About a decade after leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a historic NBA title, Lebron James is opening up about the 2016 finals and giving credit where credit is due. Speaking with Steve Nash on the Mind The Game podcast, James admitted the Golden State Warriors were the better team during their record-breaking 73- 9 season.
James followed through, delivering back-to-back 41-point performances and rallying the Cavaliers to a dramatic Game 7 win. While the Warriors were stronger on paper, James believes his team’s rhythm and trust made the difference. Once the momentum shifted, there was no stopping them.
Despite falling behind 3-1 in the series, James said everything changed after their Game 5 victory at Oracle Arena. The momentum shifted, and the team started believing in a possible comeback. “Once we won Game 5 in Golden State, we broke through a new ceiling,” James shared. “The momentum I felt, you know, when we won Game 5 in Oracle,” he encouraged his teammates to push for Game 6, trusting that they could complete the comeback.
LeBron calls the 2016 Warriors “the better team,” but says the Cavs momentum after Game 5 was too much to overcome 🤔 pic.twitter.com/AhP5BIjHhR
— dre (@OnBallSteph) May 28, 2025
Ultimately, the Cavaliers’ 93-89 game seven victory was one of the most stunning comebacks in NBA history and delivered their first championship in franchise history. James’ reflections added new depth to one of the NBA’s greatest finals moments. By acknowledging the warriors’ strength while highlighting the cavaliers’ resilience, he drives the power of belief and momentum. That 2016 title remains a defining legacy in his long career.
LeBron James’s Evergreen Defensive Attack Leaving Others Behind
At 40, Lebron James proves that age is no barrier to elite performance. In the 2025 NBA playoffs, he led all players in opponent field goal percentage at the rim, allowing just 36.4%. That’s better than top defenders like Zubac, Jackson Jr, and Porzingis. His defense is setting a new standard, even against much younger competition.
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James added 17 combined steals and blocks in four games, averaging 26.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists. He’s playing 40.8 minutes a night with relentless energy and strong efficiency on both ends of the floor.
Lebron’s postseason dominance is a powerful reminder of his enduring greatness. Even at 40, he continues to reshape what longevity looks like in the NBA. He is not slowing down; he’s just evolving.
Also Read: LeBron James Is Asking Everyone For Prayers
