2016 LeBron And Kyrie Were Unstoppable

2016 LeBron And Kyrie Were Unstoppable

Imagine this. You’re down 3-1 in the 2016 NBA Finals, entering Oracle Arena against the greatest regular season team of all time. By all accounts, your season is over. And that’s where LeBron and Kyrie found themselves. Their obituary was being written. History told us it was done until it was rewritten. Because what happened next was supposed to be impossible. and the fouls. They each dropped 40 points in the greatest performance we’ve ever seen from a duo, flexed their superhuman athleticism, pulled off shotmaking wizardry, and delivered in the clutch in a way that no teammates have ever done before. I mean, Steph Curry claimed that he’s never seen two guys play at that level before. It was historic. What LeBron and Kyrie did in 2016 shook the NBA to its core. And I don’t think we’ll ever see anything like it again. They were unstoppable. What the hell is that? [Music] After ditching Cleveland in 2010, LeBron was crucified by the entire Cavaliers fan base. In their eyes, he was never coming back. And overnight, he became the NBA’s villain as he went on to capture two championships in 4 years down in South Beach. And then he decided to write his wrongs. I’m coming home were the words spoken by LeBron James in the 2014 off season, promising to deliver a long- aaited championship to his hometown. And awaiting him in the land was a fourthyear rising star in Kyrie Irving. A young flashy showtime point guard to pair next to the athletic freak in LeBron. Alongside the addition of Kevin Love that same off season, Cleveland was a true contender built to win now. And they were as good as advertised. In their first season together, they unleashed havoc on the Eastern Conference and made their way to the finals to face the MVP and the number one seed in the NBA. It was poised to be a great series, too, as game one was a classic that needed overtime where Cleveland’s title dreams turned into a nightmare. In the extra frame, Kyrie drove to the rim, went to pull it back, and fractured his left kneecap, an injury that would put him out for the rest of the series. And with Kevin Love already sidelineed since the first round, the calves were in trouble. All by his lonesome, LeBron went super human the rest of the series as many believed he should have been finals MVP despite losing in six as Golden State captured the championship to complete their dream season. Injuries killed the Cavaliers and LeBron’s promise to his city would have to wait. Entering the 2016 season, Cleveland stayed short-handed as Kyrie missed the first 24 games of the year recovering from that knee injury. Thankfully, LeBron was there to carry the load and as Irving made his return in mid- November, they didn’t miss a beat. The Cavs immediately found their stride and they finished the season with 57 wins as the number one seed in the East. As long as they stay healthy, Cleveland is a serious threat to win the title. I mean, that’s obvious, right? [Music] It was the lowly eight-seated Detroit Pistons awaiting the Cavs in round one. And in game one, Kyrie had those boys dancing. He hit him with long range off the dribble threes, fades out of the post like he was Kobe in a shifty cross into a lay on his way to a sizzling 31point night. Oh, and LeBron did a bit of everything with 22611 2 and2. The duo gave us a taste of what’s to come and go up 1. In game two, Uncle Drew kept the hot hand, lighting the Pistons up for 13 in the first quarter. Then he tagged in the king in the second as he exploded for 14 in the frame, including a two-handed stuff all over Reggie Bolock. The Kyrie Lebron duo couldn’t be tamed. They win by 17 and take a 200 series lead. It took quite literally no time for Braun and Kyrie to get acclimated in Detroit as Irving Dotsa slashing James for a two-handed throwdown on their first possession of the game. But Detroit remained unfazed as Cleveland held just a five-point lead with 45 seconds remaining and just 0.7 left on the shot clock. Deladova finds Irving for three. Oh, he puts it in. Kyrie Irving nails it, but they’re going to review it. From way deep in the corner, Kyrie laces an absurd dagger three. He’s pumped, LeBron’s hyped, and the Cavs are up three games to none. And just as the series started, it was Uncle Drew who balled out in game four. And in the midst of a red-hot third quarter with the clock ticking down, the dude pulls up from 41 feet and hits nothing but nylon to put his squad up three. But that wasn’t it. With less than a minute to go in the fourth quarter, up by one, Kyrie did it again. [Applause] Erning for three. Oh, Kyrie Irving. possibly another dagger. Look at this man’s face. Cold blooded. LeBron’s not surprised either. Kyrie was a demon this series, averaging 27 a game on lights out efficiency on top of four dimes, a steel, and two daggers to the heart of Detroit. He was a coldblooded assassin. Cleveland sweeps and they’re off to the second round. [Music] It was Cavs versus Hawks for the second consecutive season. And after Cleveland embarrassingly swept them last year, Atlanta was out for revenge. Too bad that meant absolutely nothing. In game one, Braun stuffed the stat sheet with 25 points, seven rebounds, nine assists, and five steals, while Kyrie poured in 21 to take game one. And game two wasn’t even a competition. Cleveland went absolutely ballistic for an NBA record 25 three-point field goals as they blew out the Hawks by 25 to go up two games to none. Back at home in game three though, Atlanta responded, taking a six-point lead into the fourth quarter, which is where LeBron and Kyrie went psycho. As he does, the King relentlessly attacked the rim and cashed home routine spot up threes, while number two dug into his bag for some highlight reel snipes off the dribble while dazzling the crowd with his oneofone layup package. These two dudes were not to be messed with. I mean, they were under Atlanta’s skin to such a degree that Jeff Teague shoved LeBron into the stands near the end of the game, and the man didn’t even give a reaction. He’s got the Hawks right where he wants them. Down to the final minutes of game four. On the verge of a sweep, the King was activated. He attacks the cup and his layup is goalended to go up one. The next possession, he hits Milsap with an array of jab steps before pulling up in his face to go up three and seal it. The LeBron and Kyrie duo were as deadly as it gets. They’re now 8-0 through the first two rounds as they’re off to face Toronto in the Eastern Conference Finals. The only thing standing between the Cavaliers in a return to the NBA finals was a 56- win Raptor squad who proved to be a serious threat. But with the Cavs two-headed monster at the peak of their game, the Raptors got sent back into extinction. [Music] Irving oozing on from the crowd. lobs it up and James throws it down. Kyrie Irving’s jump shot is gets him out of the way and scores. Eagle blows past Lowry. He gets to the basket, banks in the reverse. Flips the pass and James still manages to track it down. James on the drive. All those highlights were from game one, by the way. It was ridiculous. LeBron shook the entire building as he cocked back some monster tomahawk slams while Uncle Drew had the crowd ooing and aawing on their way to a 31point massacre. This duo was as electrifying and dynamic as we’d seen in decades. They complimented each other to perfection. There wasn’t a single thing they couldn’t do on the basketball court. And game two was further proof of that. LeBronto did it again with a 23-point triple double as Kyrie tagged on 264 and3 to win by 19 and pushed their playoff record to 10 and 0. These dudes might go undefeated, a belief that didn’t last long. The energy shifted up north as Toronto rallied to get themselves back in the series. And in game four, the Raptors one-two punch into Rosen and Lowry went stupid for 67 points in the win. Toronto’s hit all the wind out of Cleveland. And in a shocking turn of events, this series is tied at two. Fortunately, the Cavs caught their breath back at home, chewing up the Raptors and spitting them out in a 38point thrashing to get within one win of the finals. They just have to do what they haven’t been able to pull off all season long. Win in Toronto. So in a game six in the six, Kyrie and LeBron dropped a silencer early. Kyrie Irving with a steal. Threeon one. Alioop to James. Beautifully executed off another fine defensive play. A two-handed punch on the alleyoop from Kyrie set the tone for the game. And it was part of a 21point first half for Lebronto. And in the second half, he passed the baton to Kyrie as he turned up for 21 in the half with some absurd shots that had you thinking he was playing horse out there. Tallying 30 points, four rebounds, nine assists, and three steals alongside the Kings 33 points, 11 boards, six dimes, and three blocks to win the series. These guys were flatout unstoppable as they booked their ticket to a second straight NBA Finals. And in true Storybook fashion, they’ll have a chance to rewrite history against the team that sent them home a year ago. It was the finals rematch everyone so desperately craved. the best duo in the NBA against the 73 and9 Warriors led by the unanimous MVP. Statistically, Cleveland had one of the greatest teams ever in front of them. And game one proved just that. The Warriors flexed their strength and numbers, blitzing the Cavs by 15 to take game one. And in an attempt to bounce back in game two, Cleveland got thumped bad. A 33-point Warrior avalanche confirmed what we all knew. This Golden State squad was a different type of monster. Back in the land for game three, Cleveland had to do everything in their power to avoid going down 3 0. So Kyrie took matters into his own hands, turning the first quarter into his own mixtape. Irving shake and bake and drills it. The NBA has seen in a couple of decades. Irving on a beautiful feed from J. Space can give that space. Irving for three. Ps it in. Kyrie Irving. Urban fires and Uncle Drew set the building on fire with a 16-point first quarter to give Cleveland a 17point lead, but Golden State didn’t flinch, closing the gap and getting within eight by halftime. LeBron sensed the Warrior surge and knew it was his turn to take over. In the third, his jumper caught fire. He was stuffing shots at the other end of the floor. And late in the quarter, he and Kyrie connected on this. He’s got to play better. Turns it over. James keeps his dribble somehow. James. Oh, he throws it down. LeBron intercepts the MVP’s pass, dishes it to Kyrie, who damn near throws it out of bounds as LBJ source halfway up the backboard to throw down the thunderous alleyoop. That play was the backbreaker and they’re right back in this series. Game three seemingly gave Cleveland all the momentum and they seem destined to tie this series at two. But instead, the chef snatched it right back. He torched the Cavs with seven threes and 38 points to take a 3-1 chokeold on the series. A deficit in which no team has ever come back from in the NBA finals. But if anyone can, it may just be a duo that no team’s had an answer for all postseason long. And some extra motivation wouldn’t hurt either. See, in the fourth quarter of Cleveland’s game four loss, Draymond Green attempted to hit LeBron in his sweet spot, and James didn’t take it lightly. The two guys got into it in which Draymond reportedly called LeBron some words that he didn’t appreciate as he later said that Draymond went overboard. Now, an oppressor one day before game five in response to LeBron’s comments, Klay Thompson says, “Um, I guess his feelings just got hurt.” When LeBron was asked about that comment, he seemed to get a kick out of it. No, I’m not. What did you say? Clay said. Clay said, I guess he just got his feelings hurt. Oh my goodness. That laugh by LeBron seemed to have a deeper meaning behind it, hinting at something only he knew. Back in Oracle Arena, down 3-1 in the series, where the Warriors had lost just three games all season long, the Cavs had to muster up a miracle to avoid elimination. And in that moment, Cleveland’s miracle were number two and 23. [Music] James fakes. James drives. James finishes and the foul. Here’s Irving. Steps back. Kyrie Irving. Legadala ahead to Curry. Shumpert in pursuit. Blocked by James. Rejects it out of bounds. How much rest can they afford? Irving drives past Curry. Pull up shot. He banks it in. James puts his head down. drives and finishes. Irving on the drive. Bank shot is good. Kyrie Irving again. Steps back. He tries another three. That’s good. Slides inside. Tops right with him. Irving bank shot is good. And a foul. Kyrie Irving does it again. James against Rush. Leans in. Tried to draw the foul. Got him up. Count it. And one. 40 points for LeBron James. And the lead balloons to 15. Kyrie Irving and LeBron James. Again, one of the all-time great finals performances from a pair of teammates, each with 41 points and a disappointed. In my opinion, this is the greatest single game performance we’ve ever seen from a duo. After Klay’s comments, LeBron was possessed. His jumper was stuck on automatic as he went for 411673 and three while Kyrie had possibly the greatest shotmaking performance I’ve ever seen. He was simply unguardable in isolation. I mean, just ask Clay. He got absolutely fried on some ridiculous shots. Kyrie finished the night with 41 points, three rebounds, six assists, and two steals on 70.8% 8% shooting as they become the first pair of teammates to score 40 points in the same finals game in league history. This was the turning point and were off to Cleveland for a game six. The energy was palpable back home and the Cavs thrived off of it. In the first quarter, Braun picked the Warriors apart for nine points and four dimes, including this needle threader to Tristan Thompson to put Cleveland up 31-1. In the second quarter, Kyrie kept the ball rolling, exploding for 13 points. But after a Golden State explosion in the third, the Cavs are only up nine, headed into the final 12 minutes where LeBron put the game to bed. The man completely lost his mind, going insane for 17 points on top of three boards, four assists, a steal, and two blocks, including one on the MVP as he tells him to get that out of here. That was the exclamation mark to a masterful 41811 4-3 performance to cap off consecutive 41point elimination games. LeBron was on one. The Warriors are reeling and the Cavs are thriving. Headed into a do or die game seven. History was not on Cleveland’s side entering game seven. Not only has no team ever come back from a 3-1 finals deficit, but Golden State had not lost three straight games since November of 2013. The Cavs had a monumental task at hand, but they also got LeBron and Kyrie, and they were locked and loaded. On his first touch of the game, Kyrie hits a smooth fader in the paint, giving Klay game five PTSD. And just moments later, the ball slips through Curry’s hands and finds LeBron’s as he flushes it to tie the game late in the first, a reflection of how the series has gone as of late. At the midpoint of the second quarter, LeBron continues to torture Steph as he chases him down for the block. Curry tries to talk to him, but no, the man is locked in. The next Warriors possession, Draymond buries a three, to which Kyrie responds with an absurd and oneoff glass over two Warrior defenders to tie the game. Green comes back down and drills his fourth three to which the Cavs answer again. This time it’s LeBron attacking the cup for the and one off glass to tie it. Golden State tries to respond again but LeBron pins Barbosa’s layup right off the backboard for his second block of the quarter. The man was a menace out there. But despite LeBron’s dominance, the Cavs entered halftime down seven and Kyrie had just nine points. They needed more from him and he delivered. With Cleveland within two early in the frame, he finishes a crafty lefty scoop around Fesus A’s to tie the game at 54. He follows it up with another soft finish on the fast break. And just a minute later, he sprints down the floor and flips home an absolutely stupid left-handed floater off the top corner of the backboard for the and one. This kid was putting on a finishing clinic. and he could shoot it too. The very next possession, he loses Steph on the screen and laces the pullup three to give him 12 points in the period to get his squad within one. Entering the fourth quarter, just 12 minutes away from a possible championship, it became LeBron’s turn. Still down one with just under 5 minutes remaining, he gets Aili on the switch, steps back into his sweet spot, and cashes the three to put Cleveland up two. The Warriors would answer to tie it at 89. And for the next 2 and 1/2 minutes, no one could make a shot. Call it nerves or game seven jitters or pressure, but maybe it was just the calm before the storm because with 2 minutes to go, Kyrie has the ball and he’s getting ready to attack. Irving drives, hop inside, floats it up, misses. Rebound taken by Igodala. Igodala to Curry. Back to Igodala. [Music] Oh, blocked by James. LeBron James with the rejection. Wow. Three words etched into basketball immortality. Blocked by James. I mean, look at where this man was when Golden State started their fast break. He read it perfectly and timed it to perfection for the single greatest defensive feat in NBA Finals history and the defining moment of his career. With the promise he made to his city two years ago, LeBron was leaving it all out there. But someone had to score to break this deadlock. And who else but his right-hand man who’s been right there by his side this entire playoff run. Coming up clutch, making history, and delivering when it mattered most. LeBron wants him with the ball on this possession. And for Kyrie, it was a moment he’d been preparing for his entire life. Irving and Curry one-on-one. Irving puts it up. It’s good. Kyrie Irving from downtown and the Cavaliers by three. [Music] [Music] Final seconds. It’s over. It’s over. Cleveland is a city of champions once again. The Cavaliers are NBA champions. [Applause] Cleveland’s long sports nightmare has ended. The drought is over. 52 years. Time to celebrate a title. I gave everything that I had. I pour my heart, my blood, my sweat, my tears to this game. And Cleveland, this is for you. [Applause] [Music]

2016 bron x kyrie put me in a coma.