Cleveland Cavaliers: 15 best forwards of all-time
1. player. 156. . SF. (2003-10, 2014-18). LeBron James
LeBron James is currently a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, but he’s bound to end his career in a Cavaliers jersey. Don’t be surprised if his number ends up hanging in the rafters after multiple stops in The Land. James led Cleveland to its only NBA title, as well as five appearances in the NBA Finals during his 12 years with the Cavaliers.
He won the NBA scoring title during the 2007-08 season, averaging a career-high 30.0 points per game. During that year, he racked up two 50+ point games, five 40+ point games, along with seven triple-doubles in just his fourth season in the league.
James was an all-around player in his time with Cleveland. He currently ranks first all-time in franchise history in points (23,119), rebounds (6,190), assists (6,228), steals (1,376), field goals made (8,369) and 3-pointers made (1,251). It’ll be tough sledding passing him in the stat book for those that come behind him.
As the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, James became the changing face of a franchise the moment he stepped on the floor. He produced 27.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.6 steals per contest through 849 appearances for the team. While he did briefly leave and join the Miami Heat, his return in 2014 led to the team’s first NBA title in franchise history in 2016.
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In his final season with the Cavaliers, James showed no signs of slowing down at the age of 34. He put up a career-high 52 double-doubles and 18 triple-doubles en route to his eighth-straight NBA Finals appearance split evenly between the Heat and Cavaliers at four-straight apiece. There’s possibly more to come while he’s with the Lakers but for now, James remains as the best forward in Cavaliers history.