What the World Was Like the Last Time LeBron James Wasn't in the NBA Finals

King James has been in the Finals the past six seasons straight. Here's how things were way back in June 2010, the last time he didn't make an appearance.

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.

Jay Z was King of America.

Jay Z Rolling Stone cover

Kyrie Irving was finishing his senior year in high school.

Kyrie Irving McDonald's All America

Kobe Bryant was Finals MVP for the last time.

kobe MVP 2010

The Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup for the first time in 49 years.

blackhawks stanley cup

The Blackhawks beat the Philadelphia Flyers 4–3 in overtime to clinch the title.

You had to send nudes the old-fashioned way.

Image via Instagram

Couldn't slide in the DMs, either.

Kim Kardashian catches one of 6,000 selfies in Mexico.

A blonde Jessica Alba was on the cover of Complex.

jessica alba complex cover

The Black Eyed Peas were a thing.

Black Eyed Peas at the BET Awards

Diddy was in some kinda singing group.

diddy dirty money

Ciara hadn't met Future or Russell Wilson yet.

Ciara BET Awards

Pharrell still ran around with N.E.R.D.

N.E.R.D.

A Canadian rapper by the name of Drake released one of the most anticipated debut albums ever.

Drake Thank Me Later

We had a president who didn't leak classified information to the Russians.

Barack Obama Eating

Groupon was one of the Top 10 iPhone apps.

groupon

We were obsessed with sparkly vampires.

Twilight

The country was in a panic over an outbreak of bedbugs.

bedbugs at the capitol

From subway cars in New York to Koreatown in LA to the UN Headquarters.

View this video on YouTube

youtube.com

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.”

Miley Cyrus at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards

And LeBron had enough hair for an Afro.

LeBron afro

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