The NBA Finals of 2016 witnessed a rematch of last year with Western Conference Champions, the Golden State Warriors facing off against the Eastern Conference Champions, the Cleveland Cavaliers. Both teams were led by their talisman Stephen Curry and LeBron James, respectively. It promised to be a spectacular encounter, with James’ supporting cast of young point guard Kyrie Irving and sharpshooter Kevin Love fit for this year’s series, unlike last year, where they both were out with injuries. The Warriors, like last year, went into the series as clear favourites. However, after opening up to a dominating 3-1 series lead, they squandered the series to the Cavaliers, losing 93-89 in Game 7, thus losing the series 4-3 and becoming the first team in the history of the NBA to let a 3-1 series lead in the Finals slip. It is important to note where they lost the plot, especially considering the fact that they had the most successful season in NBA history, with an unprecedented regular season record of 73 wins and only 9 losses.
Misfiring MVP
Stephen Curry, the Warriors’ point guard, had a phenomenal regular season. He shattered his previous best record (286, in 2015) of 3-point field goals made, by shooting a phenomenal 402 this year. He was unanimously chosen as the Most Valuable Player of the season and was looking in peak form for the post-season Playoffs. A knee injury halted his progress, but he seemed in optimal condition to face the Cavs.
However, just as his team looked to him for support, he faltered miserably. His statistics took a major plunge, as can be witnessed below.
A look at the table is enough to show that Curry lost his edge when it truly mattered. He did not attack the basket as much as he would during regular season games. Known for his ability to catapult a deadly shot from almost anywhere, he became almost overly cautious and was dribbling the ball way too much, almost unlike his usual style of play. He continuously settled for bad jumpers and hence, missed shots that he would normally make easily. Losing his scoring ability and attacking threat was a major factor in the Warriors’ collapse in the Finals.
Losing Draymond Green for Game 5
Warriors power forward Draymond Green was crucially suspended for Game 5, which could have proven to be a series-winning game for Golden State, as they were already up 3-1. However, Green was suspended after he was assessed a flagrant foul 1 by the league for his actions in Game 4. The incident was triggered by LeBron James. He (seemingly willfully) stepped over Draymond Green after Green had fallen to the court. In retaliation, Green swung his arm around and it visibly appeared like making contact with James’ groin area. This aggravated LeBron, who immediately went up to Green and the two forwards stood chest-to-chest, trash-talking to each other.
Draymond Green is an elite defender for the team, and they could not make up his 15.3 points, team-high 9.6 rebounds, and six assists average, allowing Kyrie Irving and LeBron James to run riot and score a combined 82 points against the Warriors in the game. The Cavaliers came out all guns blazing, with their season on the line and they did not disappoint. In a must-win game, they dominated the Warriors in every aspect and made sure that there would be a Game 6. Green’s determined and hard-fought defense was thoroughly missed, as LeBron James exploded for 41 points, 16 rebounds and 7 assists.
The LeBron James factor
It is a well-known fact that LeBron James is considered to be an elite player in the NBA. In the Finals last year, LeBron single-handedly carried his team to 6 games, averaging 35.8 points per game, 13.3 rebounds, and 8.8 assists. It is important to note that these almost supernatural stats were achieved without two of the ‘Big Three’, with Irving and Love out injured for the finals. Despite such incredible performances, Warriors guard Andre Iguodala was adjudged the Finals MVP, for his commendable work ethic and defense of James.
When making the decision to return to Cleveland after a successful stint in Miami, James declared that he was committed to bringing the people of Cleveland a championship, The last major sporting success the city has seen, was the 1964 NFL Championship, won by the Cleveland Browns. Committed to rectify the 2015 Finals outcome, James approached this year’s playoffs like a man possessed. With a largely comfortable run (except for 2 hard fought games against the Toronto Raptors) to the Finals, LeBron eagerly awaited the rematch with Curry and Klay Thompson, the other half of the ‘Splash Brothers’. After dropping the first two games and falling behind 3-1, the pundits were convinced that James and the Cavaliers were done for good. However, keen to rewrite history and frame an indelible legacy, James exploded in Games 5 and 6, scoring 82 points.
In Game 5, James filled up the stat sheet, scoring 41 points (16-30), along with 16 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 blocks and 3 steals. When called upon again in Game 6, James delivered with 41 points (16-27), 11 assists, 8 rebounds and 4 steals. He joined Shaquille O’Neal and Micheal Jordan as one of the 3 players to have consecutive 40-plus point games in the NBA Finals.
He conducted play beautifully in Game 7 as well, finishing with a triple-double of 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. He played 47 of the 48 minutes and was a constant source of inspiration. He also came up with a trademark chase-down block on Andre Iguodala, with the game finely poised at the time. Kyrie Irving was at a loss for words to describe James and compared him to ‘Beethoven’, calling his composure and leadership skills an ‘inspiration’.
James has been heavily criticized for his lack of presence in big games, but not even the most caustic of critics can take away the fact that he turned up and delivered the finest 3 games of his career, consecutively in Games 5, 6 and 7 of the Finals this year. The city of Cleveland’s long wait for a championship is now finally over, and they have their Akron-born, Northeastern-Ohio bred hero to thank. James was duly recognised for his efforts, as he was unanimously awarded the Bill Russel Finals MVP Award, making it his third Finals MVP award, 3 shy of the all-time great Michael Jordan.
Kyrie Irving’s masterclass
It was a matter of sweet revenge for Irving, who watched his team slump to a 4-2 series loss last year whilst in a hospital, nursing a fractured left kneecap. However, he looked like his old self in this series, completely dominating Stephen Curry.
He came up with the most clutch play of the series as well, draining a 3 pointer when the scores were level at 89. The game had only 53 seconds left, and both teams were tied at 89. Kyrie absorbed all the pressure, stepped back on the left-wing and put up a heavily contested 3-pointer. He was marked by Stephen Curry, who quickly turned around to see the outcome. Much to his chagrin and Irving’s delight, the ball swished through the net, giving the Cavs a 3 point lead, one which they would not relinquish. He had a wonderful series, averaging 27.1 points, 3.8 assists and 2.1 steals against the Warriors. More importantly, he provided much-needed support to James and was absolutely sublime in his ball-handling throughout the series. He put in his best performance when the Cavs were facing elimination in Game 5, totalling 41 points (17-24 shooting, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds, going 70.8% from the field. LeBron James has finally delivered on his promise and the city of Cleveland can rejoice again. He has written his name in the history books and silenced his critics, at least for the time-being. Nobody can overlook the array of records and achievements he and the 2016 Cavaliers have amassed in this historic run all the way to becoming world champions. However, Curry and the Warriors will surely have a long hard look at a season that started like a fairytale by besting the 1996 Chicago Bulls’ record of 72 regular season wins but eventually ended in a nightmare.
