As the final buzzer of Game 4 of the 2018 NBA Finals went off, prompting wild celebrations among the Golden State Warriors players, staff and fans, LeBron James was already on his way to the locker room. What could have been on his mind at that moment? For the Cleveland Cavaliers, it was the worst possible result in the championship series — the 0-4 sweep ending on home court and decidedly worse than the 1-4 defeat to the same opponents last year. For LeBron, personally, the score was now 3-6 — three NBA titles, but six times losing finalist. In the debate that seeks to zero in on the greatest player of all time, a 33 per cent record in finals doesn’t help, especially when you’re up against a man who won six out of six, Michael Jordan.
But let us park the #GOAT conversation for a while and rewind to the 2003 NBA draft. Fifteen years ago to the day, an 18-year-old LeBron, fresh out of school, was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers as the first overall pick. The fact that he was selected ahead of guys like Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh — who have themselves gone on to have excellent NBA careers — came as no surprise, given his already growing reputation as a future star. A Sports Illustrated cover had dubbed him ‘The Chosen One’ in 2002. He more than justified his billing, averaging 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game to be named the NBA Rookie of the Year at the end of the season.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing in the following years, as LeBron’s numbers fluctuated, and so did Cleveland’s fortunes. The first major high point for the team came in 2007 when they made it to the NBA Finals for the first time ever in their 37-year history. The San Antonio Spurs thrashed them with a 4-0 sweep, but the Cavs were finally looking like contenders. The championship remained elusive over the next three seasons, however, even as LeBron’s personal stock grew. While the team stumbled in the playoffs, LeBron rode his regular season numbers to grab back-to-back Most Valuable Player awards. Then came the move to Miami.
The Miami Heat brought together the Big Three of LeBron, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, and reached the Finals four years in a row, winning two of them — 2012 and 2013. Both seasons saw LeBron crowned the regular season MVP and the Finals MVP, such was his impact. When he returned to the Cavaliers after falling at the final hurdle in 2014, he was welcomed with open arms.
The last four years have been a mixed bag for King James, the Golden State Warriors standing between him and the ring on all four occasions. While he might wish to forget three of those Finals, 2016 will live long in the memory — the year the Cavs resurrected themselves from 3-1 down to claim the title.
The 3-6 Finals record might hurt, his attitude and decisions may sometimes draw flak, and his defence might not be what it used to be, but 15 years on, LeBron keeps turning up and keeps proving that he is still a force to reckon with.
KING JAMES
DoB: December 30, 1984
Birthplace: Akron, Ohio, USA
Height: 6ft 8in
Position: Small forward
Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers (2003-10, 2014-present), Miami Heat (2010-14)
Sunny Lyngdoh
Things LeBron has done this season that are too LeBron:
♦ Broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record of career playoff field goals when he scored one from the baseline three minutes before half-time in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics. He now has 2,457 to his name and the only other active player in the top 10 is 36-year-old Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs with 1,613.
♦ Has also made the most steals in a playoff career. He overtook Scottie Pippen’s record of 395 against the Indiana Pacers and now has 419.
♦ Has accumulated tremendous numbers in his career of 1,143 regular season games: 30,000-plus points, 8,000-plus rebounds and 8,000-plus assists (remember, these don’t include his playoff numbers). He is the only player ever to have achieved this combination, a testament to his versatility.
♦ He is now the youngest member of the 30,000-point club. Kobe Bryant had reached the milestone at the age of 34; LeBron pulled it off at 33.
♦ This season saw his first-ever ejection. That this was the only time he was asked to leave the court in his 15-year-long career is commendable.
♦ Was named a member of the All-NBA First Team for a record-setting 12th time, surpassing Kobe Bryant and Karl Malone.
Compiled by Ravjit Singh and Manjis Kar
