What if the Cleveland Cavaliers had built an NBA dynasty? Former coach Tyronn Lue drops a bombshell, claiming the Cavs could have snagged 2 or 3 more championships if Kyrie Irving never left and Kevin Durant hadn’t joined the Warriors. A true ‘what-if’ for the ages!
Former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue recently ignited a spirited debate among basketball enthusiasts with a provocative assertion: the Cavaliers, led by the formidable duo of LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, could have secured two or three NBA championships if certain pivotal events had unfolded differently. This hypothetical scenario reopens old wounds for Cavaliers fans and highlights a period of intense rivalry that defined a significant era of the NBA.
The iconic 2016 NBA Finals comeback against the Golden State Warriors remains etched in basketball lore, often attributed solely to LeBron James’s monumental block and leadership. However, as Lue rightly implies, that historic victory was a collective effort, with Kyrie Irving’s clutch performance, particularly his game-winning shot over Stephen Curry in Game 7, proving indispensable to clinching the Cleveland Cavaliers’ sole NBA title.
Irving’s contributions extended far beyond a single shot; his overall offensive brilliance and ability to consistently deliver in high-pressure moments throughout the series were critical. His dynamic scoring and playmaking created significant challenges for the Warriors’ defense, showcasing a level of individual talent that, while sometimes overshadowed by James’s grandeur, was undeniably a cornerstone of the Cavaliers’ success.
Lue, now coaching the Los Angeles Clippers, articulated his belief that if Kyrie Irving had remained with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and crucially, if Kevin Durant had not subsequently joined the Golden State Warriors, the franchise’s championship tally would look significantly different. This “what-if” scenario paints a picture of a potential Cavaliers dynasty that was ultimately thwarted by external forces and internal decisions.
The arrival of Kevin Durant to the Golden State Warriors following the 2016 Finals fundamentally shifted the balance of power in the NBA. Durant’s addition transformed an already dominant Warriors team into an almost invincible force, forcing the Cleveland Cavaliers into an even more challenging position and effectively ending their realistic hopes of further NBA Championships with that core roster.
Kyrie Irving’s tenure with the Cleveland Cavaliers included three trips to the NBA Finals. His rookie Finals appearance in 2015 was tragically cut short by injury, but he returned with a vengeance in 2016, averaging 27.1 points and delivering a memorable 41-point performance in Game 5. Despite an even stronger individual statistical showing in the 2017 Finals, the collective might of the Durant-reinforced Golden State Warriors proved too formidable.
Reports suggest Irving sought to depart the Cleveland Cavaliers to emerge from the shadow of LeBron James, aiming to lead his own team and further develop his game as the central cornerstone. His subsequent exit in 2017, followed by James’s departure in 2018, initiated a complex unraveling for the Cavaliers, transforming a potentially enduring partnership into one of basketball’s most poignant unanswered questions.
The narrative posited by Tyronn Lue serves as a powerful reminder of how easily the course of NBA history can be altered by key player movements and decisions. The Cleveland Cavaliers’ potential dynasty, envisioned by Lue, stands as a testament to the immense talent of that era and the tantalizing possibility of more NBA Championships that ultimately slipped away, leaving behind a profound “what-if” for fans to ponder.
