T
he 2015 NBA playoffs included some of the most iconic moments in LeBron James’ career. Looking back at Cleveland’s Game 4 in Chicago, James took the pressure of a potential 3-1 deficit and drilled a buzzer-beating shot over the outstretched fingertips of Jimmy Butler.
Having four league MVPs and two championships to his name, Bron was seeking that all-important third title, which would happen playing for the Cavaliers. Having already been 12 years into his storied career, No. 23 didn’t just feel that he was still great enough to win the Cavs a title. He was convinced that he was playing at an all-time high, which only added to the pressure of delivering on his promise.
“I think if you put it all together, yeah,” James said, per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “If you put everything together as far as my mind, my body, my game. If you put everything in one bottle, this is probably the best I’ve been.”
Hearing that from The King was a welcoming sight for Cavs fans. Although James wasn’t the 25-year-old who had left Cleveland five years earlier, the superstar forward still had enough spring in his step to play in a fifth consecutive NBA Finals.
There wasn’t even a peep of a decline in his game. Through the first three rounds of the playoffs, “The Kid from Akron” averaged 27.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game. His performance in the sweep of the Atlanta Hawks was even greater: 30.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 9.0 assists, making him well-equipped for a memorable 2015 NBA Finals.
The legend of 2015 LeBron
When LeBron came back to Cleveland, his “promise” was still unfulfilled. He asked the Cavs nation for patience in the franchise’s pursuit of its first championship. Bron was right to make that call, as the Cavs kicked off the regular season in a bit of funk. However, that was typical for any team trying to adjust to James as their focal point.
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No. 23 put on an absolute clinic in the 2015 Finals, particularly in the beginning, as he poured in 44 points, eight rebounds, and six assists to kick off the series. In Game 2, without his co-star Kyrie Irving, he posted 39 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists. In the next contest, James went for another 40-point game and added a handful of blocks and steals. The Cavs went up 2-1 with their superstar going herculean.
2016 LeBron was even better
In 2016, James notched his 12th consecutive All-Star appearance, his ninth consecutive first-team All-NBA selection, and a third-place finish in MVP voting. Just the mere fact that he was able to re-calibrate the Cavs after a disappointing Finals loss spoke volumes about his leadership. He eventually took Cleveland through the East and to his sixth consecutive NBA Finals appearance.
After falling behind 3-1 to the Warriors in the NBA Finals, many were ready to watch the Cavs get drowned with blue and yellow confetti after Game 5. But The King had other plans. In what would turn into the greatest stretch of his career, he averaged 36.3 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 9.7 APG, 3.0 SPG, and 3.0 BPG over the final three games of that series. He shot 50.6% from the field and 42.1% from 3-point range. Then, it was the most fitting ending to a series ever: Cleveland’s 52-year title drought was over and Bron fulfilled his promise to The Land.
