LeBron James says loss to Celtics in 2012 might have ended the Heat’s Big 3 era
With sports — and every day life — uprooted because of the novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19, there is plenty of free time for professional athletes.
LeBron James, arguably the biggest NBA star, spent part of his Thursday answering fan questions during a 45-minute Instagram Live video chat.
During it, James answered a question about his mentality going into Game 6 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics, where the Miami Heat faced elimination.
James was part of Miami’s Big 3 alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
King James said he thought it would be the quickest breakup in NBA history had they lost to the Celtics.
“My mentality was if we lose, [Miami Heat president] Pat Riley may break us all up,” James said on Instagram. “And I don’t want that. It might be the quickest breakup in basketball history. Not only might they break it all up, but my legacy is going to take a huge, huge hit if I don’t go out here and perform at an all-time high.”
James torched the Celtics for 45 points and 15 rebounds in that Game 6. The Heat won the series in seven games and defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games to win the franchise’s second NBA title.
James was named the NBA Finals MVP. The Heat won the 2013 NBA championship in seven games over the San Antonio Spurs, marked by Ray Allen’s 3-pointer in Game 6 that flipped momentum to the Heat as they faced elimination.
The Big 3 broke up when LeBron returned to Cleveland in 2014, where he later brought an NBA championship to the Cavaliers. James is currently in his second season with the Lakers.
That season is currently suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. Two Lakers players tested for positive for the coronavirus, the team announced Thursday, according to ESPN, but James did not address that during his Instagram Live video chat with fans.
