Basketball
Top five greatest moments of LeBron James career
The 2022–23 NBA season will be LeBron James’ 20th overall. No matter where you place the superstar forward in the GOAT debate, he is already one of the greatest players and legends in NBA history.
King James’ extraordinary NBA career began in 2003 when he was selected first overall in the NBA Draft, having just graduated from high school. He provided the Cleveland Cavaliers with years of excellence, winning two MVP awards and leading the team to the 2007 NBA Finals.
After winning the NBA championship in 2020 with the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James will have won the MVP award four times in the Finals and the league. He could end his career as the NBA’s all-time top scorer and has a long list of other achievements and records. He might also surpass Michael Jordan’s mark of six Finals MVP awards.
Let’s have a look at the top five greatest moments in LeBron James’ illustrious career so far:
5. First NBA title in 2012
LeBron James (Source: Twitter)
Throughout the initial years of his NBA career, LeBron James’ greatness as a person was undeniable. But pressure increased after he lost in the 2011 NBA Finals and failed to capture the championship in his first season with the Miami Heat.
LeBron James had a fantastic year during the 2011–12 NBA season, which was cut short by a strike. After an outstanding effort against the Boston Celtics in the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals, it culminated with his third NBA MVP title and his third berth in the NBA Finals.
4. ‘LeBronto’s performance against the Toronto Raptors in the 2018 NBA Playoffs
LeBron James (Source: Twitter)
James led Cleveland to victories against Toronto in the 2016 Eastern Conference Finals and a four-game sweep of the first round of the 2017 playoffs. But Toronto supporters were eager to take on a Cleveland squad that had only placed fourth in the East.
In the first game, which was extremely close, Cleveland won by a single point. LeBron James led Cleveland to an 18-point victory and gave them a 2-0 lead with his 43 points, eight rebounds, and 14 assists.
3. Unique performance in Game 6 of the 2012 ECF vs Boston Celtics
LeBron James (Source: Twitter)
LeBron James’ shoulder may have been under the most strain during Game 6 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics.
Following a decisive victory in Game 5 at Miami, Boston transformed a 0-2 series deficit into a 3-2 advantage. The Heat lost the 2011 NBA Finals, and if they lost again in the postseason, there was a chance that they may disband.
2. 2020 NBA championship with the LA Lakers
LeBron James (Source: Twitter)
In the 2020 NBA Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Miami Heat in six games, and LeBron James was named MVP Finals for the fourth time in his career. With 59/41/66 shooting splits, he averaged 29.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 9.5 assists during the series.
James also made history by being the first player to win the NBA title and Finals MVP award while playing for three different teams.
1. Brilliant comeback from a 1-3 deficit in the 2016 NBA Finals
LeBron James (Source: Twitter)
The Cavaliers won their first NBA championship when Kyrie Irving made the game-winning three-pointer in Game 7. LeBron James led both teams in every statistic measured throughout the series, earning him his third MVP award.
In Game 7, LeBron James also recorded a triple-double and may have made the best defensive play in NBA history. With fewer than two minutes remaining in the game, he produced a tremendous block on Andre Iguodala to keep the score tied.