The most anticipated debut in NBA history

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In 2003, the NBA was looking for its next big star. The big debate at the time was between Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal and a few other basketball players, but just before the start of the 2003/04 season, one teenager was mentioned more often than all basketball stars combined. This is LeBron James, who is making his debut in the NBA on October 29, and what he will do on the basketball floor is the most anticipated event at that time in the league. The King was just 18 years old at the time, the No. 1 overall draft pick straight out of high school and designated as "The Chosen One" -- the man to inherit Michael Jordan's throne as the greatest in history.

Whether he achieved it or not doesn't really matter, but his NBA debut is undoubtedly the fans' first "encounter" with LeBron's immense talent. Although his first game for Cleveland was against the Sacramento Kings (two of the least popular teams in the league), the game received national coverage, and over 2.5 million viewers tuned in to see "The Picks." And he didn't disappoint.

Although the Cavaliers lost the game, James finished with 25 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds and 4 steals, a phenomenal debut that was not sealed with a victory solely because of the weak lineup the Cavaliers had at the time. But after 48 minutes between the two teams, everyone seems to agree – this player will be special.

And this is no accident. Even before his first dribble in the NBA, LeBron James signed a contract with Nike for a whopping $90 million. For comparison, the three-time champion with the Lakers, Kobe Bryant, also signed with the American giant in 2003... for twice the amount ($45 million).

His debut goes down in history as one of the best in the "Alien League" not only in the teenagers (players under the age of 20), but in the history of the league in general. And LeBron lived up to all expectations, because today, when he is 38 years old, the statistics from his debut (25 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds) would be considered "disappointing". Because after 20 years in the league, expectations for LeBron James continue to be extremely high. And he manages to justify them. As he did in his debut nearly two decades ago.