We all know that the Cleveland Cavaliers came back from 3-1 down in the NBA Finals to beat the record-setting, defending champion Golden State Warriors in their own building last year. But there's one story from the series that just recently came to light during the Cavs media day, and it's definitely worth sharing.
According to Will Burge, after the Cavs won Game 5 at Oracle Arena to make it 3-2, Tyronn Lue asked all of his players and coaches to give him $100 each. He took all the cash, wrapped it up, hid it in the ceiling, and told everyone in the locker room that they'd come back for it after Game 7. And that's exactly what they did.
$100 isn't shit to NBA players but when you're facing a seemingly insurmountable 3-1 deficit and your coach goes out of his way to make a point that he still has faith it's definitely something that can fuel a run like we saw from Cleveland. That, and having God-level performances from LeBron James.
Lue took this idea from Doc Rivers, who did something similar during the Celtics' run to the NBA Finals in 2010, except his team lost Game 7 to the Lakers at Staples Center.
