Ranking the best Eastern Conference teams LeBron James has destroyed

Ranking the 5 best Eastern Conference teams LeBron James has destroyed

MIAMI, FL - MAY 24: (L-R) Kyle Korver #26, Carlos Boozer #5, Derrick Rose #1, Luol Deng #9 and Joakim Noah #13 of the Chicago Bulls talk on court against the Miami Heat in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs on May 24, 2011 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. The Heat won 101-93 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images) /

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AUBURN HILLS, MI – FEBRUARY 8: Chauncey Billups #1, Tayshaun Prince #22, Rasheed Wallace #36 and Richard Hamilton #32 of the Detroit Pistons on the bench during a game against the Portland Trail Blazers on February 8, 2008 at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Allen Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. The 2006-07 Detroit Pistons

Record: 53-29, 1st in Eastern Conference

Result: 4-2 loss in Eastern Conference Finals

The Detroit Pistons served as the first big obstacle in James’ playoff path.

After James and the Cavaliers wiped out the Wizards in the first round of the 2006 postseason, the Pistons—who were fresh off of two straight trips to the NBA Finals—awaited in the conference semifinals.

James and Co. dropped the first two games on the road, but they battled back to win three straight and take a 3-2 lead into Cleveland for Game 6. Despite getting 32 points and 11 rebounds from James, the Cavaliers suffered a two-point loss in Game 6 and bowed out meekly in Game 7, which sent Detroit to the Eastern Conference Finals for the fourth straight season.

The following year, James got his revenge.

This time around, the two sides met in the Eastern Conference Finals, and like the year before, Detroit jumped out to a 2-0 series lead. Cleveland held serve at home in Games 3 and 4, once again setting up a pivotal Game 5.

In what became his first signature playoff performance, James put on a show for the ages that night. He scored Cleveland’s final 25 points and 29 of its last 30 in the team’s 109-107 double-overtime win, in which he finished with an eye-popping 48 points on 18-of-33 shooting, nine rebounds, seven assists and two steals.

“We threw everything we had at him,” Detroit guard Chauncey Billups told reporters afterward in reference to James. “We just couldn’t stop him.”

Once again, Cleveland headed home with a 3-2 series lead, but James and Co. didn’t squander it this time around. Daniel “Boobie” Gibson erupted for 31 points off the bench, James chipped in a tidy 20 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists, and the Cavs booked the first of what would become James’ eight trips (and counting!) to the NBA Finals.

The Pistons, meanwhile, never quite recovered. They made yet another appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals the following season, where they lost in six games to the Big Three-led Boston Celtics.

They have yet to win a playoff game since.

Next: 1. The 2010-11 Chicago Bulls

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