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Where does this Finals MVP rank all-time in LeBron James’s career?

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts with his MVP trophy and Finals trophy after winning the 2020 NBA Championship over the Miami Heat in Game Six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts with his MVP trophy and Finals trophy after winning the 2020 NBA Championship over the Miami Heat in Game Six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) – LeBron James
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) – LeBron James

3. 2012

  • LeBron’s stats for the series: 28.6 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 7.4 APG while shooting 47.2%/18.8%/82.6%
  • Opponent: Oklahoma City Thunder (47-19 regular season record, #2 in regular-season offensive rating, #11 in regular-season defensive rating)

This Finals series might actually be the most important one of LeBron’s career. After a massive underperformance the year before against the Dallas Mavericks, the Big three and LeBron’s reputation were on the line. He had already saved it once in the Eastern Conference Finals against Boston in might very well have been the greatest game he’s ever played.

But this season was championship or bust for LeBron and the Heat. Had he lost once again he and the Heat would’ve been ridiculed by all NBA circles.

The Miami Heat would’ve become the poster child for a failed experiment and would’ve lived in infamy. They were facing a young team in the OKC Thunder led by the star trio of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden.

LeBron and the Heat responded after losing Game 1 of the series and rattled off 4 straight wins to win the championship.

The Thunder had no answer for James, their best chance was guarding him on the perimeter with Thabo Sefolosha and meet him at the rim with Serge Ibaka. LeBron was having none of that and dominated the Thunder and saved his reputation.