CLEVELAND - LeBron James is headed to the NBA Finals for a fifth straight year, a feat that puts him among elite company.
James Jones is used to pushing back his summer vacation plans, too.
And enjoying it.
When the Cleveland Cavaliers completed a sweep of the Atlanta Hawks Tuesday night, Jones and James became the first players since Bill Russell-led Boston Celtics teams of the 1960s to qualify for a fourth-straight Finals.
In the Eastern Conference Finals, James became the first player ever to average at least 30 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in a playoff series. Jones pitched in, too, with a pair of productive games off the bench.
The King and his three-point shooting specialist friend also went to the Finals as members of the Miami Heat from 2011-2014, though Jones did not play in the 2011 NBA Finals.
"I am aware (that it's a piece of NBA history) but I just count myself blessed and lucky to be a part of great teams, great organizations with guys that sacrifice," Jones said. "One thing about all these teams, though...one thing we've always said is that we're not looking back until it's done.
"They're all different. Every playoff run has its own unique challenges. This team was put together basically halfway through the season. We've peaked at the right time."
With more than a subtle nudge from James, the Cavs signed Jones last summer. He averaged 11.1 minutes over 57 regular season games and has played in every Cavs playoff games, making multiple 3-pointers in six of them. So, he's more than just an observer but still an experienced witness to James' greatness.
"LeBron is getting better at every facet of the game," Jones said. "If you're an honest critic or an honest observer, you have to recognize he's one of the greatest to ever play the game."
Jones, 34, entered the NBA in 2003 -- the same year James did -- as a second-round pick of the Indiana Pacers. The Cavs are his fifth NBA stop.
Five is the magic number, at least for now. When the buzzer sounded Tuesday night, Jones was the first Cavs player James approached on the floor. Later, the two shared a group hug and a private moment with Mike Miller, who played on three of those Heat teams to make the Finals and both that won championships before coming to Cleveland last summer.
"We're all living in the moment, and that makes it special."
Jones said he now sees an older James but the same kind of player.
"He started in Miami as just part of The Big Three and morphed into one of the co-leaders with Dwyane Wade," Jones said. "I see the same LeBron that's motivated and focused on whatever it takes to get his team over the top.
"It's so hard (to get to the Finals) because this is the world's greatest game with the world's greatest players. Guys get better. Teams get better. They morph.
"Getting here, it's what we talked about when this all started last summer. We recognized the moment would come if we did what we had to do. I'm blessed to be doing this with great teammates. I'm blessed to be with the world's greatest player."
