Drought's Over: Cleveland Cavaliers win 2016 NBA Championship after 5 decades

buzzz worthy. . .


By Mona Austin

All hail "King James." Led by Lebron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers are the winners of the 2016 NBA Championship. The city of Cleveland has not heard those words in half a century.  James kept the promise he made to his hometown fan base and swiped the victory from defending champions, the Steph Curry led Golden State Warriors.

The Cavs are the first team in NBA franchise history to come back and win after a 3-1 deficit. Mr. James, 31 left Miami and returned to Cleveland, his hometown when they were struggling and has helped turn the team around. 

An emotional win, the 6 foot 8 inch tall power forward put his heart, body and soul into the contest. At one point he sprung into super hero like action. Appearing to defy gravity he swooped over an opposing player to defend  the would be goal with a block from the rear. In the final minutes of the game he injured his wrist after falling and  rolled in agony on the court surrounded by team mates and a medical team.  Nothing --including excruciating pain--would stop him from snagging the prize. James finished off the Golden State Warriors on their home turf, the Oracle Arena with a triple double.  He was the recipient of  the Most Valuable Player Award and said he was he was motivated to prove doubters wrong when accepting it.    This win is James' third title, his first with the Cavs.   

No Cleveland team has won a major national title since 1964.  Final score: 93-89. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said,  "The curse is over. The 52 year drought has come to an end."

Other than eternal bragging rights, here is what the winning team receives: a championship ring (worth about 15k),  $4 million divided among the team based on their salary and the losing team gets $3 million. They will also get to visit the next President of the United States at the White House.

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