LeBron James: Two playoff anniversaries bookmarks era as No. 1 player

LeBron James’ legacy as the greatest player in his era was cemented and bookended by two memorable anniversaries.

The NBA world is still getting used to the fact that LeBron James will not be suiting up in the NBA Finals after eight straight years of competing. The Lakers collapse that kept him from being in the playoffs was enough of a seismic effect that ratings have been down throughout the playoffs.

The era of the NBA is changing rapidly with Zion Williamson coming in and the Warriors finally being vulnerable with the possibility of Kevin Durant leaving Golden State. This was an era that was dominated by King James for well over a decade. The funny thing is, it might have started and ended on exactly the same day…May 31st.

Friday, May 31st marked the anniversary of two of the greatest displays that LeBron James put on in his storied NBA career. Back in 2007, against the heavily favored Detroit Pistons, LeBron James scored 25 straight points and 29 of the Cleveland Cavaliers last 30 points to outlast the Pistons in a double overtime win. In my opinion, that was the night that LeBron James took over as the best player in the game.

May 31st also marked the anniversary of the J.R. Smith “incident” last year in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals. LeBron James was just as dominant but he could not overcome the odds as he did back in 2007. In my opinion, that was the night that he lost the title of being the best player in the game.

The only difference from the start to the finish was in 2007, the world knew that LeBron was the best player in the world at the time. Last year, not many noticed that his time at the top of the mountain was over.

Now, this article is not to start the G.O.A.T. debate all over again. That has been covered by Lake Show Life and is not up for discussion.  Also, it’s not about a comparison to Kobe Bryant and his accomplishments. It just shows that May 31st is coincidentally where the LeBron James era began and ended as the “best player” in the world.

There will be a debate of LeBron James’ spot on the all-time list, but there is no debating that these two games were easily one of the most dominant games not only of James’ playoff career but in his 16 years playing in the NBA. These two games bookmarked the LeBron James era in the NBA.

The 2019 NBA Finals features two players in the Toronto Raptors’ Kawhi Leonard and possibly Golden State’s Kevin Durant, who both are considered contenders for the title. Possibly, the winner of the Raptors/Warriors Finals will determine who will take the unofficial title of the best player in the world.

Since there is no LeBron James playing presently in the playoffs or NBA Finals, let’s take a look back at the bookmarks of one of the most celebrated runs in NBA history.