LeBron James Turns 27: 27 Greatest Moments of His NBA Career

LeBron James turned 27 on Friday, Dec. 30, and there is no better way to celebrate than with a run through of 27 of the greatest moments in his career

Although his career has been packed with highlight-reel plays and absolutely stunning performances, there are some that certainly stand a cut above the rest.

It's frightening to imagine the idea that James may now just be entering into the prime of his career, and the rest of the league is in trouble if the beginning of his play in 2011 is a preview for what is in store.

27. Drafted by Cleveland in 2003

In what was arguably the easiest decision the Cleveland front office has ever had to make, the Cavs made James the first-overall pick in 2003.

He came straight out of high school to the pros, and it's safe to say that he was ready to make the jump after some of his predecessors had looked less than inspiring when doing so.

26. First Career Regular Season Game

Another momentous occasion for James' already incredible career, and the fans eagerly awaiting to see what he was capable of contributing really didn't have to wait at all.

He brought the heat with an electrifying performance of 25 points (12-of-20), nine assists, six rebounds and four steals, and although his team lost, all eyes were firmly fixated on James.

25. LeBron Blocks Kobe at Olympic Scrimmage

It might have just been a scrimmage among teammates, but the block James put on Bryant as he was going up to the rim was just filthy.

The best part about the block is that Bryant thought he would have an uncontested dunk and make the crowd stand on its feet, but those in attendance rose to their feet in excitement over the block.

24. Nasty Block on Rajon Rondo

James really doesn't get enough credit for how good he is on the defensive end of the floor, and perhaps Rajon Rondo thought he could sneak by him.

Unfortunately for Rondo, James' athleticism, wingspan and quickness allows him to stay in every play no matter where he starts on the floor.

23. Trick Shot Behind the Backboard

How James managed to find the bottom of the net with this one is simply beyond words, and the fact that he did it with a hand in his face is just wrong.

There is really no telling what this guy can't do sometimes, as he is truly unlike any other player we have ever seen out on the court previously.

22. Absolutely Crushes Amar'e Stoudemire

Remember when Amar'e Stoudemire was suiting up for the Suns? James certainly does, because it's when he delivered one of the more ferocious dunks of his career.

Stoudemire hasn't exactly been known for his defensive play, and he was completely embarrassed by James' deliverance of a thunderous slam over him.

21. Dunk on Rasheed Wallace's Head

Rasheed Wallace should've probably chosen not to go up and contest James once he took flight, but he decided not to back down from the challenge.

It was tough sledding for Wallace, as James emphatically asserted himself over the veteran to send a message to both he and the Pistons.

20. Eats Kevin Garnett Alive

Garnett is someone who doesn't back down from anybody, and he wasn't planning on letting James attack the basket for an uncontested dunk.

However, James clearly had other plans, and the poster Garnett was put on compliments of the high-flyer is one that is likely hanging in several households currently.

19. Jason Richardson Gets a Reality Check

Richardson wanted to get a little fancy and put on a show for the hometown crowd when he decided to go for the unorthodox dunk, but James wouldn't be having any of that in a tight game.

He flew right into the picture and denied Richardson's attempt to embarrass the Cavs, and J-Rich probably thought twice about ever pulling that move again.

18. First All-Star Game MVP in 2006

Some might put more stock into the MVP Award from an All-Star game, but there's no doubt that James remembers the first time he came away with the honor.

If everything aligns for James, by the time his career is over, this trophy might be one that is on the second shelf of his display room.

17. 2003-04 Rookie of the Year

This choice was more obvious than Blake Griffin winning the award during his rookie season, and it was never even a close contest.

A fair amount of Cavs fans are probably going to be bitter about seeing James in a Cleveland uniform, but he did more than his fair share for that franchise during his tenure with the team.

16. First Career Postseason Game

The first time LeBron saw the postseason, there was a wide range of opinions as to how he might fare, but it's safe to say that he impressed from day one in that regard.

Whether it's the regular season, playoffs or simply a summer league pick-up game, it doesn't really matter, because all fans have to do is sit back and enjoy what is going in in front of them.

15. James Johnson Should Have Known Better

James Johnson was looking to make a name for himself when he busted into the league with Chicago, but challenging LeBron defensively probably wasn't the best way to try and attempt doing that.

Showing no regard for Johnson along the way, James sent a message to the entire Bulls team with his aggressive move, which resulted in a new poster.

14. 2007 Eastern Conference Title

No, it was not a precursor to Cleveland winning it all, but an Eastern Conference title on a team where he was responsible for doing it all belongs firmly on this list.

James carried this team on his shoulders in a way very few players have shown capable of doing, and it's mind-boggling to think what the Cavs could have done if the team gave James any sort of real support around him.

13. 51 Points vs. Sacramento

Anytime someone drops 50 or more on the opposition, it's an embarrassing moment for that team, as it indicates that there was just no way of slowing that player down on that evening.

That was exactly the case when James torched Sacramento for 51 points, and the defense just looked deflated in the process of his dominance.

12. 56 Points Against Toronto

The Raptors just had no answer for James when he dropped 56 on their heads, and it was just one make after another for him on that night.

He really makes the game of basketball look way easier than it should, and that's an illustration of just how much talent he has.

11. 40 Points, 10 Rebounds, 10 Assists vs. Milwaukee

Triple-double performances aren't exactly irregular when it comes to what James has done, but that stat line is just ridiculous when fathoming what he did to the Bucks on that night.

The idea that he was able to drop 40 and still get his teammates involved to the extent that he had 10 dimes of his own is amazing.

10. Blows the Roof off of Madison Square Garden

Perhaps this is the reason that some Knicks fans wanted James to join the team so badly, as he simply lit Madison Square Garden on fire with this showing.

Obviously, there were other factors in play with New York's pursuit of him in free agency, but this exclamatory performance was definitely something everybody remembered.

9. 55 Points vs. Bucks, Including Eight Threes

LeBron has made a concerted effort to scale back the amount of three-point attempts he takes during the 2011-12 season, but it's performances like the one here that have some clamoring for him not to do that.

James was not going to be slowed down by anybody on this night, as he was a one-man wrecking crew out for blood against Milwaukee.

Clearly, the Bucks don't enjoy playing him.

8. Scoring Title in 2007-08

James carried the Cavs on his back and he was the prime focus of the attack in Cleveland.

It wouldn't be a long stay at the top as Kevin Durant has come on with a charge since that time, but James can certainly pour it in whenever his number is called.

7. First Regular Season MVP

A regular season MVP award is undoubtedly something worthy of hoisting high above the head, and James was clearly very appeased to come away with his first one.

There are going to be several more opportunities for James to add even more trophies to his collection.

6. Second Regular Season MVP

What is better than one MVP Trophy? Two of them.

Will it be the last one that James earns in his career? Anything is possible, but that doesn't make it probable.

He's certainly aiming to come away with as many as he possibly can.

5. LeBron Scores 45 in Game 7 vs. Celtics

This was one of the more memorable postseason battles in recent history, as James and Paul Pierce were locked into a fierce competition all night long.

Although everyone knew the ball was going to James on the offensive end, it didn't matter, as his production just wasn't going to be limited.

4. Joins Oscar Robertson with at Least 37 Points in Postseason Triple-Double

This isn't an accomplishment that gets discussed with any sort of regularity, but it's one that should be discussed every time we see James post a triple-double in the playoffs.

With 37 points in this game, he joined Oscar Robertson as the only two players to score at least 37 points in a postseason game and register a triple-double in the process.

3. 2008 Beijing Gold Medal

James expressed how much winning the gold medal at the Olympics meant to him at the time the United States came away with it, and that's the reason it's this high on the list.

The U.S. squad wasn't the slam dunk that so many assumed they were to win it all, and that type of Olympic success should never be overlooked.

2. Last-Second Win over Orlando

Has James ever hit a bigger shot during the course of his career? You be the judge.

Everyone thought this game was over after the Magic went ahead, but James had other plans, and the building absolutely exploded upon the ball going through the bottom of the net.

1. 2007 Eastern Conference Finals, Game 5

When someone says that a certain player took over a game, it's time to review the tape and provide them with the YouTube clip enclosed in this slide.

James, by himself, was the Cavaliers in the fourth quarter in this game against the Pistons, and he demonstrated just how much control he can assert over a game at any given moment.