The Toronto Raptors have been a top contender in the league for the last decade. But they could never make a deep playoff run until LeBron James [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/lebron-james] left the East. In the 2018-19 season, when James joined the Lakers, Toronto acquired Kawhi Leonard, and it worked wonders for them. They became NBA champions for the first time in team history. Moreover, they did it in the debut season of head coach Nick Nurse, who has now established himself as one of the better coaches in the league. NICK NURSE ON WINNING IN THE NBA [https://www.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Nick-Nurse.jpg] Nurse recently made an appearance on the “World Of Basketball” podcast, where he discussed the hardest thing about winning in the NBA. He said [https://world-of-basketball-with-fran-fraschilla.simplecast.com/episodes/raptors-coach-nick-nurse-and-the-lakers-win-the-championship-3sCT31X0], “Oh man, everybody is good, every team is good. Even the teams that people say, oh the East is not any good, they don’t know what they are talking about. Even the teams that aren’t in contention are hard to beat. “You know, late in the year, the teams that are out of the playoff race are some of the hardest teams to beat because all their guys are playing for contracts… There’s always a night, you gotta bring something to get a W in this league every night because the talent level is so high.” As coach Nurse mentioned, the NBA has a plethora of tremendously talented players and if your team is not giving their 100%, it gets hard to register a W in the win column. With the 2019-20 season over, Nurse’s men will be looking forward to making a comeback next year. But the question remains: Do they have what it takes to return to the NBA Finals? DO THE TORONTO RAPTORS HAVE A CHANCE TO MAKE IT OUT OF THE EAST NEXT SEASON? Toronto Raptors Guard Kyle Lowry After Game Seven Loss [https://www.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2020-09-12T035245Z_308893131_NOCID_RTRMADP_3_NBA-PLAYOFFS-BOSTON-CELTICS-AT-TORONTO-RAPTORS.jpg]Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) reacts after a loss to the Boston Celtics in game seven of the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports Following a terrific 2019 championship run, the Raptors were out in the second round this postseason. But not many expected them to make it even this far as they lost their superstar Kawhi Leonard [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/kawhi-leonard] in free agency. With Leonard gone, the burden fell on the shoulders of Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam. While Lowry was his usual self, Siakam struggled to find his touch in the entire postseason. He averaged [https://www.statmuse.com/nba/player/pascal-siakam-9473/career-stats] just 17.0 points per game on ridiculously low shooting efficiency of 39.6% from the field and 18.9% from beyond the arc. If the Raptors want to contend for a championship, they need Siakam to replicate his regular-season form. What do you think? Can the Toronto Raptors [http://essentiallysports.com/category/toronto-raptors] shrug off their 2020 postseason run or not? 

Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse shared the hardest thing about winning in
the NBA. Find out what he said right here.

Aikansh Chaudhary is an NBA columnist for Essentially Sports. Previously, he
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<h2><strong>Kawhi Leonard 2022: Net worth, Salary and Endorsements</strong></h2>
Kawhi Leonard, who plays primarily as a small forward in the National Basketball Association (<a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nba/">NBA</a>), was born on June 29, 1991, and currently plays for Los Angeles Clippers.

Leonard first played for San Antonio Spurs in the NBA. He was selected with the 15th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft by the Indiana Pacers, but was traded that night to the San Antonio Spurs. Once there, he played with them for seven seasons.

While he was known for his defensive prowess, Kawhi eventually evolved into an incredible two-way player as his offense improved drastically. 1 Finals MVP, 2 All-Star appearances, 2 All-NBA selections and 2 DPOY titles later, 'the Klaw' wanted a new challenge.

[caption id="attachment_608307" align="alignnone" width="1920"]<img class="size-full wp-image-608307" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20210406104735/2021-03-25T012207Z_490486441_MT1USATODAY15789013_RTRMADP_3_NBA-LOS-ANGELES-CLIPPERS-AT-SAN-ANTONIO-SPURS.jpg" alt="Kawhi Leonard" width="1920" height="1280" /> Mar 24, 2021; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) reacts after scoring a basket against the San Antonio Spurs the first quarter at AT&amp;T Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

Toronto Raptors came calling. After winning a championship with the Raptors, Leonard became a free agent. While he could have re-signed, Leonard opted to stay with a team near LA.

While many rumors linked him to the Lakers, Kawhi joined cross city rivals Clippers along with Paul George. Before moving to the Clippers, Leonard is known to have brought a luxurious $13.3 million worth mansion. He lost his father, Mark Leonard, in 2008.

He lives with his mother Kim Robertson and has two children with his girlfriend, Kishele Shipley. Leonard’s uncle, Dennis Robertson, before Leonard's move to the Raptors, frequently mentioned about a Spurs exit.
<h2>Kawhi Leonard with the Toronto Raptors</h2>
Ahead of the 2018-19 season, Kawhi's time with the Spurs was pretty much done and dusted. With a year left in his contract many teams weren't willing to take a risk in trading for 'the Klaw'.

But the Raptors who had seen multiple seasons of early elimination in the post-season took a massive gamble. Trading away one of their biggest legends in DeMar DeRozan, the Raps added Kawhi.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-236174" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20200316204842/kawhi-leonard-6-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2400" height="1499" />

The impact was pretty much immediate. With the Raptors' defense arguably one of the best in the league, Toronto solidified themselves as one of the favorites to win the title. With the Warriors' suffering from injuries in the Finals, the dream became a reality.

Ending the Dubs' dynasty in six games, the city of Toronto were crowned as NBA champions for the first time and Kawhi won his 2nd championship and his 2nd Finals trophy of his career.
<h2>Kawhi Leonard with the LA Clippers</h2>
After an incredible season with the Raptors, Kawhi became a free agent and chose the Clippers as his next destination.

With Paul George forming an incredible partnership with him and a pretty much stacked roster, Leonard and Co. were the favorites to win the 2019-20 season. But an uncharacteristically bad performance meant that the team crashed out in seven games against the Nuggets.

[caption id="attachment_668963" align="alignnone" width="1920"]<img class="size-full wp-image-668963" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2021-06-06T215543Z_151792708_MT1USATODAY16217735_RTRMADP_3_NBA-DALLAS-MAVERICKS-AT-LOS-ANGELES-CLIPPERS-1.jpg" alt="Kawhi Leonard" width="1920" height="1271" /> Jun 6, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) reacts during the second half in game seven of the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

The 2020-21 playoffs however painted a very different picture. With Kawhi and Paul George perform at their peak, the Clippers looked unstoppable. But their progress came to a screeching halt as Leonard suffered from a partial tear to his ACL.

There is not much progress in the 2021-22 season, as Leonard hasn't played a game yet. His injury is a long-term one, and its evolution will determine his return.
<h2>Major achievements</h2>
2× NBA champion (2014, 2019)

2× NBA Finals MVP (2014, 2019)

5× NBA All-Star (2016, 2017, 2019, 2020)

3× All-NBA First Team (2016, 2017, 2021)

2× All-NBA Second Team (2019, 2020)

2× NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2015, 2016)

NBA steals leader (2015)

3× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2015–2017)

4× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2014, 2019, 2020, 2021)

NBA All-Rookie First Team (2012)
<h2>Kawhi Leonard stats</h2>
Leonard over the years has grown into one of the best small forwards in the game. In the 576 games he has played, 'the Klaw' for his career has <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/leonaka01.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">averaged</a> 19.2 points, 2.9 assists and 6.5 rebounds.

For the 2020-21 season, Leonard's output took a small dip in terms of scoring but stepped up in playmaking. Putting up 24.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and a career high 5.2 assists. As mentioned above, he hasn't featured in the 2022 edition.
<h2>Kawhi Leonard 2022 net worth:</h2>
Leonard's annual salary jumped from $3 million to $17 million in 2015 when he signed a 5-year $90 million contract with the Spurs. <a href="https://playersbio.com/kawhi-leonard-net-worth/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PlayersBio</a> estimates Kawhi Leonard's net worth as $70 million.

In the 2021-22 season, 'the Klaw' is set to earn incredible <a href="https://www.spotrac.com/nba/los-angeles-clippers/kawhi-leonard-8066/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$39,344,900</a>. Whether or not he can perform and justify his price tag, remains to be seen. He also features in their list of the top 50 World's Highest-Paid Athletes of 2021.

[caption id="attachment_495874" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]<img class="size-full wp-image-495874" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20201229150125/Los-Angeles-Clippers-Vs-Denver-Nuggets.jpg" alt="Clippers' Star Kawhi Leonard" width="1920" height="1280" /> Dec 25, 2020; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) controls the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) guards in the third quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]
<h2><strong>Kawhi Leonard endorsements</strong></h2>
Lenard earns around <a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/kawhi-leonard/?sh=90f02e95f705" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$5.5 million</a> from his endorsement deals. His major sponsor is the shoe and apparel company New Balance. He previously had a deal with the Air Jordan brand. He also has deals with Honey and Wingstop.
<h2><strong>Kawhi Leonard charity</strong></h2>
After Leonard led Toronto Raptors to the NBA title in 2019, he teamed up with the Clippers foundation and a non-profit organization to donate one million backpacks to underserved children in Los Angeles.

He later joined Los Angeles Clippers and has been involved in various charity works since then. Previously, even during his time with San Antonio Spurs, he took part in many such events.
<h2><strong>How to contact Kawhi Leonard</strong></h2>
Unlike many NBA stars, Kawhi Leonard is not active on social media. Leonard doesn’t have an Instagram account. He has an account on Twitter, but he is hardly active on the platform. For business purposes, Leonard can be contacted through his Management agency.

<strong>Kawhi Leonard’s Twitter: </strong><a href="https://twitter.com/kawhileonard?lang=en">https://twitter.com/kawhileonard</a>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Age</strong></td>
<td width="319">30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Nickname</strong></td>
<td width="319">Claw</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Marital Status</strong></td>
<td width="319">Unmarried</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Girlfriend</strong></td>
<td width="319"><a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/kawhi-leonard-his-girlfriend-kishele-shipley-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-couple-kids/">Kishele Shipley</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Nationality</strong></td>
<td width="319">American</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Team</strong></td>
<td width="319">Los Angeles Clippers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Height</strong></td>
<td width="319">6′ 7″ (2.01 m)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Weight</strong></td>
<td width="319">102 kg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Wingspan</strong></td>
<td width="319">2.21 m</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Shoes</strong></td>
<td width="319">New Balance</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Endorsements</strong></td>
<td width="319">New Balance</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard 2022: Net worth, Salary and Endorsements Kawhi Leonard, who plays primarily as a small forward in the National Basketball Association (NBA), was born on June 29, 1991, and currently plays for Los Angeles Clippers. Leonard first played for San Antonio Spurs in the NBA. He was selected with the 15th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft by the Indiana Pacers, but was traded that night to the San Antonio Spurs. Once there, he played with them for seven seasons. While he was known for his defensive prowess, Kawhi eventually evolved into an incredible two-way player as his offense improved drastically. 1 Finals MVP, 2 All-Star appearances, 2 All-NBA selections and 2 DPOY titles later, &#8216;the Klaw&#8217; wanted a new challenge. Mar 24, 2021; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) reacts after scoring a basket against the San Antonio Spurs the first quarter at AT&amp;T Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports Toronto Raptors came calling. After winning a championship with the Raptors, Leonard became a free agent. While he could have re-signed, Leonard opted to stay with a team near LA. While many rumors linked him to the Lakers, Kawhi joined cross city rivals Clippers along with Paul George. Before moving to the Clippers, Leonard is known to have brought a luxurious $13.3 million worth mansion. He lost his father, Mark Leonard, in 2008. He lives with his mother Kim Robertson and has two children with his girlfriend, Kishele Shipley. Leonard’s uncle, Dennis Robertson, before Leonard&#8217;s move to the Raptors, frequently mentioned about a Spurs exit. Kawhi Leonard with the Toronto Raptors Ahead of the 2018-19 season, Kawhi&#8217;s time with the Spurs was pretty much done and dusted. With a year left in his contract many teams weren&#8217;t willing to take a risk in trading for &#8216;the Klaw&#8217;. But the Raptors who had seen multiple seasons of early elimination in the post-season took a massive gamble. Trading away one of their biggest legends in DeMar DeRozan, the Raps added Kawhi. The impact was pretty much immediate. With the Raptors&#8217; defense arguably one of the best in the league, Toronto solidified themselves as one of the favorites to win the title. With the Warriors&#8217; suffering from injuries in the Finals, the dream became a reality. Ending the Dubs&#8217; dynasty in six games, the city of Toronto were crowned as NBA champions for the first time and Kawhi won his 2nd championship and his 2nd Finals trophy of his career. Kawhi Leonard with the LA Clippers After an incredible season with the Raptors, Kawhi became a free agent and chose the Clippers as his next destination. With Paul George forming an incredible partnership with him and a pretty much stacked roster, Leonard and Co. were the favorites to win the 2019-20 season. But an uncharacteristically bad performance meant that the team crashed out in seven games against the Nuggets. Jun 6, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) reacts during the second half in game seven of the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports The 2020-21 playoffs however painted a very different picture. With Kawhi and Paul George perform at their peak, the Clippers looked unstoppable. But their progress came to a screeching halt as Leonard suffered from a partial tear to his ACL. There is not much progress in the 2021-22 season, as Leonard hasn&#8217;t played a game yet. His injury is a long-term one, and its evolution will determine his return. Major achievements 2× NBA champion (2014, 2019) 2× NBA Finals MVP (2014, 2019) 5× NBA All-Star (2016, 2017, 2019, 2020) 3× All-NBA First Team (2016, 2017, 2021) 2× All-NBA Second Team (2019, 2020) 2× NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2015, 2016) NBA steals leader (2015) 3× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2015–2017) 4× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2014, 2019, 2020, 2021) NBA All-Rookie First Team (2012) Kawhi Leonard stats Leonard over the years has grown into one of the best small forwards in the game. In the 576 games he has played, &#8216;the Klaw&#8217; for his career has averaged 19.2 points, 2.9 assists and 6.5 rebounds. For the 2020-21 season, Leonard&#8217;s output took a small dip in terms of scoring but stepped up in playmaking. Putting up 24.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and a career high 5.2 assists. As mentioned above, he hasn&#8217;t featured in the 2022 edition. Kawhi Leonard 2022 net worth: Leonard&#8217;s annual salary jumped from $3 million to $17 million in 2015 when he signed a 5-year $90 million contract with the Spurs. PlayersBio estimates Kawhi Leonard&#8217;s net worth as $70 million. In the 2021-22 season, &#8216;the Klaw&#8217; is set to earn incredible $39,344,900. Whether or not he can perform and justify his price tag, remains to be seen. He also features in their list of the top 50 World&#8217;s Highest-Paid Athletes of 2021. Dec 25, 2020; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) controls the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) guards in the third quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports Kawhi Leonard endorsements Lenard earns around $5.5 million from his endorsement deals. His major sponsor is the shoe and apparel company New Balance. He previously had a deal with the Air Jordan brand. He also has deals with Honey and Wingstop. Kawhi Leonard charity After Leonard led Toronto Raptors to the NBA title in 2019, he teamed up with the Clippers foundation and a non-profit organization to donate one million backpacks to underserved children in Los Angeles. He later joined Los Angeles Clippers and has been involved in various charity works since then. Previously, even during his time with San Antonio Spurs, he took part in many such events. How to contact Kawhi Leonard Unlike many NBA stars, Kawhi Leonard is not active on social media. Leonard doesn’t have an Instagram account. He has an account on Twitter, but he is hardly active on the platform. For business purposes, Leonard can be contacted through his Management agency. Kawhi Leonard’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/kawhileonard  Age 30  Nickname Claw  Marital Status Unmarried  Girlfriend Kishele Shipley  Nationality American  Team Los Angeles Clippers  Height 6′ 7″ (2.01 m)  Weight 102 kg  Wingspan 2.21 m  Shoes New Balance  Endorsements New Balance

Kawhi Leonard Archives

Kawhi Leonard Archives - EssentiallySports

LeBron James

Who is LeBron James? LeBron James is widely considered to be one of the greatest to ever play the game of basketball. Born in Akron, James spent the majority of his professional career with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers, winning multiple NBA championships and earning numerous accolades along the way. Dec 7, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts during the second quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA In Season Tournament Semifinal at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports &nbsp; Known for his exceptional all-around game, James is a four-time MVP and has been selected to the All-Star team a record 18 times. LeBron James&#8217; early life LeBron James was born on December 30, 1984, in Akron, Ohio. James started playing basketball at a young age, showing great potential. He soon became one of the best high school basketball players in the country. James graduated from St. Vincent&#8217;s St. Mary High School and declared for the NBA draft in 2003. James led St. Vincent&#8217;s St. Mary to three state championships in four years. With Keith Dambrot and Dru Joyce II coaching the side for two years each, the Fighting Irish had a record of 101 victories and 6 losses during James&#8217; time. LeBron James&#8217; wife and children LeBron James was raised by his mother Gloria James, who struggled to make ends meet as a single mother. Not much is known about James&#8217; biological father Anthony McClelland, who was largely absent from LeBron&#8217;s life during his childhood. He is also reported to have criminal records to his name. James has been in a relationship with his high school sweetheart Savannah since his teenage years. The couple tied the knot on September 14, 2013. Savannah James has indulged in several business ventures over the years and is also a noted philanthropist. She has also established a mentorship program for young women. LeBron and Savannah have three children together: Bronny, Bryce, and Zhuri James. Both Bronny and Bryce are following in their father&#8217;s footsteps to become basketball stars. In December 2023, Bronny made his long-awaited collegiate debut with the USC Trojans, less than five months after suffering cardiac arrest in July. LeBron James&#8217; net worth 2024 LeBron James has an estimated net worth of $1 billion, according to recent reports. James is the first active NBA star to achieve this feat. The four-time NBA champion signed a two-year $97.1 million contract extension with theÂ Los Angeles Lakers last year. As per reports, James has earned around $387 million in salaries in his 20-year NBA career so far. Furthermore, he has also made a fortune with his endorsement deals and investments, which have helped him build his massive business empire. LeBron James&#8217; NBA career timeline TheÂ Cleveland Cavaliers selected hometown boy LeBron James as the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft. James was a superstar straight out of high school and took the league by storm. He played for the Cavaliers from 2003 to 2010 in his first stint and won MVP awards in 2009 and 2010. Even though the Akron Hammer was almost unstoppable on the court and won many individual accolades, team success was hard to come by. Bilder des Tages &#8211; SPORT NBA Playoffs, Cleveland Cavaliers &#8211; Indiana Pacers April 25, 2018 &#8211; Cleveland, OH, USA &#8211; The Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James celebrates a basket and foul in the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. The Cleveland Cavaliers won, 98-95, for a 3-2 lead in the first-round NBA Basketball Herren USA playoff series. Game 5: Indiana at Cleveland &#8211; ZUMAm67_ 20180425_zaf_m67_043 Copyright: xLeahxKlafczynskix James then left the Cavs and took his talents to theÂ Miami Heat in 2010. He received major backlash from Cavs fans after this move. However, he continued his dominance, alongside superstars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh for the Heat, and clinched his first NBA title in 2012, followed by another in 2013. He also won the NBA MVP award and the Finals MVP award in 2012 and 2013. The estranged son then returned to the Cavaliers in 2014 and took the team to four straight NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. He helped the Cavs win their first-ever NBA title in 2016. James once again left the Cavs, this time to join the Los Angeles Lakers, in 2018 and led them to the 2020 NBA title.Â  Following the retirements of Udonis Haslem and Andre Iguodala, LeBron James is currently the oldest player in the league. On the 21st of November 2023, James became the first player in league history to reach 39,000 career points. Six days later, he surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar&#8217;s record of 66,300 minutes to become the player with the most minutes played in NBA games during the regular season and playoffs. LeBron James contracts Here&#8217;s a breakdown of LeBron James&#8217; contracts and earnings throughout his NBA career:  Year Team Salary    2023-24 Los Angeles Lakers $47,607,350  2022-23 Los Angeles Lakers $44,474,988  2021-22 Los Angeles Lakers $41,180,544  2020-21 Los Angeles Lakers $39,219,566  2019/20 Los Angeles Lakers $37,436,858 ($37,678,600*)  2018/19 Los Angeles Lakers $35,654,150 ($36,475,929*)  2017/18 Cleveland Cavaliers $33,285,709 ($35,030,744*)  2016/17 Cleveland Cavaliers $30,963,450 ($33,119,038*)  2015/16 Cleveland Cavaliers $22,970,500 ($24,814,681*)  2014/15 Cleveland Cavaliers $20,644,400 ($22,329,434*)  2013/14 Miami Heat $19,067,500 ($21,051,220*)  2012/13 Miami Heat $17,545,000 ($19,710,161*)  2011/12 Miami Heat $16,022,500 ($18,299,290*)  2010/11 Miami Heat $14,500,000 ($17,149,801*)  2009/10 Cleveland Cavaliers $15,779,912 ($18,860,203*)  2008/09 Cleveland Cavaliers $14,410,581 ($16,977,833*)  2007/08 Cleveland Cavaliers $13,041,250 ($16,136,130*)  2006/07 Cleveland Cavaliers $5,828,090 ($7,404,948*)  2005/06 Cleveland Cavaliers $4,621,800 ($6,125,892*)  2004/05 Cleveland Cavaliers $4,320,360 ($5,871,248*)  2003/04 Cleveland Cavaliers $4,018,920 ($5,639,986*)   &nbsp; LeBron James&#8217; NBA career stats Regular season games played &#8211; 1467 Regular season points per game &#8211; 27.1 Regular season rebounds per game &#8211; 7.5 Regular season assists per game &#8211; 7.3 Playoff games played &#8211; 282 Postseason points per game &#8211; 28.5 Postseason rebounds per game &#8211; 9 Postseason assists per game &#8211; 7.2 LeBron James&#8217; investments and endorsements Some of the biggest brands endorsed by LeBron James are as follows: Nike McDonald&#8217;s Blaze Pizza Beats Electronics Sprite Upper Deck State Farm Insurance Audemars Piguet Dunkin&#8217; Donuts Samsung Kia Verizon Intel Lobos 1707 LeBron James has made some very smart investments over the years, which have helped him substantially. Two of James&#8217; most important investments are Blaze Pizza and the English soccer club, Liverpool F.C. LeBron James&#8217; achievements and awards 4Ã— NBA champion (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020) 4Ã— NBA Finals MVP (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020) 4Ã— NBA Most Valuable Player (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013) 19Ã— NBA All-Star (2005â€“2023) 3Ã— NBA All-Star Game MVP (2006, 2008, 2018) 13Ã— All-NBA First Team (2006, 2008â€“2018, 2020) 3Ã— All-NBA Second Team (2005, 2007, 2021) 3Ã— All-NBA Third Team (2019, 2022, 2023) 5Ã— NBA All-Defensive First Team (2009â€“2013) NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2014) NBA Rookie of the Year (2004) NBA All-Rookie First Team (2004) NBA scoring champion (2008) NBA assists leader (2020) NBA 75th Anniversary Team AP Athlete of the Decade (the 2010s) 4Ã— AP Athlete of the Year (2013, 2016, 2018, 2020) 3Ã— Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year (2012, 2016, 2020) USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year (2012) 2Ã— National high school player of the year (2002, 2003) McDonald&#8217;s All-American Game MVP (2003) 2Ã— First-team Parade All-American (2002, 2003) 3Ã— Ohio Mr. Basketball (2001â€“2003) 3x USA Today All-USA First Team (2001-2003) No. 23 retired by St. Vincentâ€“St. Mary LeBron James&#8217; charity and foundation Some of the biggest donations made by LeBron James are to the charities: After-school All-Stars Mohammed Ali: A Force for Change Boys and Girls Club of America Children&#8217;s Defence Fund ONEXONE I Promise School Most of these charities are aimed at helping children and the younger generation. King James is dedicated to providing the youth of America, especially those at risk, the opportunity required to prosper in life with his &#8216;I Promise&#8217; initiative. LeBron James&#8217; rings Over his illustrious 20-year career (and counting), James has won four NBA championships. He has led three different franchises &#8211; the Miami Heat, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Los Angeles Lakers &#8211; to NBA titles. James&#8217; first title came in 2012 with the Heat, when he won his first Finals MVP award, followed by a second consecutive title in 2013. After returning to Cleveland in 2014, James delivered on his promise to bring the city its first major sports championship in over 50 years. In 2016, James powered the Cavaliers back from a daunting 3-1 deficit against the record-setting Golden State Warriors in the Finals. James won his 4th championship and NBA Finals MVP award in 2020, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a championship against his former side, the Miami Heat. LeBron James&#8217; shoe deals LeBron James signed a huge deal with Nike even before he entered the NBA. As James&#8217; superstardom rose, he became one of the most important faces of the brand, with his line of signature shoes, which is in its 20th version now. The four-time NBA MVP signed a lifetime deal with Nike in 2015 for an undisclosed fee. LeBron James&#8217; house LeBron James has reiterated multiple times that he does not spend his hard-earned money without reason. Former teammate Dwyane Wade once revealed that James is one of the cheapest players in the league despite being one of the richest. However, James knows how to spend his fortune in style. And when it comes to where he lives, the King does not compromise. According to reports, LeBron owns multiple properties in California, Ohio, and Miami, that are worth a combined estimated value of $100 million. LeBron James&#8217; car collection LeBron James is known for having an extensive collection of cars, estimated to be worth over $2 million. Some of the standouts include a Chevy Camaro SS, a 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder, and the Dodge Challenger SRT 392. He also owns a Lamborghini Aventador Roadster, a 720-horsepower V12 supercar. Another notable element of his collection is a Mercedes luxury sedan, the Maybach S650, worth around $200,000. Notably, after teaming up with Shaquille O&#8217;Neal in Cleveland, Shaq gifted LeBron a Rolls Royce Phantom for his 25th birthday. The luxury car goes from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.2 seconds and is valued at around $505,000. LeBron James&#8217; controversial moments LeBron James has not had any major controversies so far. However, there have been a few questionable moments in his career. James was the centerpiece of controversy during his high school career for accepting gifts. Then his infamous move to the Miami Heat in 2010, announced on national television, stirred up a lot of controversy. James, who is very vocal about his political beliefs, was criticized for his association with Nike because of the brand&#8217;s political stance. Also, his comments on America after Brittney Griner&#8217;s detainment in Russia sparked some controversy. Will LeBron James retire? LeBron James, 39, is currently playing his 21st NBA season in the NBA. The future Hall of Famer is still playing at the highest level, but he is definitely at the tail end of his career. However, the Lakers icon will not retire after the 2023-24 season as he has multiple times opened up about his desire to play alongside his son Bronny James in the league. Bronny will be eligible to declare for the NBA draft next year. So there is a high chance that James may continue playing in the league until his son enters the NBA. LeBron James&#8217; social media accounts  Instagram @kingjames  Twitter @KingJames  Facebook @LeBron James  Website https://www.lebronjames.com/  &nbsp;  Full Name LeBron Raymone James Sr.  Popular Name LeBron James  Birth Date December 30, 1984  Birth Place Akron, Ohio  Height 6&#8242; 9&#8243; (2.06 m)  Weight 250 lbs  Parents Gloria James  Siblings None  Nationality American  Ethnicity African American  Net Worth $1 Billion  Salary $97.1 Million  Spouse Savannah James  Relationship/Marital Status Married  Children Three  Profession Basketball player  Team Los Angeles Lakers

Toronto Raptors’ Nick Nurse Points Out the Hardest Thing About Winning in NBA

Nick Nurse on winning in the NBA

Do the Toronto Raptors have a chance to make it out of the East next season?