JUST IN: LeBron James Says 2016 Warriors Were ‘Better Team,’ But Cavaliers Won For One Key Reason
In a candid reflection on one of the most iconic NBA Finals in history, LeBron James recently acknowledged that the 2016 Golden State Warriors were, in his words, “the better team.” Despite leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a dramatic 3-1 series comeback to win the championship, James emphasized that superior talent and regular-season dominance don’t always guarantee the title — and pointed to one decisive factor that tipped the scales in Cleveland’s favor: belief.
During a recent interview, James broke down the 2016 Finals, which saw the Cavaliers become the first team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 deficit in the championship series. The Warriors, led by two-time MVP Stephen Curry, had finished the regular season with a record-setting 73-9 record and were widely considered the favorites. But LeBron and the Cavaliers had something more intangible on their side.
“They had the better record, the better season, more firepower — no doubt,” James admitted. “But we believed. And when you believe, especially when the pressure is on, it changes everything.”
James’ performance during the series remains legendary: averaging 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game. His back-to-back 41-point performances in Games 5 and 6, followed by a triple-double in Game 7, were key to the Cavaliers’ historic victory. But for James, the defining quality wasn’t just stats — it was mental toughness.
“We refused to quit,” he said. “Even when the world said it was over at 3-1, we stayed locked in. That belief we had in each other — that’s what made the difference.”
The Warriors’ troubles were compounded by Draymond Green’s Game 5 suspension and injuries to key players, but James downplayed excuses. “Every team deals with adversity,” he said. “What matters is how you respond to it.”
The 2016 Finals are still widely regarded as one of the greatest comebacks in sports history. LeBron’s block on Andre Iguodala in Game 7, Kyrie Irving’s clutch three-pointer, and Cleveland’s defensive resilience sealed their first-ever NBA title.
Looking back, James remains proud but humble. “They were probably the better team on paper,” he repeated. “But we had the heart. And in a seven-game series, sometimes that’s all you need.”
The 2016 Finals didn’t just crown a champion — they cemented LeBron James’ legacy as one of the greatest leaders and competitors the game has ever seen.