The 2016 NBA Finals will forever be remembered as one of the most iconic series in basketball history. The Cleveland Cavaliers, led by LeBron James, pulled off the impossible: a comeback from a 3-1 deficit against the 73-9 Warriors! But it wasn’t just the on-court heroics that defined their victory.

James also instilled behind-the-scenes leadership, strategy, and sheer belief in his teammates. In the latest episode of the Big Podcast With Shaq, Iman Shumpert, the ex-Cavalier, offered a glimpse into the mindset of the ‘King’ during the unbelievable run.

As part of the historic run, the former NBA champion recalled a pivotal moment when LeBron James addressed the team, laying out a bold plan to win the series. “LeBron basically was like, we gonna go here, we’re going to win at home,” James confidently declared, according to Shumpert, reinforcing his belief that the Cavaliers would thrive under pressure. He highlighted how the Warriors, after losing Game 5, wouldn’t want the series to return to Cleveland for Game 6—giving the Cavs a mental edge.

“After we win at home, that was going to put pressure on them. But they kind of don’t even want to win it. They are going to want to win their last one. Either they get this one at home or we are automatically going to get six just because nobody wants to come back to Cleveland and do it.”

This wasn’t simply optimism. It was a calculated strategy from a leader who understood the stakes and the psychological battle at play. However, a turning point, as Shumpert further noted, was Draymond Green’s suspension in Game 5. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that the Dubs’ floor general’s absence temporarily tipped the scales in their favor.

In fact, the 34-year-old had a hilarious take on it. “Draymond didn’t play. Everybody was like, ‘Wait a second! Y’all lose superpowers when this man not around? Ain’t no pointing at the sky no more?'”

It was uncharacteristic for a team with an incredible regular-season record to lose composure during the Cavs’ surge. Needless to say, hearing the Georgia Tech alum go back to 2016 took the fans back to a moment when confidence and calculated moves set the tone for an epic comeback.

Iman Shumpert’s LeBron James tale has fans recalling the 2016 Finals moments

Perhaps the one instance that’s just as iconic as the Cavs’ comeback is Klay Thompson‘s infamous comment about LeBron getting “his feelings hurt.” That remark during the series did more than just add tension – it awakened an unstoppable force! Many often point to that moment as a turning point when the ‘Akron Hammer’ took things personally. As this fan perfectly puts it, “I mean Klay poked the bear and found out. It was a guaranteed win,” followed by a laughing with-tears emoji.

Continuing along the same lines is this next user’s comment. Well, not the tense atmosphere part. Rather, the part where LeBron James is determined to win. “Lebron was on a mission,” wrote the fan. It perfectly reflects how he approached the series with a sense of purpose, leading the Cavaliers with incredible performances and an unshakeable belief that they could win despite being down 3–1.

Yet another individual brought attention to Steph Curry‘s injury woes and Green’s absence became a key factor in the Cavs’ win. “Curry was injured and Dray suspended.” It is an argument that’s often used to counter-argue Cleveland’s championship run. While these factors did impact the Warriors, many would argue LeBron James and Kyrie Irving’s dominance, especially in Games 5 and 6, was the real story.

Despite it all, many would have a hard time contradicting this: “Goat mentality,” as one fan put it. James’ bold guarantee to win, leadership, and historic performances in clutch moments perfectly embody the relentless drive and mental toughness associated with the greatest players in sports history.

And finally, this user echoed one major sentiment, “Elite ball memories.” It’s a nod to how LeBron’s leadership, the Cavs’ 2016 Finals comeback, and the drama surrounding Klay’s comments have cemented themselves as legendary highlights in basketball history.

It’s the kind of memory that transcends regular fandom—something representing the pinnacle of what makes the game so thrilling.