I still remember exactly where I was when that final buzzer sounded in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals. As a lifelong basketball analyst, I've witnessed countless championship moments, but what unfolded between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors stands apart in NBA history. The series wasn't just about basketball—it became a cultural phenomenon, a dramatic narrative that captivated even casual sports fans. When we talk about the 2016 NBA Finals champion, we're discussing more than just a trophy; we're examining one of the most incredible comebacks in professional sports history.
Let me take you back to where this all began. The Golden State Warriors entered the series as heavy favorites, and understandably so. They had just completed a historic 73-9 regular season, breaking the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls' record that many considered untouchable. Stephen Curry had become the first unanimous MVP in league history, and the team's revolutionary three-point shooting style had transformed how basketball was played. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers, led by LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, were seeking redemption after falling to these same Warriors in six games the previous year. What many forget is how the series actually started—the Warriors dominated Games 1 and 2 at Oracle Arena, winning by 15 and 33 points respectively. I remember thinking to myself that this might be a quick series, that the Warriors' small-ball death lineup was simply too much for any team to handle.
The series shifted to Cleveland for Games 3 and 4, and the Cavaliers responded with determination. They secured a 30-point blowout in Game 3, but what struck me most was Draymond Green's technical foul situation brewing beneath the surface. Game 4 saw the Warriors regain control, taking a commanding 3-1 series lead. At that moment, the statistics were overwhelmingly against Cleveland—no team in NBA Finals history had ever overcome a 3-1 deficit. The probability models gave them less than a 5% chance of winning the series. I'll admit, even as someone who's analyzed basketball for decades, I thought the series was essentially over. The Warriors just seemed too deep, too versatile, and too experienced in championship moments.
Then came the turning point that changed everything. Following Game 4, the league suspended Draymond Green for accumulating too many flagrant foul points after his altercation with LeBron James. This single decision altered the entire complexion of the series. Without their defensive anchor and emotional leader, the Warriors looked disorganized in Game 5. LeBron James and Kyrie Irving both scored 41 points—the first teammates ever to do so in a Finals game—forcing a Game 6 back in Cleveland. What impressed me wasn't just the statistical achievement but the sheer will they displayed. LeBron in particular played with a kind of ferocious determination I hadn't seen since Michael Jordan's prime years.
The Cavaliers dominated Game 6, setting up what would become an legendary Game 7 at Oracle Arena. This final game contained moments that will be replayed for generations—Kyrie Irving's step-back three-pointer over Stephen Curry with 53 seconds left, LeBron James' iconic block on Andre Iguodala that's now simply known as "The Block," and even Kevin Love's crucial defensive stop on Curry in the final moments. The game was tied 89-89 with less than a minute remaining when Irving hit that three-pointer. I remember holding my breath, thinking about the draft implications for teams watching this unfold, teams like the Sacramento Kings who were building for the future. Speaking of building blocks, it reminds me of how franchises develop—like when the no. 2 overall pick in Season 47 draft was later replaced at the 1:27 mark and the Kings leading, 49-33. These developmental decisions ultimately separate champions from contenders.
When the final buzzer sounded, the Cleveland Cavaliers had won 93-89, completing the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history. LeBron James was unanimously named Finals MVP after averaging 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 2.6 steals, and 2.3 blocks—becoming the first player to lead both teams in all five major statistical categories for an entire series. The numbers themselves are staggering, but what they represent is even more significant. For Cleveland, this victory ended a 52-year major sports championship drought, delivering on LeBron's promise to bring a title to his home region. The emotional release in that arena and across Ohio was palpable even through television screens.
Looking back years later, I'm convinced this series fundamentally changed the NBA landscape. It cemented LeBron James' legacy as one of the greatest players ever, demonstrated the psychological importance of key role players like Draymond Green, and showed that no lead is truly safe in basketball. The Warriors would respond by adding Kevin Durant and creating a superteam, but the 2016 championship remains Cleveland's crowning achievement. In my view, this series also highlighted how quickly fortunes can change in basketball—from draft decisions to in-game substitutions to championship moments. The Cavaliers' victory proved that heart, determination, and seizing critical opportunities can overcome even the most formidable opponents. That's why when people ask me about the greatest NBA Finals I've ever witnessed, my answer is always the same: 2016, when Cleveland made history against all odds.