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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 Chris Elise/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Elise/Getty Images) /

1. Miami Heat (2010-2014)

The most dominant athlete in the world. LeBron James reached heights in Miami that no one outside of Michael Jordan has experienced.

James’ career with the Miami Heat began with a bang. His decision to leave Cleveland made him the most hated player the league had ever seen. Embracing the role as a villain, James and the Heat stormed through the Eastern Conference.

The 2010-11 NBA season was a weird one for James. This was the rare moment in his career where he allowed outside noise to affect his game. We could see his anger as he exploded for 10 straight points in the final two minutes to close out a second-round series versus the Boston Celtics. Never before had we seen James play with such ferocity.

Of course, this energy soon flamed out. The 2011 NBA Finals marked the lowest point of James’ career as he was outplayed by the Dallas Mavericks and surrendered the title to Dirk Nowitzki.

Following his meltdown in 2011, James was facing more pressure than ever before. Up to this point, he had still not won a championship. A fantastic regular season from LBJ helped him win his third MVP award, yet, the Heat still found themselves trailing 3-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals.

This is when James responded with one of his best games to date. James scored 45 points and grabbed 15 rebounds while shooting 19-of-26 from the floor to extend the series to seven games. LBJ went off again in Game 7, scoring 31 points and advancing to the NBA Finals.

James was not to be stopped in the 2012 NBA Finals. Righting his previous wrongs, LBJ knocked off a young Oklahoma City Thunder team in five games and secure his first Finals MVP Award. This was only the beginning for James.

In the 2012-13 season, we saw James at his absolute peak. He had the complete package on both ends of the floor. A 6’8″, 280-pound beast that could do it all. Seriously, there wasn’t a single thing he couldn’t do this season.

James’ four seasons in Miami:

  • 2010-11: 26.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.0 assists per game
  • 2011-12: 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists per game
  • 2012-13: 26.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.3 assists per game
  • 2013-14: 27.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 6.3 assists per game

He combined unbelievable strength and speed to dominate opponents. However, he was far more than just a gifted athlete, he had a legendary skill-set offensively as well.  James scored 26.8 points per game on 40.6 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 56.5 percent shooting overall.

As for defense, he was capable of defending all five positions. A jaw-dropping defender, James was named to the All-Defensive team and should have been the Defensive Player of the Year that season.

The Heat repeated as NBA champions as James averaged 31.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 2.8 steals per game across the final four games. This performance gave James his second Finals MVP award.

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James spent four years in Miami and was transformed as a player. Learning what it takes to be a winner from Dwyane Wade, James matured into perhaps the greatest player of all-time. It’s tough to pick the best version of James, but, his Miami Heat years seem to be his most impressive.

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