LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers was named the Associated Press male athlete of the decade on Sunday. James, who also played for the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2010’s, beat out New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, Jamaican sprinting legend Usain Bolt, Argentinian soccer player Lionel Messi and American swimmer Michael Phelps for the honour.
James was a NBA All-Star every year during the decade from 2010 to 2019. Three times he won the NBA Finals–the first two times with the Heat in 2012 and 2013, and then the third time with the Cavaliers in 2016. In each of those three seasons, James also won the Bill Russell Award, which is presented to the NBA Finals most valuable player award. In 2012, James led all players in playoff scoring with 30.3 points per game.
Also in the last decade, James was the NBA’s most valuable player in 2010, 2012 and 2013. He was also the NBA’s most valuable player of the 2018 All-Star Game and was a member of the NBA’s first team from 2010 to 2018.
James continued to make NBA history on Sunday. According to Mike Chiari of the Bleacher Report, James became the first player in NBA history to record 30 000 career points, 9 000 career rebounds and 9 000 career assists. James moved past the 9,000 mark in assists when he had 13 assists in a 108-95 Lakers win over the Dallas Mavericks. James now has 33 347 points, 9120 rebounds and 9009 assists in 1230 regular season games.
The Lakers are at 26 wins and seven losses. They have the second best record in the NBA. The only team better are the Milwaukee Bucks at 29 wins and five losses.
