 1964.

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Off the court, James has followed in the footsteps of many of his predecessors as well, as he has constantly spoken out against social injustice and recently opened a school for underprivileged children in Akron.