Kyrie Irving ‘Barely Slept’ Before Game 7 Of 2016 NBA Finals Between Cavaliers, Warriors: ‘I Was Incredibly Nervous’

The Cleveland Cavaliers won the 2016 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors in seven games behind All-Stars LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. 

The 2016 Cavaliers are the only team in NBA history to erase a 3-1 series deficit in the Finals. 

James’ chase-down block on Andre Iguodala allowed Irving to hit the game-winning shot over Stephen Curry in Game 7. We also can’t forget about Kevin Love playing incredible defense on Curry late in the game. 

Before Game 7 of this year’s Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers, Irving jumped on NBA TV to talk about that legendary Game 7 between the Cavaliers and Warriors back in 2016. 

“I still remember Game 7 like it was yesterday,” Irving said. “A lot of the guys from the 2016 team remember that as well. I mean, we etched our names forever. And one of the hardest, toughest sports championships. We beat each other up all season. We get to the playoffs and we rough each other up even more so.

“And then you’re battling your brothers, you’re battling your peers, you’re trying to find little weaknesses to take advantage of. … I really felt like [Curry] didn’t have an idea I was gonna go to that shot either. Game 7, I barely slept the night before. My hands were sweaty. I was incredibly nervous. It was legacy on the line.”

Irving and James scored 41 points each in Game 5. James scored 41 again in Game 6 to force a Game 7 at Oracle Arena. 

Irving averaged 27.1 points and 3.9 assists in the 2016 NBA Finals. He requested a trade from the Cavaliers in 2017 and was traded to the Boston Celtics. 

Uncle Drew has played for the Cavaliers, Celtics, Brooklyn Nets and Dallas Mavericks. He’s expected to miss a lot of time next season recovering from his left ACL tear. 

James, who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, won the 2016 Finals MVP Award. He finished the seven-game series with averages of 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 2.6 steals and 2.3 blocks.