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The 2015-16 NBA season is one of the best years in the history of the NBA. Whether it was an electric NBA All-Star weekend, extraordinary individual accomplishments or outlandish team records set, 2016 had everything and will be remembered for a long time. Let's take a look at all that transpired in a year that saw many new fans have interest in the NBA.
#5 Zach LaVine wins Slam Dunk Contest
When Aaron Gordon entered the 2016 Slam Dunk contest in a tuxedo with Classic Man as the backdrop, a new kind of NBA excitement was on deck. Zach LaVine was looking to defend his dunk contest title, and man, we were in for a show. The contest was previously under heavy criticism for either not having stars or simply not being as entertaining as years past, and LaVine and Gordon dispelled that rather quickly. Both were innovative and precise in their attempts and used props throughout. The judges, Shaq, George Gervin, Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutombo and Magic Johnson - legends all in every right - were privy to an event that put a true charge on the NBA's All-Star Saturday Night.
#4 Luke Walton starts 24-0
With head coach Steve Kerr sidelined, assistant Luke Walton led the defending champion Golden State Warriors for the first 43 games of the 2015-16 NBA season. The Dubs were so good in that stretch that Walton set an NBA record for the most wins out of the gate without a loss at 24. Dominant wins happened, and of course Steph Curry's season was about to become an NBA record breaker. Walton, while Kerr recouperated, went 39-4. Stellar. It seemed as if the Warriors were toying with the rest of the NBA. Golden State looked upbeatable and as dynastic a team as the NBA has seen. Everything else went right for the rest of the regular season in one of the best years any team has ever had in the NBA. More on that later.
#3 Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan retire
Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan have won 11 NBA rings, awarded 4 MVP trophies, and 48 NBA All-Star game appearances between them. It was sad to see them all retire in '16, yet honoring their time in the NBA is essential. Their Hall of Fame class of '20 can be considered the best of all-time. They had so many battles late in the playoffs as competitors, and are as great a representation of the NBA as any trio that has ever lived. They each put a stamp on the game in such different ways with totally different personalities. Their personalities are what each are known for, and though Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan are still with us, Kobe Bryant's family will always be in our thoughts. With Kobe Bryant's passing in January of 2020, a sadness was cast over the NBA. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony was a big help, yet Kobe Bryant you are missed.
"That was our parallel. As much as he wanted to win, I wanted to win. As much as he thought he was the best, I thought I was the best. It was great back and forth, it was great competition. I don't think I'm the only one in here that thinks Kobe Bryant is missed. I miss him everyday and what he brought not just to the game of basketball but to sports period."
Tim Duncan as well to Spears:
"I think that's what I appreciate about remembering playing against him and being on the court with him. A fierce competitor and always demanding more of his team and his teammates than probably was possible but he wanted to win that much, he wanted it that much and it was an honour to share the court with him."
#2 Steph Curry is voted unanimous MVP as Warriors go 73-9
in 2016, Steph Curry put up insane numbers. His averages of 30.1 points, 6.7 assists and 5.4 rebounds don't jump off the page until digging a little deeper. Curry shot 50% from the field - including a ridiculous 45% from the arc - and 90% from the charity stripe. Nothing was charity for Steph that season. He led the Warriors to an NBA record 73-9 season and was unanimously named MVP. Think about it: of all the legends that played in the NBA, Curry is the only one who won first place on every ballot. Of the shots taken that season, 50% of Steph Curry's attempts from the field were behind the arc. Wow. His season is arguably the greatest the NBA has recorded.
#1 Cleveland Cavaliers come back from 3-1 in NBA Finals
As historic as the Golden State Warriors were in the 2016 regular season, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers were a little better. Having lost to the Warriors the previous year in the Finals without Kyrie Irving for much of the series, it did not appear that anyone could overtake a Warriors' squad that just didn't lose. LeBron averaged 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds and 8.9 assists, 2.6 steals and 2.3 blocks -- including an all-time chase down block of Andre Iguodala; Kyrie Irving was 27, 4 and 4, and hit one of the biggest shots in NBA history in the clutch to defeat the defending champs in 7 after being down 3-1. Many what-ifs exist about the classic series, yet beating one of the best all-time teams has done wonders for LeBron James' legacy.
In defeat, Steph Curry said this to ESPN:
“It’s not a good feeling,” Curry said. “At the end of the day, we want to keep this memory so that it will fuel us as we stay together as a team. Because like Draymond said, this ain't the last time you’re going to this stage. Just a tough feeling.”
He wasn't lying.
Guess the Lakers players!
