What is the signature play in the history of each NBA franchise?

Cleveland Cavaliers: The Block

Game 7 of the 2016 Finals had a lot riding for both the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers. A win for the former cements the greatest season in NBA history. For the latter comes the end of a 52-year title drought for the city of Cleveland. LeBron James fulfills the promise that brought him back home — as well as becoming the first Finals team to come back from a 3-1 deficit.

As important as this game was, there was only so much left in the tank for each side to give in the final quarter of the season. For nearly four minutes, no field goals were made. Not even a free-throw was attempted.

Given the heightened difficulty setting two of the top-three regular-season offenses were playing on, there was a next-point-wins mentality floating through Oracle Arena. Whichever team could muster enough to secure what had become a rarity would almost assuredly secure the title.

So when Stephen Curry and Andre Iguodala broke into a two-on-one fastbreak against J.R. Smith with just under two minutes remaining, the ramifications were a lot direr than what a potential two-point lead would normally indicate.

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Iguodala dealt it to Curry who made sure to throw a crisp bounce pass right back. A miss was unlikely, making Cleveland’s best-case scenario a foul to send Iguodala, who shot 56.1 percent from the stripe in the playoffs, to the line. Even then, just a single point would swing the momentum heavily in Golden State’s favor behind the support of a raucous fanbase.

To some, he manifested out of thin air. Others saw some type of blur streaking towards the basket. No matter the perception, as Iguodala maneuvered around the contested arm of Smith, LeBron sprinted into the play and pinned the layup on the backboard.

The improbable display of effort made sure the game remained tied at 89, paving the way for Kyrie Irving to knock down the go-ahead triple and Kevin Love to stop Curry from re-tying the game with a three of his own.

And with the trio of plays, the Cavaliers became champions. The once iron-clad curse was shattered, and James, in particular, earned the signature moment in a legendary career.