Factory Of Sadness
FanSided

Ranking the 8 teams LeBron James took to the NBA Finals

By Nick Dudukovich

May 30, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward LeBron James (middle) leads teammates in celebration from the bench during the second half in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward LeBron James (middle) leads teammates in celebration from the bench during the second half in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 8
Next
Mar 21, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) during the game against the Golden State Warriors at the American Airlines Center. The Warriors defeat the Mavericks 112-87. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) during the game against the Golden State Warriors at the American Airlines Center. The Warriors defeat the Mavericks 112-87. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

5. 2011 Miami Heat

It’s hard to believe, but LeBron’s second team to reach the Finals was probably more forgettable than the first.

The Heat just entered the 2011 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks with massive expectations, only to choke when the stakes were the highest.

At the beginning of the season, it was obvious, Wade, Bosh and James were still trying to feel each other out. But by the time the playoffs hit, it was clear: Miami was the team to beat in the East.

That Heat squad was superb defensively, with a 105.3 defensive rating, which was fifth in the NBA. They were also third in offensive efficiency, according to basketball-reference.

Miami cruised into the championship round, going 12-3 through the Eastern Conference, and eliminating the No. 1 seeded Bulls, 4-1, in the conference championship.

James looked poised to beat a Dallas team that appeared to be no match for the Big 3.

But then they played the games….

James had one of those check out games against the Mavericks in Game 5, as he scored just eight points on 3-of-11 shooting. It’s like James refused to shoot. The performance conjured memories of the 2010 Eastern Conference Finals in Game 5, when Cavs owner Dan Gilbert said James quit on the team.

Outside of the Big 3 and role players such as Mike Miller, Udonis Haslem and rookie Mario Chalmers, there wasn’t a ton of help on that heat squad. The next season the Heat signed veteran Shanie Battier, and the year after that, Ray Allen jumped on board to help the Heat beat the Spurts.

Home/Cleveland Cavaliers