LeBron James is one of the greatest players in NBA history and he has also played on some all-time great teams. James is arguably the player with the highest basketball IQ in NBA history and he impacts the game on every level.
A 4-time NBA champion and 4-time Finals MVP, James has been a part of some all-time great teams and has had some Hall of Fame teammates. Here are all the greatest LeBron James championship teams ranked until the single best.
4. 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers
Key Players: LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, J.R. Smith, Tristan Thompson
The 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers team accomplished the most difficult NBA championship in LeBron’s career, and probably the most difficult one any team won ever. Down 3-1 to the Golden State Warriors led by Stephen Curry, the Cavaliers season was close to being over. This would have marked LeBron’s 5th loss in the Finals, which would have taken his (then) Finals record to 2-5. But LeBron James and Kyrie Irving would not let that happen.
By completing the most historically great Finals comeback, LeBron James and the Cavaliers won 3 straight games to knock off the Golden State Warriors in shocking fashion. The Cavaliers Big Three of LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love were sensational in their own way. LeBron James averaged an incredible 29.7 PPG, 11.3 RPG, and 8.9 APG while Kyrie Irving put up 27.1 PPG, 3.9 RPG, and 3.9 APG. Irving hit the biggest shot of the series with a contested 3-pointer over Stephen Curry which ultimately sealed the deal and earned LeBron James his 3rd NBA title.
3. 2020 Los Angeles Lakers
Key Players: LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Rajon Rondo, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Dwight Howard
The 2020 Los Angeles Lakers overcame a very difficult year dampened greatly with the Coronavirus pandemic and police brutality. With the NBA suspended for a few months, it took a valiant effort on behalf of all teams to return play in “The Bubble” in Orlando. Out of all the teams, the Los Angeles Lakers had the best overall team.
LeBron James was the best player in the world, and he had the best teammate in the NBA in Anthony Davis. The biggest shocker was the play of 33-year old Rajon Rondo, who was the third-best player for LeBron’s Lakers. By taking out the underdog Miami Heat in 6 games, the Lakers reigned supreme over the league once again. LeBron won Finals MVP by averaging 29.8 PPG, 11.8 RPG, and 8.5 APG. Anthony Davis helped by chipping in 25.0 PPG and 11.7 RPG, while Rajon Rondo provided invaluable leadership on the court and averaged 8.7 PPG and 5.5 APG.
2. 2012 Miami Heat
Key Players: LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Shane Battier, Mario Chalmers
The 2012 Miami Heat is possibly the most memorable team that LeBron James played for because it was the group that helped deliver LeBron James his first NBA title. The 2012 NBA Finals saw LeBron’s Miami Heat compete against Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder. In a beatdown of 5 games, LeBron James willed the Heat to capture his very first NBA ring. James was by far the best player in the world and his two All-Star teammates were too much to handle.
The young Oklahoma City Thunder stood no chance even with a superstar like Kevin Durant. Durant was outstanding by averaging 30.6 PPG throughout the series, but the series was all about the Miami Heat Big Three. LeBron James captured Finals MVP by averaging 28.6 PPG, 10.2 RPG, and 7.4 APG while Dwyane Wade chipped in 22.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG, and 5.2 APG. Chris Bosh was a valuable third option by contributing 14.6 PPG and 9.4 RPG as well.
1. 2013 Miami Heat
Key Players: LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Ray Allen, Mario Chalmers
The 2013 Miami Heat won the NBA title in back-to-back fashion, with once again LeBron James capturing Finals MVP. This squad was the most talented squad that LeBron James ever played on because of one key addition made in the 2013 off-season: Ray Allen. Ray Allen made a very controversial decision to join the Miami Heat after he failed to negotiate a contract with the Boston Celtics. By essentially joining the enemy, LeBron James had too much support for any team to handle.
With the series at 3-2, the Spurs had Game 6 in the bag. They tasted champagne, and it was almost all but over. But the Miami Heat, led by LeBron James, fought back to create arguably the most clutch shot in playoff history by Ray Allen. Allen’s contested three sent the game to overtime, allowing the Heat to keep fighting towards a Game 7. Game 7 was all about LeBron James, who dropped 37 points to win the NBA title. LeBron’s team of Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Ray Allen, and Mario Chalmers were all important pieces in what was the best squad LeBron ever played in.
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