“We got back and saw how they was walking down the hall, we like ‘oh, y’all shook’” - Iman Shumpert claims Warriors looked defeated before Game 7 of 2016 Finals, says LeBron James told him ‘we gonna do this’
Iman Shumpert recently credited LeBron James' confidence as a driving factor for the Cleveland Cavaliers' victory in the 2016 NBA Finals. According to Shumpert, the Golden State Warriors looked defeated even before Game 7 started.
Speaking on an episode of Iman Amongst Men, Shumpert said:
“We got back and saw how they was walking down the hall, we like, ‘oh, y’all shook.’”
The Cleveland Cavaliers were down 3-1 against the reigning champions but that did not stop James and company. Carried by James, the Cavaliers produced a spirited comeback to win the next three games and clinch the title.
James' ability to maintain his composure after being down 3-1 against the reigning champions exemplified his leadership. He proved that the series wasn't over until the final game.
James dominated games 6 and 7. He scored 41 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished out 11 assists in 42 minutes of play in game 6. He followed up this dominant performance in the series decider with 27 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in nearly 47 minutes.
According to Iman Shumpert, James rallied his troops in the locker room.
"We gonna do this," James said, according to Shumpert.
"Our bus was always jump" - J.R. Smith on LeBron James' impact on the Cavs
Shumpert's former Cavaliers teammate J.R. Smith shed light on the atmosphere in the Cleveland camp during the series. Smith pointed out that the mood on the bus was always confident, thanks in part to James.
“Our bus was always jump. Like somebody talking, somebody chit-chatting, like, cause that’s how we was. That’s the type of group we was. And when I tell you with even wins, losses, whatever.”
He said that after they lost the fourth game of the series, there was some frustration in the camp. However, they managed to channel their anger into victories over the rest of the series.
“Then we lost that game and it was, oh my god, that was eerie. It was real. It was literally eerie on that bus. Like ain’t nobody wanna call nobody, nobody had their headphones on listening to music. Like it was just frustration.”