Michael Jordan Assesses Lebron's Progress

Before he was chosen #1 in the 2003 NBA draft, Lebron James had achieved a national repuation for at least two reasons: he graced the cover of Sports Illustrated, which dubbed him King James, and more than held his own as a high school kid against hardened NBA vets at NBA legend Michael Jordan's summer camp. So after Lebron helped get his team into the NBA finals it was fitting that old #23 should be asked his thoughts on new #23. Jordan told his hometown Chicago Tribune that 'I think you see some growth. Expectations have been there, the signs have been there. What just transpired was something I felt was needed for the league, was needed for Cleveland, was needed for LeBron. Now the test comes in being consistent and continuing that elevation, and not getting complacent...Making 'The Leap' is where you do it every single night. It's expected of you, and you do it. That, to me, is 'The Leap.' Not one game, not two games. It's consistent. Every defense comes in and they focus on you and you still impact the game. I think he's shown signs of that. I think he's going to continue to grow with that.'