The Block by LeBron James : The Play That Defined the 2016 NBA Finals
June 19, 2016, Oracle Arena, Oakland, California. We are in Game 7 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors, the series is tied 3-3, 2 minutes on the clock, 89-89.
Kyrie misses his shot and the Warriors grab the rebound, then start a fast break led by Iggy and Steph against J.R. Smith. Iguodala passes to Chef Curry, who almost instantly returns it, Iggy goes up for what seems to be an easy lay-up…
“It’s one of the loudest noises I’ve ever heard. BOOM!” – Andre Iguodala.
The Warriors : A Historic Season
During the 2015-2016 regular season, the Warriors achieved a monumental feat with 73 wins and only 9 losses, breaking the previous record of the Chicago Bulls (72-10). As reigning champions, Steve Kerr’s men were determined to achieve a back-to-back.
In the Western Conference Finals, they faced the explosive duo of OKC, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, who led them 3-1 in the series. When all seemed lost, the Warriors turned the situation around thanks to heroic performances by Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. They eventually won 4-3, leading to the end of the Westbrook/KD duo. Durant would join Golden State that summer.
“It’s a play that only a player like LeBron can make. His timing and speed were unreal.” – Stephen Curry.
The Cavaliers : The King’s Mission
On their side, the Cavaliers dominated the Eastern Conference, beating the Toronto Raptors 4-2. Led by a peak LeBron James and a fiery Kyrie Irving, Cleveland found themselves in the finals for the much-anticipated rematch against Golden State.
Start of the Finals: The Warriors in Control
The Warriors started the series by showing their dominance, quickly leading 3-1 after a monumental blowout (110-77 in Game 2). At this point, no team in NBA history had ever come back from a 3-1 deficit in the finals. Victory seemed assured for Golden State.
That’s when LeBron James, nicknamed The Chosen One, decided to change everything :
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- Game 5 : Kyrie and LeBron each scored 41 points, bringing the series to 3-2.
- Game 6 : LeBron repeated with an incredible performance: 41 points, 8 rebounds, 11 assists, and 4 blocks. The Cavaliers forced a Game 7.
“That block changed everything. It showed everyone that we were ready to do anything to win.” – Kyrie Irving.
A Legendary Game 7
So here we are on June 19, 2016, at Oracle Arena. The match is extremely intense. The Splash Brothers (Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson), flawless until now, start to falter: 6/17 for Klay, 6/19 for Curry. The Cavaliers hang on, and with 2 minutes left, the score is 89-89.
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Kyrie Irving misses a crucial shot.
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The Warriors grab the rebound and start a fast break led by Andre Iguodala and Steph Curry against J.R. Smith.
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Iguodala receives the pass from Curry, then goes up for what seems to be an easy lay-up.
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That’s when LeBron James appears, launched at full speed, like a missile: in less than 3 seconds, he crosses the court to make a legendary block at 3.5 meters high. This chase-down block instantly enters the legend.
“Blocked by James, Lebron James with the rejection !” – Mike Breen.
Kyrie Irving’s Decisive Shot
On the next play, Kyrie Irving, nicknamed Ankle Taker, takes matters into his own hands. Facing Steph Curry, he dribbles, steps back, and sends a clutch 3-pointer that pierces the net. There are 55 seconds left, 92-89 for Cleveland. This shot represents all of Kyrie’s clutch ability.
The Warriors never manage to come back. The Cavaliers won 93-89.
The Chosen One: A Performance for Eternity
LeBron James concludes the series with staggering statistics: 30 points, 11 rebounds, 9 assists on average. This title is much more than a victory for him :
Originally from Ohio, he had been criticized and booed by Cleveland fans for leaving the team to join Dwyane Wade in Miami, where he won 2 championship rings.
His return to Cleveland in 2014 was aimed at bringing a title to the city. On June 19, 2016, LeBron kept his promise and gave the Cavaliers their first NBA title in history.
“Iguodala is a hell of a player! I had to catch him.” – LeBron James.
After the Finals
The Warriors would learn from this historic defeat. Thanks to the arrival of Kevin Durant, they would win 2 consecutive titles in the following seasons (2017 and 2018). But this Game 7 of 2016 will remain etched as one of the greatest moments in NBA history.
For LeBron James, it’s the move of a lifetime, the ultimate symbol of his legacy. This legendary block and the Cavaliers’ victory will forever remain in the memory of basketball fans.