LeBron James’ Ex-Teammate Says 2016 Title Wasn’t About Draymond Green’s Game 5 Ban: “You Could Have Put Jesus”

Channing Frye believes LeBron James and Cleveland Cavaliers were unbeatable in the 2016 NBA Finals.

LeBron James’ Ex-Teammate Says 2016 Title Wasn’t About Draymond Green’s Game 5 Ban: “You Could Have Put Jesus”

LeBron James and Channing Frye (Image credits - Firstsportz)

The Cleveland Cavaliers led by LeBron James in 2016 put up one of the greatest performances in NBA Finals history. They became the first and only team ever to come back from 3-1 down in the Finals.

Not only did they pull off a historic comeback, they did it against the greatest regular season team ever. The Golden State Warriors won the championship over the Cavs in 2015 and broke the regular season record in the 2015-16 campaign. With Stephen Curry leading the way, they went on to win 73 games in the regular season.

After taking a 3-1 lead in the series, the Warriors were dealt with a major blow when Draymond Green got suspended for Game 5 after picking up his fourth flagrant foul of the postseason. James and Kyrie Irving went on to score 41 points each in what proved to be a series-changing moment in the Finals.

Channing Frye, who was a member of the 2016 Cavs squad, had no doubt that the Cavs were unbeatable even if Green played in Game 5.

Game 5 was crazy. I am a firm believer that even if Draymond was there, we would have still put that belt on ’em. Unless he would have grown two more arms, and 6 more inches, no. You could have put Jesus, Martin Luther King, Gandhi, a Tyrannosaurus rex, and a T-1000 out there, we would have beat they (expletive), too.

Channing Frye in an interview with Bleacher Report

LeBron James has won four championships in his career. However, the one in 2016 was a legacy defining moment for him. He gave the franchise their first and only championship till date.

There is no doubt that the 41-year-old is the greatest player ever to wear the Cavs jersey. With James’ future up in the air, the rumors and reports of James looking to return to the Cavs are getting stronger.

RELATED
Karl-Anthony Towns Allegedly Asking Knicks Fans for Help on Last Play Blows Up Social Media – “Those Two Guys Deserve Rings”

LeBron James and Kyrie Irving were unstoppable from Game 5

Channing Frye spent three seasons at the Cavs and made it to the NBA Finals in all three years, winning one in 2016. He provided some crucial minutes off the bench for the team.

With Green suspended for Game 5, the Warriors were missing the Defensive Player of the Year. While he did return for Game 6, the momentum had shifted considerably by then.

LeBron James and Kyrie Irving
LeBron James and Kyrie Irving (Image credits – NBA France/X)

Speaking about LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, Frye believed they were just unstoppable.

I don’t know what happened with those boys; they went to the moon. And I said, watching that firsthand, ‘Hell, no.’ Total respect to Golden State, but it was like two sword fighters. You just hear the noise, and then they’re over there, and you’re like ‘Damn, when did that happen?’

Channing Frye in his Bleacher Report interview

James was named as the Finals MVP for his performances throughout the Finals. He averaged 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds and 8.9 assists. Meanwhile, Irving went on to average 27.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists.

RELATED
Draymond Green Wants Knicks to Defend Jalen Brunson After Victor Wembanyama’s Push: “You Get Right in There”

Having LeBron James and Kyrie Irving is different than what the Spurs have

The San Antonio Spurs find themselves 3-1 down to the New York Knicks at the moment. They blew a huge 29-point lead in the second half in Game 4 that could hurt them psychologically for the remainder of the series.

Another member of the Cavs 2016 championship squad, Iman Shumpert spoke about the mindset going into Game 5 when down 3-1.

Going into Game 5 when you’re down 3-1 with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving is a little different than what the Spurs got going on. The hill that you have to climb takes an insane amount of focus. The Game 5 performance they put up was unheard of. You have to take it one game at a time.

Iman Shumpert on Pat McAfee Show

While the Spurs may not have a player like James or Irving, they do have Victor Wembanyama. Many already regard him as the face of the league and he has been impressive in his first ever playoffs. However, he and the Spurs have a huge mountain to climb heading into Game 5.

Also Read: