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Lakers star LeBron James calls out ‘disingenuous’ haters who criticize his NBA Finals record
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- Lakers star LeBron James calls out ‘disingenuous’ haters who criticize his NBA Finals record
Lakers star LeBron James calls out 'disingenuous' haters who criticize his NBA Finals record appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare for Game 5 of their first-round series against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night, LeBron James addressed long-standing criticism surrounding his NBA Finals record, calling out what he described as "disingenuous" narratives tied to his career.
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In a year-long conversation with ESPN's Dave McMenamin, James reflected on the scrutiny he has faced for going 4-6 in the NBA Finals, despite reaching the championship stage 10 times, including eight consecutive appearances from 2011 to 2018.
"I can't. I was so engulfed in it. I never gave myself the chance to relax, even when I went to the Finals — whether I won or lost. When I won it, all I was thinking about was, "How can I repeat?" When I lost, "How can I get back for redemption?" That's all I was thinking about. I don't know how I was able to do it eight straight years.
Now looking back on it, I don't think anybody will be able to ever do that again. But can never say never in this league."
James also pushed back on the idea that losing in the Finals should be viewed negatively, particularly when compared to early playoff exits.
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"No. When I was younger, I used to have the notion of like, people were getting on me for losing in the Finals and when I was younger, I used to listen to it.
Like, people will really rather you not make the playoffs or lose in the first round than to lose in the Finals. Which is crazy to me. And I almost feel like, is it because it's me? Everybody has to say something about my career, "Oh, well, he made eight straight Finals but he was only able to win three." "He's the leading scorer in NBA history, but he's played 23 years."
Yeah, but I am also fastest to 1,000 [points]. Fastest to 2,000. Fastest to 5,000. Fastest to 10,000. So, when I started realizing it was just a knock on me [that was a disingenuous argument], I started to appreciate it a little bit more. Like, I am pissed off that I didn't have a better winning percentage individually in the Finals, but for people to try to turn it into a negative, it doesn't bother me like it did when I was younger."
LeBron James ' four titles, NBA Finals dominance underscore legacy beyond record debate
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
James' Finals résumé includes four championships and four Finals MVP awards. He captured two titles with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013 , led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a historic championship in 2016 after overcoming a 3-1 deficit against the Golden State Warriors , and secured his fourth title with the Lakers in 2020.
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Across 55 Finals games, the 41-year-old has averaged 28.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 1.7 steals while shooting 48.4 percent from the field and 35.2 percent from three-point range in 42.5 minutes per contest.
Despite the continued debate over his Finals record, James' sustained excellence and ability to lead teams deep into the postseason remain central to his legacy. His eight consecutive Finals appearances stand as one of the most demanding stretches in league history, underscoring both durability and consistency at the highest level.
The Lakers enter Wednesday's Game 5 with a 3-1 series lead over Houston , giving them an opportunity to close out the series and advance. As James continues his 23rd NBA season, his perspective reflects a broader shift — from responding to criticism to contextualizing one of the most accomplished careers in NBA history.
Related: Lakers rumors: Rob Pelinka looking to make multiple splashy hires this summer
