Golden State vs Cleveland Part IV: The Unfortunate Sequel

So the NBA Finals is set. It is going to be the Golden State Warriors vs the Cleveland Cavaliers...again. This will be the fourth year in a row that we have seen these two teams as the last two standing. Golden State has won 2 of the 3 meetings, including last years 4 - 1 victory. And unfortunately, I don't think this series is going to be any different.

At the beginning of the season, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that these two teams would once again collide for the championship. The Warriors were returning their entire championship team. The Cavs, though they traded Kyrie Irving, got back Isaiah Thomas and Jay Crowder in return. Their team looked deeper. Their team looked hungry. Then the season happened.

Houston led the way in the West all season with the best record, leaving the Warriors with the second best record in the conference, the first time that had happened in their championship run. As for the Cavs, they struggled most of the year, forcing them to trade Isaiah Thomas and Crowder for role players like George Hill, Larry Nance Jr, Jordan Clarkson and Rodney Hood. They did not jell well...until the playoffs.

Things seemed a little dicey for both teams in the Conference Finals. Both fell to a 3 - 2 deficit, with the Warriors to the Rockets and the Cavs to the Celtics. But both came up big in home games in Game 6 and then outshined their foes in the pivotal game 7's. While the Warriors had the superior talent to the Rockets, they still struggled, yet found a way to win. As for the Cavs, they were completely outgunned in firepower to the Celtics. But the Celtics were missing one thing (other than Kyrie Irving) and that is Lebron James. James took over in game 7 and led his team to a fourth straight finals appearance and for him, a record-breaking 8th straight Finals appearance.

While it is always amazing to see familiar foes battle each other for the whole thing, this year seems different. I do not think it is going to be much of a series. Yes, the Cavs have Lebron James, who is arguably the best basketball player in all the world. And yes, both teams played a long, arduous series to get to these finals. But the Cavs do not have the talent to match up with the Warriors. Where the Warriors have Steph Curry, the Cavs have George Hill. Where the Warriors have Klay Thompson, the Cavs have J.R. Smith. Where the Warriors have Kevin Durant, the Cavs have oft-injured Kevin Love. The Cavs do have Lebron James. But this year, I just don't see it being enough.

What do I expect:

I fully expect this series to go five games...at most. I expect Andre Iguodala to come back from injury (he missed games 4 - 7 against the Rockets) and make a huge difference. I do expect Lebron James to average at, or close, to a triple-double every game. I do expect Kevin Love to come back from concussion protocol and play some serviceable minutes, averaging roughly 16 points and 8 - 10 rebounds, but it still won't be enough. Not only do the Warriors have the best cast of characters for their starting lineup, they also have one of the deepest benches in the league, led by Shawn Livingston, Nick Young, David West and out-of-nowhere Conference Finals defensive stopper Kevon Looney.

With the win, this will give the Warriors three championships in four years. Their names will become synonymous with other great dynasties such as the Showtime Lakers, Bad Boys Detroit Pistons and Jordan's Bulls. I also fully expect, with this loss, James to have once again played his last game with the Cavs, as he will move on to greener pastures.

What a fun season it has been and can't wait for the Finals to start! What do you guys expect to happen? Let me know!

One love,

@jgullinese