NBA Finals: History on the line in Cavs-Warriors epic Game 7 showdown

NBA Finals: Will Cavaliers, Warriors produce best Game 7 in history?

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OAKLAND — There were quips about Ayesha Curry’s conspiratorial tweets, extended reflections on the notion of pressure, and positive health updates for Kyrie Irving and Andre Iguodala, who are both cleared to play, but the overriding message from Saturday’s practice session at the Finals was simple: Let’s jump it up and get on with Game 7.

An extra off day for travel only heightened the anticipation for the players and coaches on both sides. The Warriors are eager to get back home and move past a regrettable Game 6 that ended with Stephen Curry’s mouthpiece in the stand and coach Steve Kerr blasting off at the officiating.

“I need to play my best game of the year, if not my career, because of what the stakes are,” Curry said, leaning into the burgeoning hype that has swallowed this series. “Four out of the six games I've played pretty well to my expectations, my standards. I need to take it up another notch for Game 7, and that's what the greats do.”

Meanwhile, the Cavaliers—riding two straight wins driven by two straight epic performances from LeBron James—have every reason to believe they’ve got the defending champs on the ropes.

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“The word everyone likes to use in sports is ‘pressure’," James said. “I don't really get involved in it. But I guess, in layman's terms, pressure [is] an opportunity to do something special. … Anybody that's ever played the game of basketball or done anything at any level, to be able to have an opportunity to have one game for it all? You take it.”

The Finals was rich in storylines when it opened more than two weeks ago and Sunday’s Game 7 sets up as perhaps the single richest NBA game in the last three decades. Before you dismiss that notion as hyperbolic, realize that Finals Game 7s are both rare and in their own class thanks to the “For all the marbles” stakes.

Of course, legendary performances can happen in any game—Michael Jordan delivered a laundry list of memorable moments without needing to play a Game 7 during his six title runs—but there’s something extra special about a superstar being forced to deliver with his season on the line. Here, two superstars – James and Curry—find themselves in that exact predicament.  

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During the three-point era, there have only been six Finals Game 7s, and this year’s Game 7 stacks up very well to all of them from an intrigue standpoint. Quickly…

2013

James’s Heat beat the Spurs in Game 7, a contest that was doomed to live in the shadow of Game 6 thanks to Ray Allen’s heroics. Although 2013 pitted two legends against each other (James versus Tim Duncan) and featured plenty of additional Hall of Fame talent, there wasn’t a preexisting rivalry between the two franchises, Duncan was a few years past his prime, and the Spurs maintained a buttoned-up approach throughout the series rather than fostering any major resentment. Both teams enjoyed strong regular seasons, especially the 66-win Heat, but neither was comparable to the Warriors’ 73 wins.

2010

The most recent iteration of the storied Lakers/Celtics rivalry had loads of stars and a particularly juicy revenge and historical angles: Kobe Bryant was able to make up for a loss to the 2008 Celtics while also claiming his fifth and final title, tying him with Magic Johnson on the all-time rings scoreboard. Kendrick Perkins’ absence due to injury, Bryant’s poor shooting performance and the low-scoring nature of Game 7 detracted a bit from the general enjoyment factor. Boston also won just 50 games that season.

The Greatest Game 7s in NBA History 

Greatest Game 7s in NBA History

2016 NBA Finals

John W. McDonough

In a testy series of blowouts — and a few blowups — the winner-take-all Game 7 provided the thrilling finale with LeBron James as the finals MVP disarming two-time reigning MVP Stephen Curry and his record-setting Warriors. Playing his sixth straight finals, James almost single-handedly carried Cleveland back into this series and finished with 27 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds as the Cavs defeated the Warriors 93-89 to capture their first championship in franchise history and gave their city its first major sports winner since the Browns won the NFL title in 1964. He also had three blocked shots and two steals, overcoming five turnovers.

2016 Western Conference Finals

Ben Margot/AP

The Warriors, who fell behind 35-22 in Game 7 against the Thunder, became the 10th team to rally from a 3-1 deficit and win a postseason series after beating Oklahoma City 96-88. League MVP Stephen Curry scored 36 points with seven 3-pointers to finish with an NBA-record 32 in a seven-game series, and also had eight assists.

2015 Western Conference First Round

John W. McDonough

Clippers point guard Chris Paul delivered a driving bank shot over 6' 11" Tim Duncan to KO the defending champion Spurs 111-109 in Game 7 of their first-round playoff series. The teams traded the lead 31 time, and neither held an advantage of more than three points over the final 5:26. Paul, who strained his left hamstring in the first quarter and missed more than seven minutes to receive treatment, hobbled to a team-high 27 points—the last two on this improbable heave off his injured leg with one second left.

2013 NBA Finals

John W. McDonough

LeBron James scored 37 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and simply controlled everything down the stretch to win his second consecutive NBA title and second Finals MVP award. James made five three-pointers, defended Tony Parker when he had to, and did everything else that could be expected from the best player in the game in the Heat's 95-88 victory over the Spurs.

2010 NBA Finals

Peter Read Miller

Injuries, fatigue and a poor night of shooting didn't stop Kobe Bryant from acquiring a second consecutive NBA championship and his fifth overall. Despite his unsightly 6-for-24 shooting, Bryant (23 points, 15 rebounds) led the Lakers to a gritty 83-79 Game 7 win over their storied rivals. The basketball certainly wasn't the best from either team -- the Lakers' shot 32.5 percent from the field and missed 12 free throws, while the Celtics committed 15 turnovers and were outrebounded, 53-40 -- but L.A. rallied from a 13-point second-half deficit for the title win. The Celtics entered the series having never lost a Game 7 in the Finals but left as just the seventh team in history to blow a 3-2 Finals lead after winning Game 5.

2008 Eastern Conference Semifinals

John Biever

Paul Pierce (41 points) and LeBron James (45) went back and forth in a duel reminiscent of Larry Bird vs. Dominique Wilkins in Game 7 of the conference semifinals 20 years earlier. Pierce's Celtics prevailed 97-92 to wrap up a series in which the home team won every game. The Celtics went on to win the championship, while the loss spurred Cleveland to give LeBron more offensive help by acquiring Mo Williams in the offseason.

2002 Western Conference Finals

John W. McDonough

The Lakers joined the 1976 Suns (at Golden State) as the only road teams to win a Game 7 in the West finals. Kobe Bryant finished with 30 points in 52 minutes. The Kings missed 14 of 30 free throws and came up small in crunch time with the exception of Mike Bibby, who scored 14 of their last 18 points.

2000 Western Conference Finals

John W. McDonough

Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant led the Lakers back from a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit to topple the Blazers 89-84 in Los Angeles en route to their first NBA crown under coach Phil Jackson. "We realize we sort of made cowards of ourselves in the fourth quarter," Portland's Scottie Pippen said after the game.

1998 Eastern Conference Finals

Manny Millan

Trailing in the fourth quarter of their first Game 7 in six years, the Bulls overcame Indiana 88-83 behind Michael Jordan's 28 points. The Bulls went on to beat the Jazz in the NBA Finals to complete their second three-peat.

1995 Western Conference Semifinals

AP

Guard Mario Elie nailed a go-ahead three-pointer from the corner with 7.1 seconds left as the Rockets won 115-114 at Phoenix, completing their comeback from a 3-1 series deficit en route to claiming a second straight NBA title. Kevin Johnson scored 46 points for the Suns.

1990 Western Conference Semifinals

Manny Millan

While Blazers center Kevin Duckworth provided an emotional lift by playing for the first time in the series after missing the previous six games with a broken hand, it was Clyde Drexler's five free throws in the final 26.2 seconds of overtime that clinched Portland's 108-105 win. The Spurs had the ball with the game tied 103-103 and about 30 seconds left, but Rod Strickland threw a no-look pass to no one in particular, and then he committed a breakaway foul on Drexler that led to two free throws and possession for Portland.

1988 NBA Finals

Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images

Facing an upstart Detroit team in their third Game 7 of the playoffs, the Lakers defended their NBA championship with a 108-105 victory in Los Angeles. Finals MVP James Worthy led the way with 36 points and 16 rebounds, while the Pistons were weakened by Isiah Thomas' lingering ankle injury.

1988 Eastern Conference Semifinals

John W. McDonough

Dominique Wilkins, Atlanta's Human Highlight Film, exploded for 47 points in a stirring showdown with Larry Bird. But Bird saved his best for last, scoring 20 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter to help the Celtics escape 118-116.

1987 Eastern Conference Semifinals

Manny Millan

The defending champion Celtics took a 3-1 series lead over Milwaukee before coach Don Nelson's Bucks stormed back to knot the series. The Bucks even led for most of Game 7, but their late cold spell, combined with Larry Bird's 13 fourth-quarter points, gave the Celtics a 119-113 victory.

1986 Eastern Conference Semifinals

John Iacono

Milwaukee gained a measure of revenge after losing to Philadelphia in the playoffs in four of the previous five seasons. This time the Sidney Moncrief- and Terry Cummings-led Bucks survived 113-112 after Julius Erving missed an open 15-footer with two seconds left.

1984 NBA Finals

Dick Raphael/NBAE/Getty Images

In the first Finals duel between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird (pictured earlier in the series), the Celtics survived the Lakers' late comeback to win the decisive game 111-102. Cedric Maxwell scored 24 points for Boston and Finals MVP Bird added 20 points and 12 rebounds.

1981 Eastern Conference Finals

Paul Kennedy

A tight series between two 62-win teams fittingly went down to the wire. Larry Bird hit a go-ahead bank shot in the final minute as the Celtics rallied from a six-point deficit in the final 4:30 to beat Philadelphia 91-90.

1970 NBA Finals

Ron Koch/NBAE/Getty Images

After hobbling off the court early in Game 5 with a torn thigh muscle, Willis Reed made a surprising and triumphant return moments before tip-off for the deciding game. Buoyed by his presence — and his scoring the first two baskets of the game — the Knicks won the title 113-99 behind Walt Frazier's 36 points and 19 assists.

1969 NBA Finals

James Drake

The Celtics nearly squandered a 17-point fourth-quarter lead but, thanks in part to Don Nelson's famous last-minute shot near the free-throw line, held on to win 108-106. Bill Russell, the NBA's greatest winner, retired as a player after collecting his 11th title.

1965 Eastern Division Finals

Walter Iooss Jr.

After Red Auerbach had lit his traditional victory cigar with his Celtics leading 110-103, the 76ers closed the gap to 110-109 and had possession with seconds left. But as Hal Greer tried to inbound to Chet Walker, Boston's John Havlicek stole the pass, leading longtime Celtics play-by-play man Johnny Most to famously cry, "Havlicek stole the ball! Havlicek stole the ball!"

1962 NBA Finals

Walter Iooss Jr.

In the midst of winning eight consecutive championships, the Celtics escaped 110-107 in overtime. The Lakers had an opportunity to win it in regulation, but Frank Selvy missed a mid-range shot in the closing seconds.

1957 NBA Finals

Richard Meek

A rookie center named Bill Russell finished with 19 points and 32 rebounds, and fellow rookie Tom Heinsohn had 37 points and 23 rebounds as the Celtics overcame a combined 5-for-40 shooting performance from Bob Cousy and Bill Sharman to prevail 125-123 in double overtime. It was Boston's first NBA championship.

2005

Duncan’s Spurs ground out an 81-74 victory over the “starless” Pistons. While both teams boasted cores that had previously won titles, these squads didn’t have any particular rivalry and this series lacked the magnetic superstar factor. This was a matchup that appealed more to defensive-minded high school coaches rather than the general public.

1994

Hakeem Olajuwon’s Rockets triumphed over Patrick Ewing’s Knicks in a battle of premier centers. Alas, this series struggled to compete with O.J. Simpson’s Bronco chase, and it’s destined to be remembered as, “The year Mike was playing baseball.” Although Olajuwon would repeat the following year, Ewing never got his championship, thereby undercutting the historical heft of the headlining matchup.

1988

Magic Johnson’s Lakers defeated Isiah Thomas’s Pistons in game between two teams (“Showtime” and “Bad Boys”) that have stood the test of time. It’s worth noting that some of the glitter from this matchup is retroactive: The Pistons would win championships in 1989 and 1990, but in this series they were making their first Finals appearance and seeking their first title.

1984

This is easily the best “three-point era” Game 7 comparison for what we are about to see on Sunday. In 1984, Larry Bird’s Celtics defeated Johnson’s Lakers in seven games in a high-scoring game that was overflowing with big names (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, Byron Scott, Robert Parish, Dennis Johnson, Kevin McHale, etc.). The 1984 Finals marked the first time that Johnson and Bird had squared off for an NBA title, but the two superstars had a rivalry that dated back to their college days and they had already combined to win three titles and make four Finals appearances before the series began.

Ronald Martinez/Getty

While James/Curry isn’t quite Magic/Bird, the 2016 headliners have combined to win four of the last five MVP awards and three of the last four titles. Both are clearly in their prime years – athletically and from a popularity standpoint. What’s more, they’re engaged in a rematch from last season and they’ve had moments of animosity in this series, including James blocking Curry twice (once in live action and once in a dead ball).

But Game 7 will go much deeper than just the matchup between the two superstars. There’s something here for everyone…

History

Golden State’s 73-win season would be validated by a championship. A Game 7 win would place the Warriors into the “Greatest Team of All-Time” conversation, while a loss would drop them into the “Greatest Team That Couldn’t Get It Done” discard pile.

Collapse

Golden State would wear two layers of shame with a loss. In addition to blowing its record-setting 73 win season, the Warriors would become the first team ever to blow a 3-1 series lead in the Finals. The “Greatest Regular Season Ever” would conclude with the “Greatest Collapse Ever.”

Curse

The Cavaliers are hoping to snap a 52-year long championship drought for the city of Cleveland. Although James did his best to avoid all “Curse” questions on Saturday, the Ohio native would be vaulted to a new level of hero worship if he snapped the curse and deliver the Cavaliers’ first title in franchise history. A loss would be an all-time heartbreaker, even by Cleveland’s standards, given how much James has raised collective hopes over the past week.

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Revenge

In addition to snapping the curse, the Cavaliers are hoping to settle the score after losing the 2015 Finals to the Warriors.

Validation

On the flip side, a second straight championship for Curry and the Warriors would quell any remaining talk that they had only won through “luck” and injuries to opponents last year. It would also extend the Warriors’ sense of invincibility, given that they already pulled off a Game 6 against the Thunder, and it would help solidify Curry as the so-called face of the NBA. Remarkably a win for Golden State would give Curry two titles in two tries compared to James’s two titles in seven tries.

Conspiracy

For those, like Ayesha Curry, who occasionally like to entertain the notion that the NBA is “rigged,” a Cavaliers win would set up the 2016 Finals as one of the most controversial in recent memory thanks to Kiki VanDeWeghe’s decision to suspend Draymond Green for his Game 4 low blow on James. If Cleveland finishes this off by winning three straight, there’s no question that decision will be viewed as the turning point of the series. The NBA’s decision to intervene how and when it did will be remembered for decades to come.

Scapegoat

Along those same lines, Green will emerge as one of the biggest scapegoats in NBA history should the Warriors fall in seven. His absence in Game 5 will be viewed as the moment James began to fully get comfortable in this series and the moment that Golden State’s rhythmic offense fell apart. Those who love the “Blame Game” will have a field day with the outspoken and polarizing Green.

Another scapegoat

On the other hand, a Cleveland loss would surely lead to intense scrutiny of Kevin Love, who has struggled to make an impact on this series. Trade rumors would surely follow in short order. “Kevin's name will be in the record books forever if we go out and take care of business [Sunday],” James said, by way of defending his teammate. However, he didn’t mention what might happen if the Cavaliers don’t take care of business.

MVP

James enters Game 7 as the leading candidate to win Finals MVP whether the Cavaliers win or lose. If Cleveland wins, he will claim his third Finals MVP and the most memorable of his career.  If Cleveland loses, he can become the first player since Jerry West in 1969 to win a Finals MVP while playing for the losing team. If Cleveland loses and James gets passed over for one of Golden State’s stars, his supporters will rightfully be able to claim that he was snubbed in both 2015 and 2016.

Full circle

A Cleveland win would complete the circle for the 31-year-old James, who has been a celebrity for more than half of his life. Winning a championship in Cleveland would deliver on the hype that started building when he was a high school star in Akron and grew when he was the No. 1 pick in 2003, it would make up for “The Decision” to leave in 2010, and it would validate his unusually active approach in Cleveland’s decision-making. A title would move him to 3-4 in the Finals, it would eradicate the notion that he “needed to go to Miami to win,” and it would bump him up the list of the NBA’s all-time greats, potentially into the top five. This would be his crowning achievement, the type of victory that goes past stats and highlights to appeal to people’s emotions across the country in a way that the “Heatles” never quite did.

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With a list of tasty subplots that long, there’s only one thing that can wrong: another blowout. Through six games, the average margin of victory in this series has been a whopping 19.7 points!

So, whether you’re rooting for James’s redemption or for Curry’s comeback, for Cleveland to snap its curse or for Golden State to extend its reign, root first for a Game 7 that goes down to the wire. An eye-catching, history-making, superstar-driven series like this deserves a classic, nail-biting finish.