{
  "id": 20164125,
  "title": "Kyrie Irving reflects on his time in Cleveland, Cavs' 2016 NBA championship",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/kyrie-irving-reflects-on-his-time-in-cleveland-cavs-2016-nba",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-15T11:04:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/kyrie-irving-reflects-time-cleveland-110458647.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Cleveland remains a significant moment in the career of Kyrie Irving, who was a key player in the Cavs' 2016 NBA championship team. Reflecting on his time in the city, Irving expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support from Cavs fans and Cleveland as a whole. He highlighted the importance of playing against the best teams in the world, which he experienced over the span of three championship seasons with the Cavs. The 2016 championship, won against the Golden State Warriors, was one of the hardest in NBA history, with a decade-long wait for Cleveland to claim their first title.\n\nIrving's iconic game-winning shot during Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals, known as \"The Block, The Shot, and The Stop,\" was a standout moment in his career. He delivered a powerful three-pointer, one-third of which secured the win for the Cavs. This shot was instrumental in the Cavs overcoming a 3-1 deficit against the Warriors, culminating in their victory in Game 7. Irving praised the resilience and determination displayed by both himself and his teammates during that unforgettable series.\n\nReturning to Cleveland for the first time this season, Irving was met with a standing ovation and a tribute video replaying the game-winning shot from Game 7. For the second game of the season, the Cavs' 127-117 win served as a celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the 2016 championship. The atmosphere was reminiscent of Irving's early years with the Cavs, showcasing his individual brilliance through 34 points and five assists. Despite not being enough to secure the win, Irving felt the support from the fans was palpable in that moment.\n\nLooking back, Irving credits Cleveland for shaping him into the player he became. As a 19-year-old, he admits he didn't fully understand what he needed or wanted from his career. However, being a part of the Cavs organization provided guidance and support during his formative years. During his time in Cleveland, Irving averaged 21.6 points, 5.6 assists, and 3.4 rebounds in 381 games, ranking eighth on the team's all-time scoring list with 8,232 points. Despite criticism and expectations placed on him, Irving remains thankful for the positive impact the city and its people had on his career.",
  "summary": "Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving calls the Cavaliers' 2016 NBA title one of the hardest championships ever and credits Cleveland for shaping his career.",
  "key_points": [
    "Kyrie Irving reflects on his 2016 NBA championship with Cleveland Cavaliers.",
    "Won against Golden State Warriors in Game 7, known as The Block, The Shot, and The Stop.",
    "Returned to Cleveland for 10-year anniversary of championship with standing ovation."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}