Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

US Homebuilder Sentiment Dips Back to Lowest Level Since Late 2022

2 hours ago

Wall Street Muted as Investors Focus on Retail Earnings, Jackson Hole Summit

2 hours ago

Trump Vows to Target Mail-in Ballots Ahead of 2026 Midterm Election

3 hours ago

Thousands of Palestinians Leave Gaza City Fearing Israeli Offensive

3 hours ago

What to Know About Russia-US-Ukraine Peace Talks

20 hours ago

Actor Terence Stamp, Star of Superman Films, Dies Aged 87

20 hours ago

Kevin McCarthy, Redistricting Commission’s Popularity Stand in Newsom’s Way

3 days ago

California Man Safe After High-Tech Rescue From Behind Sequoia Waterfall

3 days ago
He Promised: LeBron James Is AP’s Male Athlete of 2018
By admin
Published 7 years ago on
December 28, 2018

Share

LeBron James went to the NBA Finals for the eighth consecutive year. He changed addresses again, leaving his Cleveland home for the second time to join the Los Angeles Lakers in the biggest move of free agency over the summer. He remained arguably the dominant player in the basketball, adding even more glitz on a legacy that reached epic status long ago.

“I would describe it as a success because I was able to inspire so many people throughout the year.” — LeBron James
It was, by any measure, a fantastic year for James.
And even without a title, it may have been his most significant year.
For the third time, James has been selected as The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year — after 2018 saw him continue to excel on the court, open the “I Promise” school for at-risk children in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, and further use his voice as an activist who bristled at being told to “shut up and dribble.”
“I would describe it as a success because I was able to inspire so many people throughout the year,” James said. “I got to go back to China, to Paris, to Berlin, I opened up a school. And all these kids I was able to see, all over the world and in my hometown, I was able to inspire, to make them think they can be so much more than what they think they’re capable of being. That was my outlook for 2018.”

James Received 78 Points in Balloting

James received 78 points in balloting by U.S. editors and news directors announced Thursday, while Boston Red Sox star Mookie Betts was second with 46. Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals was third, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was fourth and Triple Crown winner Justify was fifth.

“In addition to being on everyone’s short list as one of the league’s all-time greatest players, LeBron is among the hardest working players and is a thoughtful and impactful leader.” — NBA Commissioner Adam Silver
On the court, James remained dominant. He averaged 28.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 8.4 assists in 2018 between his time with the Cavaliers and Lakers, playing in 102 games through Thursday.
“In addition to being on everyone’s short list as one of the league’s all-time greatest players, LeBron is among the hardest working players and is a thoughtful and impactful leader,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. “He serves on the executive committee of the Players Association even as he builds an impressive media company of his own. And what’s most inspiring, and no surprise given his talent and focus, is how he’s done all of this while embracing his unique opportunity to positively impact communities in need.”
James becomes the third man to win the award at least three times, joining Lance Armstrong (a four-time winner from 2002 through 2005), Tiger Woods (1997, 1999, 2000 and 2006) and Michael Jordan (1991, 1992 and 1993).
Armstrong won the Tour de France in each of his years as the AP recipient, — though he was later stripped of the titles in a doping scandal. Woods won at least one major and was the PGA’s Player of the Year in all four of his AP-winning years. Jordan’s three awards coincided with his first three NBA championships in Chicago. And James’ first two times getting the award were in 2013 and 2016, years where his fingerprints mussed up the Larry O’Brien Trophy in a title celebration.
Photo of LeBron James
FILE – In this Oct. 4, 2018, file photo, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, center, drives between Sacramento Kings forward Marvin Bagley III, left, and guard Frank Mason III during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game in Los Angeles. James was named The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo, File)

No Championship, No Scoring Title, No MVP Award

And James’ closest rivals in the AP balloting this year — Betts and Ovechkin — also won titles in 2018.
James’ year included no championship, no scoring title, no MVP award. But some of the people closest to James still considered 2018 to be his finest year yet.
“I like to talk about generations,” said Miami guard Dwyane Wade, one of James’ best friends. “There will never be another Michael Jordan because he was the first to be a global superstar, the first to take the NBA to another level. There will never be another LeBron James, and a lot of it is from what he’s done away from the game. Him understanding his voice has been so refreshing and so important to the culture and his friends.”
The “I Promise” school is perhaps James’ most prized accomplishment yet. It opened in July for 240 third- and fourth-graders, a public school in Akron that is perhaps like none other. Families — not just the kids — get support there, whether it’s by helping put food on the table or providing adult education or even legal assistance.
And this is just the start. James and his LeBron James Family Foundation have enormous plans for the school in the years ahead.
“It is already such a success,” James said. “And it’s something that I never thought was possible until we made it happen. So yes, it’s been a pretty good year.”
A busy year, too.

Shut Up and Dribble

He had a documentary series called “Shut Up and Dribble,” which discusses the role athletes have in the current political and cultural climate. His show “The Shop,” featuring James and friends talking about life in the backdrop of a barbershop, has been enormously popular. James has faced criticism in recent days for posting rap lyrics that included the phrase “Jewish money,” for which he apologized, and even rival coaches have spoken out about how he’s used his fame for good.

“To this day, he hasn’t missed a step. He hasn’t fallen off the ledge and he’s been a brilliant example for millions of kids, especially kids with lesser opportunity and haven’t had the same advantages as others.” — San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich
“To this day, he hasn’t missed a step,” San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said earlier this year. “He hasn’t fallen off the ledge and he’s been a brilliant example for millions of kids, especially kids with lesser opportunity and haven’t had the same advantages as others.”
On the court, he was already an icon.
Off the court, he’s looking to be one as well in the years ahead.
“The next star is out there,” James said. “And I’m not just talking sports. Doctor, nurse, pilots, they’re out there. The one thing they need is knowing that people care about them and care about their lives. I believe it’s part of my job, and I take it very seriously, to try to tap into that.”

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Costa Bill Could Mean Grant Money to More Rural Towns Facing Water Disasters

DON'T MISS

Gavin Newsom Warms to Big Oil in Climate Reversal

DON'T MISS

Madera County Authorities Arrest Two During Oakhurst Law Enforcement Operation

DON'T MISS

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Koby Dupree Foster

DON'T MISS

Israelis Stage Nationwide Protests to Demand End to Gaza War and Release of Hostages

DON'T MISS

US Offers Up to $50,000 Bonus for New ICE Deportation Officers

DON'T MISS

New York City Police Say to Avoid Times Square Due to Investigation

DON'T MISS

Slow Down: Fresno Police Remind Motorists of School Zone Rules

DON'T MISS

Democrat Sherrod Brown Says He Will Try to Return to US Senate in 2026

DON'T MISS

Fresno and Clovis Unifieds Welcome Students Today With New Learning Tools, Facility Upgrades

UP NEXT

Barry Bonds Beats the Babe! Statistical Model Crowns a New ‘Greatest’ in Baseball

UP NEXT

EJ Warner Named Fresno State Starting QB, Gets Shout-Out From His Dad

UP NEXT

Fresno State’s Al’zillion Hamilton Ready to Lead Defense in 2025

UP NEXT

Clovis Girls Soccer Team Wins National Title After Years of Grit, Heart, and Sacrifice

UP NEXT

Valley Children’s Sees Big Spike in Summer Football Injuries. Has State ‘Overcorrected’ Its Rules?

UP NEXT

US Government Restricts Sports Visas for Transgender Women

UP NEXT

United States Set World Record in Women’s 4×100 Medley Relay

UP NEXT

US Reviewing Visa Denial for Venezuelan Little League Players, State Department Says

UP NEXT

Scottie Scheffler vs. Everybody: Open Champion Makes His Case Among the Greats

UP NEXT

More Than 100 NFL Players and Club Employees Face Fines for Selling Super Bowl Tickets

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Koby Dupree Foster

1 hour ago

Israelis Stage Nationwide Protests to Demand End to Gaza War and Release of Hostages

1 hour ago

US Offers Up to $50,000 Bonus for New ICE Deportation Officers

1 hour ago

New York City Police Say to Avoid Times Square Due to Investigation

1 hour ago

Slow Down: Fresno Police Remind Motorists of School Zone Rules

2 hours ago

Democrat Sherrod Brown Says He Will Try to Return to US Senate in 2026

2 hours ago

Fresno and Clovis Unifieds Welcome Students Today With New Learning Tools, Facility Upgrades

2 hours ago

US Homebuilder Sentiment Dips Back to Lowest Level Since Late 2022

2 hours ago

Wall Street Muted as Investors Focus on Retail Earnings, Jackson Hole Summit

2 hours ago

Trump Vows to Target Mail-in Ballots Ahead of 2026 Midterm Election

3 hours ago

Costa Bill Could Mean Grant Money to More Rural Towns Facing Water Disasters

As more San Joaquin Valley towns face wells going dry and other water crises, a new bipartisan legislative bill would make many more communi...

15 minutes ago

Jim Costa and Chuck Edwards
15 minutes ago

Costa Bill Could Mean Grant Money to More Rural Towns Facing Water Disasters

Kern County California Oil Pumps
26 minutes ago

Gavin Newsom Warms to Big Oil in Climate Reversal

Craig Isherwood (left), 39, of Visalia, and Jayden Vanzeyl, 23, of Oakhurst, were arrested Saturday during a coordinated law enforcement operation. (Madera County SO)
53 minutes ago

Madera County Authorities Arrest Two During Oakhurst Law Enforcement Operation

Koby Dupree Foster is Valley Crime Stoppers' Most Wanted Person of the Day for August 18, 2025. (Valley Crimes Stoppers)
1 hour ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Koby Dupree Foster

Demonstrators block Israel's main highway connecting Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, after families of hostages have called for a nationwide strike to demand the return of all hostages and an end to the war in Gaza, in Latrun Israel August 17,2025 REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun
1 hour ago

Israelis Stage Nationwide Protests to Demand End to Gaza War and Release of Hostages

ICE is offering up to $50,000 in bonuses, student loan assistance, and enhanced benefits to recruit 10,000 new deportation officers as part of the Trump administration’s push to ramp up deportations. (Shutterstock)
1 hour ago

US Offers Up to $50,000 Bonus for New ICE Deportation Officers

Police vehicles block a street in a cordoned off area in Times Square in New York City, U.S. August 18, 2025. (Reuters/Jeenah Moon)
1 hour ago

New York City Police Say to Avoid Times Square Due to Investigation

Fresno police are reminding drivers to slow down, follow parking rules and be cautious in school zones as back-to-school traffic increases. (Shutterstock)
2 hours ago

Slow Down: Fresno Police Remind Motorists of School Zone Rules

Search

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Send this to a friend