A lot has been said about LeBron James' first season with the Los Angeles Lakers. After signing a four-year deal to join the Purple and Gold last summer, the expectations were that the four-time MVP was going to lead a bunch of young players and veterans on one-year deals to the playoffs.

That didn't happen.

The Lakers were poised to become one of the best teams in the Western Conference following their Christmas Day victory against the Golden State Warriors. Unfortunately, LeBron suffered a groin injury that cost him the team's next 17 games. Things fell apart from there. The Lakers missed the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Still, LeBron had a lot of great games last season, especially in its early stages. Let's look at some of them in order to ease the pain of that extremely disappointing and disheartening season.

1. 51 points against the Miami Heat

On November 18, 2018, LeBron returned to Miami to face the Heat, one of the two franchises he led to a championship. At this time, the Lakers were still trying to figure each other out. They were just one game above .500 (8-7), but they were expected to beat the home team.

Led by LeBron's season-high 51 points, the Lakers dismantled the Heat, 113-97. Bron shot 61 percent from the field (19-31), including six 3-pointers, most of which were way, way beyond the arc.

James was content to finish with 48 points, but teammate Lance Stephenson dared him to hit a 3-pointer with under 30 seconds left in the game. LeBron took and made the shot, then pointed at the bench.

LeBron finished with his 12th career 50-point game. He led the Lakers to a convincing win.

2. A triple-double against the Boston Celtics

The Lakers were still optimistic about their playoff hopes in February, but most of the team, especially the Lakers' young core, were rattled by trade rumors surrounding then-New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis. Their overall performance that month would be the final nail in the coffin of their season, but they still managed to notch a win against their archrivals, the Celtics.

On February 7, 2019, LeBron finished with 28 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists. Although he wasn't the hero of the game, he was the major reason why the team erased a double-digit deficit. James went 11-21 from the field, but his overall performance carried the team to the win.

Unfortunately, it was one of only three Laker wins in February, but still, it was a good one.

3. Dominating the Portland Trail Blazers

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In the early stages of the season, the Lakers were searching for a formula. In a matchup against the Blazers on November 14, 2018, LeBron spearheaded L.A. to its fourth consecutive win and eighth victory in 10 games, finishing with 44 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists.

It doesn't look impressive now, considering how last season ended, but back then, talk of James winning the season MVP was prevalent. It was his most efficient game of the season, shooting the ball at 68 percent from the field (13-19), 83 percent beyond the arc (5-6), and 86 percent from the charity stripe (13-15). James was spectacular in that game.

4. A triple-double in a loss against the Atlanta Hawks

The Lakers traveled to Atlanta to face the Hawks on February 12. They were coming off a 23-point beatdown at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers, and they were eager to bounce back. Facing one of the worst teams in the East seemed like a great opportunity to do just that.

LeBron did his part, finishing with 28 points, 16 assists, and 10 rebounds. Unfortunately, the rest of the team struggled, and the Hawks took a 117-113 victory. The Lakers followed that game with a win against the Houston Rockets, but they lost to the New Orleans Pelicans and the Memphis Grizzlies, two lottery-bound teams.

***

LeBron's first season with the Lakers may have been “wasted” in the eyes of most people, but it was still pretty impressive, considering that it was his 16th season in the league. Now, L.A. has a better team heading into next season, and the Lakers are not only gunning to make the playoffs.

They're going for the championship.

It's time for LeBron to show the rest of the world that he's still the NBA's top guy.

People seemed to have forgotten how good he really is.