LeBron James' 1st Playoff Game

CLEVELAND -- Over the course of history there are certain moments that, upon reflection, will cause you to remember exactly what you were doing in that moment. Historical events, moments like when Neil Armstrong took his first steps on the moon or when the first airplane tragically crashed into the tower. Sports events frozen in time like the night Havlicek stole the ball and when Magic Johnson took the podium to tell the world he was infected with HIV.

To that list another moment may soon be added: LeBron James' first playoff game. And boy, will this performance be remembered.

James was masterful Saturday afternoon, dismantling the Wizards in an effortless fashion on his way to registering his first career playoff triple-double, joining Johnson as the only players to record a triple-double in their first playoff appearance. Washington trotted out a parade of defenders to try and slow James, from Caron Butler to Antawn Jamison to Billy Thomas (Billy Thomas?). None of the aforementioned players was effective. At the end of the day, as Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas deadpanned, "the only person who could stop LeBron was ... LeBron."

It would be understandable if the 21-year old James were a little jittery before taking the floor. The same could be said for his Cavaliers teammates, who as supporting cast members of the King James reality tour, were no neophytes to the spotlight yet still -- outside a select few -- had little to no playoff experience to their credit. But just 90 minutes before the franchise's first postseason appearance in eight years, Cleveland's locker room was a picture of serenity. In one corner sat Damon Jones quietly watching film ("my highlight reel," he points out) while on the other side of the room veteran Alan Henderson was burying his head in scouting reports. Outside, coach Mike Brown cracked jokes with opposing players while admitting part of his preparation for the game involved a call between himself and a former mentor, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. Not exactly what you would expect from a team whose star was barely a teenager the last time Cleveland made the postseason.

But it is a quiet confidence that begins with James, the man who, according to Drew Gooden, "sets the tempo" for the rest of the unit. The message James sent to his team Saturday night was simple: Attack early, attack often. With a dazzling array of penetrations and post moves, James carved up the Washington defense for 48 minutes -- the only player on either side to never leave the floor -- on his way into the history books. Don't think he didn't recognize what was happening either: midway through the third quarter, James playfully chided center Zydrunas Ilgauskas after Ilgauaskas blew a layup attempt off a James pass, thereby costing him an assist. For all his outward modesty, even James -- who also battled a sinus infection that limited him in practice during the week -- knew he was part of something special.

Only time will tell if the 20,562 in attendance and the millions watching around the globe were bearing witness to a historical moment. Maybe we're wrong, maybe James isn't destined for the greatness we all have him earmarked for. But maybe Saturday will become one of those frozen moments that we look back on and say hey, I remember what I was doing that night.

LeBron James' triple-double on Saturday was arguable the most impressive playoff debut in NBA history. Here's how James' performance stacks up against other playoff premieres.




Player/date Pts Reb Ast FG%
LeBron James, 2006 32 11 11 44.4
Michael Jordan, 1985 23 4 10 36.8
Magic Johnson, 1980 13 12 16 33.3 Larry Bird, 1980 15 7 3 46.7 Isiah Thomas,1984 10 4 9 36.4

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[dwadefan4lyfe2]

how can cleveland not miss lebron?

[Poostainize]

I WANT THE OLD LEBRON BACK!

[Jokerz199]

Its funny how the uploader is named lakerDynasty

[dfresh1524]

was there eric snow jumpshot footage wow rare stuff

[spir18]

@Poostainize Dont u like the new one???

[Cheema0113]

@ab40 its cause he is way bigger now. He has lost alot of athleticism due to that added size.

[mahershalahashbash]

@AustinDowCM naa dude not just u, its weird he looks quicker and no hesitation in what he does, now he plays like a tailor made robot, "oh what should i do next" thats what he looks like, he was much smoother then

[mahershalahashbash]

@ab40 your so right dude idk why he looked much more loose then now hes like a combination of dwight howards movement and this

[zmeicorp]

i wish Jordan was on that Wizards team that year!It would be sooooo EPIC !

[BlackAce400]

lisa salters is sexy as hell!!!!!

[TheRafaelBond]

@jonvegard31

yea could be

[jonvegard31]

@TheRafaelBond sorry, but that mvp was all lebron's. i believe they won 62 games that year and he had the best statline of his career. durant's team won 50 and yes, he played great that year, but it's twelve wins less on worse stats except for .5 ppg more or something. but durant should've won it last year