Latest news with #Cavaliers
Yahoo
8 hours ago
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LeBron James Sends 5-Word Message on Cavaliers' NBA Championship Anniversary
LeBron James Sends 5-Word Message on Cavaliers' NBA Championship Anniversary originally appeared on Athlon Sports. During LeBron James' second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he finally brought an NBA championship to his hometown team. In what was his third title run and in earning his third NBA Finals MVP, James led Cleveland to a championship for the first time in the modern era. Advertisement The previous championship before the Cavaliers' 2016 title was the NFL's Cleveland Browns, who won an NFL championship in 1964, before the league's Super Bowl era. On Thursday, the 21-time NBA All-Star shared a picture noting the ninth anniversary of himself and his Cavaliers' teammates celebrating their Finals win with a caption that read, "WHAT A TIME IT WAS!!" LeBron James celebrates the June 19th anniversary of the Cleveland Cavaliers' NBA James averaged 26.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, 7.6 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.3 blocks per game during the 2015-16 playoffs. In his first stint with the Cavaliers from 2003 to 2010, James was unable to win a title in Cleveland. In those seven seasons, James won several individual awards like Rookie of the Year and MVP, but the closest Cleveland came to winning was in his second season. Advertisement Led by a 22-year-old James, the Cavs were swept 4-0 by the San Antonio Spurs. After "The Decision," which saw James take "his talents to South Beach" over four seasons, the NBA superstar would return to Cleveland to complete the unfinished business of winning a title. Now 40 years old and a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, James has accumulated one of the most outstanding resumes in sports history. He is a four-time NBA champion, four-time NBA Finals MVP, four-time NBA MVP, and has been a member of the All-NBA First Team 13 times. Related: Draymond Green Doesn't Hold Back on LeBron James' Strong Statement Related: Stephen A. Smith Suggests NBA Helped LeBron James Win 2016 Title This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
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Hawks' Larry Nance Jr. reveals Top 5 NBA moments on Father's Day
The post Hawks' Larry Nance Jr. reveals Top 5 NBA moments on Father's Day appeared first on ClutchPoints. Sharing touching moments is something everyone can appreciate; hearing a handful from a hoops family is a blessing. Well, highly valued Atlanta Hawks veteran Larry Nance Jr. marked Father's Day 2025 with a poignant tribute to his NBA journey, sharing his top five career moments with ClutchPoints on social media. Each memory (except one) reflects his deep ties to family and the enduring influence of his father, Larry Nance Sr., the 1984 Slam Dunk Contest champion and Cleveland Cavaliers legend. Advertisement Blending family, legacy, and career highlights in a touching tribute, the 32-year-old Hawks veteran insisted these were in no particular order. However, Larry Nance Jr. mentioned Kobe Bryant's 60-point farewell game first. David Richard-USA TODAY Sports Nance Jr. was a rookie with the Los Angeles Lakers during Kobe Bryant's final NBA game on April 13, 2016, when the Lakers legend dropped 60 points against the Utah Jazz. 'Being on the court for that and being able to share moments with him before and after that game,' Nance Jr. told ClutchPoints. 'Even during (the game), those are just things I'll never forget.' In 2018, Nance Jr. returned to Cleveland via trade and played a key role in their NBA Finals run alongside LeBron James. Though the Cavaliers were swept by Stephen Curry's Golden State Warriors, Nance Jr. cherished the experience with his childhood team nonetheless. He has since had stints with the Portland Trail Blazers and New Orleans Pelicans before landing with the Hawks. Advertisement A 'dunk contest with dad' was next on the list. Now, that could be a long-running family feud or something more public. Young Larry was not alive for Larry Sr.'s sensational 1984 performance. This more than likely was a nod to the 2018 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, where Nance Jr. paid homage to his father by wearing a retro Phoenix Suns No. 22 jersey and performing the Nance family's signature cradle dunk. Though the homegrown dunker did not win, the father-son connection created a memorable spectacle. The same goes for when the NBA and Cavaliers cleared Nance Jr. to wear Larry Sr.'s number 22 in an actual game. After being traded to Cleveland, Nance Jr. switched to No. 22, honoring his father's retired number. His debut in that jersey marked a personal milestone, symbolizing family legacy and adding a layer of motivation. Not that Nance Jr. needed much motivation in a 10-year career that has led to the Hawks. Some nights were a bit more amped up than others, though. The first brother (Larry) versus brother (Pete Nance) NBA ballgame was last on the list. Related: Hawks rumors: What Atlanta seeks in draft amid trade buzz, expected free agent loss
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Sport
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Kings Emerge as Best Fit For Cavaliers' Breakout Guard
Kings Emerge as Best Fit For Cavaliers' Breakout Guard originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Sacramento Kings are at a relative crossroads. They're not quite good enough to compete for a top seed in the Western Conference, but also not quite bad enough to bottom all the way out and try for a considerable draft pick. Advertisement The Kings shocked many when they traded the face of the franchise, De'Aaron Fox, after making puzzling decisions not to draft Luka Doncic and instead select Marvin Bagley. In return, they received Zach LaVine, reuniting him with DeMar DeRozan. Fans of the Chicago Bulls could tell you the limitations of a team led by those two. Dec 28, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (10) moves the ball against Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) during the first half at Arena. © Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Kings emerge as best fit for Cavaliers' breakout guard As a result the Kings have an opening at the guard position. While Malik Monk is still under contract, he's not a traditional point guard. In a recent piece by ESPN, Bobby Marks highlights teams that could be in the mix for Ty Jerome who made a substantial leap forward with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Advertisement Marks highlights the Kings among others that would make a good fit for Jerome for a four-year, $40 million deal. "Atlanta, Brooklyn, Charlotte and Sacramento all have a void at starting or backup point guard and have the full $14.1 million non-tax midlevel exception available to offer," wrote Marks. "A starting salary of $10 million is comparable to the extension T.J. McConnell signed with the Pacers last season." © David Richard-Imagn Images Jerome's ability to facilitate was highlighted down the stretch of the season and could be a great fit with players like DeRozan, LaVine and Domantas Sabonis, while they bring along second-year guard Devin Carter, who the Kings selected at No. 13 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft. Advertisement The Kings don't have a first-round pick in next week's NBA Draft, so a signing like this could be just what they need to improve the roster and improve upon their loss in the NBA Play-In Tournament. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Sport
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"Me personally, wanted to see the Golden State again" - LeBron James admitted he was only waiting to battle it out against the Warriors in 2016
"Me personally, wanted to see the Golden State again" - LeBron James admitted he was only waiting to battle it out against the Warriors in 2016 originally appeared on Basketball Network. When people talk about the 2015-16 NBA season, the focus is almost always on the Golden State Warriors — the team that shattered records by registering a 73-9 record, becoming just the second squad to win 70 or more games in a regular season campaign. Moreover, with the Dubs having Stephen Curry, with two other All-Stars and All-NBA selectees in Draymond Green and Klay Thompson also on their roster, there seemed no reason for anyone to believe in the championship prowess of anyone else but theirs. Advertisement But while the Dubs commanded the spotlight, the Cleveland Cavaliers were quietly dominating the Eastern Conference, finishing with the best record and enduring just two losses en route to reaching the championship round. For LeBron James, however, none of that mattered. His sole mission was revenge. "The King" was only keen on facing the Warriors on the grandest stage Despite their top spot in the East, the Cavaliers faced their share of turmoil throughout the regular season. At times, they looked like a team without an identity, especially when Kyrie Irving wasn't part of their first 24 games. That uncertainty led to the dismissal of head coach David Blatt, and Tyronn Lue was promoted to steer the ship. From there, the team began to find its rhythm, developing a dual threat: a top-10 offensive and defensive force heading into the postseason. The playoffs were where the Cavs started to look unbeatable. They clean-swept both the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks before facing a slightly tougher test in the Toronto Raptors, who pushed the series to six games. Yet, through it all, the four-time MVP was unmoved by the stats or form, as he wasn't chasing dominance for the sake of numbers. Instead, he had one clear target - the Warriors. Advertisement "Me personally, wanted to see the Golden State again," the 21-time All-Star admitted. Related: "Dad, you at 17, me at 17, who was better? I said, 'Listen, son...'" - Dominique Wilkins on the moment he realized his son didn't know how great of a player he was James rose to the occasion when the going got tough for the Cavs To the public, it was the 6'9" forward's sheer determination to deliver Cleveland its first-ever NBA championship that fueled his legendary performances, dropping back-to-back 41-point games to force a Game 7 and surviving three straight elimination games. But to LBJ, it wasn't just about making history for Cleveland. It was personal. He wanted to silence the hype around the Warriors and settle the score from the 2015 NBA Finals, where Golden State had denied him the title in six games. Advertisement In that historic 2016 NBA Finals, "The Akron Hammer" led both teams in virtually every possible statistical category: minutes played, played, assists, rebounds, blocks, and steals. Put simply, it was a masterclass in two-way dominance. He knew who the real obstacle was, and when the opponents were confirmed to be the Warriors, he kept his energy reserved for the final act, refusing to burn out like the year before. That time around, James was ready. Without mincing his words, he even admitted that he already had his sights and motivation set on battling it out against the most hyped and in-form team on the grandest stage. And sure enough, he pulled off the ultimate comeback, leading the Cavs from a 3-1 deficit to win it all, cementing his legacy in picture-perfect fashion. Related: "LeBron has no bag and I'm sitting here got 50 billion points"- LeBron James pushes back on "no bag" talk, breaks down his scoring style This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
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LeBron James Tied At First Place For The Most NBA Finals Games Lost Ever
LeBron James Tied At First Place For The Most NBA Finals Games Lost Ever originally appeared on Fadeaway World. In a stat that may surprise even the most seasoned basketball fans, LeBron James has now tied Hall of Famer Jerry West for the most losses in NBA Finals history, 33. Both legends share identical Finals records: 22 wins and 33 losses, with a 40.0% win rate on the sport's grandest stage. Advertisement While this fact may seem like ammunition for critics, it actually highlights something far more impressive: sustained greatness and unmatched longevity. T1. LeBron James: 33 Games Lost (22-33, 40.0%) T1. Jerry West: 33 Games Lost (22-33, 40.0%) 3. Elgin Baylor - 28 Games Lost (16-28, 36.3%) 4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 27 Games Lost (29-27, 48.2%) 5. Magic Johnson: 26 Games Lost (24-26, 48.0%) 6. Bill Russell: 25 Games Lost (45-25, 64.2%) 7. Michael Cooper: 23 Games Lost (23-23, 50.0%) 8. Sam Jones: 22 Games Lost (42-22, 65.6%) 9. Danny Ainge: 21 Games Lost (16-21, 43.2%) T10. Derek Fisher: 19 Games Lost (24-19, 55.8%) T10. Wilt Chamberlain: 19 Games Lost (16-19, 45.7%) When it comes to the NBA Finals, simply reaching the championship round is a feat few players ever accomplish. Yet LeBron, across a staggering 10 Finals appearances, has gone toe-to-toe with dynasties, injuries, and impossible odds. Advertisement From his first Finals run with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2007 to his most recent in the 2020 bubble with the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron has spent nearly two decades performing under the brightest lights. Joining him at the top of the Finals loss list is Jerry West, "Mr. Clutch" himself. West's 1–8 Finals record never diminished his status as one of the most respected legends in the sport. In fact, he remains the only player to win Finals MVP in a losing effort, proving that greatness isn't always measured by the scoreboard. LeBron's spot among the all-time Finals appearance leaders includes names like Elgin Baylor (28 losses), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (27), Magic Johnson (26), and Bill Russell (25). Advertisement Each of these players had a legendary career, often facing the toughest teams and the highest stakes year after year. That alone is an elite club, one that reflects resilience, excellence, and a consistent impact on winning basketball. LeBron's 40% win percentage in the Finals comes with crucial context. He's often led undermanned rosters against historically dominant teams. In 2015, he dragged a Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love-less Cavaliers team to six games against the 67-win Warriors. In 2017 and 2018, he went to battle alone against a fully loaded Warriors superteam that included Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson. Even in losses, LeBron's Finals performances often bordered on the historic, including his iconic 2016 triumph, where he led the Cavaliers from a 3–1 deficit to dethrone a 73-win Golden State team. Advertisement What makes this stat all the more impressive is LeBron's sustained level of excellence. He's not just showing up to the Finals; he's producing, averaging over 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists per game in Finals play. There are players who will spend 15 years in the league and never sniff the Finals. LeBron's been there 10 times. To lose 33 Finals games, you first have to be in 55 of them. That's the true mark of elite status. LeBron has now appeared in 10 NBA Finals, but what's even more staggering is the stretch from 2011 to 2018, where he made the Finals eight years in a row. He made 9 Finals in 10 years during that stretch from 2011 to 2020, a feat so rare and exhausting that it may never be repeated again in modern basketball. Every year, regardless of roster, coaching changes, or conference depth, LeBron willed his teams to the sport's ultimate stage. Advertisement So, while the 'most Finals losses' stat may seem like a blemish at first glance, it's anything but. It's a record that stands not as a symbol of failure, but of endurance, excellence, and the rare ability to keep returning to the mountain top, even if you don't always plant the flag. Greatness is never defined by perfection. It's defined by presence. And few have ever been present on the NBA's biggest stage more consistently or more brilliantly than LeBron James. Related: LeBron James Opens Up On His Knee Injury And NBA Retirement Plans This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
