Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron James' Finals quests have NOT been easy

Cleveland Cavaliers: A complete guide to the East NOT being weak

AUBURN HILLS, MI - NOVEMBER 19: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers practices his pre game ritual before a game against the Detroit Pistons on November 19, 2008 at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by D. Lippitt/Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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MIAMI, FL – MAY 30: Greg Oden /

When discussing Cleveland Cavaliers’ superstar, LeBron James, long list of achievements, one accomplishment that comes at the very forefront is the seven straight NBA Finals appearances.

A feat no one since Bill Russell’s Celtics has accomplished. Unfortunately, many critics, to this day, still think LeBron James’ path was much easier than other legends. Is this really true or is it just a popular opinion? Have the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers been gifted an easy road or have they created one?

From the 1998-99 NBA season—the year after Mark Price retired—to the 2002-03 NBA season—the year before the Cavaliers drafted LeBron James—the Cavs had a measly winning percentage of just .351%. They hadn’t won more than 50 games since 1992 and it seemed that Cleveland could do nothing to right their ship.

That all changed the night of June 26, 2003, when the Cavaliers drafted LeBron James with the number one pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. The minute he stepped on the hardwood he sent shockwaves throughout the entire league. He nearly doubled the Cavs winning percentage his first year—winning 35 games and then went on to win 42 games his second year.

The Cavs didn’t make the playoffs any of the first two years, but their time was coming and they knew it.