LeBron James had yet another productive night that was not enough, as Stephen Curry brought the gold back to Golden State. Andre Iguodala and Stephen Curry each scored 25 points to help the Golden State Warriors hold off the Cleveland Cavaliers 105-97 in Tuesday's game 6, clinching their first NBA title since 1975.
The Warriors played 39 years between championships, which was the longest current streak in the NBA. Draymond Green added a triple-double of 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in the trophy-clinching win. Andre Iguodala was awarded the Finals MVP after being inserted into the starting lineup in game 4. He becomes the first player in Finals history to win the MVP, but, not start every game of the series.
James had 32 points, 18 rebounds, and nine assists to cap off his season, falling to 2-4 in six career NBA Finals. The Cavs were able to cut their deficit to eight in the fourth, and then seven later following a J.R. Smith three-pointer. The Warriors got three-pointers from Iguodala, Curry, and Klay Thompson to pull away, pushing the lead back to 14.
Golden State finishes the season with 83 wins, which is the third-largest win total in a single season in NBA history. Only the 1995-96 and 1996-97 Chicago Bulls won more, both of which Warriors coach Steve Kerr was a part of.
Kerr became the first rookie coach to win a championship since Pat Riley did it in 1982. He was hired last summer to replace Mark Jackson, and helped the Warriors increase their regular-season win total from 51 to 67. They went on to sweep the New Orleans Pelicans, come back from a 2-1 deficit against the Memphis Grizzlies, and got past the Houston Rockets in five games.
James returned to Cleveland from the Miami Heat last summer, with his eyes set on bringing home a championship. He said in a written letter that it may not happen right away and that it's going to take time, but they were so close to bringing Cleveland their first sports championship since 1964. Losing stars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love in the postseason did not help the Cavs' cause.
The Cavaliers, Browns, and Indians have gone a combined 144 seasons without a championship. LeBron James came home with a change in mind.. A change that Cleveland will have to wait for.
The Warriors played 39 years between championships, which was the longest current streak in the NBA. Draymond Green added a triple-double of 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in the trophy-clinching win. Andre Iguodala was awarded the Finals MVP after being inserted into the starting lineup in game 4. He becomes the first player in Finals history to win the MVP, but, not start every game of the series.
James had 32 points, 18 rebounds, and nine assists to cap off his season, falling to 2-4 in six career NBA Finals. The Cavs were able to cut their deficit to eight in the fourth, and then seven later following a J.R. Smith three-pointer. The Warriors got three-pointers from Iguodala, Curry, and Klay Thompson to pull away, pushing the lead back to 14.
Golden State finishes the season with 83 wins, which is the third-largest win total in a single season in NBA history. Only the 1995-96 and 1996-97 Chicago Bulls won more, both of which Warriors coach Steve Kerr was a part of.
Kerr became the first rookie coach to win a championship since Pat Riley did it in 1982. He was hired last summer to replace Mark Jackson, and helped the Warriors increase their regular-season win total from 51 to 67. They went on to sweep the New Orleans Pelicans, come back from a 2-1 deficit against the Memphis Grizzlies, and got past the Houston Rockets in five games.
James returned to Cleveland from the Miami Heat last summer, with his eyes set on bringing home a championship. He said in a written letter that it may not happen right away and that it's going to take time, but they were so close to bringing Cleveland their first sports championship since 1964. Losing stars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love in the postseason did not help the Cavs' cause.
The Cavaliers, Browns, and Indians have gone a combined 144 seasons without a championship. LeBron James came home with a change in mind.. A change that Cleveland will have to wait for.