what year lebron james came to the nba?
2003–04 NBA season
entailment
 James officially became a member of the Heat on July 10 , completing a sign @-@ and @-@ trade six @-@ year contract with the team . With the move , he became only the third reigning MVP to change teams and the first since Moses Malone in 1982 . Although his contract would have allowed him to earn the maximum salary under the collective bargaining agreement , he took less money in order for Miami to be able to afford Bosh and Wade as well as further roster support . That evening , the Heat threw a welcome party for their new " big three " at the American Airlines Arena , an event that took on a rock concert atmosphere . During the gathering , James predicted a dynasty for the Heat and alluded to multiple championships . Outside of Miami , the spectacle was not well @-@ received , furthering the negative public perception of James . 

entailment
 James became an unrestricted free agent at 12 : 01 am EDT on July 1 , 2010 . During his free agency , he was courted by several teams , including the Bulls , Los Angeles Clippers , Miami Heat , New York Knicks , New Jersey Nets , and Cavaliers . On July 8 , he announced on a live ESPN special titled The Decision that he would sign with the Heat . The telecast , broadcast from the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich , Connecticut , raised $ 2 @.@ 5 million for the charity and an additional $ 3 @.@ 5 million from advertisement revenue that was donated to other charities . The day before the special , fellow free agents Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade had also announced that they would sign with Miami ; reports later arose that the trio had discussed their 2010 free agencies together in 2006 . James decided to join with Bosh and Wade in part so that he could shoulder less of the load offensively , thinking that his improved teammates would give him a better chance of winning a championship than had he stayed in Cleveland . Heat president Pat Riley played a major role in selling James on the idea of playing with Bosh and Wade . Relieved of the burden of scoring , James thought he could be the first player to average a triple @-@ double in a season since Oscar Robertson . 

entailment
 The selection of center Sam Bowie with the No. 2 pick in the 1984 NBA draft over Michael Jordan ( who was then drafted by the Chicago Bulls ) ; other notable players taken later in that draft include future Hall @-@ of @-@ Famers Charles Barkley and John Stockton . 

entailment
 LeBron James ( Miami Heat at Los Angeles Lakers , 2010 ) 

entailment
 James did not play at the 2010 FIBA World Championship but rejoined Team USA for the 2012 Olympics in London , England . He became the leader of the team with Kobe Bryant , who would soon be 34 , stepping back . James facilitated the offense from the post and perimeter , called the defensive sets , and provided scoring when needed . During a game against Australia , he recorded the first triple @-@ double in U.S. Olympic basketball history with 11 points , 14 rebounds and 12 assists . Team USA went on to win their second straight gold medal , again defeating Spain in the final game . James contributed 19 points in the win , becoming the all @-@ time leading scorer in U.S. men 's basketball history . He also joined Michael Jordan as the only players to win an NBA MVP award , NBA championship , NBA Finals MVP , and Olympic gold medal in the same year . Afterwards , Krzyzewski said James " is the best player , he is the best leader and he is as smart as anybody playing the game right now . " 
