In 2010, Kobe Bryant led the Los Angeles Lakers to the championship, and LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers were eliminated in the playoffs by the Boston Celtics. This was the fifth and final title of Bryant’s career, and “King James” had yet to deliver the Larry O’Brien Trophy to Cleveland. While “KB24” was basking in glory, James was evicted for the second time in three seasons by the same familiar foe.
Dwyane Wade, who won a championship with the Miami Heat in 2006, revealed the conversations he had with James after Kobe Bryant won his fifth title. Wade tells the story alongside 2023 Hall of Fame inductees Pau Gasol, Tony Parker and Dirk Nowitzki (via Brandon):
“I remember turning off the TV. When Kobe (Bryant) was running and catching the ball, I was like ‘pffft’ (turning off the TV remotely). LeBron James)? (Laughs) What are you going to do?
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It was our free-agent summer. They (the Lakers) were dominant. Kobe won all these rings. I was like, ‘Wait, now he’s got five (titles) and we’ve got one? ‘”
Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers reached the NBA Finals from 2008 to 2010. They lost to the Boston Celtics in ’08, then won back-to-back titles against the Orlando Magic and a rematch with their old rival Celtics.
However, LeBron James is stuck in playoff trouble. He couldn’t get past Boston’s “Big Three” of Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. In the summer of 2010, the summer of Bryant’s championship, James controversially announced his decision to take his talents to South Beach.
James is now part of a trio that is younger and more lethal than the Boston Celtics. He has Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on his side.
LeBron James’ infamous decision to join the Miami Heat made them the favorite to win the 2011 championship. However, disaster struck as they were defeated by Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks in one of the biggest upsets in NBA Finals history.
They finally got over it when “King James,” along with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, led the “Heat” to the 2012 championship. Miami defeated Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden to capture James’ first Larry O’Brien Trophy.
LeBron James will have a chance to tie Kobe Bryant for championships next season
LeBron James has played for the Los Angeles Lakers since the summer of 2018 after finally winning a championship with Cleveland in 2016. He led the Lakers to the 2020 championship, tying them with the Boston Celtics for the most championships in NBA history (17).
James has now won four championships, just one shy of Kobe Bryant’s championship. The Lakers reached the Western Conference Finals last season but were swept by the eventual champion Denver Nuggets.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka made some smart moves this offseason to build a stronger, deeper supporting cast around James. The arrival of Christian Wood, Cam Reddish, Taurean Prince, Gabe Vincent and Jaxson Hayes strengthened the team.
Pelinka also managed to retain D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura. James hinted at retirement after the loss to the Denver Nuggets, but he should be heartened by his team’s offseason performance.
Kobe Bryant won his fifth championship in 2010, but LeBron James could catch the Lakers legend next season after not winning any.