This was the first time in NBA history the same two teams met in the NBA Finals for a third straight time.
That’s what the Cavaliers must do after falling to the Warriors in the final for the second time in three seasons, having rallied from 3-1 down a year ago to win the crown when James led the series in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks-another unprecedented feat.
After crushing the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2017 National Basketball Association finals, the Golden Warriors have already started celebrating.
However, last year’s Game 7 of the NBA Finals between the Warriors and the Cavaliers received an 18.9 overnight rating, equating to a record 31 million viewers.
Their superior depth proved vital, with Warriors bench players contributing 35 points – including 20 from Andre Iguodala – to just seven for the Cavs’ back-ups.
It’s no surprise that Durant’s mother is front and center, as she has always been.
After answering one final question following an extended stay at the podium, the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player felt like he might have said more than he should. His playoff scoring career average of 28.8 points a game ranks fourth all-time behind Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson and Jerry West.
“I just wanted to come in there and just be me”.
Durant had 39 points in the game-five win over the Cleveland Cavaliers and won the finals MVP trophy. You want to achieve the highest honour in the team sport, which is winning the championship. “That’s the mark of an awesome player – he’ll constantly force people to look to try to stack the deck”.
James had a spectacular series, averaging 33.6 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists but it wasn’t enough.
To win his first National Basketball Association title, Durant had to overcome Cavaliers forward LeBron James, whose former Miami Heat team defeated Durant’s Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2012 Finals.
Just so you know, James is now 3-5 all-time in the NBA Finals following last night’s defeat – not exactly dominant, but not too awful either.
“Experience is the best teacher in life, and he’s just experiencing and experiencing and experiencing”, said James.
“I’m talking too much at this point”, Durant said.
“I mean, come on, you got a bunch of guys who are talented and can shoot and pass and dribble, and they’re unselfish”, Kerr said.
“We’re obviously just getting started”, Curry said.
For the second time in three years, Klay Thompson and the Golden State Warriors are NBA Champions.
The Spurs lost in the Western Conference finals, but had Kawhi Leonard get injured in Game 1 of the series, leaving them without much chance to compete.
Durant picked up two fouls in the first quarter while the officiating crew tried to eliminate some of the physical play that was apparent in Game 4.
With two triple-doubles against the Warriors, James now has a league-best nine Finals triple-double, passing Magic Johnson in Game 4. “Adding (George) to the mix might be the closest thing we could see to another team challenging (Golden State) next year”, Sherman said, before adding that the Warriors would still be the favourites.