When asked what is the greatest NBA Finals series in history, most fans will say the 2016 NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Perhaps the most evenly matched Finals series since the 2010 NBA Finals, the Cavaliers and Warriors put on a show for most fans.
By Game 4, things seemed elementary, as the Warriors had taken a 3-1 lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers, and looked set to defeat them and win the NBA championship for a second consecutive year. But the Cavs, led by LeBron James, were not willing to go down without a fight.
The Cavaliers came back and won the next two games. Perhaps the most pivotal moment came in Game 5 when Draymond Green hit LeBron James in the groin and was suspended for Game 6. Former Cavs player Iman Shumpert himself has suggested that he isn’t sure if the Cavs would have won Game 6 if Draymond was on the court.
The Cavs tied the series at 3-3, with one final game left to play at the Oracle Arena. After the Warriors’ history-making 73-9 season, they had acquired a home-court advantage. But after Game 6, LeBron and the Cavaliers were confident in their chances to win Game 7 and bring a title back to Cleveland.
After Game 6, LeBron and the Cavaliers celebrated in the locker room. James even motivated his team for Game 7 by telling them that the Warriors had made a mistake in underestimating the Cavaliers and that they had messed up, both mentally and physically, and it would cost them the series.
Lebron Down 3-2 going into a game seven on the road talking this much shit but somehow a front runner.
Wondering what Lue is talking about attacking I hope it ain’t their golden boy lol pic.twitter.com/zeXUK1CklA
— dee (@deetrippy12) January 5, 2022
“They f*cked up. Mentally and physically. I’m telling you, they f*cked up.”
LeBron ended up being right, as the Cavaliers ended up defeating the Warriors in Game 7, thanks to a clutch Kyrie Irving shot, and one of the greatest blocks in NBA history by LeBron James. The Cavaliers celebrated as LeBron James was able to fulfill his promise to the city of Cleveland and delivered a championship.
LeBron James was named Finals MVP for the third time in his career. But that Finals series probably created one of the best teams in NBA history, as the Warriors then added Kevin Durant in the offseason, thus forming the most unstoppable team in the NBA. LeBron would have to wait 4 years and join a new team to win his next NBA championship.
