• Former Pistons forward Stanley Johnson shared his experience of playing the legendary 2016 Cavaliers in the Playoffs
• The Pistons were swept 4-0 in a competitive series
• Johnson believes Kyrie Irving was more responsible for the sweep than LeBron James, referring to his incredible Game 3 three
The 2016 Playoffs capped off one of the greatest seasons in NBA history. It was capped off with the Cavaliers lifting their first NBA Championship led by LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.
Stanley Johnson reflected on the Cavaliers’ first-round series against the Detroit Pistons, where he was playing as a rookie. He gave more credit to Kyrie for the series sweep than LeBron because Kyrie saved Game 3 of the series for the Cavaliers.
“Kyrie Irving? He’s different. As good as LeBron was, that series was won by Kyrie… We had the game won (Game 3), and we’re sitting back. That was only a pass LeBron could make, we’re not mad, it’s LeBron. Kyrie catches it, tip-toeing, shoots it over the backboard, cash. The whole f***ing palace was silent. Silent.”
"[Kyrie Irving's] different… As good as LeBron was, that [2016 Pistons vs. Cavs] series in my opinion was won by Kyrie… He catches it tip-toeing and shoots it over the backboard… The whole f*cking Palace silent."
(via "Run Your Race", @TidalLeague)https://t.co/Ax2OflMyhW
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 26, 2023
The shot Johnson is talking about took place with about 45 seconds left as the Cavaliers led by five points. It’s unclear why Johnson said they had the game won when they were trailing by five, but Irving hit an incredible shot from the right corner to extend the Cavs lead to eight.
Irving averaged 27.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in the series while LeBron averaged 22.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 6.8 assists.
The Cavaliers Trusted Kyrie Irving In The Biggest Moments Of That Title Run
We all know the Cavs were LeBron’s team and he was the best player on the roster. Irving was amazing but James averaged 26.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 7.6 assists for the entire playoff run and was terrifying opponents with his IQ and consistency.
Irving was the resident clutch player for the team, with Tyronn Lue trusting him over James to take big shots in the Finals, including the game-winning three in Game 7 against the Warriors.
“Bron had just made that big block and he was exhausted. He hadn’t come out of the game the whole game, so he was done. We came to the bench, there was a minute and 13 left. Bron was there, he got the wet towel, so I’m just looking like, ‘Sh*t man, I’m going to Kyrie… I didn’t think he was gonna take a three, I thought he was gonna go to the rack. He sized him up, step back to the right, that’s one of the biggest shots in NBA history.”
Irving averaged 25.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in the 2016 Playoffs and earned his ring with his crucial contributions.
Kyrie Irving Once Said ‘There Is No Shot Without The Block’
Kyrie Irving knows that the 2016 title wasn’t won on the back of the shot Irving hit, but a combination of everything the Cavaliers did that year. In Game 7, the more famous play is arguably LeBron’s incredible chase-down block on Andre Iguodala to save an open layup. Irving gave credit to that play, once saying that his shot wouldn’t exist if the block didn’t happen first.
“I’ve been watching ‘The Block’ because there is no shot without ‘The Block’. You see a guy chasing down a shot, then I get a chance, Game 7. I wouldn’t trade that for the world.”
The 2016 playoff will forever be remembered for these incredible contests where we saw arguably two of the best Finals teams ever constructed take each other on in a seven-game series with enough drama and tension for a lifetime.
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