2018 NBA Finals: Warriors vs. Cavaliers - Part 4

And then there were 2.

Two teams going head-to-head, battling for the illustrious title and glory of being the 2018 NBA Champion.

Cleveland Cavaliers (Cavs) vs. Golden State Warriors (GSW).

4th installment.

We are just hours away. Are you ready for the Finals?

Lebron James returned to the Cavs in 2014 and led them to their very first NBA title, toppling the Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals 4-3. At that time, it was a come-from-behind victory, no less. The Cavs rallied from a 3-1 deficit to overcome the Warriors 4-3. Victory could not be any sweeter than that. The prodigal son returning to deliver the championship to his hometown. One year later in 2017, the Cavs met their nemesis again. But this time they were defeated 4-1, no thanks to reinforcements added by GSW.

The Cavs' journey to the Finals was not an easy one, and that is a understatement in itself. No one expected them to touch Toronto Raptors 4-0, no one! Few also did not expect them to get past the Boston Celtics 4-3. If there is one man to thank, it is Lebron "The King" James. His performance in the 7 games against Celtics was worthy of MVP status. His game 7 performance? Fans were calling him the GOAT. The Cavs have come up with the surprises, time and time again.

The Warriors’ reaction to the 2016 defeat? Announcing 9x NBA All-Star Kevin Durant as the new member of their already stacked team. When the news broke, there was a chorus of outcry from NBA fans all over the world. There were shouts directed at Durant for lacking competitiveness, taking the easy way out, joining GSW for an easy title. “Wrong way to get an NBA title” they lamented on many forums. Yah! I dare them to tell the likes of Charles Barkley, Allen Iverson, Karl Malone, John Stockton, etc. There is no right or wrong (except using performance-enhancing supplements) when it comes to winning. Society recognizes achievements, not how you get them.

Durant won the 2017 NBA Finals MVP, and GSW the title. Fast forward 2018, they met some bumps along the way and had to force Game 7 with the Houston Rockets. GSW trailed in the first half, but finished strongly in the end. Analyzing that game, it was not GSW that performed well. Rather, it was the failure of Houston Rockets in the 2nd half to close the game. They failed to connect on 27 straight 3-pointers Say What?. If you were the Rocket's coach, you would have the sense to instruct your team to drive into the paint for higher percentage shots, NO?!

GSW is winning, but they are not cruising as they should, considering they are a SUPER Team.

Make no bones about it. This is a one-sided finals, on paper at least (repeat of last year’s boring finals?).

GSW’s roster practically remained unchanged from last year. Their group is tight and have been playing together for a number of years. In contrast, Cavs chopped almost half their team. New faces = More drive or less experienced?

If NBA fans wish to witness individual heroics, look no further. This finals will see Lebron James having to do it all for his team, again! Do not feel sorry for King James, for they say "It's written in the stars. He was borne to be the next Michael Jordan." So now, all hopes of the City of Cleveland rest solely on his broad shoulders. Lebron knows he needs to severely step up his game, more so than he did against the Celtics. Regardless of which side you are supporting, one thing’s for sure, all eyes will be on King James.

Will King James' sheer will be sufficient? Will his teammates rise up to the occasion? Most importantly, will GSW be complacent, thinking they have this win in their bags? What are your thoughts for the 2018 NBA Finals?

Credits go to the owners of the pictures and articles used and ESPN for the youtube video.