The 2016 NBA Finals featured the Cleveland Cavaliers with LeBron James and the Golden State Warriors, who finished the regular season with a record of 73–9. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, the members of the Warriors, were predicted to be champions again and to beat the Cavaliers for a second time. Cleveland, with a complete roster that included Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, was eager to give the city its first NBA title. This argument was about more than just skill; it was a question of story. A great, dominant spell was set against a defiant, competing, and angry underdog.
The Series Unfolds: A 3–1 Lead
The Warriors opened the series strongly, winning the first two games at home by an average margin of 48 points. Their quick, three-point high offense slammed almost every Cleveland defense. The Cavaliers Game 3 home court energized, physical rout 120–90, Cleveland fans and players were vicious, the NBA odds were still estimating faded Golden State’s complete demise. The Warriors Game 4 recaptured postseason command 3–1 by winning 108–97. With 3–1, most players and fans expected the Warriors to put the finals to bed and complete the open Finals.
The Warriors’ Key Stats Before Game 5
- Three-Point Shooting: 43.2% as compared to 32.7% for Cleveland.
- Fast-Break Points: 68 total, led by Steph and Klay.
- Scoring From The Bench: 112 total, thanks to contributions from Livingston and Iguodala.
The Turning Point: Game 5 and Draymond Green’s Suspension
Game 5 was the turning point of the 2016 NBA Finals. Draymond Green, the emotional leader and the key part of the Warriors defense, was suspended for flagrant foul issues stemming from a heated moment with LeBron James in Game 4 when Green was in a physical altercation with James. Not having Green hurt the Warriors severely. His absence on the offensive end as the primary ball handler for the ‘small ball’ lineup severely hurt the Warriors, and Cleveland cashed in.
LeBron and Kyrie Irving put in remarkable offensive games with 41 points each. Cleveland clearly outclassed the Warriors 112-97 and exposed the gaps in the Warriors’ defense, outscoring them in the paint 52-28. This game not only energized the Cavaliers but also shifted the psychological pressure onto the Warriors, revealing the cracks in their ‘championship’ roster.
The Warriors missed Green and paid dearly for it during the start of Cleveland’s incredible comeback.
Cavaliers’ Defiance: Matches 6 and 7
During Game 6, the home crowd in Cleveland witnessed another 41-point performance by LeBron James, 18 of which came in the fourth quarter, and the Cavaliers earned a 115-101 victory. Cleveland’s defensive efforts, led by Tristan Thompson’s rebounding and shot blocking, contained Golden State’s offense and limited their second-chance opportunities. Game 7 in Oakland was a different story. It was a tight, tense game. With the score tied at 89 in the dying minutes of the fourth quarter, Kyrie Irving sank a contested three-pointer over Stephen Curry, a shot that has gone down in the history books. From there, LeBron James secured the lead for the Cavaliers by chasing down and blocking a shot from Andre Iguodala. The Cavaliers made history that night, completing the 3-1 comeback after winning the game 93-89.
Game Results & Key Performers
Game | Winner | Score | Key Performer |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Warriors | 104-89 | Shaun Livingston (20 pts) |
2 | Warriors | 110-77 | Draymond Green (28 pts) |
3 | Cavaliers | 120-90 | LeBron James (32 pts) |
4 | Warriors | 108-97 | Stephen Curry (38 pts) |
Breaking the Dynasty’s Unwritten Laws
The Warriors’ 2015-16 season targeted an achievement like no other, breaking the all-time regular-season win record. The Warriors hosted and eventually defeated the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls in their annual season matchup. In the NBA, all dynasties, like the Bulls in the 90’s or the Lakers in the 2000’s, come with an aura of invincibility, especially in the Finals. The 2016 Cavaliers broke this narrative by coming back from a 3-1 deficit. This exposed the Warriors’ overreliance on their core superstars, a gap that would affect their future decision-making on acquiring players like Kevin Durant.
The 2016 Finals had a profound impact on the Asian basketball market, specifically in big cities like Manila and Shanghai. In these cities, viewership for NBA games surpasses local sports broadcasts. The series showcased the unpredictability of playoff basketball, a theme that still resonates with audiences around the world.
Legacy of the 3-1 Comeback
2016 holds a unique place in the history of the NBA finals. LeBron James capped off his career-defining championship with his greatest final performance in history, leading his team to clinch the title. Not only did he enhance his legacy, but he also helped Cleveland snap a 52-year title drought. For the Warriors, the loss galvanized the team to make several pivotal roster changes that helped shift the competitive balance of the NBA for the next decade. Ultimately, these finals changed how the league viewed championship “dynasties,” reminding the league of the universal rule of the sport that “no lead is safe.”
