On this date, in 2016, the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the 73-win Golden State Warriors in a classic Game 7 to secure their NBA championship and became the first team to overcome a 3-1 deficit in the finals.
By doing so, the Cavaliers also became Cleveland’s first major professional sports team to win a title since the 1964 Browns. The Cavaliers-Warriors 2016 finals series marked the first time in NBA history both teams entered Game 7 with the same exact number of points (610). The deciding matchup itself included 20 lead changes and 11 ties as Cleveland won 93-89.
LeBron James, who crafted a 27-point, 11-rebound, 11-assist triple-double, secured his third career NBA Finals MVP after becoming the first player ever to lead all players in a playoff series in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. Kyrie Irving chipped in 26 points and six rebounds, including a crucial go-ahead bucket over Stephen Curry with 53 seconds remaining. Although Kevin Love finished with only nine points on nine shots, his lockdown defense on the 2016 unanimous MVP also helped make the Cavaliers champions and wrapped one of the best playoff series of all time.
But like any series worth remembering, highlights are required. Enter James’ season-saving and legacy-altering block on Andre Iguodala with the game tied at 89. One needs to only read Mike Breen’s call of the moment to instantly relive it:
“Iguodala to Curry, back to Iguodala, up for the layup! Oh! Blocked by James! LeBron James with the rejection!”
By game’s end, James, who was born in Akron, Ohio, developed into a high school phenom at St. Vincent-St. Mary’s and spent the first seven seasons of his NBA career with the Cavaliers before winning two titles in four seasons with the Miami Heat, couldn’t contain his excitement for delivering an NBA title to his home state.
“I set out a goal two years ago, but I came back to bring a championship to this city.” James explained after Game 7. “I gave everything that I had. I put my heart and my blood and my sweat and my tears to this game. Against all odds, kept that same positive attitude. Instead of saying, ‘Why me?’ I just said, ‘This is what they want me to do.’
Cleveland! This is for you!”
This news was originally published on this post .
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