Kevin Durant named NBA Finals MVP

The Warriors could very well have been celebrating their fourth consecutive title had they not done the unthinkable in 2016 when, after a record-setting 73-win regular season, they became the first team to squander a 3-1 lead in the Finals.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry shoots the ball against Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James in game four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena.

Durant, who was named Finals Most Valuable Player for the second straight year, validated the honor by producing a LeBron-like triple-double: 20 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Tonight is about the latest chapter of a still-fledgling National Basketball Association dynasty celebrating its third championship in four years.

“To be the best player in the world and to give everything you’ve got in your 15th season, play all 82 games and carry this team the way he did is a testament to his character”, Lue said. LeBron was removed for good with 4:03 left and after slapping hands with the Warriors, he took a seat as the crowd chanted “M-V-P”.

However, and there’s the rub, there were some differences – and we’re not just talking President Donald Trump disinviting both the Warriors and the Cavs to the White House. Durant’s 115 points in the Finals are the most for any player in a Finals-winning sweep since Shaquille O’Neal (145 in 2002), according to Elias.

Now, James has a decision to make. “All season, getting up every day and going to work with these guys”, Durant said in an interview with ABC’s Doris Burke.

As part of our efforts to help you understand how we handle the personal information you share with us, and in preparation for the new European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), we’ve updated our Privacy & Cookies Policy. The Cavaliers finish a four-year run of appearances in the NBA Finals with a championship parade to show for it thanks to the greatest athlete in Cleveland sports history, LeBron James. With less than a minute remaining, Durant sank a deep 3-pointer to put the Warriors up 106-100 and hand the team an insurmountable lead. Golden State dominated pretty much the entire way, and in the process exacted revenge for that single loss in last year’s playoffs that tainted an otherwise pristine postseason run.

“If you can get healthy and guys are playing at the right level at the same time, then you can feel like you can beat anybody”.

Act IV between the Warriors and Cavs featured a drama-filled Game 1. “I really wasn’t even expecting to do any of this”.

“I have no idea at this point”, Le-Bron said of returning to Cleveland. James also laid out a potential blueprint for the Cavs to follow if they want to keep him. The East might be a wild race, with Toronto, Philadelphia and Boston probably all likely to enter the year thinking they have NBA Finals potential – as will any team that has James on its roster next fall.