The Defining Moment of LeBron James's Career | Bill Simmons's Book of Basketball 2.0 | The Ringer
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- čas přidán 18. 12. 2019
- “Blocked by James” has become one of the most famous announcer calls in NBA history, and it’s because LeBron James made the signature play of his career: blocking Andre Iguodala in dramatic fashion to help lead the Cavaliers to a championship against the Golden State Warriors. HBO and The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by ESPN’s Brian Windhorst to break down “The Block” by LeBron, “The Shot” by Kyrie Irving over Steph Curry, and “The Stop” made by Kevin Love to seal the 2016 NBA Finals for the Cavs.
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“BLOCKED BY JAMES!” is forever cemented in my basketball brain.
Jonathan Nelson true that will go down as Breens most iconic sportscasting call (like Simmons mentioned)
That fucked my life up. That was his one and only oh wow moment ever
Tekk Luthor game 6 vs Boston and 26 straight against Detroit were pretty crazy, but if you mean a single play then yeah
@@TekkLuthor The Buzzer vs Orlando, and the Soul crushing turnaround vs the Bulls to keep from going down 3-1 in the semifinals are good ones too. I actually saw the latter on TV as a Bulls fan and it hurts till this day, we came the closest to stopping him
warriors fans were scarred shitless...lebron had tortured them for 3 games and that play made them shit their pants....lebron won 3 of 6 finals games in Oakland pre kd...just to remind those people how good he was
I WAS AT THE GAME: I’m from Cleveland. There were maybe only 300 Cleveland fans in the whole arena. Why? 4 reasons…1) There were only connecting flights from Cleveland to Oakland/San Francisco (no direct flights). 2) Tickets were INSANELY expensive. 3) If they lost, it would be a VERY depressing flight home…with a connector. 4) They are playing Game 7 in Golden State…the team that had the best record in NBA history. That said, it was a very high risk, high reward scenario. I spent $3,000 for an 18th row ticket. My heart raced the entire game. Didn’t eat and maybe took a sip of water all 48 minutes (severe dry mouth). Fast forward to when Kyrie hit the go-ahead 3 pointer (5:47)…this 65 year old woman, only fan near me, from Cleveland (I never met before) literally pulled an Elaine Benes and pushed me so hard and starting shaking me with complete and utter shock…”Holy sh*t…we may actually win this thing.”…and sure enough….I took a $3000 risk on the greatest NBA game of all time. 😊 PS: My profile pic is me at the game wearing the CLE shirt.
that's awesome
Awesome story
Cool. Not knowing who would win is part of what makes it so special if they do.
That’s so legendary man. One of the greatest nights of my entire life.
You’re one lucky person. You witnessed one of the greatest NBA finals of all time. Maybe even one of the greatest moments in sports history period🥂
Durant ruined this rivalry man...imagine if these 2 teams ran it back another time or two
Would have been classic games. We can only dream.
Facts
So true not only the rivalry, but the whole balance of the league as well.
honestly the cavs were so stacked and even offensively better in 2017 than 2016 that was the best version of the cavs team but they just literally ran into the best team of all time ... haha lebrons just been unlucky he has to face these all time great teams
Curry was just magical and incredibly devastating to watch. I felt that his 2015 and 2016 seasons were his peak confidence wise and skill wise. Lebron at the time was looking to be a top 5 player. Those Cavs and Warriors teams could've been the new era Lakers - Celtics except KD joined GS. We never got a part 3 with them healthy and that still annoys the hell out of me.
Kevin Love’s stop on Curry is 100% the most underrated aspect of game 7
Hank Scott that has been the narrative for all of the 3rd Options for LeBron lead teams
Something similar happened in Toronto series when Gasol coming out on Curry definitely impacted the flow of the dubs offense for the series
@@stk7778 raptors best a handicapped warriors team. Fake championship
@@jaydeleon695 Very true. And very unnoticed. Chris Bosch anyone???
Michael bosh had the rebound which he passed out to ray allen, and then the block on Danny Green for the potential tie at the end of OT in game 6 2013
The Block. The Shot. The Stop. Literally the 3 greatest plays of each of their career. Also nice 30 for 30 name.
The block, the shot, the stop, and Draymond crying to KD in the parking lot after the game. Legendary.
what happened the next 2 years tho
@@samuellalla91 The warriors used money to buy the trophy. No respect for the game. Doesn't matter cause KD the snake left and now they're trash. 5 years from now once Curry and Thompson retire they're gonna be an easy win for every team.
@@metalman329 nice
Salud 🥃
Should have also been the poster/dunk too.
LeBrons wrist hurt on the missed dunk.
Brian Windhorst is one of the most under appreciated things we’ve gotten because of LeBron.
Dude has some incredible basketball IQ and works his ass off. Salute to you, Mr. Windhorst. ✊
that's why i get mad when people shit on others who didn't play. just because he doesn't have the body for it does not mean he does not have the mind. always liked brian but was always jealous because i can't love lebron as much as he does and that's saying a lot
chill Windy gets his roses..
Why would PerspecTTV say this 2.5 years before Windhorst turns into a meme? What’s going on there?
He’s kinda pretentious imo.
This analysis/insight is incredible
i think we forget lebrons game 5 and 6 and his stats for game 7 and just remember the block and shot...lebron flat out destroyed the warriors in games 5 and 6 like tore them apart and in game 7 he made some big plays in the 4th when his team was terrified
Windy's a pro
This is the best 9 minutes of basketball analysis I've ever seen. Captivating.
I came back to the comments section just to make sure i wasn't the only to think this analysis/insight is just brillant !
I have to say the split second doesn’t matter. I watched that reply so many times….LEBRON JAMES HAD TO SLOW DOWN come on man! Even if Andre doesn’t divert he’s catching that block
Bad enough being put on a poster, imagine being Iggy and being immortalised as a statue.
Eventually it's being part of history. Ralph Branca made a living being the man who gave up the Shot Heard Round The World to Bobby Thomson. Hes got three titles, a Finals MVP and a likely trip to the Hall of Fame.
Bro the block was amazing
It all comes full circle. Iggy gets Finals MVP in round 1 for being the best LeBron guard only to get blocked by Lebron in a storybook play.
Oh hell yes Iggy is in the statue. At least his hands will be.
@J Dee green played the next two games, so whats you're exuses for that?
When the Cavs won I almost cried. It was such a great moment in basketball. The symbolism behind that victory was beautiful. Never give up.
Ruggareggfilms same bro I did shed a couple of tears and I’m not a Cavs fan. Was just a very powerful moment and I’ve always been partial to LeBron
As a suns fan and a bron fan! Cant imagine the feeling they had! I've told my girl I'd cry if the suns won it
@@marlonsmith924 how u feelin now lmaoooo
@@marlonsmith924 yall close to a chip this season. I hate the suns but you should get ur tissues ready yall looking overpowered right now
@@_bwebb …
Yo Windy coming with facts and insight i never realized at the time. Respect.
ok but 1. why he acting like iggy had any time to think about fts 2. any ref would call a goaltend just cause he touched the rim in that situation when the block was nowhere near the rim and occurred after the block and 3. why he acting like other teams have never had luck help them win titles or stuff go their way...its pretty common relax on spoiling the parade brian jesus
Epic block and epic shot. What a sequence. Even Love coming through with the defense. One of the best finals ever. Glad Cleveland got one
I can't think of another Finals moment where every star on a team has a highlight. The Block for LeBron, The Shot for Kyrie, and The Stop for Love. Best basketball game I've ever seen in my life
dg1193 absolutely. It really was the best basketball game I’ve seen as well. And such huge high stakes with LeBron delivering on his promise and getting a title for Cleveland. Spectacular play all around in key moments
Not a fan of either team, but that block n kyrie's shot had me going crazy at the bar. Probably the best game I've ever seen.
The defense on curry from love is incredible. Just watching loves feet keep up with curry in the closing minute like that...awesome
This is one of the best breakdowns of one of the best moments in NBA history. Wow
I love when two great athletes talk basketball
LOL!
BS thinks he played in the NBA. Its hilarious
I love when 2 great analysts talk basketball
aLol
Windhorst knows his shit though, can't fault him for that.
Windhorst looks like he lost some weight. Stay on the grind Brian ✊🏻
yeah i did notice that too !
Naah he still looks fat af
That play will always give me chills
I was a massive Warriors bandwagon fan at that time and I got chills when I saw it live
It was a big play when you really think about it.
I think Lebron's career defining moment was that Game 6 pregame stare vs the Celtics when he was on the Heat.
I agree. But bringing a title to Cleveland, especially being from Akron will immortalize him.
or game 7 2013 finals...heck the cramp three in game 4 2012 down 1 was huge with 1-2 minutes left....I always say the dagger he hit in game 7 with 27 seconds to go up 4 vs the spurs then the fts he hit after were his moment...everyone was ready to clown him..
They shoulda have at least a really big picture in Miami’s arena
Just started the video but I was looking for this comment lol. His legacy was on the line there and I know that is something that is said often but THINK about what would’ve happened if they lost that series to the Celtics.
@@razkable the three in game four of 2012 was actually during a tie game. It was either 90-90 or 93-93 I believe. I definitely agree though, and you pointing to that play indicates to me personally the level of fan you are, like me.
Everyone watching that game knew there was no damn way Curry was settling for a 2. After the back to back MVPs and Kyrie just hit the go-ahead in his face, no way.
Im sorry but player dont think that way in the final moments of a game 7. Especially not Curry. He just made the wrong decision at the wrong time its as simple as that.
@@Methodofication He didn't make any wrong decision, he missed. And i'm pretty sure he was dealing with an injury, Curry normally cooks guys in that position.
lol good point
@@369pendulum no injury stop it
Curry should have taken the 30 footer he faked before dribbling closer and missing. He has range from there and had more separation.
Hearing the level of trust that Lebron had for Kyrie, unbelievable man. Would have loved to see them run it back with a few changes after they lost in 2017
I couldn't even believe it when i saw it happen. It took the energy out of the whole building. Greatest block in history, might be the greatest play in history
fuck off bronsexuals best play in history.. you are blind
fuck off bronsexuals best play in history.. you are blind
Lol it's not the best play in history in any way. Ray Allen's shot is greater.
i'll leaped off the couch screaming like a little groupie bitch. i don't give a fuck king james baby
Definitely the most memorable single basketball game in recent history. That 4th quarter was so intense
Totally missed what happened in The Stop. Lebron was camping in the paint. That's why Curry initially passed it to Draymond and didn't drive to the basket .
The block has been my phone wallpaper for the last 3 years
Pod is all good but watch the video version of this part is so much more enjoyable. All the nuances like hand gestures, facial expressions and eye contacts between the two, plus some perfectly timed game clips make all the difference in the world. Hope to see a complete version someday.
I am glad I am not the only one that thinks this. I love watching the videos exactly because of what you said. (Facial Expressions and Hand Gestures)
Kenny Zhu agreed! We need más!
The way Lebron won his last 2 rings was just magical... seriously so crazy.
Saved by 2 great shooters. Truly magical.
Courtland Smock if he was “saved” then so was Kobe by Fisher, Horry and Artest and so was MJ by Paxton and Kerr. Just the way it works sometimes. All great players have been saved by a teammate at some point
@@crazytrain111 None of the shots you named were in an elimination game for MJ or Kobe's teams except for the Artest 3 and the Lakers were already up 3 when he hit that shot. They're not the same as Ray Allen hitting a shot with the Heat down 3 facing elimination or Kyrie hitting a shot during a tie game.
@@courtlandsmock110 MJ and Kobe were saved, end of story
And this year will be magical to
This final game is Goated 😮
The reason why Brian Windhorst is so avid about LeBron, is because he was the first and only reporter in Cleveland who would go to Lebron’s high school games when he was a freshman. He’s basically seen him grow up for the last 20 years and I’m sure they share a deep connection
Lost in all of the greatness, was LeBron barely missing the greatest dunk in the history of time against Draymond
lost is also what a bad shot it was by kyrie..lebron should of taken it to the rim for a call or layup...
@@razkable I don't think lebron trusted himself attacking the rim, he missed a jump hook directly after the block on iggy. it was a nervous end to the game by both teams, Kyrie showed the kohones to seal it. while the block was big that shot was 10X bigger imo
If lebron dunked that Cleveland would've been burned to the ground
Sorry, You don’t get credit for an ‘almost’ play.
@@countblobula yeah but it didn’t and wasn’t even really close sooo...
The Block, The Shot, and The Stop. Greatness.
LeBron’s BLOCK set up Kyrie’s SHOT that inspired Love’s STOP.🏀
warichards1 you mean Lebron being the first player ever in a finals to lead in points, assists, rebounds, blocks and steals?
Stop? Which Stop?
Tj Smithers You mean the man who’s lost 5 out of his 8 finals? Stfu with your stats if it isn’t even effective. I hate all this BrOn maKeS hIs TEaMATeS BEttEr.” Like stfu bruh stats only matter when it benifits you. 🤔😂
kabagema yannick the stop that sealed the ring. Curry backed down when he was isolated with Love on the right wing; Reset then threw a hail mary to brick it
JayD eLeon Warrior fan here but everytime he had the ball I just wanted him to drive it frfr like it was Fuckin annoying how he was just jacking up shots but it happened and we got the last laugh anw 🤷
curry didnt drive to the basket in the posession against love bc lebron was in the paint and lebron had been blocking curry all series
Windy, u killed this interview for being in the moment. Bill, hate the PJ jokes, but you weren't active listening without I, I, I (Brian was there, you're V.G.'n this interview).
Just a great segment - production, replay and storytelling.
Lebron should have his statue placed in front of the I Promise school
Considering the fact that it was a game 7. That makes it the greatest clutch shot ever and Lebron’s block the best block ever
King Tshilobo But it wasn’t the last shot. So no it is not the greatest clutch shot. G. State had a chance to win.
DLOOT11 yeah if he missed that and warriors get the ball it and scored it would’ve been over
Imagine these two teams running it back the next 2 years without Durant. Woulda been so much better to watch. They both had 1 chip after this one. Woulda been cool to see who could win this 4-5 year series.
It totally messed the balance up
@@dinoradja2980 shit woulda literally been magic vs bird 2.0🤦🏽♂️ dammit durant
Nah, the Cavs would've won 2017 and in 2018 the Rockets would've won the west and then probably the rings, depending on if chris paul could play in the finals.
@@verward ain’t no way cp3 and harden beat bron in the finals 😂
Can we please have the full podcast on video form? This is my favourite game of all time. I’ll treasure it forever.
Brian been attached to LeBron sack longer than Savannah 😆
thats cold as hell but soooo funny
Sounds like you're jealous
Since HS 🤣
dude is fucking amazing like its a privilege to even be close in proximity to somebody like that
The last time we saw TRUE CHAMPIONS!!! Fact! Haters n the media will try to put Bron n Kyrie against each other. But the fact is they had an amazing series n basically took the 73 win warriors team out themselves. Never forget the 41 41 game from both in game 5.
Facts fam
Toronto exists
@@EzPzLemnSqueezy That's some silly shit. Only 14 year olds should use the word "haters." The Raptors were real champs. So were the Warriors.
So fuck the raptors and their hard work huh?
This breakdown makes me feel like this was a once in a lifetime event against all odds
When they brought up Curry vs Love, I think they missed something important on the film. It looks more like Curry was trying to pass it to a wide open Harrison Barnes for a 3 to tie it. Draymond intercepted it and ruined the play which led Draymond kicking it back out to Curry hacking a bad shot. Key moment in the last 30 seconds of the game right there.
Lmaoooo Curry was not trying to fucking pass to Harrison fucking Barnes with the game on the line. Barnes was shooting like 16% that series. He was atrocious. No chance Curry passed to him in that moment
you're 1000% correct you can even see steph motion behind draymond once draymond catches it like "noooo not you"
Brian gonna cry when Lebron retires.
Most real basketball fans will...
I'll def shed some tears, the NBA will never be the same when hes gone.
Honestly he might retire too. He followed him everywhere else lol
Me too. LeBron meant so much to me, 17 years is a Long run( good times, bad times...) When this Will come to an end, a part of our lives Will be gone, but Will never be forgotten either. Hail to the King James
Me fucking too, ESPN should have a blackout that day..
Its When he broke the celtics apart and the brooklyn nuts. KG was crying
There has to be a 30:30 of this series some day. Perhaps the best series in Finals history and one of the all time great sports moments.
Nobody talking about that D-Fence K. Love put on Curry.
was really good defense but curry had the mismatch and didnt want to take it to the rim.
@@orenthaljames2534 Curry didn't want to get blocked lol
True but curry had really bad basketball iq
Literally every body talks about the stop. Everyone who watched the game remembers the block, the shot, and the stop. They talk about it in this video lol
Rodzilla sound like a hater foh
I always wondered why he avoided contact on that play. It's a legitimate question.
I’m so glad everyone appreciates the block like I do😂
Top 5 moment in NBA history 😮
great reliving this moment
Billy in his bag w the Olympic jacket!!!
The block he has on splitter game 2 vs Spurs ...sheeeeeesh
Everytime ill see someone gets rejected in a bar, i will forever hear the words... BLOCKED BY JAMES!
Loves defense was so good on curry. But the info on the block was awesome
I’ve taken so much shit being a LeBron fan. Nothing was ever good enough. But got damn that block was undeniably good. I remember kyrie badly missing the floater, and then Iggy n Curry on the break. Had that feeling in my stomach the game was over then I just remember seeing a blur, that I knew could only be Bron, and thinking “Did this nigga jump from behind the freethrow line?” I was so focused on the layup he basically floated into my line of sight. If only he finished that dunk on Draymond afterwards ☠️☠️☠️☠️
Greatest play in NBA history! Superhuman
Kyries shot was bigger.
@@michaellowery8490 i agree. Kyrie should have the same if not more media recognition in his 3 pt dagger than Lebron's block. Lebron missed his shot the next possession nullifying the immediate significance of his block.
That block ? GTFO 😂
@@raistlinmajere3194 What you idiots fail to realize is anyone can hit that shot by luck. No one besides Lebron James can block that shot in that moment. Not a single Mfer in NBA history. Only one man could've made that play and his name is Lebron Fking James
Wasn’t even the best play of that game lmfao
Why did Bill compare Iguodala’s layup to JFK getting assassinated😂😭😭
Also, Curry would have gone for the and1 but Bron had broken him with the chasedown blocks all series.
1:13 …certainly wasn’t expecting that one
4:39
I think everyone felt like this in the moment...
I was bouncing in place uncontrollably
Even as a Raptors fanatic, I have to say, nothing beats the 2016 Finals.
Analyzing this game by someone with credibility is so amazing and totally a goosebumps
It’s so nice to see Brian Windhorst outside of the mainstream media cycle. It’s so hard to convey intelligence when you have 10 seconds to make a solid point when Stephen A. Smith yelling over you..
That game 7 was one of the most tough and exciting games I watched since Bulls x Jazz series.
Incredible insight and detail on the breakdown of these plays 👏🏻
I didn’t realize it until now. It’s difficult to think about it as it’s happening
Damn I got way more respect for Brian after this video. Dude really knows his shit.
When this gonna drop on spotify
This was awesome ! I could listen to this all day
I've been watching the game since the late 80s and the block is the greatest play I've ever seen.
Jordan is the greatest player ever pretty easily for me, but only Lebron would have ever made that play.
Still wish that dunk on draymond would have gone in. Would have been the greatest in game dunk of all time.
Me too but Draymond shoved him back real hard because he wasn't going to let himself get immortalized like that.
Great stuff
Comparing iggy moving to the right to JFK's assassination is so wild lol
To me Brian Windhorst's defining moment is when he took the side of the police when they tried to arrest Masai in Golden State.
Lebron James: *exists*
Brian Windhorst: I’m boutta make this man my career
Listening to these two is such a damn breath of fresh air instead of those blow hard talking heads who's opinions are whatever they feel is going to get them the most attention like that goblin Nick Wright
Even if you’ve seen this play a million times over (which we all likely have), these takes breed new fertile ground for debate and analysis. Great stuff
where?how do i watch the rest of this?
Imo Breen’s greatest call is the Ray Allen’s Game tying 3 in game 6 of the finals
Is this uploaded fully
6:45... I always loved that Cavs' synchronized hop of joy hah
Not fat shaming or stereotyping anyone, but the biggest, shortest dude in the room knows more basketball than former NBA players.
Two guys who never played basketball, saying what a persons legacy is. Amazing.
2:20 if I'm not mistaken, theres nothing wrong with hitting the backboard on a shot, unless it deviates the tragectory of the ball; what a player can't do is hit the rim
That was a pretty awesome breakdown!
In my opinion, LeBron's career-defining moment happened in Game 6 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals vs the Celtics. After losing to the Mavs in the NBA Finals the year prior, LeBron put together one of the most complete performances in NBA playoff history posting 45 points, 15 rebounds and five assists on 73.1 percent shooting while facing elimination! This is the game where he made the "evil face" lol. Imagine if he had lost? He would have once again failed to win a championship. And this time would have marked the 2nd year in a row where he would have failed to win a championship as part of the "Big 3" or "super team" in Miami! This would have been a monumental failure in LeBron's career!
Great stuff!!!
Awesome breakdown!
the block, the shot and the stop. The blood, sweat and tears by this team to win the championship. As kyrie said, their names will be etched in history. Brian Windhorst does some incredible work.
Bill: That's what I do as well...
JR did an awesome job not fouling. JR has a high iq for the game that's why LeBron loves him.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA *Laughs in 2018 Finals Game 1*
Greatest ending to a basketball game I have ever seen!! The tension was so real everything on the line that's what sports is all about
Brian windhorst is amazing
yeah he really is
Brian got a high basketball IQ
This breakdown is 🔥🔥
Brian Windhorst proves that Under Armour makes athletic wear for people that move via forklift
Listening to Brian windhorst talk escape dribbles...
The Block is a top 3 moment in NBA history. There’s Ray Allen’s shot, and people put the Final Shot-which isn’t the same because its not game 7. But this-you had to be there man
G Lyle I couldn’t believe it when Ray Allen tied it. I was high on top of that so you can imagine 😂
clown hype jajaja top 3 history right yeah
clown hype jajaja top 3 history right yeah
Well Jordan never reached game 7 in the finals so it's not his fault that he's so great
No one ever talks about Lebrons possible Finals winning dunk Draymond green
The nba storyteller did
Iguadala said that the Cavaliers actually plan that defense on a break
The greatest block in the history of the game.
What know one talks about it that was the greatest defensive play ever played in the nba