2016 NBA Finals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs Golden State Warriors

Today, I will be breaking down arguably the best Finals series in the last ten years. The Warriors looked to complete their dream season of 73-9 with a championship, forever cementing them as the greatest team ever. The only thing that stood in their way? Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

This series provided one of the greatest comebacks of all time, and some of the greatest moments in NBA history.

Backstory: The Warriors had won the 2015 NBA Championship and they were looking to repeat. The Warriors finished he regular season with a 73-9 record, breaking the 1995-96 Bulls win record for 72. The Warriors nearly lost in the Western Conference Finals to Kevin Durant and the Thunder, having to comeback from a 3-1 deficit to make it to the Finals. After the Cavs were injured in the 2015 Finals, they were healthy as they looked to take down the Warriors, ruining their dream season.

Game 1 was in Oakland, California in the loud Oracle Arena. The Warriors were poised to start the series off the right way at home, while the Cavs tried to steal home-court advantage. Well, the Warriors controlled this game, winning 104-89 behind a balanced offensive attack.

Now down 1-0, the Cavs looked to respond to avoid going down 2-0. With a win, the Warriors would have a almost insurmountable lead in the series, all but securing the series. Well, just like in Game 1, the Warriors controlled and dominated the game. They held the Cavs to 77 points, as they won 110-77. Draymond Green had 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists as the Warriors now took a 2-0 series lead.

Games 3 and 4 would be back in Cleveland, and Game 3 was a must win for James and the Cavs. And the Cavs responded. After jumping on the Warriors in the 1st, the Cavs never looked back as they won by 30, 120-90. Lebron James had 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists as the series was back to 2-1 as Game 4 would prove to be a pivotal game for both teams.

Game 4 was also in Cleveland, and both teams needed a win for different reasons. If the Warriors won, it was just about over. If the Cavs won, it was once again a competitive series. But, the Warriors were able to hang on and win 108-97 after outscoring the Cavs by 9 in the 4th quarter. Steph Curry had 38 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists in his 1st big game of the series as the Warriors took a 3-1 lead.

No team had ever come back from a 3-1 deficit, and the Cavs were not likely to be the first since they were facing the greatest team in basketball. But, in their minds the series was not over. They still had a fighting chance.

Going back to Oracle Arena, the Warriors looked to close out their dream season at home with a win. But, the Cavs denied the Warriors that chance. The Cavs won 112-97 behind 41 points, 16 rebounds, and 7 assists from Lebron James and 41 points and 6 assists from Kyrie Irving. It was the 1st time that two teammates had 40+ points in a Finals Game. The series was now 3-2 as the Game 6 was back in Cleveland.

Going into Cleveland, the Cavs looked to force a Game 7, and the Warriors looked to end the Cavs valiant effort at a comeback. But, the Cavs again dominated the Warriors, winning 115-101. Lebron James again had a dominant game with 41 points, 8 rebounds, and 11 assists. The Cavs had now won back-to-back games and the series was now tied 3-3. Now, the decisive Game 7 was back in Oracle Arena.

Even though Game 7 was anybody’s game, it was widely known and thought of that the Warriors were going to win this game, and cement themselves in NBA history.

But, unlike the first 6 games, where one team had an explosive offense, Game 7 was a slug-fest. In the 4th quarter, the two teams were unable to score and the game become a stand-still. But, after a missed Cavalier shot, the Warriors were on the break.

Andre Iguodala passed it up to Steph Curry who delivered a perfect pass back to him. Even with JR. Smith contesting, Iguodala would be making that layup.

But, Lebron James came out of nowhere to erase the shot, stuffing it off the backboard. James saved the score, and the game was still tied at 89. This block is remembered as one of the greatest defensive plays of all time.

With just over a minute left, Kyrie Irving got a switch with Steph Curry and he started to make his move. He was on the right wing and he slowed his dribble, luring Steph Curry into a sleep. Then, he stepped back and he knocked down the game-winning 3 with 53.0 seconds left.

The Cavs made a few more stops, and as time expired, they Cavs had won Game 7, 93-89, winning the series 4-3. The Cavs were led by James who had 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.

The Cavs had broken the Cleveland drought, the city’s first major sports championship in 52 years. They were also the first team to win a finals after trailing 3-1.

Lebron James was named Finals MVP for the series.

The Cavs had done the impossible, ruining the Warriors dream season, and cementing themselves as one of the great teams in NBA History.

Please leave a comment on what you were thinking during Game 7 of this series, and where does this rank among the greatest finals series of all time?

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