The 2016 NBA Championship run from the Cleveland Cavaliers was one of the best playoffs runs in history, mostly due to what LeBron James and the Cavaliers ended up doing in the Finals. The Cavaliers, led by LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, came back from 3-1 down against the 73-9 Golden State Warriors, the best team ever record-wise in the regular season.
NBA legend Scottie Pippen has suggested that LeBron James won the 2016 NBA Championship without any help. It seems as though Pippen overlooked the contributions of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, both of whom were great contributors around LeBron James. The post was targeted at analyst Stephen A. Smith.
@stephenasmith @KingJames won a championship without any help
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) June 25, 2021
2016 Finals my man… which other star was out there with LeBron? @stephenasmith https://t.co/TrynpLnL8N
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) June 25, 2021
Stephen A. Smith responded to Pippen’s tweet, and pointed out the importance of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love in the 2016 NBA Championship, while also pointing to the other stars that helped LeBron James win, such as Dwyane Wade and Anthony Davis.
With all due respect my brother, that is ridiculous. D-Wade and Chris Bosh (Miami), Kyrie and Kevin Love (Cleveland) and Anthony Davis (Lakers). WTH is the matter with you? You know basketball. You’re a 6-time champion. How can you utter such Blasphemy? https://t.co/rLbW0kFFDl
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) June 25, 2021
I already told you, Man! Who the hell is Kyrie Irving to you? Slava Medvedenko? https://t.co/Tfg3UrhQ86
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) June 25, 2021
While Pippen’s claim goes against common knowledge, it seems as though it was the product of a misunderstanding, as Scottie Pippen claimed that he simply got the year mixed up, and thought it was 2015, the first year LeBron James lost in the Finals to the Golden State Warriors. That year, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love were both injured in the Finals.
I’m too focused on the Digits launch, I got the wrong year I was thinking of 2015, you good. You’re welcome for the content 😂 https://t.co/FW5A5OLnLO
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) June 25, 2021
There is no question that this was a hilarious exchange. While LeBron James was the Cleveland Cavaliers’ leader in 2016, he still had All-Star caliber help from Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. They were huge contributors to the Cavaliers coming back up from 3-1 down, and it is clear that without them the comeback wouldn’t have happened.
