

WHO WON THE NBA CHAMPIONSHIP LAST YEAR SERIES
The enigmatic shooting guard helped the Cavaliers reach the Finals, but he was MIA for much of the series when the Cavs needed a second option with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love sidelined. San Diego ranks second with 107 title-less seasons. The last title for a Cleveland sports franchise in the major sports was the Browns who won the 1964 NFL title in the pre-Super Bowl age. The city continues a historic championship drought that is now at 144 sports seasons and counting. The only blemish is no Game 7, which would have delivered massive ratings and millions in ad revenue. The average of 19.2 million viewers per game through the first five games was up 25% over last year. The NBA had its best Finals ratings since Michael Jordan roamed the courts. Iguodala won the MVP in a 7-4 vote over James, but many felt James deserved to be the first MVP on a losing squad since Jerry West in 1969.Īn NBA Finals featuring two of the league’s marquee teams and two of its biggest stars is just what the doctor ordered for Walt Disney-owned ABC. He scored or assisted on 70 of the Cavaliers 91 Game 5 points. James was often the first, second and third option for Cav’s offense. It was the first time in NBA Finals history one player led both teams in points, rebounds and assists. James had a historic series averaging 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game while playing nearly every minute. A Finals MVP trophy on your mantle is a nice addition to his resume. Iguodala is an 11-year veteran with one All-Star game nod and is mostly known for his lockdown defense. He is the first player to not start every Finals game and win the award. He provided an instant spark in helping lead the Warriors to three straight wins. Iguodala started Game 4 for the Warriors after coming off the bench every regular season and playoff game before that during the 2015-16 season. The Finals bumps up his awareness making him even more appealing for sponsors. The only thing missing is awareness with only 30% of people recognizing his name or image entering the playoffs (James and Kobe Bryant are at 90%). His aspirational score ranks seventh out of 3,652 celebrities in Repucom’s database. They then beat the Lakers 4-0 in the Finals, and Malone won Finals MVP with 25.8 points and 18.0 rebounds per game in the series.The NBA's regular season MVP was not the most dominant player on the floor, with James holding the edge, and his teammate, Iguodala, won the Finals MVP, but Curry introduced his breathtaking game to a new audience, which doesn’t typically tune in to NBA games until the Finals.Ĭurry is the NBA’s top-ranked player on appeal, aspiration, influence and trust, according to data from brand analysis and research firm Repucom. Moses Malone led the team in scoring that season with 24.5 points per game, and Erving was right behind him with 21.4. And in 1983, they made the championship series for the second consecutive season and the fourth time in seven years, and they finally won. After winning it all in 19, Julius Erving led the Sixers to three Finals in six seasons between 19. Philly has won three titles in franchise history. So, when was the last time the 76ers won a championship? Iverson got the closest, leading Philadelphia to the 2001 NBA Finals, but the Los Angeles Lakers won the series in five games. Allen Iverson then later became the man in the late 1990s and early 2000s before Joel Embiid eventually took things over in 2016.īut all three of those legends have one thing in common: The 76ers have failed to win a title throughout their respective tenures. | Mike Calendrillo/SportscastingĬharles Barkley became the face of the 76ers not long after the team drafted him in 1984. So, when was the last year Philly hoisted the Larry O’Brien Trophy? The Philadelphia 76ers’ last championship came in 1982-83 The Philadelphia 76ers during their most recent NBA championship in 1982-83. However, despite having several superstars in Barkley, Iverson, and Embiid throughout the last few decades, the Sixers have failed to win an NBA championship during that time.

Joel Embiid has since entered that stratosphere as well, developing into an MVP-caliber big man. Julius Erving, Charles Barkley, Allen Iverson, and Wilt Chamberlain likely first come to mind. The Philadelphia 76ers have had some iconic players over the years.
