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The Warriors won the final three games of the best-of-seven series, closing out the Cavs in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. Andre Iguodala and Stephen Curry each poured in 25 points to lead the Warriors to their first title since 1975. LeBron's 32 points, 18 rebounds, and 9 assists simply weren't enough to keep Cleveland alive. The King was sensational, but without Kyrie Irving or Kevin Love, he couldn't keep the ship from sinking in the end.
Andre Iguodala was named NBA Finals MVP over LeBron James, who put up insane numbers over 45.8 minutes per game in the series – 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, 8.8 assists, and 1.3 steals on .398/.310/.687 shooting splits, and Curry. All three players were well deserving, but I was happy to see Iguodala get the award. He earned the honor, as unlikely as it seemed heading into the Finals; averaging 36.8 minutes per game, 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and tasked with the responsibility of guarding LeBron.
Coach Steve Kerr inserted Iggy in the starting lineup for the first time this season during Game 4 when he substituted him into the starting lineup for center Andrew Bogut, and the decision certainly paid off. He played a reserve role up until that point, but the 11-year vet proved vital when it mattered most.
Andre Iguodala: had never come off the bench in an NBA game until this season. He started first 758 games of his career.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 17, 2015
When Iguodala was in, LeBron shot 38% and the Cavs were -55. When he sat, LeBron shot 44% and the Cavs were +30
— Ethan Strauss (@SherwoodStrauss) June 17, 2015
Iguodala was a Finals-high plus-62 in the series. Next best was Curry at plus-52.
— John Schuhmann (@johnschuhmann) June 17, 2015
Finals MVP voting results:
Here are the voting results for Finals MVP. Iggy with 7 votes; LeBron with 4. pic.twitter.com/XsgYAqsiAR
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) June 17, 2015
Tweets of the Night
Below are some of my favorite tweets of the night.
.@StephenCurry30 battled through all 4 other members of the ALL-NBA First Team en route to an #NBA Championship. pic.twitter.com/QoWeYyx2de
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) June 17, 2015
When you don't do shit in your group project & still passed with an A pic.twitter.com/DbXFzaKZtT
— Hoop Highlights (@HoopHighIights) June 17, 2015
Video: LeBron talks about how not making the playoffs might be easier than losing the Finals https://t.co/xswRPfplUR
— The Cauldron (@TheCauldron) June 17, 2015
SPLASH CHAMPIONS. pic.twitter.com/EgbO9QkEwX
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 17, 2015
GIF: "Not a bad way to go to free agency" pic.twitter.com/xsu1xpRW07
— CJ Fogler (@cjzero) June 17, 2015
Not bad, not bad at all. And then J.R. rides off in true J.R. fashion...
ayyy this is the saddest fun shit i ever seen in my life wow jr smith you are forever perfect pic.twitter.com/QycALqUcdc
— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) June 17, 2015
I'm truly happy for Shaun Livingston. He's been through so much over the course of his career. I've been pulling for him for years, as someone that loves basketball and also has destroyed their knee.
important pic.twitter.com/88kt7KSPvU
— James Herbert (@outsidethenba) June 17, 2015
Man of his word. @StephenCurry30 pic.twitter.com/QhBipoQIXs
— warriorsworld (@warriorsworld) June 17, 2015
Lil @andre on dad's MVP performance! #LeanInTogether pic.twitter.com/NbRCkWOlGl
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2015
Steve Kerr is the first 1st-year head coach to win the @NBA championship since Pat Riley (Lakers, 1982). pic.twitter.com/nP11itpiDQ
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) June 17, 2015
Steph Curry's game is pure art
— Ricky Rubio (@rickyrubio9) June 17, 2015
Congrats to the Warriors. They were the best team all season long. Curry was AMAZING and his supporting cast was unreal, down the line. Steve Kerr was tremendous. They deserved the title.
Here's a soulful track by Leon Bridges...