At age 35, LeBron James is already on the short list of the greatest players in basketball history.
In reflecting on his career to this point, it’s interesting to compare and contrast his performances at different stages of his development. Is experienced LeBron is better than young LeBron? Was LeBron better with the Heat or the Cavaliers?
Let’s get even more specific: What was LeBron’s greatest NBA season?
LeBron Wire aims to answer that question with your help. Below is the first round of our “LeBron’s Greatest Season” voting bracket.
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.
Without further ado, let the balloting begin. Vote early and often!
First round: April 13 – April 16 (noon ET)
Second round: April 16 – April 20 (noon ET)
Semifinals: April 20 – April 23 (noon ET)
Finals: April 23 – April 26 (noon ET)
Round 1: 1) 2008-09 vs. 16) 2003-04
No. 1 seed: 2008-09 season – Cavaliers
| Age | G | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG |
| 23/24 | 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. 16 seed: 2003-04 season – Cavaliers
| Age | G | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG |
| 18/19 | 79 | 39.5 | 20.9 | 5.5 | 5.9 |
LeBron was only 18 when he debuted as a professional, so his rookie stats should be viewed in that context. He shot 41.7% from the field that season, the only time in his career below 47%. Nevertheless, he was named Rookie of the Year, joining Amar’e Stoudemire as the only winners who went directly from high school to the NBA.
Round 1: 8) 2006-07 vs. 9) 2013-14
No. 8 seed: 2006-07 season – Cavaliers
| Age | G | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG |
| 21/22 | 78 | 40.9 | 27.3 | 6.7 | 6.0 |
In his fourth pro season, LeBron’s statistics dipped slightly from 2005-06 as he dealt with several minor injuries – and maybe he was saving some mojo for the playoffs, where he would lead the Cavs to their first NBA Finals appearance. LeBron led the league with 3,190 total minutes played and ranked third in minutes per game.
No. 9 seed: 2013-14 season – Heat
| Age | G | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG |
| 28/29 | 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 1: 5) 2005-06 vs. 12) 2015-16
No. 5 seed: 2005-06 season – Cavaliers
| Age | G | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG |
| 20/21 | 79 | 42.5 | 31.4 | 7.0 | 6.6 |
LeBron averaged career highs in points, field-goal attempts (23.1) and minutes per game (42.5) as a third-year pro. He led Cleveland to a 50-win season as the Cavs reached the playoffs for the first time since 1997-98. LeBron won three consecutive conference Player of the Week honors at one point during this season, the first time anyone had achieved such a feat in league history.
No. 12 seed: 2015-16 season – Cavaliers
| Age | G | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG |
| 30/31 | 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 1: 4) 2007-08 vs. 13) 2016-17
No. 4 seed: 2007-08 season – Cavaliers
| Age | G | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG |
| 22/23 | 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. 13 seed: 2016-17 season – Cavaliers
| Age | G | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG |
| 31/32 | 74 | 37.8 | 26.4 | 8.6 | 8.7 |
One season after lifting the Cavs to their first championship, LeBron remained a model of consistency by becoming the first NBA player to average at least 25 points, eight rebounds and eight assists while shooting at least 54% from the field in a single season. He also led the NBA in minutes per game at age 32, and his 54.8% field-goal shooting represented his best mark in 11 seasons with the Cavs.
Round 1: 2) 2009-10 vs. 15) 2018-19
No. 2 seed: 2009-10 season – Cavaliers
| Age | G | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG |
| 24/25 | 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. 15 seed: 2018-19 season – Lakers
| Age | G | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG |
| 33/34 | 55 | 35.2 | 27.4 | 7.4 | 8.5 |
In his first season with the Lakers, LeBron played a career-low 55 games due to a nagging groin injury. Nevertheless, his performance was good enough to be selected third-team All-NBA while starting in his 15th consecutive All-Star Game. The Lakers ultimately would miss the postseason, marking the first time LeBron didn’t appear in the playoffs since the 2004-05 season.
Round 1: 7) 2017-18 vs. 10) 2010-11
No. 7 seed: 2017-18 season – Cavaliers
| Age | G | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG |
| 32/33 | 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.
No. 10 seed: 2010-11 season – Heat
| Age | G | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG |
| 25/26 | 79 | 38.8 | 26.7 | 7.5 | 7.0 |
The Miami era of LeBron’s career began with massive media coverage and lofty expectations. Despite sharing touches with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, LeBron led the NBA with 758 field goals and finished second in points per game. He led the league with four triple-doubles during the regular season and also recorded the second triple-double in All-Star Game history.
Round 1: 6) 2004-05 vs. 11) 2011-12
No. 6 seed: 2004-05 season – Cavaliers
| Age | G | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG |
| 19/20 | 80 | 42.4 | 27.2 | 7.4 | 7.2 |
LeBron made statistical leaps in his sophomore season and led the league in minutes per game. He also recorded a career-best 2.2 steals per game. The Cavs won 42 games this season but failed to qualify for the postseason despite a seven-victory improvement from 2003-04. It would be the last time LeBron missed the playoffs until the 2018-19 season.
No. 11 seed: 2011-12 season – Heat
| Age | G | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG |
| 26/27 | 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.
Round 1: 3) 2012-13 vs. 14) 2014-15
No. 3 seed: 2012-13 season – Heat
| Age | G | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG |
| 27/28 | 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. 14 seed: 2014-15 season – Cavaliers
| Age | G | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG |
| 29/30 | 69 | 36.1 | 25.3 | 6.0 | 7.4 |
LeBron performed consistently in his first season back with the Cavs despite battling several minor injuries, as Cleveland won 53 games. He ranked third in the league in points per game, fourth in points (1,743), fifth in minutes per game and seventh in assists per game. In the postseason, LeBron would lead the Cavs to the first of four consecutive NBA Finals appearances against the Warriors.
Check back on Thursday, April 16 shortly after noon ET for Round 2 of the “LeBron’s Greatest Season” bracket.
