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History met Destiny and lost

By Carlos Murillo

Jun 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) stares at Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in the fourth quarter in game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland won 115-101. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) stares at Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in the fourth quarter in game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland won 115-101. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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In the 2016 NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors’ bid for history came to a halt when they ran into LeBron James’ chase for destiny.

The 2015-16 Golden State Warriors were on their way to make history, but LeBron James was pursuing his destiny.

The Warriors had a special season, an incredible year that isn’t changed because they didn’t secure another NBA championship. What they accomplished will probably be in the record books for a long time. That is, unless they go out and break their own marks next year. Nonetheless, the Warriors made history and we’re 48 minutes away from making more.

They seemed unstoppable. They had broken the game on their way to a 73-9 season. Stephen Curry was a walking cheat code on his way to the league’s first ever unanimous MVP selection. They just didn’t know how to lose.

Even the playoffs, were magical as they continued to make history. Curry’s triumphant return in Game 4 against the Portland Trail Blazers when he scored 17 points in a fantastic overtime, the most in NBA playoff history. Overcoming a 3-1 deficit to Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in the Western Conference Finals was spectacular. Then they had the Cleveland Cavaliers right where they wanted them. The Warriors were up 3-1 with an opportunity to close them out at home.

History was on their side.

But LeBron James wasn’t just chasing history, he was fulfilling his destiny. Chosen by the time he was a sophomore in high school, James’ ultimate goal has always been to bring glory to the place that raised him. To be synonymous with greatness, a personification of success in a place that only knew heartbreak and disappointment. He tried once and failed. Then he made his Anakin Skywalker fall from grace and abandoned the place that raised him, only to bring two championships to the place that adopted him.

But after his second loss in four years, the prodigal son returned home. He likened his time in Miami to being in college and now, after growing into a man that understands who he is and what he needs to be, he would suit up again for the city that loved him and hated him. He would try to lead the city that crowned him then burned his throne to immortality.

And, once again, he failed. He fell short in last year’s NBA Finals as the Warriors refused to go down. Golden State executed and won their first championship in 40 years. Curry and co. did everything right on their way to a record-setting season. James, who put up gaudy numbers, didn’t have the type of series that he would have wanted. He didn’t have a series that wins a championship.

The Warriors were making history once again. Their amazing season should have ended with a second championship. Everything seemed to be on their side. They had a second date with the Cleveland Cavaliers, a team that they had dominated.

But it was an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object and destiny won out.

LeBron James delivered the city of Cleveland it’s first professional championship in 52 years. He played some of the best basketball any of us have ever seen. He refused to go down again. It was a brilliant display of basketball, something that, even though it hurts to think about, is absolutely impressive.

Generally, when history is in on your side, you finish the job. But destiny trumps all. And James had a date with destiny, one that helped him make history.

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