The ballots for the first round have been cast, and now we move to the second round of our “LeBron’s Greatest Season” bracket.
The results were mostly true to form by seeding, with a couple notable exceptions. The No. 12 seed, 2015-16, bounced the No. 5 seed, 2005-06 – perhaps fans were sentimental about the Cavs’ earning the top seed in the East on their way to the NBA title. Also, the No. 11 seed, 2011-12, eliminated the No. 6 seed, 2004-05 – as fans opted for the Miami era over his sophomore emergence.
The season in which LeBron won his only NBA scoring title, No. 4 seed 2007-08, squeaked by No. 13 seed 2016-17 by a single vote.
Again, a bit about our methodology: Like the NBA MVP award, postseason is not included – otherwise, there wouldn’t be much suspense. Seedings are ranked by win shares, as determined by basketball-reference. The suspended 2019-20 season is not included, as we all remain optimistic it will resume at some point.
On to the second round. Cast your votes and check back Monday, April 20, shortly after noon ET for the semifinals.
Second round: April 16 – April 20 (noon ET)
Semifinals: April 20 – April 23 (noon ET)
Finals: April 23 – April 26 (noon ET)
Round 2: 1) 2008-09 vs. 9) 2013-14
No. 1 seed: 2008-09 season – Cavaliers
| G | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG |
| 81 | 37.7 | 28.4 | 7.6 | 7.2 |
LeBron earned his first MVP award while leading the Cavaliers to a franchise-record 66 victories. A year after winning the NBA scoring title, he finished second in that category to future teammate Dwyane Wade (30.2 ppg). LeBron led the NBA with 594 free throws made and won conference Player of the Week honors seven times – a single-season league record that still stands.
No. 9 seed: 2013-14 season – Heat
| G | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG |
| 77 | 37.7 | 27.1 | 6.9 | 6.3 |
In LeBron’s final season with the Heat, he ranked second in the league in field goals (767), third in points (2,089) and third in points per game despite attempting a career-low 17.6 field goals per game. All that was possible because he shot a career-best 56.7% from the field, and his 27.1 points per game was his best average during four seasons with the Heat.
Round 2: 4) 2007-08 vs. 12) 2015-16
No. 4 seed: 2007-08 season – Cavaliers
| G | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG |
| 75 | 40.4 | 30.0 | 7.9 | 7.2 |
Coming off an NBA Finals appearance for the first time, LeBron won the only scoring title of his career to date and led the NBA with 794 field goals. He also averaged 40-plus minutes per game for the fourth time in his career, but the Cavs regressed to a 45-37 record after recording back-to-back 50-win seasons.
No. 12 seed: 2015-16 season – Cavaliers
| G | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG |
| 76 | 35.6 | 25.3 | 7.4 | 6.8 |
LeBron became the first player in NBA history to average at least 25 points per game for 12 consecutive seasons – a streak that remains active in 2020 — despite playing the fewest minutes per game out of 11 seasons in a Cleveland uniform. He then memorably delivered the first championship in Cavaliers history, leading his team back from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Warriors in the NBA Finals.
Round 2: 2) 2009-10 vs. 7) 2017-18
No. 2 seed: 2009-10 season – Cavaliers
| G | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG |
| 76 | 39.0 | 29.7 | 7.3 | 8.6 |
LeBron won his second consecutive MVP award, but it turned out to be a bittersweet season for Cavs fans – as the Chosen One would depart for Miami in the offseason. He finished a close second to Kevin Durant (30.1 ppg) for the NBA scoring title and topped 50% shooting from the field for the first time. LeBron also ranked sixth in the NBA in assists per game and ninth in steals per game (1.6).
No. 7 seed: 2017-18 season – Cavaliers
| G | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG |
| 82 | 36.9 | 27.5 | 8.6 | 9.1 |
LeBron played a workhorse role in his 15th pro season, leading the NBA in minutes played (3,026) and minutes per game at age 33. He also led the league in field goals (857) and points (2,251) while finishing third in the league in points per game behind James Harden (30.4) and future Lakers teammate Anthony Davis (28.1). In the playoffs, LeBron would appear in his eighth consecutive NBA Finals.
Round 2: 3) 2012-13 vs. 11) 2011-12
No. 3 seed: 2012-13 season – Heat
| G | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG |
| 76 | 37.9 | 26.8 | 8.0 | 7.3 |
LeBron captured his fourth career MVP award while leading the Heat to a franchise-record 66 victories. He averaged eight rebounds per game for the first time and shot a career-best 40.6% from 3-point range. He also became the first player in league history to make 100-plus 3-pointers in a season while shooting at least 55 percent from the floor. LeBron and the Heat would repeat as league champions with a dramatic comeback against the Spurs in the NBA Finals.
No. 11 seed: 2011-12 season – Heat
| G | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG |
| 62 | 37.5 | 27.1 | 7.9 | 6.2 |
In a lockout-abbreviated, 66-game season, LeBron would win his third MVP award — and ultimately earn his first championship, as the Heat beat the Thunder in the NBA Finals. He was consistent across the board statistically, ranking second in the league in points (1,683), second in field goals (621), third in points per game, third in steals (115) and sixth in minutes per game.
