NBA Finals - Cleveland Cavaliers vs Golden State Warriors
This year's NBA Finals are another gift from the basketball gods to us. We get this season's MVP against the Best Player in the world going head to head. For the 1st time in 40 years for Golden State and the 1st time since 2007 for the Cavs when LeBron was still young and still developing his game. The video-game like play with street ball handles against an unstoppable freight train. This is one of the finals that we dream of, yet people are thinking this one is over before it has begun. That is not the case in my opinion.
The 34-9 record is because of a few things:
1) LeBron returning. Obviously he is the main reason for the Cavs' success, but that 2 weeks of rest really helped him.
2) The trades and players signed the Cavs made mid season. Trading away Dion Waiters, whom did not fit well with the Lebron and Blatt's game plan, was one of the best moves
Cavs made. Waiters simply did not flow with LeBron's style. Picking up JR Smith and Iman Shumpert from the Knicks might be the key to puzzle for the Cavs to win a championship. The two have been crucial parts during the Cavs' magical post season run. JR has been lights out and Shumpert has filled in great on defense and shooting the 3. The last part was getting Mozgov, the center Cleveland needed to block shots and own the boards alongside Tristan Thompson and Kevin Love (while he played).
3) The back end of season also developed many of Cleveland's role players like Dellavedova and Thompson to get them comfortable playing big minutes with the starting group. The Cavs have really gelled this post season and could take the series from Golden State with their intensity on defense and team chemistry.
Why I think the Cavs will win the 2015 NBA Finals Championship:
1) NUMBERS NEVER LIE: The Cavs' defense has been superb this post season. They have the best opponents PPG at just over 92. They also have a slight edge in off and defense efficiency over the Warriors. They have lead the post season in Blocks per game with Thompson and Mozgov protecting the rim. They also have a slight edge for the lead in rebounds per game over the Warriors. Its frustrating to read articles saying the Cavs don't stand a chance, when on paper they are just as good or better than Golden State.
2) Like I mentioned before, the new comers and role players have really stepped up this post season. JR Smith has been huge, and he is just what LeBron and Cavs needed with the injury to Kevin Love. He is a legitimate 3rd scoring option for the Cavs. His shining moment was Game 1 against the Hawks when he could not miss a shot. He ended up with 28 points. TT's rebounding has really made him emerge this off-season, proving he's worth a contract extension and a legitimate PF in the NBA. Dellavedova and Shumpert have also been good, having their own shining moments and stirs of controversy. Gaining Smith and Shumpert has allowed the Cavs to play small ball with the line up of Irving, Smith, Shumpert, James, and Thompson which has been deadly, allowing the Cavs to space the floor with shooters all over and LeBron playing point forward, given him space to get to the rim or dump to Thompson for a flush. I expect this line up to play the majority of minutes for defensive purposes to be able to guard all of Golden State's weapons.
3) Most importantly, LeBron's experience in the playoffs and finals is legendary. 5 straight NBA Finals, that hasn't been done since Bill Russell and the 1960's Celtics teams. He has put himself in another group of history. I think losing last year fueled him to make it to another finals, but he has carried this team and has felt the effects physically. I think he is a little more banged up then previous seasons and Kyrie and Love being injured or out has not helped, making him carry even more of the load. I will never bet against LeBron even if the odds are against him in these finals.
Why the Warriors could win the 2015 NBA Finals Championship:
The Golden State Warriors are really, really good, They were the best team during the regular season, and had the MVP on their team. They are really good at defense and offense. Their depth is what sets them apart from just about everyone. I think Kerr's experience playing with Jordan and the Spurs really has shaped his coaching style, emphasizing team basketball. There is a reason why they are at the top for assists per game, even with a point guard that is top 10 in scoring and shots. They are versatile and deep. Just about 1-10 could be a starter on most teams in the league, but their sacrifice to come off the bench and play as team is what makes them so dangerous. My biggest fear for them and what I believe is their achilles heel, is that they have no NBA Finals experience, but one could say the same about the Cavs, minus LeBron.
I am very excited about this year's NBA Finals and have came to my final thoughts.
My prediction is that the Cavs will be crowned Champions at Golden State after Game 7. I picked them before the season started and am sticking with em'. Never bet against the king or you will pay. I wouldn't be surprised if Golden State won, because their core has been together for a few years, starting when they pushed the Spurs a few seasons ago. You can't honestly believe that the Cavs were meant to win in LeBron's first season back in Cleveland with a group of young stars that have never even been to the playoffs (Irving, Love, Thompson). I didn't expect them to win this year, but I think LeBron's goal and reason to come back is so that they could start a dynasty for years to come with LeBron and Kyrie at the core.
Just a side thought that I had: With Kyrie getting these 2 weeks of rest, who knows maybe he will have a coming out series and be able to match Steph Curry's performance. Kyrie is my sleeper in this series, with his ability to score, when healthy, I wouldn't be surprised if we see a big game from him and steal a road game, like when he put up 57 vs the Spurs earlier this season.
CLEVELAND WINS 4-3
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