NBA Finals 2017 - Cavs or Golden State, who will win?
32 Teams Battled for a spot in the playoffs, but only 16 made the cut
You probably noticed I included the Cleveland Cavaliers in the title as one of two opponents in the NBA Finals, when you're no doubt thinking, "The Cavs haven't yet made it to the Finals, derp!" And you'd be correct.
But really, is there anyone on the face of this blue green orb that doesn't believe the Cavaliers will overcome the Celtics and advance to the next round?
I think all will agree that the Finals will consist of Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers . . . for the third straight time. Even if Isiah Thomas hadn't injured his hip, and thus, being forced to sit on Boston's bench during game 3, they still likely wouldn't have had the talent necessary to combat the Cavs' 'Big 3'. And the only reason they weren't swept was thanks to Bradley's buzzer beater 3pt that propelled them to victory.
But their celebration will be short-lived.
For all you Cavalier haters out there - or more specifically - Lebron haters, you can't argue that their persistence and drive last season was anything short of spectacular. Being down 1-3 in the series and on the brink of elimination in game 5, it took an unfathomable amount of focus and determination to subdue all the naysayers and doubters in order to stay alive in the series. Then, after a victorious battle on hostile court, they returned to their hometown for game 6. Another victory there evened the series at 3-3, but they still needed to win game 7 - and it was to be played in front of Golden State fans.
Game 7 is arguably the most memorable game in NBA history since the '91 Finals, when Michael Jordan left his mark on the franchise against the L.A. Lakers.
The locker room before the game must have been full of rattled nerves and foggy minds. But the one man who seemed unfazed by the pressure was Lebron James. Earning a triple double: 27 pts, 11 ast, and 11 rebs, Lebron hoisted the team onto his shoulders and led the Cavaliers to their very first NBA championship since the birth of the franchise in 1946, while also being the only team in NBA history to crawl their way back from a 1-3 deficit in the Finals.
As the end of the semi-finals draws nigh and the Cavs pour on the steam against the Celts, it's only a matter of time before Boston meets their demise and we're once against witnesses to an NBA Finals consisting of GS Warriors and Cleveland Cavs.
Who will win?
This year, the Warriors have the young and overly talented Kevin Durant to their arsenal, while the Cavs' Kevin Love has been struggling with his shot making, but how will that play into the series? Will Lebron be able to hoist the team onto his shoulders and carry them to the win for the second year in a row, or will Steph Curry overpower Cleveland's roster with his ability to drop 3s from anywhere on the court.
Only time will tell . . .
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