LeBron James on NBA Finals Adversity

LeBron James says that his disappointing first NBA Finals appearance is what made him the player he is today.

There was a time when LeBron James was not the dominating basketball force we see today. Back in 2007, his Cavaliers team were swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the Finals.

LeBron James says the defeat to the legendary Spurs team gave him something to strive towards.

“Well, I mean, obviously they were the better team,” LeBron said.

“Dealing with Timmy and Manu and Tony and Pop, four Hall of Famers, I knew it would be challenging, not only for myself but for our franchise and for our ball club. I saw the way they approached every game, how they approached every possession. They didn’t make mistakes, they weren’t just happy with being there; they wanted to be great, as a unit and as individuals as well.”

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On the verge of his 10th Finals appearance, Lebron hasn’t forgotten the path that brought him here. 

“I sensed that as a 22-year-old, and I saw that as a 22-year-old. That helped shape me year after year after year after year, just holding on to that feeling of not being able to reach the ultimate goal. But at the same time, like I said, just having that adversity and having those moments has put me in a position where I’ve been throughout my career.”

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“That’s all because of the competition, the adversity, the losses and everything I’ve been through throughout the course of my career. At that point in time I say I’ve got to work on this because that’s what they’re allowing me to have; now I’ve got to work on this because they’re shutting this down in my game. It’s just, like I said, the best teacher in life is life experience, and I’ve experienced it all.”