After losing Game 4 at home to the record breaking Golden State Warriors, and falling behind 3-1 in the series, not many people thought it was possible. It had never been done before, coming back from 3-1, and only four teams had ever forced a Game 7. On top of that, the Warriors featured back-to-back MVP Stephen Curry and had only lost two games at home during the regular season.
Oh, and Cleveland has probably the worst sports luck of all time, some may call it a curse, and hadn’t won a championship since 1964.
But history is made to be broken, and so are curses.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are bringing home a championship to the city of Cleveland for the first time in 52 years.
LeBron James, the hometown kid, the King, the 4-time NBA MVP, has brought an NBA Championship back to his people with one of (if not the) greatest Finals series performances of all time. LeBron finished the series averaging 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 2.6 steals, and 2.3 blocks. The King reclaimed his throne, by leading both teams in all five categories. Both teams. His performance included back-to-back 41 point, 8+ rebound, 7+ assist performances in elimination games. And to top it off, a triple-double performance in the clinching Game 7.
LeBron showed his ferocity and dominance in this series, with pummeling blocks and rim-rattling dunks. James led his team back, against all odds, to help seal the victory for his franchise and his city. When his team needed him most, James brought it on offense and defense showing how imposing of a force he is.
Now with 3 NBA Championships and 4 MVP’s LeBron will be solidified as one of the top five players ever to play the game. And for Cleveland fans (like myself) he will probably be regarded as the greatest of all time after bringing a title to city that was, fittingly enough, devastated by Michael Jordan time and time again.
On June 5, 2015, Kyrie Irving left the court in Oakland, CA limping and in obvious pain. Irving was forced to miss the rest of the NBA Finals after just one game with a broken knee cap.
Flash forward to June 19, 2016, with 1:04 left in the fourth quarter of Game 7 of the NBA Finals, Irving dribbled to his right on the same court that ended his season, almost in the exact same spot. Irving dribbled back and forth between his legs with Steph Curry guarding him one-on-one. Irving hesitated, rose up, and faded away before burying a three-pointer that will go down into the history archives of the NBA and Cleveland sports.
Irving proved to be the difference in this Finals after missing the last five games of last season. On a mission to prove that he belonged in the conversation of the NBA’s best guards, Irving averaged 27.1 points in the NBA Finals. In Game 5, with his teams back against the wall, Irving matched his leader with a 41-point performance, all while shooting 70.1 percent from the field. Irving sealed the deal with a turn-around jumper against defensive stopper Klay Thompson which resulted in a foul and the bucket.
Mr. fourth quarter, as he is known by Cavalier fans, proved himself again but this time on the biggest stage in basketball. Kyrie Irving, you truly are KYRIDICULOUS.
Tristan Thompson was a hot topic of conversation this summer around the NBA after he received an $82 million contract to stay with the Cavs. Thompson proved himself as an elite rebounder in the NBA by showing relentless hustle and determination for the loose ball. Thompson proved himself elite once again in the NBA Finals, proving his worth with four double-digit rebounding performances. LeBron and Kyrie are the stars of the team, but the Cavs feed off the energy that Thompson gives them on the glass.
One of the hottest topics around the Cavs this season and post-season was Kevin Love. Known as the guy who couldn’t stay on the floor defensively against the Golden State Warriors, Love came up bigger than ever in Game 7 when the Cavs needed him most. Love finished with 14 rebounds and an even bigger two steals. Love always seemed to be in the right place at the right time. And although he only averaged 7.3 points per game in this Finals series, Love brought it when it was needed most on the defensive end of the floor. With the Warriors down by only three, MVP Steph Curry dribbled and shook with Love guarding him. Curry could not get free. Love’s defense was suffocating as Curry hesitated and crossed over but couldn’t get free before missing a three and giving the Cavs the ball to seal the game.
Also known as the creator of Lil’ Kev, Richard Jefferson gave the Cavs the veteran presence that they needed throughout the Finals series. After losing two Finals series previously in his career, Jefferson was what the Cavs needed in 2016. Stepping up huge in Game 3 with Love out injured, Jefferson finished with 9 points and 8 rebounds in the Cavs' 30-point victory. Jefferson provided energy and hustle all series long to carry the Cavs along when they needed it most, including an 8 rebound performance in Game 7. Jefferson was finally able to win the elusive NBA Championship in his career, before retiring after the final whistle and leaving the court for the last time as a champion.
Other players, such as former Knicks J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert, played pivotal roles in this Finals series, giving them their first career NBA Championships as well. But this series is all about LeBron and Kyrie; most of all, it’s about the city of Cleveland and Northeast Ohio.
In 22 years as a Cleveland fan, all I’ve known is losing and heartbreak. Time and time again, Cleveland fans have been tested and bent, but never broken no matter what happens to their beloved teams. For fans to be able to share this with their friends and their family throughout the state of Ohio will bring new life to the city known for heartbreak and losing. On June 19, 2016, the Cleveland Cavaliers became NBA Champions. The city of Cleveland became champions.
