Lebron James’s Legendary Game 6 Performance in 2012 Dubbed “Best Ever” by Norris Cole

Norris Cole spoke about LeBron James's legendary Game 6 performance vs the Celtics in 2012.

Lebron James’s Legendary Game 6 Performance in 2012 Dubbed “Best Ever” by Norris Cole

Norris Cole on LeBron James (Image credits - Firstsportz)

In Short
  • LeBron James's Game 6 performance in 2012 against the Celtics is hailed as one of the best in NBA history by teammate Norris Cole.
  • James scored 45 points, along with 15 rebounds and five assists, leading the Heat to a crucial victory in an elimination game.
  • Norris Cole noted that Dwyane Wade played a significant role in helping James mature and become a leader during their time together in Miami.

LeBron James is coming off his 23rd season in the NBA. His 2025-26 campaign may have come to an end, but he has shown the NBA world that he can still play at a very high level at this stage of his career.

Since being drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers as the number one pick of the 2003 NBA draft, James has cemented himself as one of, if not the greatest, player to ever play basketball. He made it into the NBA straight out of high school and has gone on to surpass all expectations.

After spending seven seasons during his first stint in Cleveland, James joined the Miami Heat. During his time in Miami, he won two championships in 2012 and 2013 and played in several historic games.

James’ teammate during his Heat days, Norris Cole, believed that James’ historic performance in Game 6 against the Boston Celtics was the best performance he had ever seen.

Like live in real life, that might’ve been the best performance I’ve ever seen. I saw him get 61 against Charlotte but that’s a regular season game, this (game 6) if we lose the season is over and the big 3 is broken up. If we don’t win it’s over, LeBron could’ve went for 50, there was no answer for him that night. His legacy was on the line and he did what he needed to do to secure any talk.

Norris Cole on Run Your Race podcast

Norris Cole spent three seasons with LeBron James in Miami. He was able to see several historic performances from the four-time champion firsthand. And it is not surprising that he picked James’ Game 6 performance against the Celtics as the best ever.

Down 3-2 in the series, it was an elimination game for the Heat, and James’ legacy was on the line. He was yet to win a championship and was coming off a huge meltdown in the 2011 NBA Finals. But James answered the call.

James went on to score 45 points to go along with 15 rebounds and five assists as the Heat dominated the Celtics 98-79 at the TD Garden. Many believe that was the performance that helped James take his game to the next level. James and the Heat went on to win the championship that year.

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LeBron James learned how to handle certain situations from Dwyane Wade

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade were drafted in the same draft class, with Wade getting picked by the Heat as the number five pick. When LeBron James decided to join forces with Wade in 2010, it shook the NBA world. James was establishing himself as the best player in the world, while Wade was already a champion and a Finals MVP.

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade (Image credits – Legion Hoops/X)

Norris Cole revealed that James learned a lot from Wade during his time in Miami, and the latter helped James become a leader.

Bron is one of the most gifted players to ever play, he has things you can’t learn or teach, the things that he could learn — maturity and handling certain situations. D-Wade was the ultimate brother for that. I don’t know if there’s anybody that could’ve been better in that situation. D-Wade already accomplished what Bron was trying to accomplish so they could relate on a star level, it was the perfect partnership.

Norris Cole on LeBron James and Dwyane Wade

James looks at Wade as an older brother. He has often credited Wade for helping him become a leader and the player he is today. The two still share a close relationship.

Norris Cole had no idea that LeBron James was leaving in 2014

During his four-year stint in Miami, LeBron James made it to the NBA Finals in all four years. He established himself as the best player in the world, but in 2014, the Heat were clean-swept by the San Antonio Spurs, which left a sour taste in James’ mouth. It also led to some issues between James and Heat President Pat Riley.

However, Norris Cole had no idea what James was going to do after the 2013-14 campaign.

No one knew what Bron was going to do. I’m thinking we about to get ready next year and try again. There was a lot of animosity around when it happened because Pat Riley took that personally — he was upset when Bron left and he’s the president of the franchise. There was a lot of tension. We as players loved Bron — he helped us win championships but It took Pat awhile to get over it.

James left the Heat in 2014 and rejoined the Cavs for a second stint. He went on to win another championship in 2016, before leaving the Cavs for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018. Many wonder how many more championships the Heat would win if James decided to stay in Miami.

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