LeBron James had some good reasons to boast about himself after the Cleveland Cavaliers' historic comeback in the NBA championship on Sunday, but there was someone else he wanted to give some credit to - God.
Despite having just helped the Cavs secure their first major championship title in over half a century, the legendary basketballer explained how God helped him through the game.
In a TV interview afterwards, he marvelled at their victory, having fought their way back against the odds from a 3-1 deficit against the Warriors to clinch the title - a remarkable feat in basketball.
"I gave everything that I had. I put my heart, my blood, my sweat and my tears into this game, and against all odds," he said after the game.
He admitted it wasn't easy but reflected on how his faith had influenced his attitude during the game.
"I don't know why we want to take the hardest road. I don't know why the Man above gives me the hardest road, but ... the Man above don't put you in situations that you can't handle. And I just kept that same positive attitude, like, instead of saying, 'Why me?,' just saying, 'This is what He wants me to do.'"
It's a great time to be LeBron James, who has been on fine form this season, notching up 41 points in the last three games against the Warriors and bringing home another 27 in Sunday night's playoff. Little wonder he was named the Finals MVP.
It's not the first time James has brought up God in his media interviews. Last December, when asked if his team's performance would improve after the return of two injured players, he replied: "It's never that way. When you get your guys back, you prepare just as you prepare before. There's only one guy ever in the world that everything will be all right when He comes back and that's Jesus Christ. Other than that, you can't bank on nobody being OK."
And he wasn't the only one calling attention to God after the Finals. Ayesha Curry, the wife of Warriors star and two-time league MVP Stephen Curry, took their defeat in good grace and said it was all for God's glory.
"Everything according to [H]is plan. [A]lways Glory to God!!!!!!!!" she tweeted.
Stephen Curry, who had 17 points in the defeat, said: "It wasn't easy what we accomplished, and it's not an easy pill to swallow what we didn't accomplish. So got to just take the good with the bad."
