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DeMar DeRozan reveals why 2012 Miami LeBron James was the most dominant: "Running past your fastest point guard, dunking, jumping over people"


DeMar DeRozan reveals why 2012 Miami LeBron James was the most dominant: "Running past your fastest point guard, dunking, jumping over people" originally appeared on Basketball Network.

Soon to enter his 23rd season, LeBron Jam es continues to defy the laws of genetics, dominating the game at a high level. Even at age 40, the veteran superstar remains the NBA's biggest draw. A one-of-a-kind career that has the perfect script of a blockbuster.

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It would not be wrong to call "The Kid from Akron" the most hyped first pick in NBA history. Picked by his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, it didn't take long before LeBron began asserting his dominance on the hardwood, ticking almost every box that was expected of him.

However, when it came to winning a championship, "King James" believed his best chances lay with the Miami Heat. This decision turned him into an overnight villain, but Bron remained focused on his goal and emerged as a two-time champion and Finals MVP.< /p>

Returning to Cleveland, fulfilling his championship promise, and turning into a one-man wrecking crew during the 2017-18 season. A close observer of all the listed events, DeMar DeRozan, had seen both the Miami and Cleveland versions of the four-time MVP. When asked to pick between the two, the former Raptors superstar chose 2012 LeBron.

"2012, bro, we always say first Cleveland, Miami, second Cleveland. I always tell people, 'Miami Bron,' Oh My God!...He was shooting like 55 percent from the field. He running past your favorite, your fastest point guard, dunking, jumping over people," stated Deebo, who recently appea red on the "Run Your Race" podcast.

2011-12 Revenge Tour

Already under heavy scrutiny for forming a Big Three alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, things only got worse for Bron after the 2011 Finals loss. In the 2011-12 season, the four-time champ displayed nothing but sheer dominance.

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Collecting his third league MVP, "King James" averaged 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.9 steals on 53.1 percent shooting from the field. Making his second consecutive Finals, Bron would get the job done this time around, defeating the OKC Thunder in five games.

Unanimously voted as the Finals MVP, LeBron went back-to-back with Miami, adding a second ring to his resume. Meeting the San Antonio Spurs in the 2013 Finals took a corner 3-pointer from Ray Allen in Game Six and a herculean effort from Bron in Game Seven to finish the job.

Related: "It's annoying and there should be repercussions" - Nick Wright has a brilliant fix for players abusing the use of the coach's challenge signal

DeMar had a first-hand witness to LeBronto

Playing nine seasons for the Toronto Raptors, DeMar faced his most difficult challenge against the LeBron-led Cavs team in the latter second stint in Cleveland. Meeting in three consecutive playoff matchups between 2016 and 2018, Deebo and Co. were handed exits each time.

While the Raptors managed two wins in the 2016 ECF, they were swept in the 2017 and 2018 semi-final series against the Cavaliers. The term LeBronto was coined as an ode to LBJ's masterclass against Toronto, given the superst ar's 12-2 career playoff record against the team.

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Fortunately for the Raptors, the legendary forward had moved to the West when the Toronto franchise won its first-ever championship in 2019. Sadly, DeRozan was not part of the winning roster, courtesy of his trade to the Spurs in exchange for Kawhi Leonard.

Related: DeMar DeRozan admits he was frustrated by losing in the playoffs to LeBron for 3 consecutive years: "We are talking about someone who beat a 73-win team"

This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.

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