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NBA Draft: Each team’s greatest draft pick of all-time

By Daniel Lubofsky

MIAMI - NOVEMBER 12: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat and LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers take a breather on November 12, 2009 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI - NOVEMBER 12: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat and LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers take a breather on November 12, 2009 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Greatest draft pick in Cleveland Cavaliers history: LeBron James

It’s no hyperbole to suggest no player has meant more to a single franchise than LeBron James and his 11-year tenure with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Born in Akron, Ohio, LeBron was drafted by the Cavs with the No. 1 overall pick back in 2003. Since then he was nothing but all-time great for a team lacking in overall success as an organization.

His first seven seasons in The Land were fun, highlighted by a phenomenal one-man showing that helped the Cavs to their first-ever appearance in the NBA Finals back in 2007. It was his most recent stint with the wine and gold, though, that has endeared him to basketball fans all across the globe and truly cemented his all-time great legacy.

From the moment he returned in the summer of 2014, James’ impact was felt as a two-time NBA champion and the best player in the world who would hold his teammates to the highest of standards. We know what he brought to the court as one of the best all-around talents in league history, and it was a package put on display every single night no matter the circumstances.

He took the Cavaliers to four consecutive NBA Finals after the team had spent the previous four seasons deep in the lottery. There were injuries and roster turnover throughout, but the one constant was No. 23, constantly raising the bar on his individual greatness with incredible all-time performances.

His ability to do any and everything necessary to win was on full display in ending Cleveland’s 52-year title drought with a title in 2016. To lead a team to victory down 3-1 while leading both sides in five major statistical categories are two things we thought would never occur, and yet there LeBron was, etching his name even deeper into the record books.

It would’ve been great to see James finish his career where it started, and it may happen down the line. Cavalier fans aren’t as bitter this time around as they were in the summer of 2010, all because of one man’s desire and goal to fulfill a promise not many believed he would ever able to make good on.

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