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NBA: 30 greatest playmakers in NBA history

By Jerran Anderson

(Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

4. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers/Miami Heat/Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James has built quite the legacy for himself since joining the NBA after the 2003 NBA Draft. It’s hard to imagine he won’t go down as one of the best playmakers in the history of the league, given his dominance 16 seasons in.

James has taken home four MVP awards, three NBA titles, three Finals MVP awards, the 2003-04 NBA Rookie of the Year award and a scoring title in 2007-08 since joining the NBA ranks. He currently ranks fifth all-time in league history in points (31,949) and 11th in assists (8,446) as the ultimate point-forward with the ball in his hands.

He won back-to-back titles in his second season with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013, beginning a trend of eight straight appearances in the NBA Finals. Through those appearances, he’s made four appearances with the Heat and four appearances with the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2011 up until this past season.

James led the Cavaliers to their first NBA championship in franchise history in 2016. In all three NBA title victories, he earned the Finals MVP award as the unsung playmaker on the floor. He still had help, though. In Miami, he had the help of Dwyae Wade and Chris Bosh. In Cleveland, he had the help of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love.

Now, he’s looking to win another title with the Los Angeles Lakers. It’ll be a steeper hill to climb in the Western Conference, but like most challenges he’s faced, James always finds a way to win.