20 June,2016 09:25 PM IST | | mid-day online correspondent
Let's look at some mind-numbing numbers and emotional images from the 2016 NBA Finals that saw King James reign supreme after LeBron helped the Cleveland Cavaliers replace Golden State Warriors as NBA Champions
LeBron James delivered one of his most virtuoso performances on Sunday to inspire the Cleveland Cavaliers to the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history, as they dethroned defending champion Golden State 93-89 to capture their first league title.
The Cavaliers have thus become the first club in NBA history to rally from a 3-1 deficit to win the best-of-seven series, giving Cleveland its first major sports champion since the 1964 NFL Browns.
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James with the Larry O'Brien trophy after defeating the Golden State Warriors to win the NBA Finals on Sunday in Oakland, California. Pics/AFP
The Cavaliers claimed their first league crown in their 46-season history, ending the longest such title drought for any American city.
And the man to do it: LeBron James, the prodigal son who left for Miami in 2010 to win two NBA titles, then returned home in 2014 vowing to end a major sport title drought that had haunted Cleveland since 1964.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE RECORDS LEBRON BROKE IN THE 2016 NBA FINALS
LeBron James is first player in NBA history to rank in the top 10 in playoff wins, points, rebounds and assists.
LeBron won his third Finals MVP after the Cleveland Cavaliers' 93-89 victory over the Golden State Warriors.
LeBron James speaks with Bill Russell after being named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player. Pic/AFP
With his third Finals MVP, James trails only six-time winner Michael Jordan in this department. He surpassed Larry Bird and Kobe Bryant and has joined Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan with three awards.
LeBron averaged 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 2.6 steals and 2.3 blocks in the Finals.
He led all players in each of the five statistical categories.
LeBron James #23 and Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate after defeating the Golden State Warriors 93-89 in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on Sunday in Oakland, California. Pic/AFP
James (41 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists, three blocks, three steals) and Irving (41 points, six assists, three rebounds, two steals) became the first teammates to score 40 points each in an NBA Finals game.
LeBron has now broken Michael Jordan's record for most 20-point games in NBA playoff history -- LeBron now has 174 playoff games with at least 20 points compared to Jordan's 173.
The 31-year-old superstar has become the first player since Shaquille O'Neal in 2000 to score 40-plus points in consecutive games within the same Finals.
LeBron James kisses his daughter Zhuri during the post-match press conference. Pic/AFP
The Cavaliers forward joined Jerry West as one of just two players in league history to record 40-plus points and 10-plus assists in multiple Finals games in his career.
LeBron James with his daughter Zhuri during the post-match press conference. Pic/AFP
On Sunday, LeBron delivered the first triple-double in a Game 7 of the NBA Finals since the LA Lakers' James Worthy did it back in 1988.
LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers sits with his children -- LeBron Jr., Zhuri and Bryce -- during the post match press conference. Pic/AFP
Moments after winning the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP Award, LeBron shared a moment with the honour's namesake. "You paved the way," James told Russell, an 11-time NBA champion with the Boston Celtics, on Sunday night.
LeBron James celebrates with his sons LeBron Jr. and Bryce. Pic/AFP
LeBron James #23, Kevin Love #0, and Matthew Dellavedova #8 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate after defeating the Golden State Warriors 93-89 in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on Sunday in Oakland, California.
