King James Gospel
Fansided

Why being a huge underdog is a huge advantage for LeBron James and these Cleveland Cavaliers

By Duane Rohrbacher

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 25: Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James (23) reacts after hitting a three-point shot late in the game over the Celtics Jayson Tatum (not pictured) to give Cleveland a 107-96 lead, on their way to a 109-99 victory. The Boston Celtics visited the Cleveland Cavaliers for Game Six of their NBA Eastern Conference Finals playoff series at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH on May 25, 2018. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 25: Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James (23) reacts after hitting a three-point shot late in the game over the Celtics Jayson Tatum (not pictured) to give Cleveland a 107-96 lead, on their way to a 109-99 victory. The Boston Celtics visited the Cleveland Cavaliers for Game Six of their NBA Eastern Conference Finals playoff series at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH on May 25, 2018. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 19: LeBron James
OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 19: LeBron James /

History

History is actually on Cleveland’s side. While Vegas can always change its mind and make the Cleveland Cavaliers the favorites (if such as, they went up 3-0), history doesn’t change.

It’s always the same, and it can be insightful and instructive on telling us the story of the underdog who overcomes the Goliath to take the championship.

LeBron James has been on both sides of this equation. In 2011, the ruthless Dallas Mavericks, full of veterans and a prime Dirk Nowitzki, shocked his “not 3, not 4, not 5” Miami Heat dynasty.

The Mavs overcame an arrogant Miami team on the backs of a shooting wingman (foreshadowing?).

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The 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers shocked the 73-9 Golden State Warriors. The 2004 Detroit Pistons demolished the three-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. The 1995 4th seed, old Houston Rockets destroyed the young, upstart Orlando Magic with two all-NBA players.

Other Sports

In soccer, Leicester City managed a miraculous season that saw them win countless games after being counted out to take the Premier League title. The 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates overcame a Yankees team that won 10 of the last 12 championships.

The Yankees outscored the Pirates 55-27 in the series and lost. The New Jersey Devils beat the Detroit Red Wings to capture the 1995 NHL title as HUGE underdogs. The 2012 Los Angeles Kings were the 8-seed and won the NHL title.

But you’re unconvinced. I get it. Basketball is different from hockey, soccer, and baseball. Baseball consists mainly of one-on-one battles and is a different type of team sport. Hockey is just weird, and it is wildly unpredictable. And soccer has too many people on the pitch with too few goals scored to compare to basketball.

It’s true, the NBA is a league unlike any other. And that’s exactly why LeBron James can win his 4th title.