On this date: LeBron James wins first NBA championship
When LeBron James joined the Miami Heat in 2010 and teamed with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, just about everyone expected them to become the NBA’s next dynasty.
Instead, James and his mates collapsed in epic fashion in the 2011 NBA Finals, and many began to question if he had what it took to win it all.
But he silenced his critics with a monster performance in Game 6 of the 2012 Eastern Conference finals to drive his team back to the championship series.
In the fifth contest of the NBA Finals versus the Oklahoma City Thunder, James finally had the opportunity to win the sport’s greatest prize.
The Thunder featured a young Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant and James Harden, but they were only able to win Game 1 while dropping multiple close games afterward.
Game 5 saw the Heat build a double-digit lead in the second quarter, and the Thunder never threatened.
Miami’s 121-106 win finally gave James his first world championship ring nine years into his career. He also won the Finals MVP award and put up 26 points, 11 rebounds, 13 assists and two blocked shots to put the Heat over the top.
After two years of harsh criticism, James could finally hold his head high in victory.
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