Why is 2016 said to be one of the best and most memorable seasons in NBA history?

If there are years in the NBA's history scroll that are destined to be remembered forever, 2016 must be ranked among them. This year not only produced the greatest finals reversal in sports history, but also witnessed the legendary farewell, the breaking of records and the opening of a new era. Looking back nine years later, 2016 is still the best season that cannot be copied in the basketball world.

1. Epic showdown: Legendary night of the slam dunk contest

The 2016 Toronto All-Stars Dunk contest redefined the standards of this event. The showdown between Aaron Gordon and Zach Lavine is recognized as one of the greatest dunk matches in history, surpassing the classic 1988 Jordan vs. Wilkins battle. LaVine demonstrated non-human aerial ability: jumping and dunking at the free throw line, windmills at the free throw line, and switching between hands under the free throw line, which were previously thought to exist only in electronic games. Gordon brings a perfect combination of creativity and power: a spinning head-touching dunk in the air, and a magic team's mascot turns and dunk with both hands, each dunk is jaw-dropping.

The most special thing about this showdown is the mutual achievements of the two players. They decided after two rounds of extra games, and five of their six dunks won full marks. TNT commentator Kenny Smith exclaimed: "We just witnessed the greatest slam dunk contest in history!" This game saved the unsavory All-Star weekend for years and set a new gold standard for the slam dunk contest.

2. Record breaks: The Warriors won 73 wins in the Myth

The Golden State Warriors set a historical record of 73 wins and 9 losses in the regular season, surpassing the Chicago Bulls led by Michael Jordan in the 1995-1996 season with a record of 72 wins and 10 losses. The team led by Stephen Curry redefined the style of basketball and elevated the three-pointer to an unprecedented strategic height.

Curry made a record 402 three-pointers this season, becoming the first player in history to be elected as the regular season MVP with a unanimous vote. His ultra-long three-pointers and unsolved dribble made fans around the world crazy. The Warriors' "Death Five" lineup - Curry, Thompson, Barnes, Iguodala and Green - opened a new era of basketball, and their passing fluency and space utilization ability changed the tactical philosophy of the entire league. Although the Warriors eventually lost the championship in the Finals, their regular season performance is still one of the most outstanding achievements in basketball history. What's special about the 73-win record is that it takes place in an era of extremely fierce competition in the league, with huge challenges facing every night.

3. Shocking reversal: The Cavaliers ended the 52-year championship drought, the plot of the 2016 NBA Finals is one of the most exciting scripts in sports history. Golden State Warriors face the Cleveland Cavaliers led by LeBron James with an all-time record of 73 wins in the regular season. When the Warriors took a 3-1 lead, ESPN gave the Cavaliers' chance of winning the championship with only 3%, and few experts believe that a miracle will happen. However, James made the famous vow: "I will lead the team to win the game no matter what." He fulfilled his promise and led the Cavaliers to win two games in a row, dragging the series into a tiebreak battle.

The seventh game of decisive battle became a classic moment in NBA history: James blocked the legendary chasing of Iguodala, Irving hit a quasi-final three-pointer against Curry 45 degrees on the right, and James made a key free throw in the last moment. When the final whistle sounded, the Cavaliers won 93-89, becoming the first team in NBA history to reverse the championship while falling behind 1-3 in the Finals. The scene of James kneeling and crying conveys the city's 52 years of waiting and release. He brought Cleveland his first professional sports championship and fulfilled his ultimate mission of self-proving. The finals averaged 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 2.6 steals and 2.3 blocks, which allowed him to be elected as the MVP in the Finals. This reversal is not only a victory in the basketball game, but also a model of willpower over talent.

4. The curtain call of a legend: the end of an era

2016 witnessed the farewell of two legendary power forwards, and their departure symbolized the end of an era. Tim Duncan announced his retirement on July 11, ending his 19-year NBA career. This player, respected by fans, is known for his low-key style and unparalleled efficiency. Duncan's list of honors is shocking: 5 championships, 2 regular season MVPs, 3 finals MVPs, 15 All-Stars, 15 All-Squad and 15 All-Defensive Team. He represents the purest team spirit and selflessness in basketball.

What is even more sentimental is that Kobe Bryant also ended his 20-year legendary career in 2016. But Kobe's way of saying goodbye was completely different - he bid farewell to the world of basketball with an earth-shaking 60-point performance. On April 13, 2016, at the Staples Center, Kobe made 50 shots against the Utah Jazz and scored 60 points, including hitting key balls in the last moment to lead the Lakers to reverse and win. After the game, Kobe stood in the middle of the court and said the classic farewell: "Mamba out." This moment is not only a farewell to a great player, but also an eternal freeze of the basketball spirit.

Why is 2016 the best season in NBA history and also the NBA? What’s unique about the 2016 NBA season is that it also includes historical team achievements, personal heroism, legendary curtain call and rising stars. This year, there was the Warriors' team with 73 wins, and the personal heroism that James led the Cavaliers to reverse; there was the youth showdown between Lavin and Gordon, and the legendary final chapter of Kobe's 60-point curtain call. The charm of the NBA this year was the most extreme: fierce competition, technological innovation, emotional depth and story integrity. It satisfies all the fan imaginations of the perfect season – creative record breaking, epic reversals, exciting new generation rise and touching legendary farewell.

Nine years have passed, and we can still clearly recall the excitement and touching that 2016 has brought us. That's because the true legend can stand the test of time, and 2016 is such a legendary year. It is not just one of the best seasons in NBA history, but also one of the most memorable years in all sports history, it represents the pinnacle of basketball and presents the purest emotional experience that sports can bring. Today, as professional sports are becoming more and more commercialized, the 2016 season reminds us why we first fell in love with basketball - because there are miracles, passion, heritage, and legendary stories that will always make people cry.