WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following the Cleveland Cavaliers’ historic victory over the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals, U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rob Portman (R-OH) introduced a resolution to honor the team’s achievements.

On Sunday night, the Cavaliers became the first team in NBA Finals history to come back and win the series after trailing 3 games to 1. The team was led by Akron native LeBron James, who led both teams in all five major statistical categories en route to his third NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award. This marks the Cavaliers’ first ever NBA Championship and it ends Cleveland’s 52-year championship drought. Prior to Sunday night, no major Cleveland sports team had won a championship since the Jim Brown-led Cleveland Browns in 1964.

“Cleveland has waited years for an NBA Championship and we’re thrilled this year’s team defended the land and brought the title home to Ohio,” said Brown, who lives in Cleveland. “The Cavs brought great pride to our city and our state this tournament.”

“Cleveland and its loyal fans waited a long time for this championship,” said Portman. “After injuries kept them from winning last year’s Finals against the Warriors, the Cavaliers got the rematch they wanted, becoming the only team in history to ever beat the odds and come back from a three-games-to-one deficit in the Finals. The Cavs’ example of determination and perseverance embodies the spirit of Cleveland, the Comeback City, and it’s a lesson for all of us. I am pleased to honor the entire city of Cleveland, and Cavs fans all across Ohio on the floor of the United States Senate.”

Full text of the resolution is below and available here.

Congratulating the Cleveland Cavaliers for winning the 2016 National Basketball Association Finals.

Whereas, on June 19, 2016, the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Golden State Warriors by a score of 93 to 89 in Oakland, California, in a decisive game seven to win the 2016 National Basketball Association (NBA) finals;

Whereas the Cleveland Cavaliers have captured the first NBA Finals victory in franchise history and have at last brought the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy to Cleveland;

Whereas the Cleveland Cavaliers became the first team in NBA Finals history to win a series after trailing three games to one;

Whereas LeBron James, who averaged 29.7 points, 8.9 assists, and 11.3 rebounds during the NBA Finals, led all players from both teams in the respective statistical categories of total points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks and was named Most Valuable Player of the NBA Finals for the third time in his career; 

Whereas LeBron James became the third player in NBA Finals history and the first since 1988 to record a triple-double in game seven, scoring 27 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and making 11 assists in leading his team to victory;

Whereas Kyrie Irving, who played a critical role through the 2016 NBA Finals, scored 26 points in game seven and hit a crucial three-pointer with :53 left to play in the game;

Whereas every member of the 2015-2016 Cleveland Cavaliers team, including Matthew Dellavedova, Channing Frye, Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, Richard Jefferson, Dahntay Jones, James Jones, Sasha Kaun, Kevin Love, Jordan McRae, Timofey Mozgov, Iman Shumpert, J.R. Smith, Tristan Thompson, and Mo Williams, played an integral role in bringing the NBA Championship to Cleveland;

Whereas head coach Tyronn Lue and his entire team of assistants and team staff worked together to put the Cleveland Cavaliers players in a position to win the 2016 NBA Finals;

 

Whereas General Manager David Griffin and the entire Cavaliers basketball front office have worked to assemble a championship team and create a culture and environment that fosters the very best performance and the highest success;

Whereas owner Dan Gilbert has helped build a first-rate, championship sports franchise in the city of Cleveland;

Whereas, prior to June 19, 2016, the three major sports franchises in Cleveland had not won a championship since 1964;

Whereas on June 19, 2016, LeBron James completed his goal of bringing an NBA Championship back to northeast Ohio, and the Cleveland Cavaliers ended a 52-year championship drought for the city of Cleveland;

Whereas the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers have brought pride and elation to Cleveland and the entire state of Ohio by winning the 2016 NBA Finals;

Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate --

(1) congratulates the Cleveland Cavaliers for winning the 2016 National Basketball Association finals;

(2)  recognizes the contributions and achievements of all the players, coaches, and staff who contributed to the 2015-2016 season;

(3) applauds the fans of the Cleveland Cavaliers who have never given up hope in the pursuit of their first ever championship; and

(4) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit for appropriate display an official copy of this resolution to -

            (A) the owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Dan Gilbert;

            (B) the coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Tyronn Lue; and

            (C) the leader of the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James.

 

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