On June 19, 2016, the Cavaliers winger won the third title of his career, the first with Cleveland, notably by performing a legendary action, perhaps the biggest counterattack in history: a “chasedown block” on Andre Iguodala two minutes from the end of the last game of the season.
The context was then suffocating. Both teams were exhausted, the score stuck at 89 all. Kyrie Irving penetrates, tries a very high floater, which does not touch the circle. The Warriors, Andre Iguodala and Stephen Curry in the lead, launch the transition. Let the “King” tell the following.
“I said to myself: don’t just give up on the action. Kyrie made his move, missed, and Iguodala grabbed the rebound and gave the ball to Stephen. I told myself that if I had an opportunity, I had to try. I was also thinking about JR Smith, I hoped he didn’t make a mistake. I know I can do it, I can reach it before the ball hits the backboard.” thus details LeBron James
The action is an incredible athletic masterpiece. LeBron James needs just 2.67 seconds to cover the first 18 yards of the field. When the MVP of the 2015 Finals receives the ball, the “King” is still six meters from the circle. With his speed (32 km/h), he managed to counter the shot at 3m50 from the ground with his 89 centimeters of trigger. All with a “counterwindow” established at less than two tenths of a second!
The biggest action of his career
JR Smith was therefore valuable in this action. Not only did he not foul, but he slowed down the Warriors winger enough to give LeBron James time to come back. To arise.
“I didn’t see him until the end of the action”commented Stephen Curry. “I was focused on giving Iguodala the ball at the right time. LeBron pulled off a great deed. That’s all I can say. »
An action of anthology. And undoubtedly the one that will remain the most vivid in the memories of fans of the “King”. “It is clearly the action of my career”will estimate LeBron James a few weeks after this feat. “Simply because of the importance of the game and the timing of the game. It was a significant moment, and not just for the game, but for the history of the sport in Cleveland. »
In addition to the context, making history with defensive action is immense fun for the four-time MVP.
“A lot will be based on a winning shot, a dunk, an offensive gesture. But whether my mark is linked to a counter or a defensive action that helped us win, it’s the most beautiful thing possible for me. »
