I fail to see how LeBron is a "thug." He's never done anything like real thugs. Shit, I've unfortunately had some run-ins with real thugs, and LeBron is a class act in comparison.
As for how much he makes, hey, that's the market. The NBA and its star players make a lot of money because people are willing to pay it, in terms of the shit they endorse and sell, tickets, TV air time, you name it.
That said, I'm glad the important people in society don't make that kinda money, because it would go to their heads just like these (rather insignificant in the big picture) athletes.