LeBron James could not step over the line and win an NBA title until he ended up with the Miami Heat. Two championships there then transformed the superstar into an all-time great. That helped him build that mindset which he has utilized in his illustrious career.
Those two championships were a culmination of all the work he had put in since coming in as arguably one of the most hyped teenagers to come into the sport. In his first seven seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he led them to five straight postseasons‘ where they made it to at least the Conference semifinals.
Continuous disappointments led him to team up with close friends and fellow draft class stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. After winning two titles, he returned home to see a Billboard in his hometown of Akron. That Billboard was put up by Dan Le Batard, who worked for ESPN at the time. However, it put him in a spot of trouble as he revealed while on The OGs Show.
I remember how I got suspended cause I’m trying to put LeBron Billboards up in Akron telling him, ‘You’re Welcome, love Miami’. I got suspended for it.
Dan Le Batard said
Dan Le Batard says ESPN suspended him for putting up a billboard in Akron that told LeBron James, “You’re welcome,” suggesting that Miami gave him two rings 😅
(🎥 @theOGsShow / https://t.co/ePYdQkbros) pic.twitter.com/srGKEjAbo8
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 17, 2025
That Billboard was his way of telling LeBron James that he should be thankful that the Miami Heat helped him get over the hump. Those two NBA titles were a gift from the franchise to him. However, it led to a suspension as ESPN did not want that Billboard to create a negative discourse.
LeBron James’ two Miami Heat titles helped him get over the hump
Those first seven years with the Cleveland Cavaliers pushed him to leave his hometown team. He was already a superstar, but the NBA title alluded him and many questioned his greatness. The first season with the Miami Heat saw them lose to the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals.
That pushed the narrative that LeBron James was not built for the big occasions. Those criticisms fueled him to make changes to his life. He sought advice from legends of the game and worked with Hakeem Olajuwon to enhance his skills.
The following season, he took his play up a notch. He won his third league MVP award despite playing alongside two superstars. Then he took over the NBA Finals and won himself his first NBA title. The following season, he did the same and established himself as one of the best.
Then when he returned home, he led his Cleveland Cavaliers to their first ever NBA title. That 2016 NBA Finals is where the Akron native showed his greatness, bringing out his leadership along with elite plays on both ends of the floor and becoming the only team to ever come back from 1-3 down to win the title.
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