5 Eastern Conference contenders that never got past LeBron James

MIAMI, FL - MAY 26: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat dribbles the ball as Paul George #24 of the Indiana Pacers defends during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena on May 26, 2014 in Miami, Florida. 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 Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

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ATLANTA, GA – MAY 06: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots against Al Horford #15 of the Atlanta Hawks in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on May 6, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

2. Atlanta Hawks

By the time LeBron James went back to Cleveland in 2014, the Hawks were rounding into form. Though they had lingered in the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings during Miami’s Big Three era, Atlanta hired longtime Spurs assistant Mike Budenholzer as head coach and signed versatile players like Paul Millsap and Kyle Korver who fit the system well.

In James’ first season back with the Cavaliers, the Hawks actually nabbed the top seed in the East with 60 wins. Atlanta was the talk of the league, with its entire starting lineup winning Eastern Conference Player of the Month at one point in the season, and Budenholzer earning Coach of the Year buzz. They were on a collision course with Cleveland.

Their battle came in the conference finals, after two tough six-game series for Atlanta in the early rounds. Though Cleveland had already lost Kevin Love by that point, the Cavaliers completely over-powered the Hawks in a sweep. The Cavaliers won each game by an average of 13 points, culminating in a 30-point blowout in Game 4. James averaged a near triple-double, with 30.2 points, 11.0 rebounds and 9.3 assists per game.

The next season, the two teams faced off in the conference semifinals, and Cleveland again dominated in a sweep. That eventually led to the departure of Al Horford and DeMarre Carroll, and ultimately the firing of Budenholzer. The entire rise and fall of an era of Hawks basketball was defined — and destroyed — by James.