NEW YORK –Since the Basketball Association of America was chartered in June, 1946 [it became the National Basketball Association only after merging with the National Basketball League in the fall of 1949], few 18 year-olds have been able to make the jump. It wasn’t until 1975 that both Darryl Dawkins [as the fifth overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers] and Bill Willoughby [2nd Round, 19th overall by the Atlanta Hawks] elected to bypass higher education for the prospect of an NBA future; they followed Moses Malone, who was taken in the 3rd Round [22nd overall] by the Utah Stars of the American Basketball Association a year earlier.

More than a decade passed before the Seattle SuperSonics tabbed Shawn Kemp with the 17th pick of the 1989 Draft. Six years later, the Minnesota Timberwolves picked Kevin Garnett at No. 5. And, that was the move which began the resurgence of drafting high school, or prep, players.

In fact, some of the better talent in today’s NBA is the result of such picks. Kobe Bryant and Jermaine O’Neal [1996], Tracy McGrady [1997], Rashard Lewis [1998], Amare Stoudemire [2002] and Dwight Howard [2004] would, certainly, form the nucleus of an imposing roster.

Then, there is the Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James.

In 2003, James became the second high school player taken at No. 1 [Kwame Brown was selected by the Washington Wizards in 2001], and before he had even graduated from St. Vincent-St Mary High School –much less score his first NBA point-, Nike had inked him to a $90 million endorsement deal.

Now, he is three years into his professional career. And, for the first time since 1998, the Cavaliers are a playoff team. The last time Cleveland enjoyed a postseason visit, James was in 7th grade and a Chicago Bulls fan.

When the Cavs spanked the Dallas Mavericks, 107-94, on March 29, behind James’ 46 points, the third longest postseason drought was over. With the subsequent inclusion of the Los Angeles Clippers into the playoffs for the first time since 1996-97, only the Golden State Warriors –with a run of 13 seasons- have been absent longer.

It was also time to celebrate individual achievement as well, as the Cavalier forward/guard established a single-season scoring record with 2,215 points [and still counting] and who, at 21 years, 89 days, became the youngest in league history to score 6,000.

James, who was an All-State wide receiver at SVSM until his junior year, is still on the run. On the floor, he must contend with the opposition. Away from it, the media await. Such is the price of fame.

But, in between, there is praise. And lots of it.

“LeBron amazes me every single day,” admired Mike Brown, Cleveland’s 35 year-old rookie coach. “And, not just with on-the-court stuff; but, with his leadership skills also. He is so unique, and such a great human being –forget the basketball part.

“Now, if I were to throw the basketball part in…” he offered, as if to validate his opening remarks. “There have been times, as the season has gone along, where I literally allow him to call plays from the small forward spot. If he has a feel out there –and he usually does- he’ll step up to run the team.

“Coaches need that from their superstars. We need the leadership they can exert. Especially, late in ballgames –when it matters most.”

“I’ve always tried to be a leader on this team,” James said, who averages better than 31 points and six assists per game. “But, we had to win games, too. I am given a chance to showcase my talent on the court, and continue to lead off the court.

“My game has been good enough to survive in this league, but it has helped a lot that I’ve matured both as a person and player.”

“LeBron takes the brunt of the criticism,” stated Brown, who has guided the Cavaliers to a 45-29 record and a current nine-game winning streak. “He accepts that because he knows who he is. And, while it’s my job to put these guys in a position to win, I know LeBron is more valuable than me.

“He is just so unselfish,” the coach added. “People say he needs to take the last shot more often. But, if a teammate is open, he will give it up. It’s not like he’s trying to go for his [points] every night. He wants his teammates to flourish. Our guys know that.”

Donyell Marshall is one of those guys. The 12-year forward -the No. 4 pick in 1994- who was acquired through free agency, noted, “Through thick and thin, we have learned to play together. That’s what is most important. We could’ve, very easily, separated, but we’ve built a sense of closeness. That’s the good thing about this group. We’ve learned from each other.”

“I’ve been around some great environments,” Brown recalled. “And this team is similar, in that the guys support one another through any adversity.”

“I had to get better as an individual,” James confided, “to help our team. But, the organization did a great job to get the right pieces for our team to come together, and it shows. Winning makes a difference. It doesn’t matter where you are.”

The situation has proven to be even better than what Marshall had expected.

“Once they signed Larry [Hughes] and re-signed Z [Zydrunas Ilgauskas], I knew they needed an outside shooter to spread the floor. Obviously, the opportunity to play with LeBron interested me as well. Here, I have a good chance to win.

“We can make a strong push,” Marshall stated. “We have the right chemistry. What people should understand is that the teams on top have been together for a while. Keeping the core group of this team is the key. And build from there.”

Clearly, James is that building block.

“There is no doubt in my mind, “Brown said, “that LeBron should be considered for MVP. He has been phenomenal. I’ve coached an MVP before [the San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan won the award in both 2001-02 and 2002-03 when Brown was an assistant] and I’ve coached MVP candidates before [Ron Artest and Jermaine O’Neal]. I know the kind of seasons that garner much attention.

“LeBron James is, definitely, a Top Three candidate. And I hope he starts to get that recognition ‘cause he has put up the numbers and the team is winning. Take him away from our team and I don’t know if we’re in the same position. This is a new team and I’m a rookie coach. Our superstar –if you want to compare him to Jordan, like everyone else does- means a heck of a lot to us.

“And, if you do want to compare, then pull out some tape of Michael playing in the Final Four [Jordan was all of 19 when his last second shot beat Georgetown in the 1982 NCAA Championship Game].

“For LeBron to be doing what he’s doing…

“He’s making us look like we know how to play basketball and making me look like I know how to coach. He should be an MVP candidate –if not the MVP.”

“I have never worried about individual accolades,” said the league’s third leading scorer. “Never have and never will. The individual awards will come with the team’s success. If the voters recognize that, then they know who the MVP is.

With the regular season a foregone conclusion [Cleveland has settled into the fourth position of the Eastern Conference], James now looks forward to the second season.

“We still have to put the ball in the hoop. We still have to play defense. We still have to execute. The intensity doesn’t change. I’m very excited about what’s going on right now. And ready to show the world what we’re truly about.”