“What’s most important for me is bringing one trophy back to Northeast Ohio.”
That’s what LeBron James had to say in 2014 when he made the decision to return to his beloved Cleveland Cavaliers.
On Sunday night, that delivery was signed for when James was named Finals MVP for the third time in his career as he made history with his starring role in the Cavs’ series comeback, the first time that a team has overturned a 3-1 deficit to claim the Finals.
It took a gargantuan series performance from James to get the job done and, on Sunday evening, he scored 27 points, collected 11 rebounds and provided 11 assists en route to a dramatic 93-89 victory in Game 7 against the Golden State Warriors.
After Cavs’ Kyrie Irving fired home a three-pointer to make it 92-89, the nail was put in the coffin by a James free throw with just 10 seconds remaining and there you had it.
“I’m home. I’m home,” James said after the game. “This is what I came back for. I’m at a loss for words. This is unbelievable. It doesn’t feel real right now.”
The victory over the Warriors, who had won an NBA-record 73 regular-season games, was not only the fulfilment of a promise but it was also the cementing of James among the top two basketball players of all time, alongside some familiar company in a certain Chicago Bulls legend.
LeBron James with this championship sealed his legacy as one of the five greatest players to ever play this game!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 20, 2016
Did Jordan ever beat the team with the record for most regular season wins of all time in the Finals? Because LeBron just did.
— Matt Mullin (@matt_mullin) June 20, 2016
The two greatest basketball players of all time are now Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Any other argument is absurd.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) June 20, 2016
Currently greatest players of all time:
1.Michael Jordan
2.Lebron James
3.Magic Johnson
4.Wilt Chamberlain
5.Kareem
✌️ #NBAFinals— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) June 20, 2016
That win was not only historic comeback, not only against best team ever, but also cemented LeBron James as same class as Jordan. #NBAFinals
— Cenk Uygur (@cenkuygur) June 20, 2016
Lebron making the finals 10 years in a row and passing Jordan for GOAT is in play. He's currently #2.
— Stephen Amell (@StephenAmell) June 20, 2016
LeBron just became an unarguable Mt. Rushmore. Now everyone's will have LeBron and Jordan (I'll take Kareem and Magic in the last two spots)
— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) June 20, 2016
