<P> In 2006 -- 07 , James 's averages declined to 27.3 points , 6.7 rebounds , 6 assists , and 1.6 steals per game . Some analysts attributed the fall to a regression in his passing skills and shot selection , which stemmed from a lack of effort and focus . The Cavaliers finished the season with 50 wins for the second consecutive year and entered the playoffs as the East 's second seed . In Game 5 of the NBA Conference Finals , James notched 48 points with 9 rebounds and 7 assists , scoring 29 of Cleveland 's last 30 points , including the game - winning layup with two seconds left , against the Pistons . After the game , play - by - play announcer Marv Albert called the performance `` one of the greatest moments in postseason history '' and color commentator Steve Kerr described it as `` Jordan-esque '' . In 2012 , ESPN ranked the performance the fourth greatest in modern NBA playoff history . The Cavaliers went on to win Game 6 and claim their first - ever Eastern Conference championship , earning them a matchup with the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals . During the championship round , James struggled , averaging 22 points , 7.0 rebounds , and 6.8 assists per game on just 35.6 percent shooting , and Cleveland was eliminated in a sweep . </P>
<P> In 2006 -- 07 , James 's averages declined to 27.3 points , 6.7 rebounds , 6 assists , and 1.6 steals per game . Some analysts attributed the fall to a regression in his passing skills and shot selection , which stemmed from a lack of effort and focus . The Cavaliers finished the season with 50 wins for the second consecutive year and entered the playoffs as the East 's second seed . In Game 5 of the NBA Conference Finals , James notched 48 points with 9 rebounds and 7 assists , scoring 29 of Cleveland 's last 30 points , including the game - winning layup with two seconds left , against the Pistons . After the game , play - by - play announcer Marv Albert called the performance `` one of the greatest moments in postseason history '' and color commentator Steve Kerr described it as `` Jordan-esque '' . In 2012 , ESPN ranked the performance the fourth greatest in modern NBA playoff history . The Cavaliers went on to win Game 6 and claim their first - ever Eastern Conference championship , earning them a matchup with the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals . During the championship round , James struggled , averaging 22 points , 7.0 rebounds , and 6.8 assists per game on just 35.6 percent shooting , and Cleveland was eliminated in a sweep . </P>
when did lebron james first go to the finals
when did lebron james first go to the finals
2006 -- 07
2006 -- 07