NBA Finals Game 1 recap - Game 2 Preview

Is this series déjà vu from the OKC 2012 Finals series when LeBron won his first ring or are the Cavs facing a very steep up hill battle? I'm afraid that it will be a very tough climb for the Cavs. LeBron did what everyone expected him to do by literally carrying the team on his back, scoring a new NBA Finals career high with 44 points. He was just another step back game winning buzzer beater away from stealing Game 1 on the road and adding to his already impressive "greatness" resume.

For how confident people were in the Warriors to beat up the Cavs, the Cavs held their own the entire game including a 10 point lead after the first quarter, but we all know basketball is a tale of 2 halves and sometimes 5 extra minutes in Game 1's case. That extra 5 minutes appeared to be too much more the gassed Cavs. Not only were the Cavs already exhausted by the end of the 4th, they ended up losing their star point guard, Kyrie Irving, within 2 minutes of the overtime period. Talk about killing 2 birds with 1 stone for the Warriors. Beat the Cavs and have them lose their PG. That's bad news for Cleveland and their title hopes. Still, LeBron has brought a lesser talented roster to the Finals, circa 2007. Not saying they had any success, but with a more developed LeBron James and a starting line up that is one of the best in the NBA, there is still a chance for the Cavs to win a championship without Kyrie.

The Cavs' bench which is stripped down to nothing as is, just a got a little thinner, as Kyrie Irving left Game 1 with a knee injury that will probably alter his effectiveness and status of his play. Most likely, JR Smith will have to move into the starting line up, which is no problem, but that leaves almost no bench. The irony of the bench scoring difference of 34-9 is that the Cavs record since Jan. 15 was 34-9 which I talked about in my last post.

My take for Game 2

The Cavs fought hard all game, owning the lead for a majority of the game. The effort they put into Game 1 will show up in their lack of energy for Game 2. Unless LeBron has yet another miraculous "MJ" like performance for Game 2, Cleveland stands very little chance. I don't think Kyrie will play, which hurts them even more, and even if he did, he wouldn't be at 100% or as good as he was last night. All in all, I think the Warriors will win by 11+ and take a strong 2-0 lead into Cleveland for Tuesday's Game 3.

Optimistic thought: JR Smith goes off again like he did vs Atlanta and/or Mike Miller comes in like he did for the Heat in their 2012 NBA Finals series against OKC. #Wishfulthinking

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Jahlil Okafor, March Madness, and NBA thoughts

Jahlil Okafor will be the number one pick in the NBA draft. He is a very similar player to Blake Griffin. Very strong, athletic, and  low post scoring threat that will eventually expanded his game to 18ft. As of now he is the most dominant player in the NCAA. The Knicks or whoever grabs the number one pick would be stupid not to draft this kid. He is going to be a very good NBA player within his first few years.

Moving on from Okafor to the NCAA tournament, I think Kentucky will run the table, but with 3 true tests to win it all. Depending on the seeding and placement of teams, I truly think Arizona, Villanova or Virginia will be the team that gets to square off against Kentucky for the championship. 

NBA thoughts

It's pathetic that the Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets will not make the playoffs. 

Chicago has been on a terrible skid allowing the Cavs to separate themselves from the Bulls for the #2 seed.

The Hornets are playing well enough to make the playoffs. 

Love that the Nuggets have beaten the Hawks and Warriors in a row, especially after just firing Brian Shaw. 

MVP

I think Steph Curry will win it and he deserves it, but I think Westbrook is playing out of his mind. If OKC wouldn't have had such a rough start to their season, I believe Westbrook would be the MVP. 

1. Curry 

2. Harden 

3. LeBron 

4. Westbrook 

5. Davis 

Kobe's Future and an Epic Finals Matchup

I'm writing this on May 31st 2014

After seeing the fact that Kobe or LeBron have been in the Finals every year since 2007 but have yet to face each other, I came to the thought that the Heat will hopefully win another Championship adding to the legacy of LeBron and reducing the gap between Jordan and Kobe as the Greatest Of All Time.

I absolutely see the Lakers landing 1 if not 2 huge free agents this off season, providing Kobe some star power teammates like he once had (Shaq) and a good supporting cast like the early 2000's teams had. Being likely that it will be Kobe's last full, whatever is left in the tank season, I expect him to make a heroic playoff run hopefully meeting the Miami Heat in the Finals as the Heat go for their 4th straight championship and making it the premiere NBA Finals match up everybody dreams of. Kobe vs LeBron.

-Josh Pella