No doubt that the crowd will go wild when LeBron Raymone James, Sr., aka King James, steps into the basketball court. His unprecedented skills and dominance over the court can take many opponents off guard. He even helped carry his teammates to multiple championship matches. LeBron James’ NBA finals record is nothing short of impressive. If you’re a fan of this basketball king, continue reading to know more about his finals stats.
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How Many Times Has LeBron Been to the Finals?
Ten times, LeBron James competed in the NBA Finals, all against the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers from 2011 to 2018. He has won four NBA championships, four Most Valuable Player Awards, and two Olympic gold medals.
While losing in the finals isn’t as bad as it sounds, losing in the series doesn’t diminish the impact that LeBron has had in the NBA Finals. He’s averaged 28.2 points, 10 rebounds, and 7.1 assists in 53 career games, as per StatMuse.
What Teams has LeBron Won Championships With?
James won the NBA championships four times at the time of writing. Twi wins was when he was with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013. Next, his team of the Cleveland Cavaliers won in 2016. Finally, the Los Angeles Lakers won, thanks in part to James, in 2020.
Now, take a look at some of the highlights of James’ career.
Cavaliers vs. Warriors (2016)
For the Cleveland Cavaliers, it was the greatest achievement in the history of sports. For the Golden State Warriors, it was the toughest challenge they’ve ever faced.
In 2016, the weight that was on James’ shoulders during the Finals was beyond belief. His performance in the series was legendary. He averaged 29.7 points, 11 rebounds, and 8.9 assists. Many fans have never seen anything like it in our lives, and, after winning, he cried because of the accomplishment NBA Finals. At that time James was appreciative but was physically and mentally exhausted.
Heat vs. Spurs (2013)
Take a look at the clip above; without Ray Allen’s missing shot, LeBron’s Finals legacy would have been different. During those 48 seconds, LeBron committed two turnovers, which led to two 3-pointers that barely hit the rim. He also blocked two shots during this time.
LeBron James came back from a Game 6 loss to lead the Heat to a 3-2 series lead over the San Antonio Spurs. He scored 37 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in Game 7. The Heat was able to pull it together as they did in Game 6. It was a series full of improbable scenarios, but ultimately, it was the Heat who were able to pull it together and win the 2013 championships.
Heat vs. Thunder (2012)
The Thunder were second in the league in scoring and third in the playoffs. They were also one-tenth of a point better than the Heat in terms of net rating. The Heat won four straight after winning Game 1, but this was still a series that was closer than most people expected.
In Game 3, the Heat survived after a 3-pointer by Westbrook with 29 seconds to play. In Game 4, the Thunder had a chance to win after blowing a three-point lead in the final 17 seconds. At this time, James had no experience winning a Finals series. Also, his most recent memory of winning a title was blowing a 17-point lead with less than three minutes left in Game 2 of the 2011 Finals against the Dallas Mavericks.
The pressure was immense, that the Thunder team was good. Ultimately, it was the Heat that LeBron beat the Thunder in 2012, which was one of James’ achievements of crowning glory.
Lakers vs. Heat (2020)
It can be tough going up against old teammates, even for LeBron James. Still, without James in the Heat, the team seemed to be good at best. Good, but not great.
One of the instances that made it a bit easier for James in this season is because of Goran Dragic. The Slovenian player tore his plantar fascia in Game 1, which made it increasingly difficult to move over time.
Additionally, there’s the NBA Bubble scenario; although the NBA teams still had a chance to play, many of the players, including James, missed the roars of the crowds. Despite these challenges, the Lakers, with James, won the 2020 championships.
What Does Michael Jordan Think About LeBron James’ Wins?
Michael Jordan weighs in on the 🐐 debate. pic.twitter.com/ZiKkeAoCmU
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 24, 2020
Despite winning more titles than James, Jordan still has an advantage when it comes to overall performance in the NBA Finals. Being able to compare two legends of the game can be an advantage, but it should not devalue the other.
Michael Jordan had an excellent response when asked about comparisons to LeBron James. “We play in different eras,” Jordan said in the video clip above. “I think he’s made his mark,” his Airness continued.
Final Words
LeBron James’ achievements are exemplary, and some fans would even compare him to Michael Jordan. Although the two players played in different NBA eras, it’s unquestionable that James helped his teams win championships on multiple occasions.
