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Cleveland Cavaliers: Ranking each version of LeBron James

By Tony Pesta

SACRAMENTO, CA - DECEMBER 23: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers takes a break from the action during the game against the Sacramento Kings on December 23, 2009 at Arco Arena in Sacramento, California. The Cavaliers won 117-104. 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 Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - DECEMBER 23: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers takes a break from the action during the game against the Sacramento Kings on December 23, 2009 at Arco Arena in Sacramento, California. The Cavaliers won 117-104. 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 Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

3. Cleveland Cavaliers (2003-2010)

If there is one way to describe LeBron James’ first stint in Cleveland, it is wasted potential. Young LeBron was one of the most incredible athletes the world had ever seen and his raw talent as scorer made him unstoppable.

James wasted no time becoming elite. It’s easy to forget that Bron was only 22-years old when he scored 25 straight points versus the Detroit Pistons to help lead the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals. By his 26th birthday, James was a six-time All-Star and a two-time MVP.

Each season, James became more of a complete player. His speed and jumping ability were already otherworldly. Combine this with a gifted ability to see the floor and pass the ball and James was a weapon.

James’ first seven-seasons with Cleveland:

  • 6x All-Star
  • 6x All-NBA
  • 2x MVP
  • 2x All-Defensive
  • 1x Scoring Champion
  • 1x Rookie of the Year

Many cite the 2008-09 season as one of James’ most impressive. His playoff run was nothing short of incredible, averaging 35.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game on 51.0 percent shooting from the floor.

This version of LBJ was his peak in terms of athleticism. James was capable of rejecting prime Dwight Howard at the rim and outrunning the entire Orlando Magic team to dunk on the other end in the same wind.

His 2009 series against the Magic was otherworldly. He hit countless clutch shots and fell just two games short of reaching the NBA Finals yet again. Though the Cavaliers lost the series, James put up 38.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks per game.

The Cavaliers tried desperately to give James help, but, his best teammates during this stretch happened to be Mo Williams, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Antawn Jamison. This just wasn’t enough to win a championship.

It’s easy to blame the Cavaliers front office, but finding star players that were willing to leave their franchise to join James was a difficult task as the time. Throw in the fact that Cleveland is a less-than-ideal landing location for stars and we can understand the issue here.

Regardless, James reached the NBA Finals in 2007 and fell excruciatingly close in 2009. Though his lack of help was a massive roadblock, James also needed to learn how to win on his own. An extremely talented, but inexperienced James falls to third on our list.

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