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http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/column...arc&id=1650052

Here's the text.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Kevin Garnett scored nine points the first time he started an NBA game. Kobe Bryant scored 12 as a first-time starter. Tracy McGrady scored 13 points in his first start, after following KG and Kobe in going straight from high school to the real world.

None of those kiddies, of course, started in their very first NBA game.

LeBron James?

Much as I would prefer not to dredge up a Michael Jordan comparison, a mere 48 minutes into James' career, I can't help it.

Jordan, after three years of college, scored 16 points in his 1986 debut.

James had 12 points after a quarter Wednesday, 25 points by game's end and the distinct told-you-so pleasure of flashing an array of memorable moves -- dashed with poise -- that impressed you more than the stats.

"I like criticism," James said, well aware that his spotty preseason play had the doubters lined up.

"Makes me stronger."

Maybe the hype is unfair and ridiculous. Maybe the expectations are unreachable. Maybe you're already sick of LeBron-A-Thon, one game in. Fine. Just don't blame the teenager, who didn't ask for the obsessive coverage and can't stop the machine when he shows up at the league's loudest arena and does all this.

The stats were indeed spectacular in Cleveland's 106-92 defeat, as James added nine assists, six rebounds and four steals to his 25 points. Truth is, though, the moves were better than the stats. James' dunk in the first quarter wouldn't crack his personal top-10 for the night.

He drilled his first three jumpers, improvised in midair for a wondrous lefty scoop shortly after halftime, lobbed alley-oops and ran the fast break with precision and, as the evening wore on, started drawing Jordan calls. James earned a trip to the free-throw line late in the third quarter on a touch foul as he hoisted a desperation 3-pointer to beat the shot clock. Even more impressive, he drew a fourth-quarter charge against the league's flop master.

"He's the real deal," Vlade Divac said.

"I never saw him play until today," added Kings teammate Peja Stojakovic. "Unbelievable."

Of greatest importance, James dragged his team back into the game when it looked as though the Cavaliers would concede 100 points in three quarters. Cleveland allowed 14 first-half layups or dunks, seemingly all of them on backdoor cuts, largely because -- as coach Paul Silas feared -- Cleveland's youngsters were gripped by nerves. James, who already knows a little something about playing in front of a media mob, was one of the few Cavs who wasn't shaky early, but James alone could not prevent a 61-42 deficit.

Instead he kept driving Cleveland until it erased all of the deficit. First Silas had to tell his team to relax, James aside. James then spent most of the second half showing off what Silas has loved about him since summer league. That would be James' special ability, at 18, to know when to push the ball on the break and when to pull it back and set up the offense. It's why he's back at point guard after Silas briefly took the ball away from James, trying (in vain) to lessen some of the pressure on him.

"Those seven [exhibition] games we had him play were so important for him," Silas said. "He learned that he can do what he can do out there.

The last couple games, he said, 'I think I got it.' "

Nothing went terribly wrong for James until the final three minutes, when, trying to keep Cleveland in it at 100-92, he drew a charging foul as he found Carlos Boozer underneath for a dunk. The Cavs didn't score another point, but that was James' first turnover. He wound up with only two turnovers in 42 minutes.

"You saw how it was," James said. "I just felt great tonight.

"I'll be here all night if I talk about how happy I am to be here."

James can even be happy with his preseason now, even though his shooting was widely questioned. Just having a preseason is valuable, as Bryant can attest. We speak not of what's happening with Kobe this October; Bryant lost court time straight away as a rookie with a hand injury.

Either way, it took some resolve to recover so quickly from those recent struggles, like when he shot 4-for-18 in a nationally televised exhibition against the Lakers.

"His first four games were stellar by no means," Silas said beforehand. "I wondered how he was going to react to that."

Well, let's see.

His first assist was a perfect lob to Ricky Davis for a dunk. His first shot, a baseline jumper, swished through. After another baseline jumper, he took -- and swished -- the first bad shot of his career, raining in a looper over Brad Miller.

He had the Kings purring, too. All that stuff about how veteran players can't wait to go right at him and show the kid up? On this night, strangely, Sacramento's veterans were almost rooting for him, offering sympathy for the scrutiny James faces daily.

Divac went to the Lakers as a 21-year-old from Europe, speaking no English, drafted to replace Kareem Abdul-Jabbar & and says James has it harder as a rook.

"It's too much," Divac said. "They don't do anything for kids any more. It gets worse and worse. I'm sure the next guy will be [a junior in high school] and it will be bigger [hype] than this.

"I went to a veteran team. All I had to do was learn. I wish him luck. I hope he'll be the best player in the league. But everything [in Cleveland] is on his shoulders."

Good thing, along with Wednesday's historically big numbers, that James has that sculpted man's body. As Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy recently joked: "I want to see a birth certificate."

One more thing: James isn't going to score 25 every night, like Jordan did with ease as a rookie. He's going to shoot 4-for-18 in a game, and the next time it will count. There are going to be lots of rough nights, like Garnett and Bryant and McGrady all had before him starting out.

Still, if there' s a conclusion to be sifted from Game 1's numbers and highlights, it's this. That Rookie of the Year trophy is going to Cleveland, not Denver.


If he stays healthy I think he'll be the best of all time. The kid is unreal.

LSD

maximusveritas

yep, James was amazing last night. 25 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds, 4 steals. He lived up to the hype. There's no doubt he will one of the best ever. Cleveland needs to surround him with some better players and they might be contenders in the East very soon.

The_Dude

He was amazing last night, pretty much dominating in the 1st quarter. If he does it again the next time he plays, I'll be a follower.

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gov135

I think he'll have an up-and-down season - and I'm pretty darn sure noone could live up to the hype created around him. (Plus the Cavs are still pretty awful). But James did look like a pro last nite.

Living in Ohio, we saw him long before most. I knew he was a man among children in high school, but I have to admit how surprised I was while he was standing next to seasoned NBA players. James has a leaner, stronger body next to them as well.

The thing that most encourages me is his willingness to pass, and his willingness to go to the hoop for a tough board. He doesn't have the "i'm a star, i don't hafta" attitude.

Hopefully, for Cleveland's sake, this is a sign of things to come.

captain

His major problem will be living up to all the hype. I watched the game and he is for real. Sorry, a little early to compare him with MJ. LeBron needs to learn defense which really separated MJ from the rest of the herd.

All indications LJ will listen to good coaching-if so the sky is the limit. He coul be the next MJ. We may be saying Kobe who?

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captain

Rudel73

I've seen him in person! His old high school is like 15 mins away from me, a lot of people from my high school would go to their games just to see him and they were ALWAYS packed full!

LeBron was also looking for houses on a road thats about 5 mins away from me that my friend lives on! It's so cool how close i am to him

AL9045

Good debut, but I doubt he'll keep it up...

jfranco13

No way he shoots 12-for-20 every night. He'll have his share of 2-for-14s. But it was still an impressive debut which makes me think he'll have a reasonably good season and maybe be able to handle the hype.

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sangokujin

LeBron is the real deal... although he's gonna have his off days, there's no doubt he's gonna be one of the best.

.....now what about carmelo????

sixate

Another solid performance.
Everyone will soon realize how great LeBron really is.

Artermis

See if he can do it for 10 years....that is what makes players great....1 or 2 years would just make him Vince Carter.

I think that it is silly to call him King James. His Airness > King James.


Art

gov135

It probably is. But the nickname shows a little more imagination then we've seen lately, and I like that. When did the first letters of your first and last name becomes everyone's nickname? 'AI' 'KJ', etc. At least 'King James' is cool.

bish

All I have to say is.......Cavs, 0 Wins and 2 Losses!!!!

AL9045

He's incredible, but until his team starts winning like Jordan's Bulls, there will always be some doubters.

Met22

Sixate was touting LeBron two years ago!
He was so money!
LeBron has the skills and will get better!
Does anyone remember Jordan's first games?
They weren't good and let's not start measuring a career!
That might take Sir James to get free agency.

As a player he may become one of the greatest ever.
He has a shot, not many do.

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