Laureus’ Sporting Round-Up
June 20, 2016
Summer officially kicked off with yet another massive weekend of sport.
In one of the most exciting NBA Finals in recent years, the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Golden State Warriors 93-89 in Sunday's deciding Game 7. This is the first major sports championship that a Cleveland team has won since 1964.
With the victory over the top-seeded Warriors, who beat Cavaliers in last year's championship, the ‘Cavs’ became the first team to rally from a 3-1 series deficit in the best-of-seven NBA Finals and win the title.
LeBron James led Cleveland in the championship, as he scored 27 points to go along with 11 rebounds and 11 assists en route to being MVP of the NBA Finals.
"I've had the goal for two years since I came back to bring a championship to the city," said an emotional James, who returned to the Cleveland in 2014 after a four years with the Miami Heat.
"I gave it everything that I had. I poured my heart, my blood, my sweat and my tears into this game."
Across the Atlantic, the inaugural European Grand Prix in Baku, Azerbaijan was won by Laureus Ambassador Nico Rosberg of Mercedes AMG PETRONAS. With this win, Rosberg extended his lead in the title race over teammate Lewis Hamilton, who has won the last two Formula One Drivers’ Championships.
The German was in control during the whole race after starting from pole position and had a big cushion over Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel in second place. Sergio Perez of Mexico took the final podium spot for Force India.
It was the 19th career victory for Rosberg and fifth of the season as he battles for his first F1 title.
"The weekend went perfectly. Thanks to Baku -- the event has been awesome," he said on the podium after the race.
Over the weekend, we also witnessed the best golfers in the world battling it for a chance to be called US Open champion. This year’s edition saw Dustin Johnson overcome a controversial penalty stroke to win the US Open at the Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania, his first major championship.
"I've had a lot of opportunities that I didn't quite get done, so this one's definitely really sweet” said an emotional Johnson after his 10th PGA Tour victory.
After winning the NBA Finals for the first time since 1964, will the Cleveland Cavaliers secure a Laureus nomination? And will their MVP LeBron James, who is considered one of the NBA’s greatest ever, clinch a Laureus World Sportsman of the Year nomination?
Laureus Ambassador Nico Rosberg has extended his lead and is in pole position to win the F1 Drivers’ Championship. Will he get over the line? Or will teammate Lewis Hamilton roar back and clinch a third consecutive title?
And Dustin Johnson has finally won a Major title. Do you think Dustin’s name will make the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year shortlist?
Will the Cavaliers, LeBron James, Nico Rosberg and Dustin Johnson win big at the 2017 Laureus World Sports Awards, or is it too early to tell? Let us know what you think on Twitter @LaureusSport using #LaureusWorthy!
