Storyline: LeBron needed this win badly. His legacy in danger, it’s now rewritten, cemented for all time. He accomplished the most legendary thing I’ve ever seen in sports: LeBron came back to his city, promised a championship, and did it.
Prior to the last game of the 2015-16 NBA season, Cleveland Cavaliers guard LeBron James said he was looking forward to “two of the best words ever…Game Seven.”
New York Daily News
Well, Game Seven was a wild ride with a storybook ending—not only the State of Ohio but for James’ legacy. After four back and forth, heart-racing quarters, the Cleveland Cavaliers were finally able to pull away for a 93-89 win.
James sealed the win with a few seconds left, hitting a free throw after landing on his right wrist, courtesy of Draymond Green’s hard foul at the rim. The Warriors, a team notorious for long-range shooting, had two shot opportunities in the final moments of the game, but missed both.
That final buzzer brought uncontrolled tears from James, the 6’8″, 250 lb. Ohio-born and -raised superhuman. James was also named Finals’ MVP.
He was disruptive in the Series—blocking shots, making steals, and controlling games. After the game, he told reporter Doris Burke that he strives the most when everyone counts him out. But this championship meant the most because it’s for Cleveland. And Dan Gilbert, majority owner of the Cavs, thanked James for the way he loves the city.
The win was recognized across the country and around the world. The legendary Magic Johnson, who won a Finals’ MVP himself and multiple NBA titles as a Laker, took to Twitter: “LeBron James with this championship sealed his legacy as one of the five greatest players to ever play this game!”
But Cleveland had to wait for this win while James was in Miami. And a brutal wait it was. The Cavaliers had their worst seasons in history while James was playing for the Heat. It seemed there was no hope … until LBJ wrote a letter to his hometown, saying he was coming home.
Kyrie Irving makes game-winning shot. Game 7, over Steph Curry (photo, NBCSports)
James returned to the NBA Finals last year—this time as a Cavalier—but the team was shorthanded, having lost two key players, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving, to injuries. This season was different. Their presence was felt all the way to the final moments of Game Seven.
While the win gave Cleveland its first championship—in any sport—in 52 years, LeBron needed this win badly. His legacy in danger, it’s now rewritten, cemented for all time. He accomplished the most legendary thing I’ve ever seen in sports: LeBron came back to his city, promised a championship, and did it.
Cardale Jones, formerly with Ohio State and now with the Buffalo Bills, understands the enormity of the feat. The Ohio-native tweeted: “Unless you are from Cleveland, Ohio, you truly don’t understand how much this win means for the city. Thank you @CAVS for bringing so much joy & light back to my city that’s been overshadowed with some much heartache & darkness.”
ESPN
And LeBron did it in his inimitable, dominating style. He led the Finals in points, boards, assists, steals, and blocks. He also recorded the 7th NBA Finals triple-double of his career, becoming only the 3rd player to record a triple-double in Game 7.
Cleveland now gets to celebrate. But, as Kevin Durant’s mother Tweeted after the game, “Actually, LeBron is the real MVP.”
