In his illustrious career, LeBron James has managed to compile four championships, and each one holds priceless significance.
LeBron James‘s first two titles came from his time with the Miami Heat, establishing a period of basketball dominance. Enjoying his peak form, LeBron charged the franchise towards back-to-back supremacy, with four consecutive Finals appearances.
And his last was with the Los Angeles Lakers back in 2020. His arrival two years prior paved the way for the revival of the organization in the post-Kobe Bryant era, winning it all within the unprecedented NBA Bubble in Walt Disney World in the midst of the pandemic.
The most rewarding was his 2016 championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers, one he holds dearest in his heart.
2016 Cavs title means more than anything for LeBron
In a recent podcast appearance on New Heights, James was asked about which NBA championship ring means most to him. And without hesitation, the basketball superstar answered by mentioning his 2016 run with the Cavaliers.
“We all remember our first one and we know the feeling that we had when we won our first one because of all the disappointment before that,” he said.
“All the hard work, the dedication, the things that people don’t see, the nights that we cried about what we could have done better in order for us to get that first one. And then you are able to prevail.
“That first one is so, so special. But man, it’s nothing better for me than that Cleveland one, just because of everything.”
This has to be a no-brainer response from LeBron.
Upon entering the NBA in 2003 in a groundbreaking fashion, James immediately vowed that one day he’ll bring a title to Cleveland — his beloved hometown team. Yet he was unable to do so first time around, prompting him to temporarily leave in 2010 and learn how to win with the Heat.
After four successful years in Miami, James returned to the Cavaliers much matured, poised, and ready to deliver. Through the help of Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, J.R. Smith, and Tristan Thompson, 2015-16 served as his dream season in which he finally fulfilled his promise — erasing the city’s 52-year drought in major professional sports titles.
What made it even more rewarding for LeBron and the Cavs is that they managed to pull the unthinkable to clinch the crown.
Facing a historic, regular season record-setting 73-9 Golden State Warriors, all odds were stacked against them until they came back from an impossible 3-1 Finals series deficit to win the franchise’s first-ever title.
James added: “The 50 plus years of no championship of Northeast Ohio. The seven years I was there beforehand and it took me to leave and to come back to it. To understand or appreciate it even more, being down 3-1 to the greatest team, 73-9 Warriors with Steph [Curry], Klay [Thompson], and Draymond [Green] and you know, and coming back and winning that game and winning that series for the city of Cleveland for Northeast Ohio.
“That’s why you saw the emotion.”
2016 historic for the Cavaliers
For many reasons, 2016 is indelibly etched in the NBA’s record books. But no other moments could top what LeBron and the Cavs have made during that year. It was truly a compelling fairy tale ending that forever captivates every fan who loves this game.
James holds countless unforgettable events throughout his remarkable 20-plus years in the NBA. This sport has given him tons of happiness, sadness, agony, and glory. And he finally achieved his ultimate dream of playing and sharing the court with his son Bronny.
But his 2016 championship moment with Cleveland will always have a special place in his heart.
“That year, that’s the one I would never forget,” James said. “2016 — that was an unbelievable time.”
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