LeBron James will begin his quest for a third title Thursday night, with the start of the 2015 NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and his Cleveland Cavaliers. This marks James' fifth straight appearance in the Finals and sixth overall.
However these Finals should turn out, King James has delivered plenty of memorable moments in basketball's championship round through the years. Tech Times took the liberty to select five of his best Finals moments here.
Overcomes Leg Cramps to Defeat Thunder
Entering the 2012 NBA Finals, LeBron James was 0-2 in the championship round without any rings to show for his troubles. But King James wouldn't be denied again... even if it meant overcoming leg cramps late in Game 4 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and his then-Miami Heat.
James fought off the pain and returned late in the game to score a go-ahead three-pointer with just under three minutes left. He wound up with 26 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds in the Heat's win. Refuse to be denied.
King James Savors First Championship
It wasn't until his ninth NBA season – including two failed Finals trips along the way – that LeBron James finally got to taste a league title. King James clinched his first championship ring, leading the Miami Heat to a five-game Finals win over Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2012. Finally... the weight was off his shoulders.
Ray Allen's Game, LeBron James's Work
Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals will always be remembered for Ray Allen's electrifying game-tying, season-saving three-pointer with 5.2 remaining in regulation. The Miami Heat wound up defeating the San Antonio Spurs in overtime and Allen was deemed the clutch hero.
But please don't forget that LeBron absolutely scorched the Spurs for 32 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in that game. Oh yeah, 16 of those points came in the fourth quarter.
The Second Time Was Sweeter
While winning his first NBA championship might have simply felt like a relief and giant burden off his shoulders, you can just tell that James thoroughly enjoyed clinching his second league title in 2013. Not only because it came as the back end of a back-to-back championship win, but because they did it by surviving a battle of attrition in a grueling seven-game series against the San Antonio Spurs.
Exhausted and overjoyed... those were the emotions and feelings running through the King after he clinched his second straight crown.
James Closes Miami Heat Chapter
Sometimes you have to close one chapter to open up another in life. After the Miami Heat lost to the San Antonio Spurs in five games in the 2014 NBA Finals, a distraught James took the postgame podium with then-teammate Dwyane Wade.
Perhaps it was fitting that James wore all black with black shades... it was the end of an era. This was the last time we would see James with the Heat. If it wasn't for that loss, who knows? Maybe LeBron wouldn't have came back home to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers and find himself back in the NBA Finals for a fifth time.
Full circle. Important moment.
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