LOOKING BACK
What did the world look like the last time there was an NBA Finals without Lebron James?
Stephen Uzick
May 17, 2018, 9:37 am
Lebron James has made it to the Finals for eight straight years. Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images
Well it looks like this year may very well see the end of the Warriors-Cavaliers Finals repeat cycle. While it remains to be seen if the Rockets victory in Game 2 a mere flash in the pan or sign of things is to come, the Cavs look like they’re toast. If the Cavs do not escape their current 0-2 hole to the Celtics this will be the first time since 2010 that the NBA Finals will not feature LeBron James. For the arithmetically challenged that’s eight straight years. If you include the one Finals trip he had before going to Miami, LeBron has ended his season in the Finals for 60% of his career. So, with that in mind lets dust off the flux capacitor, hop in the DeLorean and see what life was like the last time an NBA season didn’t end with LeBron in the Finals.
2010 in Houston Sports (Spoiler: It was pretty bad all around)
Houston Rockets
Record: 42-40.
Notes of significance: Traded Tracy McGrady mid-season.
Remember these guys: Aaron Brooks, Chase Buddinger, The Chuck Wagon, Kyle Lowry, Kevin Martin.
Houston Astros
Record: 76-86.
Notes of Significance: Traded away Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman.
Remember these guys: Michael Bourn, Carlos Lee, Brett Myers, Wandy Rodriguez, Geoff Blum.
Houston Texans
Record: 6-10.
Notes of Significance: None – Of course not, it’s the Texans.
Remember these guys: Kevin Walter, Amobi Okoye, Antonio Smith, Vonta Leach, Steve Slaton.
Other 2010 Things:
Top Billboard Song of 2010 – Tik Tok by Ke$ha.
Top Grossing Movie of 2010 – Toy Story 3 (You are a liar if you contend you didn’t at least tear up in this movie).
Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
The iPad is released.
Obama Care Passed.
First real-world Bitcoin transaction. Two Pappa Johns pizzas purchased for 10,000 Bitcoin. Today that would be worth about $83,000,000.
When the name Harvey was mentioned you either thought of Steve or Dent.
Eight straight years in the finals is a most impressive feat, but if the Warriors make it back this year Steph Curry will already be halfway to that mark, and by the looks of things he could actually meet or exceed it.
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For the Houston Rockets, it's already been an exciting offseason, with the team trading for NBA superstar Kevin Durant earlier this week. The Rockets also inked extensions with big man Steven Adams and head coach Ime Udoka in recent weeks.
Apparently the action isn't slowing down as the Rockets have reportedly agreed to a contract extension with guard Fred VanVleet.
Senior ESPN NBA analyst Sham Charania is reporting that VanVleet intends to sign a 2-year, $50 million contract with Houston.
Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet intends to sign a two-year, $50 million contract to stay with the franchise, with a player option in 2026-27, sources tell ESPN. Rockets are declining VanVleet's $44.9 million team option and land the new deal with Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul. pic.twitter.com/rwtEUptBQT
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 25, 2025
Charania is also reporting that VanVleet has a player option for the 2026-2027 season.
In 60 games, VanVleet averaged just over 14 points and 5.6 assists per game last season.
This is a team-friendly deal for the Rockets that gets them below the luxury tax line, helping them avoid the repeater tax. It also opens up the full $14.1 million mid-level exception to add more talent to the roster. For VanVleet, it's more total money and an extra year of security.
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