History has been made. The Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA Finals, defeating the Golden State Warriors 93-89 in Sunday’s deciding Game 7.
This is the first major sports championship that a Cleveland team has won since 1964.
In perhaps the biggest game of his career, LeBron James had the game of his life. James was named Finals MVP after scoring 27 points, 11 rebounds and dishing out 11 assists.
The vote was unanimous, according to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
James scored his 16th triple double in the playoffs and seventh in an NBA Finals game — only two other players had recorded triple doubles in a Finals Game 7, according to reporters.
Cleveland, this is for you!” James, an Akron, Ohio, native, shouted through tears in a post-game interview with ESPN.
James returned to his hometown team in 2014 after an acrimonious split in 2010. He joined the Miami Heat with fellow All-Stars Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, winning two titles there.
He decided to return to the Cavs in 2014 hoping to end the title drought for Cleveland.
“The people of Cleveland deserve this more than any other people I’ve ever seen or met or felt,” Cavs owner Dan Gilbert said. “No group deserves this more. No fan base deserves this more. I’m speechless and proud of everybody.”
When asked why this championship felt different, James kept his answer simple: “I’m home.”
“This is what I came back for,” he said. “It doesn’t feel real.”