Cavaliers used 'puzzle trophy' as motivation during title run

A secret puzzle trophy was the motivation the Cleveland Cavaliers needed to collect their first title in franchise history.

Earlier this year, veteran backup James Jones came up with the idea of creating a puzzle of the Larry O'Brien Trophy that consisted of 16 pieces - one for each win they needed to capture the title. Different players would add a piece to the puzzle following each postseason victory, depending on their contribution during that game.

"We needed something to bring us together," Jones told ESPN's Brian Windhorst. "Every guy was a piece. We assembled this team. So we had to assemble the puzzle."

On Sunday night, first-year head coach Tyronn Lue placed the final piece of the puzzle, which was shaped to look like the state of Ohio.

"Together, that's how you win a championship," Jones said. "Individually we are all just a piece. Everyone had to have their role. Everyone has to have their piece."

The trophy was kept secret from outsiders during Cleveland's historical run, and wasn't made public until the conclusion of the Game 7 victory.