Looking Back at LeBron's 1st Game

LeBron dunk's during the first quarter of his 2003 NBA regular season debut. Photo courtesy Washington Post

Times are scressful in Cleveland. The team is underperforming despite sitting atop the Eastern Conference at 31-12, and the front office fired the head coach in favor of the assistant that was more popular among the players. The Cavs are trying to find some cohesion so that they can make a title run and compete against the likes of the Warriors and Spurs.

The other night I was thinking about the current state of the Cavaliers and eventually started getting nostalgic. With all of the controversy happening right now, have you taken time out recently to remember where it all started?

October 29, 2003, Sacramento, California. I still remember this commercial coming out ahead of his regular season debut. I got a good laugh out of it back then, but I also noticed at the time that he's standing there for more than 24 seconds. I don't care if it is just an advert: that's a shot clock violation, refs! You gotta call that!

But yes, Sacramento, against the Kings. The Cavs weren't all that great, winning only 17 games the previous season. The Kings were all that great, winning a Pacific Division championship in '03.

With all the hype that came with LeBron since high school, he lived up to it in his first game: 25 points on 12 of 20 shooting, 6 rebounds, 9 assists, and 4 steals in a 92-106 loss. He lived up to the hype that season: 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists and Rookie of the Year honors on a not-so-great team that went 35-47 and missed the playoffs. And LeBron has lived up to the hype ever since.

Video is courtesy of SCGoal. Enjoy!