These detractors never fail to remind him: LeBron James has a negative record in the final with 3 wins for 6 losses. Wednesday evening, after the victory of Game 1 against the Heat, he had mentioned 2011 and this significant setback against the Mavericks. The “Three Amigos” had the whole NBA against them, and Dirk Nowitzki and his teammates reacted perfectly after losing the first game to a transparent LeBron.
Nine years later, he obviously does not want any relaxation from his teammates, and Thursday, he was also reminded of another trauma: the “sweep” suffered in 2007 against Spurs.
« Obviously, they were the best team. You had to deal with Timmy, Manu, Tony and Pop, four Hall of Famers, and I knew it would be a challenge, not just for me, but for the team and our franchise. I saw their way of approaching each game, approaching each possession. They didn’t make mistakes. They weren’t satisfied with being in the final, and they wanted to become the greatest, collectively and individually. »
The advantage to the Lakers is that some of his teammates have already been NBA champions or have already reached the Finals. But at the time, it was very fresh for him.
« I felt it when I was 22, and I saw it when I was 22. It has helped shape me year after year just to think about how I hadn’t been able to achieve the ultimate goal. But at the same time, as I said, finding myself in the face of this adversity and living these moments has allowed me to live that all my career. »
We also remember this hug at the end of the 2007 Finals. Tim Duncan, then at the top of his basketball, approaches LeBron James and slips him a few words: “ I love the way you behave with your teammates. Don’t change anything, stay as you are. Very soon, this league will be yours. “Before adding, laughing:” But I appreciate that you left us the title this year! »
