The network held its annual awards show last night, and there were many memorable moments. We picked five for you.
1. Cavaliers rule the roost
Cleveland’s reign extended beyond the NBA Finals to ESPN’s biggest party of the year. The Cavaliers were named the best team and awarded the best moment of the year for ending their city’s championship drought after more than five decades, and Tyronn Lue was named the coach of the year for guiding Cleveland to the title.
2. James reigns again
Not surprisingly, LeBron James took home multiple awards for his starring role in the Cavs’ championship run. James was named not only the best NBA player of the year but also best male athlete. He also took home the trophy for best championship performance
3. Making a difference
James also took part in a call to athletes to do more to effect change in their communities in the wake of social unrest following widely publicized police shootings in Louisiana and Minnesota and the killing of five police officers in Dallas last week. Clippers point guard Chris Paul invoked names iconic athletes such as former Brown Jim Brown and Ohio State track star Jesse Owens while saying he and others need to set a model for what athletes should stand for.
4. Bowing out
Peyton Manning, Kobe Bryant and Abby Wambach were honored with the Icon Award in recognition of their great careers in the NFL, NBA and international soccer, respectively, that came to an end this year. Manning and Wambach went out with championships in their respective sports.
5. Sager honored
TNT sports reporter Craig Sager was honored with the Jimmy V Perseverance Award as he continues his fight against leukemia. Sager missed nearly a year while dealing with the disease two years ago and recently disclosed it has returned, though he has continued to work the sidelines in his trademark flashy sport coats when possible.
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