LeBron James's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of LeBron James.

LeBron James, nicknamed "King James", is a highly decorated American professional basketball player currently with the Los Angeles Lakers. He holds the record for the NBA's all-time leading scorer and has won four NBA championships across ten NBA Finals appearances, including eight consecutive from 2011-2018. He led the Lakers to victory in the inaugural NBA Cup in 2023. James has also achieved significant international success, winning three Olympic gold medals as a member of the U.S. national team.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1976: Abdul-Jabbar milestone

In 1976, Abdul-Jabbar was the first player in Lakers franchise history to put up at least 30 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists in a game.

1981: Magic Johnson consecutive triple-doubles

On November 15, 2024, James tied the Lakers franchise record for the most consecutive triple-doubles made, joining Magic Johnson who achieved this milestone in 1981.

1982: Third reigning MVP to change teams

In 1982, Moses Malone changed teams, making James the first since Malone to become the third reigning MVP to change teams.

1987: Magic Johnson consecutive triple-doubles

On November 15, 2024, James tied the Lakers franchise record for the most consecutive triple-doubles made, joining Magic Johnson who achieved this milestone in 1987.

2000: USA Gold Medal at the Olympics

In 2008, Team USA won their first gold medal since 2000.

2001: Featured in Slam Magazine and Sports Illustrated

In 2001, during the summer before his junior year, LeBron James was lauded as possibly the best high school basketball player in America by Ryan Jones in Slam magazine and appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, becoming the first high school basketball underclassman to do so.

2004: NBA Rookie of the Year

At the conclusion of the 2003-2004 season, LeBron James received the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, becoming the first Cavalier to win the award.

2004: First NBA All-Star Game Selection

In 2004, during the 2004-2005 season, LeBron James earned his first NBA All-Star Game selection.

2004: Shaquille O'Neal's Postseason 20-20 game

In the 2004 NBA Finals, Shaquille O'Neal had a 20-20 game in the postseason.

2005: Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2005, LeBron James was selected as one of Time's 100 most influential people in the world, marking the first of several such recognitions.

2005: Sets Cleveland Single-Game Points Record

On March 20, 2005, LeBron James scored 56 points against the Toronto Raptors, setting Cleveland's new single-game points record.

2006: NBA All-Star Game MVP

In 2006, LeBron James was named the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player after leading the East to victory.

2007: FIBA Americas Championship Gold Medal and Olympic Qualification

In 2007, James averaged 18.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game, including a 31-point performance against Argentina, at the FIBA Americas Championship, where Team USA went 10–0, winning the gold medal and qualifying for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.

2007: Eastern Conference Championship

In 2007, LeBron James led the Cavaliers to their first-ever Eastern Conference championship, earning them a matchup with the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals.

2007: First NBA Finals Appearance with Cavaliers

In 2007, LeBron James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first NBA Finals appearance, marking a significant milestone in his early career.

2007: 2007-2008 NBA Season

In the 2007-2008 NBA season, LeBron James continued to make achievements, and was named All-Star Game MVP for the second time.

2008: 2008-2009 NBA Season

At the end of the 2008-2009 NBA season, James finished second in NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award voting and made his first NBA All-Defensive Team.

2008: NBA Scoring Title

In 2008, LeBron James won the NBA scoring title, demonstrating his dominance as a scorer in the league.

2008: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2008, Team USA, including James, won their first gold medal since 2000 at the Olympics in Beijing, China, defeating Spain in the final game where James contributed 14 points, six rebounds, and three assists.

2008: All-Time Leading Scorer for the Cavaliers

On March 21, 2008, LeBron James became the Cavaliers' all-time leading scorer, surpassing Brad Daugherty in fewer games. That year, he also won his first scoring title.

2009: All-Defensive Honors

In 2009, LeBron James earned All-Defensive honors.

2009: Wins First MVP Award

In 2009, LeBron James won his first MVP Award and led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a franchise-record 66-16 season.

2010: Second MVP Award and Move to Miami Heat

In 2010, LeBron James secured his second consecutive NBA MVP award, and then controversially joined the Miami Heat as a free agent, a decision revealed in a nationally televised special called "The Decision."

2011: First NBA Finals Appearance

In 2011, LeBron James made his first of eight consecutive NBA Finals appearances.

2012: Second Straight Gold Medal at the Olympics

In 2012, James led Team USA to their second straight gold medal at the Olympics in London, England, defeating Spain in the final game. He recorded the first triple-double in U.S. Olympic basketball history during a game against Australia and became the all-time leading scorer in U.S. men's basketball history.

2012: Named MVP for the third time

In 2012, LeBron James was named MVP for the third time, finishing with averages of 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.9 steals per game on 53 percent shooting.

2012: First NBA Championship with Heat

In 2012, LeBron James won his first NBA championship with the Miami Heat, also earning both the regular season MVP and Finals MVP awards.

2012: James' "Month for the Ages"

In February 2012, LeBron James averaged 29.7 points and 7.8 assists per game, setting shooting efficiency records. Sports Illustrated described it as a "month for the ages".

2013: Second NBA Championship with Heat

In 2013, LeBron James secured his second NBA championship with the Miami Heat, along with his second MVP and Finals MVP awards in consecutive years.

2013: Time's 100 Most Influential People

LeBron James was named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2013, marking another recognition of his impact.

2013: Career-High 61 Points

On March 3, 2013, LeBron James scored a career-high and franchise-record 61 points in a game against the Charlotte Bobcats, also setting a record for the most three-point field goals made in a 60-point game.

2014: All-Defensive Honors

In 2014, LeBron James earned All-Defensive honors.

2016: First Championship for Cleveland Cavaliers

In 2016, LeBron James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first-ever NBA championship, overcoming a 3-1 deficit against the Golden State Warriors and ending Cleveland's sports curse.

2017: J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award

In 2017, James received the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award from the NBA for his "outstanding service and dedication to the community."

2017: Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2017, LeBron James was selected as one of Time's 100 most influential people for the third time, highlighting his continuing influence.

2018: Eighth Consecutive NBA Finals Appearance

In 2018, LeBron James concluded a streak of eight consecutive NBA Finals appearances.

November 2019: Oldest player to record a triple-double

On November 13, 2024, James, at age 39, broke his own record previously set in November 2019 for the oldest player to record a triple-double in three consecutive games.

2019: Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2019, LeBron James was named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in the world for the fourth time, a record for a professional athlete.

2019: Lakers hire Frank Vogel and trade for Anthony Davis

In 2019, The Lakers hired Frank Vogel as their new head coach and traded for Anthony Davis. LeBron James embraced the improved roster and transformed his playing style. The Lakers opened the 2019-20 season with a 17-2 record, matching the best start in franchise history.

2020: Championship with the Lakers

In 2020, LeBron James won another NBA title with the Los Angeles Lakers, becoming the first player to win Finals MVP with three different teams.

February 18, 2021: James reaches 35,000 career points

On February 18, 2021, LeBron James became the third player in NBA history to reach 35,000 career points, joining Hall of Famers Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone. At 36 years and 50 days old, he was the youngest player to reach this milestone.

2021: Russell Westbrook consecutive triple-doubles

On November 15, 2024, James tied the Lakers franchise record for the most consecutive triple-doubles made, joining Russell Westbrook who achieved this milestone in 2021.

February 26, 2022: Streak of 23 Consecutive 25-Point Games

From December 19 to February 26, 2022, LeBron James played 23 out of 27 games and had a streak of 23 consecutive 25-point games.

2022: Regular season averages

In 2022, James finished the regular season with averages of 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game, becoming the oldest player in NBA history to average at least 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists in a season.

2022: Celebration at the 2022 NBA All-Star Game

In 2022, LeBron James was celebrated among the other 74 players for the NBA 75th Anniversary Team at the NBA All-Star Game held in Cleveland. He led all players in fan votes with his 18th All-Star selection. His team achieved its fifth consecutive All-Star victory, defeating Team Durant 163–161, with James hitting the game-winning dagger shot in front of his hometown crowd.

January 9, 2023: James receives 66th Player of the Week award

On January 9, 2023, LeBron James received his 66th Player of the Week award, doubling the career total of runner-up Kobe Bryant.

February 7, 2023: James Becomes All-Time Leading Scorer in NBA History

On February 7, 2023, LeBron James passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the all-time leading scorer in NBA history. Abdul-Jabbar had previously set the record on April 5, 1984, eight months before James was born. The game was stopped for an on-court ceremony where James received the game ball from Abdul-Jabbar.

2023: Lakers reach Western Conference finals

In 2023, James scored 30 points to lead the Lakers to a victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals, securing their spot in the Western Conference finals. He also surpassed Derek Fisher for the most all-time playoff series wins in NBA history, with 41.

2023: NBA All-Time Leading Scorer

In 2023, LeBron James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer, cementing his legacy in basketball history.

2023: Lakers Win Inaugural NBA Cup

In 2023, LeBron James won the inaugural NBA Cup with the Los Angeles Lakers, adding to his achievements.

2023: Career Averages as of 2023-24 Season

In 2023, through the 2023–24 season, LeBron James' career averages are 27.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game.

January 25, 2024: 20th NBA All-Star Selection

On January 25, 2024, James was named an All-Star starter for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, marking his 20th NBA All-Star selection, surpassing Abdul-Jabbar for the most All-Star selections in NBA history.

2024: All-NBA Team Selections

As of 2024, LeBron James has been named to 20 All-NBA Teams, including 13 times to the First Team, which are both NBA records.

2024: Joins the National Team and Named Flag-Bearer

In 2024, James rejoined the national team on the Olympic squad in Paris as Team Captain and was named as one of the two Team USA flag-bearers for the opening ceremony of the games. Team USA went on to win their fifth straight gold medal, defeating France 98–87 in the final game, with James recording 14 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists.

2024: Olympics MVP

In the 2024 Summer Olympics, LeBron James won the Olympics MVP award.

January 3, 2025: Most 30-Point Games in NBA History

On January 3, 2025, James put up 30 points and surpassed Jordan for the most 30-point games in NBA history, and he also passed Dirk Nowitzki for the fourth-most games played in the regular season.