NBA Champions Led By Just One Player

LeBron James is 2 wins away from his 3rd NBA Championship, but his first with garbage playing along side him.  Of course Kyrie Irving (3rd Team All-NBA) and Kevin Love (3x All-Star) are hurt, and what is left?  Knicks castoffs, scrubs, Tristan Thompson and his offensive rebounding (I guess?).  It's underwhelming.  This would be the most impressive accomplishment in LeBron's impressive (for lack of a better word) career.

Who won the NBA title with the worst supporting cast?  Good question.

First off, LeBron hasn't won yet, but here's a breakdown:

2015 Cleveland Cavaliers - LeBron James
-Matthew Delladova, Tristan Thompson, J.R. Smith, Timofey Mozgov, Iman Shumpert

Brutal.  Thompson was a high pick.  They dealt two 1's for Mozgov, Smith can shoot (sometimes), and Shump can play D. Pretty gross.

2011 Dallas Mavericks - Dirk Nowitzki
-Shawn Marion, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry

No way.  Kidd was old but still solid.  Marion is a beast, multiple All-Stars, and Terry was 6th Man of the Year.

1994 Houston Rockets - Hakeem Olajuwon
-Vernon Maxwell, Kenny Smith, Otis Thorpe, Robert Horry, Sam Cassell

Thorpe was an All-Star in '92.  This was Cassell's rookie year.  Scrubs.  Good case this was the best example of 1 guy carrying a bunch of bums.  Yes, Horry was clutch, but this was also his 1st (of 7) rings.


You go back any early and there were only 8* teams in the league so everyone was loaded.  And think of all the other teams...

LeBron, Wade, Bosh
Duncan, Parker, Ginobili
Garnett, Pierce, Allen
Billiups, Wallace (2x), Hamilton
Shaq, Wade
Shaq, Kobe
Duncan, Robinson,
Jordan, Pippen
Hakeem, Drexler
Thomas, Dumars, Laimbeer, Rodman
Magic, Worthy, Kareem
Bird, McHale, Parish
Etc. Etc.


*Not confirmed.

Curry Vs.

Thought of this the other day.  Had to be a first.  And it is.  Look, there's a graphic to prove it and everything.

I mean, what are the chances?

Anyway, I'll take the Warriors in 6.  (Should be less, but my hatred for LeBron means he'll win a couple games.)

Celtics vs. Lakers

Tonight is Game 1 of the NBA Finals, and for the second time in three years it will be Celtics vs. Lakers. It is the 12th time in league history that the championship game is between these two franchises.

Match ups: BOS vs. LAL

PG: Rajon Rondo vs. Derek Fisher
SG: Ray Allen vs. Kobe Bryant
SF: Paul Pierce vs. Ron Artest
PF: Kevin Garnett vs. Pau Gasol
C: Kendrick Perkins vs. Andrew Bynum

Bench: Rasheed Wallace, Glen Davis, Tony Allen, Nate Robinson vs. Lamar Odom, Shannon Brown, Jordan Farmar, Sasha Vujacic

Head Coach: Doc Rivers (1 title) vs. Phil Jackson (10 titles)

Total Titles: Celtics 17 - Lakers 15

Head to Head in Finals: Celtics 9 - Lakers 2


Keefe's Pick: Celtics in 6; Rajon Rondo MVP