The Cleveland Cavaliers have become the first team in NBA history to come back from 3-1 down in the Finals to win their first championship, beating the Golden State Warriors 93-89 in Game 7 in Oakland.
The win was a historic moment for Cleveland, a city which hadn’t won a championship in any of America’s big four sports leagues in the previous 52 years. The Cavaliers also became the first team in the NBA to win a Game 7 on the road since the Washington Bullets in 1978.
LeBron James was awarded the Bill Russell trophy as the Finals MVP, capping off a dominant performance in which he led each and every major statistical category for the series
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» Cavs make history
“I’m happy to be a part of history,” James said. “I’m home. I’m home… I’m at a loss for words. This is unbelievable.”
Both teams had scored 610 points over the first six games, and it was fitting that the final minutes of Game 7 were neck-and-neck.
With the scores tied at 89 all in the closing minutes, James came up with a crucial block to prevent Andre Iguodala from converting a layup on the fastbreak, before Australian-born Kyrie Irving drilled a clutch three-pointer Steph Curry’s face to give the Cavs the lead.
Curry looked to respond in turn, but was thwarted by some excellent Kevin Love defence, giving Cleveland possession with half a minute to go. James was then fouled by Draymond Green as he tried to ice the game with a thunderous dunk, but after falling heavily on his right wrist he was able to convert one of his two free throws, giving Cleveland their four-point lead which would not be breached.
James finished with a triple-double of 27 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, while Irving once again proved an excellent sidekick with 26 points of his own. After being much-maligned for the opening games of the Finals, Kevin Love found some form with 14 rebounds.
For Golden State, Green was immense, finishing with a game-high 32 points to go along with 15 boards and nine assists. However, he had little help from his star backcourt, with Curry (17 points) and Klay Thompson (14) shooting a combined 12 for 36 from the field.
The championship comes as a validation for James, who returned to Cleveland with the goal of giving the city a major sports title, and for coach Tyronn Lue, who only became the Cavs’ head coach in January after David Blatt was fired.
“We made history tonight,” Lue said. “Cleveland, Ohio, we’re coming back, baby!”
Bman
Guest
Gold.
Carlos the Jackal
Guest
This strong? When did you start watching basketball? MJ played in an era with a massive number of players that are the greatest the league has ever seen, How many greats are there playing currently? A list of some of the players MJ played against or with. Magic Johnson Larry Bird The Dream Karl Malone Isiah Thomas Shaquille O'Neal Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Charles Barkley David Robinson Dominique Wilkins Patrick Ewing James Worthy John Stockton Chris Mullins Kareem Kevin McHale Mose Malone Alex English Clyde Drexler Joe Dumas Adrian Dantley Reggie Miller Gary Payton Scottie Pippin
anon
Guest
LeBron should have won 4/4 when he piled on with Bosh and Wade in Miami. If it wasn't for Ray Allen hitting a buzzer beater 3 pointer to take the game into OT in game 6 of the 2013 finals, LeBron would only have 2 championships. If Draymond Green doesn't get suspended for game 5 LeBron likely doesn't win this championship either.
Swampy
Guest
Next time you catch up with Lebron maybe you can tell him how you feel and how you think he should behave so that you can like him as a basketballer a bit more.
McNaulty
Guest
I just don't think Steph Curry's game translates well to the play offs. In terms of regular season, it will be interesting to see if he can bounce back next season with the same consistency of the last 2.
Marshall
Guest
Can you not make the distinction that Maradona was a brilliant footballer but you dont' really care much for his demenor and personality? I don't get why it's so controversial and people have such a hard time with it. I'm not hysterically saying LEBRON SUX, I'm saying LeBron is great at basketball and played superbly but I am not a fan of him. I guess people have a problem with non-polarised opinions on the internet? Seems you have to lurch dramatically to one side or the other
McNaulty
Guest
I don't understand your dislike for him off the court. He seems a fine man. I mean I wouldn't say he is level headed but how the hell would you be when he has been idolised since he was, what, 14?
Swampy
Guest
Diego Maradona is the all-time greatest ever footballer. He was a complete numnut off the pitch but that doesn't matter to anyone who loves football (bar the Brazilians who vouch for pele). It's the same with Lebron. Just appreciate him for what he has done and be thankful that you were able to witness it. MJ was an absolute as$hat but do we care?
McNaulty
Guest
Its also not clear that GSW win game 5 with Green. They lost that because LBJ and Kyrie were great and because some tiny amount of complacency had slipped in. His presence didn't make a difference to the game 6 and 7 outcome.
McNaulty
Guest
Spurs, GSW and soon Thunder are better than anything MJ faced.
Marshall
Guest
You've gone through an had a crack at every single one of my comments, and had a personal go at me. Not sure what your issue is mate, when all I've done is discuss basketball/NBA. You seem to have some kind of vendetta against a man on an internet forum and it's concerning.
Scott Pryde
Expert
That was really something. Incredible stuff.
pete bloor
Guest
The behind the back was stupid but I think he was a bit dinged up. He didn't have a "curry" standard series but I'm sure LeBron would trade Curry for his series against the Mavs
pete bloor
Guest
You did some passive aggressive calling out of the pretend "objective" fan before when you've been irrational and so clearly biased it's unbelievable. Let the players decide? They did - Green decided to hit people in the nuts and he got a single game on the side line. Also ticky tack calls are little touch fouls not deciding between techs and flagrants.
pete bloor
Guest
I understand why you're baffled
Marshall
Guest
Hardly mate, I have probably paid him more praise than criticism over the balance of the comments. Haven't replied to every single comment, just those I have an opinion on, just like you - and I welcome it. It's an internet sports discussion website. Just passionate and pumped up after the big game so active on the forums.
Benny
Guest
You say you tend to see things more clearly than all the irrational lebron lovers yet by feeling the need to reply to every single comment by somebody who likes lebron about how bad of a person he is, you're the one who is irrational here
Marshall
Guest
All time great player, and produced some brilliant, brilliant performances. However this doesn't impact the ability to dislike him based on all the other BS he carries on with.
Jack
Guest
Amazing game 7 capped what I thought was a very very average series just one game that would actually be called close. Lebron amazing to me doesn't matter what he does or achieve in what is left in his career this is his crowning achievement incredible, Irving amazing. Great for Delly to get a ring that's 3 years in a row where an Aussie has won a ring. Patty Mills, Aaron Baynes, Bogut and now Delly and Kyrie his Aussie today all this is great for Aussie basketball. Warriors just let it get away and IMO there have to be some questions asked of Steph Curry's temprement to step up in the finals. 2 finals his been pretty average and if the Warriors had won today he wouldn't have been close in Finals Mvp voting. If Lebron or Durant or Irving had performed at his standard in the finals they would be crucified, Lebron in particular. Congrats to Clevland they truly went out and earned it
Doug Graves
Guest
So GSW have the dubious honour of being the Greatest regular season team of all time and greatest NBA Finals chokers of all time. Pippen was right, 96 Bulls would have swept this Warriors team.