2016 has been a big year for the National Basketball Association. From legends Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett finally hanging up their jerseys for good, to the Golden State Warriors winning an NBA record in season wins to Cleveland Cavaliers pulling off the biggest comeback in NBA history, this year is definitely one to remember for NBA fans. Here are the five biggest moments in the NBA in 2016:
1. Cavaliers comes back from 1-3 Finals deficit to win first NBA title
There had been much discussion if LeBron James could give the Cavs their first championship in franchise history after returning to Cleveland in 2014. In the Finals, the Cavs surrendered a 1-3 deficit against the Warriors and it looked Golden State was on its way to back-to-back NBA titles. But the league saw the greatest comeback in NBA finals history as Cleveland clawed its way back into tying the series before putting the nail in the coffin in Game 7.
2. Kobe Bryant caps farewell tour with 60-point game
'The Mamba' is known to drop big scoring games and ending his NBA career by scattering 60 points was just fitting. The Lakers were already out of playoff contention but that did not hold back Bryant from scorching hot as he led Los Angeles into a 101-96 win against the Utah Jazz in April. He finished his 20-year NBA career at third place in the all-time scoring list with 33,643 points, according to NBA Stats
3. Stephen Curry wins unanimous Most Valuable Player award
As if his 2014-2015 MVP championship run was not impressive in itself, Curry shut down critics by breaking records in 2016. Curry became the first player to drain 400 three-pointers in a season while shooting above 50-40-90 en route to being awarded as the first unanimous MVP in NBA history.
4. Kevin Durant changes NBA landscape
The Warriors were already a powerhouse team without Durant before but with the former MVP on the fold, the Warriors have become a league on their own. Though the Warriors and Durant once against lost to the Cavs in Christmas Day, Golden State is still the favorite to win the title this year and Durant might finally win it all.
5. Zach Lavine edges Aaron Gordon in Slam Dunk contest but everybody wins in magnificent showdown
Many critics said that the NBA Slam Dunk Contest was already dead with participants showcasing similar dunks. But two men turned the competition around with high-flying and innovative dunks that caught the attention of the NBA world. Gordon resorted to what was called the "Butt Dunk," one of the most innovative dunks the league has seen, before Lavine broke the tiebreaker by going between the legs after taking off from inside the free throw line to earn a perfect score. People are saying that there was no loser in the battle between the two young studs as CBS Sports reported that while Lavine took home the trophy, Gordon won the contest, too.
Watch the video below to see the highlights of Game 7 of the NBA Finals: