Drew Gooden at Cleveland Cavaliers banking on LeBron James' grit to enter 2007 NBA finals: “I want to glorify how raw & talented LeBron James was”
LeBron James has had numerous impressive accomplishments throughout his illustrious career. But former teammate Drew Gooden believes one season ranks above the others when talking about James' greatness.
James has made it to the NBA Finals 10 times, winning four championships. While his Finals record has often been discussed, the fact that James has been able to reach the championship round so many times deserves recognition.
During the 2006-07 season, LeBron James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 50-32 record, finishing as the second seed in the Eastern Conference. Given the overall strength of the Cavaliers roster, it was a remarkable accomplishment for James.
It would also the first time that James led his team to the NBA Finals. In the Eastern Conference finals against the Detroit Pistons, James had one of his first legendary playoff moments. In the final two games of the series, LeBron averaged 34.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game.
Eventually, the Cavaliers made it to the NBA Finals, where they were overpowered by the San Antonio Spurs in four games. Speaking to TMZ, former Cavaliers teammate Drew Gooden praised just how special LeBron's playoff run was. Gooden even admitted it was one of the least talented groups that James had led to the Finals.
“I think they might be halfway right on that one,” Gooden when asked by a TMZ reporter about the flack that roster has received over the years. “The reason why, I ain’t gon’ say scrubs, but, you know what, I just want that to glorify how raw and talented LeBron James was at that age.
“We were the least talented group that he led to the Finals."
LeBron James’ former teammate says 2007 Cavs was ‘least talented group’ he ever took to Finals: cavaliersnation.com/2022/12/30/leb…
Drew Gooden comments on LeBron James' time with Cleveland Cavaliers
When talking about some of the greatest players to step foot in the NBA, championships become a focus area. That is no different when talking about LeBron James' career.
While James has a 4-6 all-time record in the Finals, the fact that he got specific rosters to that stage is remarkable. On the 2006-07 roster, James was the leading scorer at 27.3 ppg.
The next closest was former veteran guard Larry Hughes (14.9). Drew Gooden was next at 11.1. The 2006-07 Finals featured the Cavaliers going up against the juggernaut San Antonio Spurs, who had Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.
"This is gonna be your league."
With LeBron James passing Tim Duncan for No. 2 in all-time playoff wins on Saturday, we look back at the moment the two superstars shared after the 2007 NBA Finals. https://t.co/zYMurnDBrF
It was clear that the Cavaliers were overmatched, even with James leading the way. James averaged 22.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg and 6.8 apg during the finals. He shot just 35.6%, as the Spurs did everything to keep him from defeating them.