The two coaches who were mentors to LeBron James in high school watched their star pupil snap Cleveland’s championship drought on Sunday from the comfort of their homes.
Keith Dambrot and Dru Joyce II stayed in and witnessed history on television with family members as James led the Cavaliers to the championship in Oakland with a 93-89 victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals.
The victory was Cleveland’s first title in a major sport in 52 years and the third NBA title for James, who won two with the Miami Heat.
“First and foremost, I think what LeBron did is unbelievable for our community, Northeast Ohio and his legacy because it was much harder than people realize,” Dambrot said. “He took a bunch of guys that had never won and turned them into NBA champions. When you look at the configuration of their team — Kyrie Irving hadn’t won, Kevin Love hadn’t won, Iman Shumpert hadn’t won, J.R. Smith hadn’t won and Tristan Thompson hadn’t won — all of them really had never won.”
Dambrot guided St. Vincent-St. Mary to boys basketball state titles in Division III in 2000 and 2001 when James was a freshman and sophomore. Dambrot left to join the University of Akron men’s basketball staff as an assistant for three years and then was elevated to Zips head coach in 2004-2005, a post he has held the past 12 years.
“He turned a bunch of guys into ultimate winners, which is typical of what he does,” Dambrot said of James, who was voted unanimous Finals MVP after leading both teams in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. “Whether it is scoring points, creating opportunities for others, blocking a shot or stealing the ball, you are talking about a complete player with leadership and everything. Not many people in the world could have done what he did last year and this year in the Finals.”
James led St. V-M to a Division II state title as a senior in 2003 with Joyce II as coach, a spot he has held since the 2001-2002 season. Joyce II said he continues to be impressed with how James can “put a team on his shoulders and carry them,” and that he understands why James cried “tears of joy” after the Cavs won their first title.
“I didn’t go to a watch party,” Joyce II said. “I stayed at home where I could be myself and cheer and enjoy the game. [My son] Dru watched it with me, so it was nice to watch it with our families. It was an exciting game and what made it more exciting was that the result is the one that we all wanted.
“The one mistake — and I’m glad they didn’t know — but the one mistake that Golden State made was when they made some comments and kind of ticked him off. Growing up watching him play, you just never wanted to do that. He always takes his game to another level when he becomes that focused. You don’t give him something to react to other than the normal play.”
James remains close with Romeo Travis, Willie McGee, Dru Joyce III and Sian Cotton, who each graduated from St. V-M in 2003 with James and regularly watch him play. James, Travis, McGee, Joyce III and Cotton were dubbed the “Fab Five” in high school, and won three state titles and scored big wins over national power Oak Hill Academy and local rivals such as Archbishop Hoban, Buchtel and Walsh Jesuit.
“LeBron played so exceptionally well in the Finals and I am happy for him,” Travis said. “To lead them to a victory while playing so well just makes it that much better. I saw a lot of focus from him. He was really focused and locked in.”
James totaled 27 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in Game 7 after 41-point performances in Game 5 and 6 wins against a Warriors team that had an NBA regular-season record 73 wins this season and was seeking its second title in a row.
“LeBron performed at a high level and gave a championship effort,” McGee said. “He left it all out there on the court, win or lose. ... Leading the series in all statistical categories was impressive. He was amazing to watch.”
Like Joyce II, Dambrot said he continues to be “very proud” of the person and player James has become.
“He started the Finals series trying to get others involved because he knew he would need those guys when it really mattered, and then he changed blueprints and kind of said ‘OK, I gotta be super aggressive in Game 5 and 6,’ ” Dambrot said.
“And then in Game 7, he knew he had to change the blueprint a little more to win. I think that is where he is really a genius. He knows exactly what he is doing.”
Michael Beaven can be reached at 330-996-3829 or mbeaven@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MBeavenABJ.