“Celebrities, Rappers, Jay-Z Going Out to See Him Play”: High School Student ‘King’ LeBron James “Starting” the NBA All-Star Game Had Celtics Legend Mindblown
Los Angeles Lakers icon LeBron James was a phenomenon during his high school days. He was so good that by the end of his junior year, James, then 17, made the covers of Sports Illustrated and ESPN. With that in mind, a Boston Celtics legend recently revealed he was blown away after everyone said “King James” could have “started” the 2002 All-Star Game as a high school student.
The player was none other than Paul Pierce. Almost two decades ago, the 2008 NBA champion couldn’t believe the hype surrounding the four-time NBA champion.
Paul Pierce shared his first thoughts on LeBron James
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In a recent episode of Ticket & The Truth, Pierce explained to Kevin Garnett how a 17-year-old James knocked him out. “I remember my first All-Star game in Philadelphia. We’re in the dressing room talking to reporters and it was like, ‘Man, have you heard about this boy? [James]? He’s so good he could probably start in this All-Star game.’ And I said, ‘What?’”
The 10-time All-Star was stunned after hearing the statement about LeBron James. He explained that he couldn’t believe everyone was saying James could have started in the 2002 All-Star against Allen Iverson, Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal, among others.
The 2008 NBA champion continued, “I saw how many NBA guys got kicked out to watch this game. Celebrities, rappers, Jay-Z and everyone who goes out to see him play. So I was like, “Man, this boy must be nice, but I don’t think he’s that good…”
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The 45-year-old then explained that at first he couldn’t believe all the hype about “King James”. Eventually even he understood his greatness. With that in mind, Pierce went as far as declaring that it was certainly “tough” to meet expectations and likely exceed them.
How good was LeBron in high school?
James played basketball for St. Vincent-St. Mary High School and had perhaps the most incredible high school career. A career so good that even ESPN 2 aired some of his basketball games. The new all-time NBA scorer finished his high school career averaging 25.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. His high school career best of 52 points came against Los Angeles’ Westchester High.
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Check out this story – “Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Joel Embiid Stars Who Lighted Up NBA All-Star Weekend 2022”
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