With LeBron James successfully capturing his fourth NBA title and Finals MVP, there is no question that The King has cemented his legacy in the NBA. In the Finals, James was a dominant force for the Lakers as he put up 29.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game while shooting an efficient 59.1% overall from the field. He led the team in those categories as well. It's partially why we're going to be looking at LeBron James' best teammates ever.
Despite James’ dominance and individual success in the league, it is worth noting that some of the credit of his achievements should also go to his teammates that certainly played a role especially when it comes to James’ championship conquests.
For this piece, we're looking at LeBron James' best teammates in his career.
10. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Championship/s with LeBron James: ‘19-‘20 Los Angeles Lakers
KCP hasn’t been a fan favorite for the Lakers’ fan base. In fact, he even earned a negative phrase of “Get KCP”, as he has drawn the attention of the Lakers critics for the most part of his career in Los Angeles due to his inconsistencies and mediocre production. However in the recent NBA Finals, the veteran guard showed that he wasn’t messing around.
In the 2020 NBA Finals, he registered 12.8 points, 2.8 boards, and 2.0 per assists per outing. His notable game was in Game 4 when he finished with 15 points (10 in the first quarter) which was spiked by three shots from beyond the arc. None of his points were more important than the five points he scored in the deciding quarter, which helped the Lakers seal a tight 102-96 victory over the Miami Heat. Without KCP stepping up, the series would’ve been tied and might’ve prevented the Lakers from winning the championship. In fact, the Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka was so pleased with the Lakers guard’s performance in Game 4 that he compared the veteran guard to bread sent by heaven in reference to the bible. Caldwell-Pope had fine games as well in Games 5 and 6, as he scored 16 and 17 points respectively.
With Caldwell-Pope stepping up and proving his doubters wrong, LeBron James had another reliable shooter and scoring guard that certainly helped The King’s conquest of the 2020 NBA Championship. As a result, KCP places 10th in this list.
9. Mike Miller
Championship/s with Lebron James: ‘11-‘12 Miami Heat
LeBron James and the rest of the Miami Heat had a lot to prove in the 2011-2012 season after they suffered an upset in the hands of Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 NBA Finals. There was no question that the 2012 version of the Heat was hungrier and filled with veteran pieces that complimented well with the team’s Big Three. One of those veterans was Mike Miller.
Miller was a veteran at that time that was marred by injuries for the most part of his career. However, he certainly gave a good account of himself during the Heat’s conquest of the 2012 NBA Championship. In the early parts of the 2012 NBA Playoffs, Miller was hardly a factor until Game 5 of the NBA Finals against Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Coming into the game, the sweet shooting guard was only averaging 4.4 points per outing. Fortunately for James, Miller emerged as a reliable spot-up shooter that lit up the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 5. In the championship clinching game, Miller scored 23 points, spiked by seven of eight three point shots which was just one make away from tying the Finals record made by Ray Allen at that time.
Despite not tying the record, Miller did just enough to help James capture their first NBA title, knocking off the Thunder in five games when they took a 121-106 victory. With Miller’s breakout game, he places ninth in this list.
8. Shane Battier
Championship/s with LeBron James: ‘12-‘13 Miami Heat
With Miller’s departure from the Heat in 2013, the Big Three had another sweet shooting veteran in Shane Battier. Throughout Battier’s career, he has been known for his spot-up shooting, hustle, and defense. Because of this, LeBron James and the Heat believed that he would make an impact for the team.
Although Battier was hampered by injuries in the early parts of the season, he emerged to become a major factor that allowed LeBron to capture two straight NBA championships. Facing a dangerous San Antonio Spurs in the 2013 NBA Finals that needed seven games, James certainly needed all the help he could get. Fortunately, Battier showed everyone that he deserved to be on the Heat championship team.
In Game 7, Battier fired 18 points and shot six of eight from beyond the arc off the bench which complimented well with James’ iconic 37 point and 12 rebound performance during that game. Thanks to Battier’s explosion, the Heat defeated the Spurs 95-88 for the NBA title.
7. Rajon Rondo
Championship/s with LeBron James: ‘19-‘20 Los Angeles Lakers
Rajon Rondo actually won a NBA championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008 alongside the Celtics’ version of the Big Three. Although Rondo isn’t known to be a great shooter for a guard, he proved to be valuable to the Celtics with his ball handling abilities and nose for the ball which are crucial in championship moments. Rondo bounced around the league after his stint with the Celtics, until he found himself in a Lakers uniform alongside LeBron James.
Due to a hand injury, Rondo missed most of the Lakers games in the NBA bubble. Fortunately, he joined the Lakers just in time for their Western Conference Semifinals duel against the Houston Rockets. With Rockets running a small ball offense spearheaded by James Harden and Russell Westbrook, there was no question that Rondo will be one of the most utilized guards in the series. Because of this, the Lakers guard made the most out of this opportunity as he put up 10.6 points and seven assists per game in the series including a 21 point outburst in Game 3 alongside nine assists.
Although Rondo had a great series against the Rockets, his best moment as James’ teammate came in Game 6 of the NBA Finals when he logged in 19 points, four assists, and four rebounds on an efficient eight of 11 shooting. Despite not being known to be a consistent shooter, Rondo shot three of four from downtown to help the Lakers blow out the Miami Heat, 106-93 to capture their first NBA title together.
With Rondo’s brilliance, LeBron nabbed his fourth NBA ring while the Lakers guard captured his second NBA championship. Rondo became only the second player to win a NBA championship with two franchises with the most NBA titles in the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers alongside Clyde Lovellette.
6. Ray Allen
Championship/s with LeBron James: ‘12-‘13 Miami Heat
Ray Allen has been an excellent knockdown shooter throughout his career, which is why his skills certainly complimented well with James’ kick out game. As a result, Ray Allen joined the Miami Heat franchise which didn’t really please his teammates in Boston.
With LeBron and the Heat reinforced with Allen, the team ruled the NBA in the season as they registered a 66-16 win loss record. Although Ray Allen was no longer in his prime years, the hot shooting sniper was still very effective off the bench. He shot 44.9% from deep in his first season with the Heat and hit 43% during the playoffs.
However out of all the shooters James has been with, Allen was arguably the best The King has ever played with. In fact, aside from his deadly accuracy, Allen has also proved to everyone he was reliable on the clutch.
In Game six of the 2013 NBA Finals, the Heat found themselves in danger as they were in a 2-3 series deficit against the San Antonio Spurs while being down by three points in the dying seconds of the game. After a missed three pointer by James, it looked like the Heat’s championship hopes were over. However, an offensive rebound by Bosh led to a tough three point shot made by Allen in the corner. An iconic three point shot that led to an overtime win for Miami. Furthermore, his shot assured his team of a Game 7, which was eventually won by the Heat. Allen was having a quiet game offensively in Game 6. He missed all his three point attempts before making that crucial three point shot, as he finished the game with only 9 points. Nevertheless if he didn’t make that shot, James wouldn’t have won his second NBA championship.
Because of Allen’s elite shooting and the miracle shot that saved the Heat, he certainly was one of the best teammates that LeBron has ever had.
5. Kevin Love
Championship/s with LeBron James: ‘15-‘16 Cleveland Cavaliers
Kevin Love was actually a beast when he was with the Minnesota Timberwolves, as he was a 30-30 double double threat. Unfortunately, Love regressed as he played as the third option behind James and Kyrie Irving. But despite his numbers taking a dip, the Cavs big man was still an All-Star Caliber player that helped James space the floor, did some damage in the post, and made full-court outlet passes that benefitted James who loves to run the fastbreak.
In Love’s second season with James in a Cavs uniform, he logged in 16.0 points and 9.9 rebounds per game which made him a double double threat. During the 2016 NBA Playoffs, Love also made his presence felt. In the opening round and first game for the Cavs, Love dropped 28 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to help his team defeat the Detroit Pistons 106-101.
However, his most important moment came in the Finals when his team had to make a crucial stop to protect their slim four point lead against the Golden State Warriors in the final minute of the game. Love was eventually tasked to defend the deadly shooter Stephen Curry, and succeeded in doing so after the latter missed a 26-footer.
Although Love hardly showed his All-Star form in the NBA Finals, as he averaged 8.5 points and 6.8 boards per outing, his final stop against Curry and double-double presence made it possible for James and the Cavaliers to come back from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals against the heavily favored Golden State Warriors. The Cavaliers franchise ended their championship drought, and James got his third overall NBA championship. There’s no question that the All-Star forward played a significant role in this Cleveland miracle which puts him fifth in this list.
4. Chris Bosh
Championship/s with James: ‘11-‘12 & ‘12-‘13 Miami Heat
Chris Bosh joined LeBron James and Dwayne Wade in Miami as they formed the infamous Big Three. Coming from an All-Star stint with the Toronto Raptors, there was no question that the former Raptors star was a critical piece in the Heat’s conquests of two straight NBA championships.
With Bosh around, James had a stretch big man who could shoot from long range and do some damage down low. Furthermore, Bosh also had the ability to finish in the clutch. In the 2012 Eastern Conference Semifinals facing the Boston Celtics in Game 7, Bosh came up big in the fourth quarter, nailing two three point shots which helped the Heat advance past the dangerous Celtics. Aside from this, Bosh also had multiple game winning shots that brought James and the Heat multiple wins. However, his most important moment came at Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals. Although Ray Allen was responsible for the three point shot that kept James’ and the Heat’s championship hopes alive, it was Chris Bosh’s timely offensive rebound that made it possible for Allen to take a three point attempt in the dying seconds.
Despite being demoted to a third option, I am pretty sure James appreciated Bosh’s efforts and contributions to the team. Without Bosh, it would’ve made it harder for The King to win two straight championships in South Beach. Because of this, Bosh certainly is one of the top teammates LeBron ever played with.
3. Kyrie Irving
Championship/s with James: ‘15-‘16 Cleveland Cavaliers
Kyrie Irving was no question Cleveland’s top talent before James made his return to the Cavaliers. The 2011 First Overall Pick was a talented guard that had unmatched ball handling skills that could break defender’s ankles all day. With James’ return and Kevin Love’s signing, there was no question that the Cavs had a formidable Big Three of their own with Kyrie playing as the second option.
The All-Star guard definitely complimented James’ skillset, as the 6’2 guard reduced the need for James to set up the offense or bring down the rock. But most importantly, LeBron had another reliable scorer to depend upon. In a 128-125 victory over the Spurs, Irving dropped 57 points spiked by a perfect seven of seven shooting from beyond the arc.
Irving’s most important moment came in the 2016 NBA Finals, as they found themselves in a 1-3 deficit. In order to make the comeback happen, James certainly needed Irving’s scoring as Kyrie registered 41 points in Game 5 which matched James’ scoring total to turn the series around. But more importantly, in Game 7 after James made an iconic chase down block on Andre Iguodala in the final minutes, Irving made the Warriors pay by drilling an all-important three point fade away dagger that allowed James and the Cavaliers to complete a historic comeback.
Irving was certainly a difference maker that allowed James to capture his first ring with Cleveland and third overall. Unfortunately, the all-star guard left the Cavs in 2017 that resulted into an ugly break-up with James. Although James still managed to get to the NBA Finals without him, The King was evidently outgunned by Warriors’ stars without Irving’s scoring. But despite the fallout between LeBron and Kyrie, there’s no question that the 6’2 guard was a major factor in LeBron’s conquest of his third ring. Because of this, Irving takes the third spot in this list.
2. Dwyane Wade
Championship/s with James: ‘11-‘12 & ‘12-‘13 Miami Heat
When it came to LeBron’s top teammates, there’s barely anyone that can come close to Dwyane Wade. The Flash was no question one of the top guards during his prime, as he even won an NBA championship and was declared the Finals MVP in 2006. His scoring and abilities in the clutch certainly made him one of the most feared stars in the league.
With James deciding to take his talents to South Beach, the James and Wade tandem proved to be a very formidable team-up. Alley-oops and athletic plays by James and Wade certainly proved to be too much for almost every team in the league. Although Wade was reduced to the role of the second option, the 6’4 guard was still a dangerous superstar as he put up at least 19 points per outing in their years together.
The James and Wade team-up overpowered multiple teams for four years, which saw them win two straight NBA titles. In fact, they changed the NBA landscape by forcing other superstars to make team-ups of their own in order to negate the Heat’s firepower at that time. Although James and Wade had a short and unsuccessful reunion in Cleveland, it hardly takes away the fact that The Flash was a near perfect running mate of James. Because of this, Wade sits second in this list.
1. Anthony Davis
Championship/s with James: ‘19-‘20 Los Angeles Lakers
Aside from Dwayne Wade, another running mate that makes a case to be LeBron’s greatest teammate ever is Anthony Davis. The 6’10 big man out of Kentucky had a good showing in his seven year stint with the New Orleans Pelicans. After deciding to take his talents to Los Angeles and team-up with James, there was no question that their tandem would wreck havoc in the NBA.
In terms of individual numbers, there’s not one teammate that played alongside LeBron that can beat Davis’ production. The Kentucky standout put up 26.1 points per outing (only Wade comes close with 25.5 points) while playing beside James in his first season with the Lakers. Furthermore, he also grabbed 9.3 boards per game. AD was definitely a force that James was happy to have even in the 2020 NBA Playoff, as the big man averaged 27.7 points and 9.7 boards per outing, including a hsitoric 34 point outburst in his Finals debut that placed him fourth in terms of most points scored in a Finals debut and fifth in Lakers franchise history with at least a 30-5-5 statline.
However, his best moment came during the Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets in Game 2. With the Lakers down by one in the final 2.1 seconds of the game, Davis received an inbounds pass from Rajon Rondo and nailed a three point shot at the buzzer that gave the Lakers a commanding 2-0 lead in the series. His game-winner was the biggest shot of his career. But more importantly, it was a shot that helped put away a determined Nuggets team that upset the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers by coming back from a 1-3 series deficit on both occasions.
With the Lakers capturing its 17th NBA title and James’ fourth NBA ring, there’s no doubt that Davis makes a case to be James’ greatest teammate. With Davis still young and LeBron not slowing down anytime soon, who knows how many more championships this duo will win together. But for now, Davis and James deserve all the credit and respect for winning the trophy in 2020.
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