5 players who have successfully guarded LeBron James in the NBA

It's not often you hear of a player successfully locking down LeBron James in the NBA. However, few have successfully achieved this feat against one of the greatest players in world basketball.

The 2021-22 NBA season is almost underway, and some of these players will have the opportunity to prove themselves against King James once again. Although LeBron James is not as athletic as he once was, defending against him is still a tall task.

LeBron James has a myriad of ways he can dominate his opponent, thanks to his varied skill set in his arsenal. While "stopping" him is near impossible, some have successfully slowed him down, especially in crucial games.

The list of players that have successfully guarded LeBron James is relatively short compared to the number of years he has spent in the league. Regardless, these players deserve commendation as they slowed down his utter domination of the league.

That said, here are five players that have successfully guarded LeBron James at one point or the other in the NBA.

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#5 Jimmy Butler

Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat

The Chicago Bulls had to square off against LeBron James and the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the 2013 NBA Eastern Conference Semi-finals. In the absence of Luol Deng, Jimmy Butler was given the nod to contain James, and he did a brilliant job. In the first half, Butler successfully restricted LeBron James to only two points. Although he came back stronger in the second half, the Heat lost Game 1.

Jimmy Butler after game 1 Vs The Miami Heat in the 2013 playoffs pic.twitter.com/IylJA7bhoH

— Gustavo (@iamvega1982) October 10, 2020

Butler has shown that he's a great two-way player as he has also proved himself against LeBron James on the offensive end. In the 2020 NBA Finals, he recorded two triple-doubles, which turned out to be just a delay to the inevitable. The LA Lakers won the tie in six games.

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#4 Tony Parker

Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs

LeBron James made it to his first NBA Finals in 2007 but was met with a rather rough welcome. The San Antonio Spurs, led by Tony Parker, swept the Cleveland Cavaliers to clinch their third title.

2007 #NBAFinals In the @spurs four-game sweep of @cavs Tony Parker became the first European-born player to win Finals MVP (24.5, 56.8 FG%) pic.twitter.com/k4sVQX9Vbv

— NBA History (@NBAHistory) June 2, 2017

Although LeBron James put up points on the score sheet, Parker took advantage of his inexperience, and James found it hard to make stops against the Spurs guard. James managed only 22 points per game in the series.

#3 Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets heads for the net

Kevin Durant and LeBron James have gone toe-to-toe in the NBA Finals three times, and Durant has come out on top more often. Although it was not a defensive masterpiece from either party, Durant successfully delivered the goods for the Warriors to earn the finals MVP.

LeBron James and the Miami Heat first met Durant during his stint with the OKC Thunder. Although the Heat's Big 3 closed the series in five games, Durant outscored LeBron James and averaged 30.6 points in the series.

In 2017 and 2018, fans were treated to intriguing NBA finals as both offensive firehouses squared off against each other. Durant successfully reduced LeBron's efficiency to lead the Warriors to the title. On both occasions, Durant was named the MVP.

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#2 Andre Iguodala

Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors

The 2015 NBA Finals would be on the minds of many as Andre Iguodala won the MVP mainly because of his tenacious defense on LeBron James. Although the points average will show James as an elite scorer, his efficiency was abysmal.

5 YEARS AGO TODAYThe Golden State Warriors won the 2015 NBA Championship & Andre Iguodala was named Finals MVP. They have been to the Finals every season since. pic.twitter.com/FskbAlZhFc

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) June 16, 2020

Although no one can exactly say he locked down LeBron James, he certainly made things super difficult for him. With Iguodala on the court, James averaged 26.1 points, seven assists, and shot 38.1% from the field per 36 minutes. By comparison, James averaged 34.9 points and 6.6 assists without Iguodala on the floor.

LeBron James shot an abysmal 35.6% from the field and 20% from beyond the arc. His free throw shooting was also poor as he shot 69% from the charity stripe.

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#1 Kawhi Leonard

Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards is guarded by Kawhi Leonard #2

LeBron James found it hard to hit top gear against another San Antonio Spurs player during the 2014 NBA Finals. Kawhi Leonard was a menace on defense and terrorized James throughout the series.

Throwback Thursday to that time LeBron didn't want to see Kawhi Leonard check in... pic.twitter.com/Xfh3IF0v51

— Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey) January 15, 2016

The Klaw was another player who successfully reduced LeBron James' impact significantly and denied the Miami Heat a three-peat. When Leonard was his primary defender, he shot only 34% from the field.

Kawhi was named the 2014 NBA Finals MVP for his overall performance defensively. He was named the NBA Finals MVP mainly because of his defense on LeBron.