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(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
The latter half of the 2010s was marked by one of the most talked about rivalries in the modern NBA. For four consecutive years, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors would meet on the Finals stage. LeBron James was in his second stint with the Cavs and had led them to a heroic 3-1 comeback in 2016. However, the power scales changed in 2018 as Kevin Durant joined the Bay one season prior. Likewise, it would take a superhuman effort from the King to have even a chance to win against the stacked Warriors. Game 1 would arguably be his greatest performance in a long history of NBA finals. Despite ending on the losing side, the 18-time All-Star didn’t fail to win the hearts of Avengers star, Jeremy Renner.
KD and the Warriors had their sights set on winning back-to-back titles. A familiar face in LeBron James stood in their path. However, Cleveland had suffered a significant loss with Kyrie Irving not a part of the roster anymore. The situation left the Akron Hammer to carry all the offensive load.
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Most of the analysts wrote the Warriors’ name on the Larry O’Brien even before the series began. However, a single herculean effort by LeBron James in Game 1 left everyone speechless. Erupting for his first 50-point game in the NBA finals, the King nearly stunned the unshakeable Warriors. In a war that was full of drama, actors Renner and Jon Hamm enjoyed the action from the best seats. After the game, Hawkeye hit right on the money crediting James for playing showtime basketball all night.
LeBron James gave Jeremy Renner and Jon Hamm more action than a movie
Game 1 of the 2018 NBA finals was arguably one of the wildest experiences for any NBA fan. A night that had it all from fights to highlight plays. However, the most memorable moment would be when J.R. Smith didn’t put up a shot at the end of regulation. His mistake would ruin one of LeBron James’ greatest Finals outings. His mammoth night might have gone in vain. However, Renner and Hamm were convinced they had seen a real-life superhero.
Fresh off the action, the Avengers star said, “I think he is really trying to be an actor anyway. So he is just making a play to be in the big screen.”
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BOSTON, MA – MAY 25: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates his dunk in the third quarter against the Boston Celtics on during Game Five of the 2017 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 25, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The four-time Finals MVP put up a monster performance compiling 51 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists. However, after Smith’s shocker gave the Golden State Warriors a chance to regroup. Their star power proved to be too much in overtime as the defending champion would win 124-114.
Despite the loss, LeBron James went down as a hero fighting for his hometown with all he had. Years later, Renner’s words would come true as the King was the lead in ‘Space Jam 2’. Now, at the age of 38, the spectacular shows of the Los Angeles Lakers forward continue to amaze the NBA world.
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Ranking his Game 1 explosion, where would you place it among the all-time great Finals performances from King James? Let us know your views in the comments below.
