Nearly four years after it happened, the 2016 NBA Finals and the 3-1 comeback by the Cleveland Cavaliers remains one of the most remarkable moments in NBA history, either recent or in the entire 70+ year history of the league. And with all of the characters from that series still very much in our lives, there’s still plenty to talk about and perspectives to uncover.
Former Cleveland Cavaliers swingman J.R. Smith brought his perspective to the iconic series, particularly the comments from LeBron James in the middle of the series, when they were down 3-1, that he believed the Warriors looked like they no longer had control. Smith discussed LeBron’s speech and how he “felt it,” while playing Call of Duty: Warzone with Bleacher Report’s Master Tesfatsion.
Down 3-1 to the Warriors, LeBron James told his Cavs teammates they wouldn't lose again.
I asked @TheRealJRSmith about the 2016 NBA Finals on The Warzone with @WBMeech
"When [LeBron] was saying that, I felt that shit. Like bro, they done. We got em." pic.twitter.com/iF9EL7jzAc
— Master (@MasterTes) April 16, 2020
LeBron’s comments in the middle of the series are marked as one of the big turning points in the series for the Cavaliers, as well as Draymond Green’s one-game suspension in Game 5 of that series for technical accumulation. Nevertheless, LeBron’s entire run in 2016, particularly the final three games of the series, is among the best the game has ever seen in a Finals series.
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