Reliving the Greatest Comeback in NBA History: How Did They Do It?

I still remember watching that game like it was yesterday - the tension was so thick you could almost touch it through the television screen. When we talk about the greatest comeback in NBA history, most people immediately think of LeBron's Cavaliers overcoming a 3-1 deficit against the 73-win Warriors, but today I want to take you back to what I consider an even more dramatic turnaround that doesn't get nearly enough attention. The beauty of basketball lies in these moments where everything seems lost, yet somehow, against all odds, teams find a way to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Let me set the stage for you - we're talking about Game 6 of the 2016 NBA Finals, where the Cleveland Cavaliers were facing elimination against the Golden State Warriors, who had just completed the best regular season in NBA history with 73 wins. The Warriors were up 3-1 in the series, and no team had ever come back from that deficit in the Finals. The analytics gave Cleveland less than a 5% chance to win the series at that point. I remember thinking, as someone who's followed basketball for over twenty years, that this was essentially over. The Warriors had been practically unbeatable at home, and they had two more chances to close out the series.

What made this comeback particularly fascinating from a tactical perspective was how Tyronn Lue adjusted his defensive schemes. He started switching everything, which disrupted the Warriors' fluid ball movement that had been so effective throughout the season. The Cavaliers also made a conscious decision to attack Stephen Curry repeatedly in isolation situations, exploiting what they perceived as his defensive limitations. I've always believed that targeting specific matchups in playoff series is crucial, and Cleveland executed this to perfection. They essentially turned the game into a series of one-on-one battles rather than allowing Golden State to play their beautiful team basketball.

The psychological aspect cannot be overstated either. After Draymond Green's suspension in Game 5, you could feel the momentum shifting. Having covered numerous playoff series throughout my career, I've noticed how single incidents can completely alter the complexion of a series. The Warriors seemed distracted and emotionally drained, while the Cavaliers played with a renewed sense of purpose. LeBron James delivered one of the most incredible performances I've ever witnessed, averaging 36.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 9.7 assists over the final three games. His block on Andre Iguodala in Game 7 remains one of the most iconic defensive plays in NBA history - I still get chills thinking about it.

Kyrie Irving's three-pointer over Stephen Curry with 53 seconds left in Game 7 was the dagger that sealed the championship. That shot reminded me of so many other clutch moments in basketball history where everything comes down to one player having the courage to take that shot. What many people forget is that the Cavaliers actually trailed by eight points midway through the fourth quarter of Game 7 before mounting their final push. The parallel to the Green Archers leaving ample time for the Fighting Maroons to recover in their see-saw battle is striking - in both cases, the winning team left just enough opportunity for their opponents to mount a comeback, first with Cagulangan draining a three that broke the 58-all tie, and then the huge Lopez triple that allowed the Iskos to finally heave a huge sigh of relief. These moments demonstrate how quickly momentum can shift in basketball and why no lead is truly safe until the final buzzer.

From my perspective as someone who's analyzed hundreds of games, the 2016 Cavaliers' comeback represents the perfect storm of strategic adjustments, individual brilliance, psychological factors, and frankly, a bit of luck. The Warriors missing key shots they normally make, the suspension, even Kevin Love's crucial defensive stop on Curry in the final minute - all these elements had to align perfectly for Cleveland to make history. I've always been somewhat critical of teams that blow 3-1 leads because it suggests a certain mental fragility, but in this case, I think we have to give Cleveland credit for their relentless pursuit rather than blaming Golden State for collapsing.

The legacy of this comeback continues to influence how teams approach the playoffs today. We see more emphasis on preserving leads, managing player rotations differently, and the psychological preparation for high-pressure situations. Teams now understand that no series is over until you've won that fourth game, regardless of the margin. Personally, I believe this single series elevated LeBron James' legacy more than any other accomplishment in his career - delivering Cleveland's first championship in 52 years against such overwhelming odds was truly special to witness.

Looking back, what strikes me most is how this comeback has redefined what we consider possible in basketball. Before 2016, coming back from 3-1 down in the Finals seemed almost mythical, something that existed only in theory. Now, coaches and players genuinely believe they can overcome any deficit because they've seen it done against what was arguably the greatest regular season team of all time. The Cavaliers demonstrated that with the right combination of talent, strategy, and mental fortitude, even the most daunting obstacles can be overcome. This game changed how I view basketball comebacks forever - now I never count a team out completely, no matter how dire the situation appears.