So I wanted to know when LeBron got swept in the finals. Seen people arguing about it online and got curious myself. Figured I’d dig into the actual records instead of trusting random comments.
Starting the search
First thing I did was pull up all LeBron’s finals appearances. Counted them on my fingers – dude’s been to the finals like ten times or something crazy. Then I started cross-checking each series result year by year.
- 2007: That was his first finals with Cleveland, faced the Spurs
- 2011: Miami lost to Dallas but won one game
- 2014: Spurs beat Miami in five games
Wasn’t finding any sweeps yet. Kept scrolling through old box scores until…
Finding the sweeps
Finally hit 2007 – saw the numbers: Spurs won all four games. Checked the scores myself. Game 1 they lost by 9 points, Game 2 got ugly at 103-92, Game 3 was super close but Cavs choked in the last minute, Game 4 total blowout. Absolute sweep.
Thought that might be the only one. Wrong. Kept going and found 2018 when he dragged those Cavs to finals again. Facing Golden State with KD – oof. That whole series:
- Game 1: LeBron dropped 51 and they still lost in OT
- Games 2-4: Just brutal beatdowns by the Warriors
J.R. Smith’s brain fart in Game 1 still gives me secondhand embarrassment.
Why people get confused
Noticed something funny while researching. People mix this up all the time cause LeBron got swept early AND late in his career:
- 2007: Baby LeBron at age 22
- 2018: Veteran version at 33
Also found out no one ever got swept more than twice in finals. Wild that LeBron holds that record despite being so dominant most years.
Anyway, typed up my notes and tweeted about it. Got into some dumb arguments with Warriors fans who think 2018 was “proof” LeBron’s trash. Like seriously? Dude carried literal G-Leaguers to finals that year. Sweep ain’t the story – him GETTING there is.
