Former NBA forward Channing Frye helped the Cleveland Cavaliers win the championship in 2016 in one of the most memorable triumphs in league history.
The addition of Frye after a midseason trade with the Orlando Magic proved to be a good move for the Cavaliers. He added size, shooting, and spacing. Perhaps more importantly, he helped tighten the team’s chemistry with his personality and sense of humor.
Frye teamed up with former NBA forward Richard Jefferson in creating a fun atmosphere for the Cavaliers. They knew each other pretty well due to their ties to Arizona, and their camaraderie rubbed off on their teammates.
On “The Richard Show,” Frye recalled that the Cavaliers were a little disjointed when he joined the squad.
“I wouldn’t say spoiled, but y’all were very unappreciative of what you had,” said Frye.
“When I was there, I was like, ‘Man, y’all don’t practice that hard, you have LeBron (James) and Kyrie (Irving), Kevin (Love), and y’all don’t even talk.’ So, you know, little vino, I put everyone on text chat and started sending GIFS. What it started with was, ‘Shut the hell up, Channing.’ Then it went to, ‘Oh, now we’re talking to full communication.”
Channing Frye on what he noticed in the locker room when he got traded to Cleveland at the deadline in 2016:
“I wouldn’t say spoiled, y’all were very unappreciative of what you had. Again three and a half hour Scott Skiles practices to go into a game to go well come on get that… https://t.co/sqnTiF5LFw pic.twitter.com/EJTBI7y7F7
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) July 18, 2026
Jefferson confirmed Frye’s recollection and gave him credit for a simple move that turned into an important facet of their improbable run to the title, climbing back from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Golden State Warriors, who won a league-record 73 games that season, in the NBA Finals.
Until today, that 2016 squad has remained close and present in each other’s lives. Last month, Frye, Jefferson, James, Love, JR Smith, Iman Shumpert, Tristan Thompson, and Matthew Dellavedova reunited for several days in Europe to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their championship.
If there is one takeaway in this story, do not underestimate the power of GIFs.