Lonzo Ball Declares 2016 Cavaliers Title as Greatest in NBA History: A Bold Take Backed by Context, Clutch, and Comeback
In the ever-passionate world of NBA debates, Lonzo Ball has added his voice to one of the most heated conversations in basketball history: What is the greatest championship run of all time? For the Chicago Bulls guard, the answer is simple—and powerful. Ball recently declared that the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2016 NBA Championship is, in his words, “the greatest in league history.”
It’s a bold claim, but not without compelling substance.
A Championship Against All Odds
The 2016 NBA Finals featured one of the most lopsided matchups in history—on paper, at least. The 73–9 Golden State Warriors were coming off the greatest regular season record in NBA history, a team loaded with MVP Stephen Curry, sharpshooter Klay Thompson, and the do-it-all Draymond Green. They had dismantled teams with ease and were widely expected to cement themselves as the greatest team of all time.
But LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and the Cleveland Cavaliers had different plans. Down 3–1 in the series, with the basketball world ready to crown the Warriors, the Cavaliers pulled off the impossible. They stormed back to win three straight games—including two on the road—to take the title in seven.
The Defining Moments
Lonzo Ball, a lifelong student of the game, specifically pointed to the magnitude of that comeback and the stakes surrounding it as the key reasons for his take.
“You’re talking about beating a 73-win team,” Ball said. “Coming back from 3–1, in the Finals, with that kind of pressure, on that kind of stage? That’s greatness. That’s legacy.”
He also highlighted the iconic plays that sealed Cleveland’s championship fate. LeBron James’ chase-down block on Andre Iguodala in Game 7 has become one of the most immortal moments in Finals history. Moments later, Kyrie Irving hit the go-ahead dagger three over Curry—an ice-cold shot that gave Cleveland the lead for good. And Kevin Love’s unlikely lockdown defense on Curry in the closing seconds sealed the deal.
A Championship for the City
For Ball, it wasn’t just the comeback or the star power—it was the emotional weight. “That championship wasn’t just for the team, it was for the city,” he said. “Cleveland hadn’t seen a title in over 50 years. That meant everything.”
Indeed, the 2016 title snapped Cleveland’s 52-year major sports championship drought, instantly transforming LeBron James from prodigal son to homegrown legend in full.
What About Other Great Runs?
While some fans may argue for other historic championships—the 1996 Bulls, the 2000-02 Lakers three-peat, the 2008 Celtics’ resurgence, or the Warriors’ later dominance—Ball’s perspective centers on adversity, storyline, and the sheer drama of the 2016 Finals.
“I respect greatness in all eras,” Ball acknowledged. “But when you factor in the opponent, the history, the comeback, and the emotion—2016 is just on another level.”
Not Just a Hot Take
This isn’t a baseless hot take from a casual fan. Ball, known for his high basketball IQ and thoughtful takes, supports his opinion with substance. It’s a perspective that echoes the sentiment of many fans and analysts who point to the 2016 Cavaliers’ run as the ultimate underdog-to-champion story.
So, while the GOAT debate in basketball will always rage on—whether about players, teams, or championships—Lonzo Ball has drawn his line in the sand.
To him, 2016 wasn’t just a win.
It was history written in gold and wine.
