The 2016–17 NBA season marked a significant
chapter in the history of the Cleveland Cavaliers, the 47th season for the
franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Unprecedentedly, the
Cavaliers began the season as the defending NBA champions, having triumphed
over the Golden State Warriors in a historic NBA Finals, where they overcame a
3–1 deficit.
Throughout the regular season, the Cavaliers
showcased their prowess, breaking records along the way. Notably, they set a
new record for the most made three-pointers in a regular-season game with an
impressive 25 against the Atlanta Hawks. The regular season concluded with a
solid 51–31 record, earning them the 2nd seed in the playoffs.
In the postseason, the Cavaliers demonstrated
their dominance by sweeping the Indiana Pacers in the First Round and then
repeating the feat against the Toronto Raptors in the Semi-finals. Advancing to
the Eastern Conference finals, they secured victory over the Boston Celtics in
five games, earning a spot in the NBA Finals for the third consecutive season.
The 2017 NBA Finals witnessed a historic
showdown between the Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors for the third
straight year, making them the first two teams to meet in three consecutive NBA
Finals. However, the Cavaliers fell short, losing in five games to the
Warriors.
Following the season, the Cavaliers
experienced significant changes. General Manager David Griffin departed, and
amidst trade rumors, including a confirmed but unrealized three-team deal,
Kyrie Irving expressed discontent. As a result, Irving was traded to the Boston
Celtics, marking the end of the Cavaliers' superteam era.
The departure of key players and the
transition in management set the stage for a new chapter in the Cavaliers'
journey. Head Coach Tyronn Lue continued to lead the team, with owner Dan
Gilbert overseeing the franchise's evolution.
The 2016–17 season for the Cleveland Cavaliers, marked by triumphs and challenges, left an indelible mark on the franchise's history. As the team navigated the playoffs, set records, and faced off against familiar rivals, the season served as a pivotal moment in the ongoing narrative of one of the NBA's prominent franchises.