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Cavaliers forward LeBron James in action against the Clippers on Friday, Jan. 16, 2015, at Staples Center in Los Angeles. (Photo by Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
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Cavaliers forward LeBron James in action against the Clippers on Friday, Jan. 16, 2015, at Staples Center in Los Angeles. (Photo by Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
LeBron James made a name for himself as soon as he set foot in the league. Today, he is compared to the likes of legendary Michael Jordan and is constantly part of the GOAT debate against MJ. His dominance existed ever since his first few years in the NBA, and Metta Sandiford Artest is a testament to that.
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Originally drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers, he spent the first 7 years of his career with them. But his first stint with them did not come to fruition, and he made just one NBA Finals appearance in 2007. With no hopes of winning the championship there, he moved his talents to the Miami Heat.
Playing alongside Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade changed LeBron’s career for good. Winning a pair of titles with the Heat, they made it to the Finals four times in a row. Had James not gone to Miami, would he achieve as much? The first seven years with the Cavs were filled with amazing statistics for LeBron, but that means nothing if a title isn’t under your belt.
The pieces were just not right with the Cavs at the time. But when he made his return in 2014, he fulfilled his dream of bringing in a title for them. With that, it is safe to say that his time with the Cavs wasn’t much of a failure.
Metta Sandiford-Artest was furious with LeBron James
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Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, right, and Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James have their game face on as they guard each other in the fourth quarter at the Staples Center in Los Angeles Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008. Lakers lost 9895. LeBron James scored 14 of his 41 points in the fourth quarter. Kobe Bryant finished with 33 points. (Photo by Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Now known as Metta World Peace, was one of the most renowned defenders in the league, the retired player revealed details about his most frustrating game against LeBron James when he was playing for the Indiana Pacers.
On ‘Showtime Basketball’, Metta narrated, “LeBron came into the league. The first game in Indiana, I was so pissed. The first game in Indiana, he gave me 25. He went to the fans and said ‘this is your best defender.’ Right? I hear this. I’m f****** furious.”
“I’m super f****** pissed. He was disrespecting me and I want to walk up to this m*********** but he bust my ass,” said Metta. “That was like wow! This is crazy!”
However, Metta said that this is one reason he respects LeBron. This isn’t surprising. As LeBron is in the 17th season of his career with the Lakers, he is going as strong as ever. Some believe his prime may never end. What do you think?
