The NBA Playoffs may not be thrilling just yet, but they haven't been predictable either. Who would have thought we'd see all these blowout games? Or that Manu Ginobili would crush young James Harden's hopes and dreams? Who knew the Celtics would make it so far? Or that Zaza would be the new Bruce Bowen? But no matter how the first few rounds play out, the one certainty is that it will end the same way: with LeBron James in the Finals.
In fact, the last time King James was not in the Finals was June 2010. After his Cavs lost in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Celtics and Lakers became the last teams standing. The Lake Show went on to take the title, and sitting at home was so painful for LeBron that soon thereafter he made a Decision that would ensure he'd never miss the Finals again. As LeBron prepares to make his seventh straight appearance, let's take a look at what life was like the last time he wasn't the star of the show.
Kyrie Irving was finishing his senior year in high school.
Kobe Bryant was Finals MVP for the last time.
The Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup for the first time in 49 years.
The Blackhawks beat the Philadelphia Flyers 4–3 in overtime to clinch the title.
You had to send nudes the old-fashioned way.
Snapchat wouldn't be around for another year.
Couldn't slide in the DMs, either.
Instagram didn't launch until a few months later, in October.
A blonde Jessica Alba was on the cover of Complex.
It was sinsational!
The Black Eyed Peas were a thing.
And this is how they dressed.
Diddy was in some kinda singing group.
Ciara hadn't met Future or Russell Wilson yet.
She also hadn't started hitting the bleach.
Pharrell still ran around with N.E.R.D.
Genuinely don't think Chad Hugo has been seen in public since then.
A Canadian rapper by the name of Drake released one of the most anticipated debut albums ever.
Remember how on "Fireworks" he "set the record straight" on the rumors about him and Rihanna?
"And I'll never forget it, baby, what an experience / You could of been the one but it wasn't that serious." LOLZ.
Anyways, the album debuted at No. 1 and went platinum...some things never change. Like Drake being No. 1...and Drake being lovesick over Rihanna.
We had a president who didn't leak classified information to the Russians.
Groupon was one of the Top 10 iPhone apps.
Were Groupon dates economical? Cheap? Tacky? Many debates ensued.
We were obsessed with sparkly vampires.
A love triangle between a human, a vampire, and a werewolf had the theaters sold out. Seriously.
The country was in a panic over an outbreak of bedbugs.
From subway cars in New York to Koreatown in LA to the UN Headquarters.
But the only song you'll remember is the one with Rihanna.
Remember when John McCain tweeted Snooki?
Miley Cyrus had the No. 1 song in the country with “Can’t Be Tamed.”
Update: She's now decided that she can be tamed.