NBA
OTD in 2012: LeBron James Won His 1st Career NBA Championship
June 21, 2012: Miami Heat defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder to earn LeBron James his first of two championships with the Florida franchise
NBA Library/YouTube
In the context of sports history, the 2012 Oklahoma City Thunder squad had the potential to become one of the greatest teams of all time. Their young roster reached the 2012 NBA Finals with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden, all before they had reached perennial MVP statuses. Facing them in the championship series was the Miami Heat’s Big Three, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade. Unlike OKC, these future Hall of Famers were in their primes and were hungry for redemption.
LEBRON JAMES WON HIS FIRST CAREER NBA CHAMPIONSHIP
LeBron James had fought through seven seasons leading up to the 2012 Finals and had little championship success to show for it. He had been in two Finals at that point, once in Cleveland where he was swept by the Spurs, and once the year prior where he and the Miami Heat collapsed against the Dallas Mavericks. Miami had an all-time roster on paper. Losing back-to-back Finals would be a monumental hit to all individual legacies involved, from players to coach Erik Spoelstra.
The Thunder won Game 1 behind a 36-point performance from Kevin Durant, their sole victory of the series. Miami’s experience and talent would prove too much for a squad just coming into their own. LeBron would win his first championship, along with Chris Bosh, as well as his first Finals MVP. The Heat would repeat at champions, beating the San Antonio Spurs the following year but would fail to 3-peat. After losing, Oklahoma City traded Sixth Man of the Year James Harden to Houston where he would develop into an MVP.
June 21, 2012: Big 3-led Miami #Heat defeated the young, budding stars of the Oklahoma City #Thunder in Game 5 to clinch Finals MVP LeBron James’ 1st Championship after he recorded a triple-double
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 21, 2021
pic.twitter.com/9nz2aDpomS
Share this LeBron James Championship article with friends and follow for more great sports content!
