LeBron James Says 2011 Finals was 'Lowest' Point of NBA Career: 'I Played Like S--t'

LeBron James has endured all the highs and lows throughout his 21-year NBA career, but if you ask him, the 2011 NBA Finals was the lowest of the low.

James helped the Miami Heat reach the 2011 NBA Finals alongside Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, but they fell to Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd and the Dallas Mavericks in six games.

"I played like s--t," James said of his performance in the 2011 Finals on his Mind the Game podcast with JJ Redick. "... I told myself the way I played, unacceptable."

When Redick asked James whether the 2011 Finals was the low point of his career, James responded, "Oh for sure. The lowest."

James averaged 17.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.8 assists in six games against the Mavs while shooting 47.8 percent from the floor and 32.1 percent from deep.

Those numbers aren't bad by any stretch, but they aren't the numbers James expects from himself, either.

James told Redick that he returned for the 2011-12 campaign and was "locked the f--k in from start to finish."

That mindset resulted in him winning his third MVP award and leading the Heat to a championship, which was also his first title.

The Heat took down the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games, and he averaged 28.6 points, 10.2 rebounds and 7.4 assists while shooting 47.2 percent from the floor.

James is now searching for his fifth NBA title at 39 years old as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. The Purple and Gold are currently fighting for a playoff spot, sitting ninth in the Western Conference with a 42-33 record.