Ranking the 12 best players that LeBron James has played with

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Jan 15, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao (17) gets a rebound during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

LeBron Teammate #10: Anderson Varejao

Cavaliers fans and early LeBron fans will remember Anderson Varejao, who spent all but two of his 12 seasons in Cleveland, eight of which were with LeBron. In addition to his distinctive curly Afro, Varejao also had a distinctive game. Every good team needs a defensive-minded player, and he was certainly that, and his versatility on the end of the floor proved to be big on an up-and-coming Cavaliers team.

Varejao joined the Cavaliers in 2004, the season after LeBron was drafted, and quickly carved out a role as a defensive stopper and rebounder. At 6’10, he could battle big men in the post while also being nimble enough to stay in front of guards on switches. In the early 2000s, that was a rarity, and he developed a reputation as being a defensive pest due to his up-close style and knack for taking charges.

Actually, he led the NBA in forcing offensive fouls in 2006-07 during his first tenure with the Cavaliers. That came in handy during the Cavaliers’ unlikely run to the NBA Finals in 2007, with Varejao playing a key role. Although LeBron and company fell short going up against the San Antonio Spurs, Varejao held his own in that series even though he was tasked with guarding Hall of Famer Tim Duncan and switching on to another Hall of Famer, Tony Parker.

During LeBron’s four seasons in Miami, Varejao stayed in Cleveland, but when LeBron returned, Varejao was entering a different phase of his career. He was later traded to the Golden State Warriors and played against the Cavaliers in the 2016 NBA finals. Ironically, the Cavs came back to beat the Warriors in seven games, with Varejao unintentionally playing a role in the Warriors’ collapse.

He played just 8 minutes in game seven but was -9 and had three personal fouls, helping the Cavs turn the tide and win the title. Even though he was a longtime Cavalier, he declined Cleveland’s offer of a championship ring, though he won one as a member of the Warriors the following year.

Although he and LeBron never won a championship together, he did help him make the NBA Finals early in his career and was a key part of several great Cavaliers teams. Therefore, Varejao earns a spot on the list of LeBron’s best teammates.