Earlier this week, former Cleveland Cavaliers and current Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy was a guest on Uninterrupted’s Road Trippin’ podcast. The popular podcast has a Cavs-heavy tone. It’s hosted by ex-Cavaliers Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye, along with Allie Clifton, formerly a member of the Cavs broadcast team.
Much of the conversation was centered on Cleveland’s 2016 title victory over the Golden State Warriors, which Jefferson, Frye and Handy were a part of. Also discussed was Kyrie Irving’s memorable three-point dagger over Stephen Curry to give the Cavaliers a Game 7 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
It was interesting to hear what these former Cavs players and Handy had to say about the title run and Kyrie’s shot.
Coach Handy has been an assistant for three NBA Championship teams: Cleveland (2016), the Toronto Raptors (2019) and Los Angeles (Lakers, 2020). He was asked which of the championship teams he’s been a part of felt the best (to win)? Handy said the following.
"“Winning championships….they’re not easy (to win). But I’d have to say Cleveland. Just because of the magnitude of what we went through. Being down three – one, that’s pretty much…that’s a wrap. It’s over…..I still get chills thinking about that championship from what we went through. Especially that night after game four (an 11-point home loss to put Cleveland down three games to one against Golden State). We were all in the locker room….and everyone always asks me about (that night). The locker room’s so calm. And these dude’s were like: “Hey, if you don’t think we can go to Golden State and win game five, then don’t get on the plane”. And that was kind of like the mindset (of the team). So, I always felt like, just being able to do that in Cleveland, for the city of Cleveland, for LeBron (James), for guys who went through their careers (without a championship). The RJ’s (Richard Jefferson), the Channing’s (Frye)….To me, I think that’s the most special one. One, it was the first (of Handy’s three titles). But how we did it. How we were able to accomplish that was pretty special.”"
Commenting on if the team was nervous before the Game 7 win Handy referenced, Frye chimed in.
"“We like locked in even more. I remember we would go eat dinner, and people were watching (game) film at dinner.”"
Any Cleveland fan can quickly remember that Kyrie Irving calmed the nerves of Cleveland Cavaliers fans worldwide when he sank the unreal three-pointer over Curry with 53 seconds left.
Road Trippin’ had high praise for what Irving accomplished, too, and rightfully so.
Here was more on that from Richard Jefferson.
"“There is not a bigger shot in NBA history. People point to Ray Allen’s shot. People point to MJ’s final shot…I get it…I still think with Kyrie’s shot, with all that was on the line, given the team that (the Cavs) were playing, on the road, 73 wins, (versus Steph Curry) two-time MVP, down three – one. There is not a shot that has all, or similar components to it.”"
Frye echoed that sort of sentiment from Jefferson from there.
"“No shot has that much weight…When you start putting things on that….Everything could’ve gone wrong.”"
Phil Handy also weighed in following that and highlighted how LeBron James, who was the MVP of that memorable 2016 NBA Finals, had so much trust in Irving in going out and getting that bucket.
"“The crazy part about (it) is how (LeBron James)…he trusted (Kyrie). Just ultimate trust to say: C’mon man, let’s get this matchup (referencing Irving being guarded by Steph Curry).”"
A return visit to the NBA Finals for the Cleveland Cavaliers is likely years, and maybe even decades away. For now, former players, coaches and fans can enjoy a trip down memory lane.
As we remember so vividly, the Cavs of course came back from a 3-1 deficit, still the only time that’s happened in NBA Finals history. It was against Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green (albeit he was suspended for Game 5) and a Warriors squad that set the regular season record for wins with 73.
As a fan of the Wine and Gold, hearing Frye, Jefferson and Handy give their takes on the comeback, and Irving’s unbelievable shot was a great listen.