Four most intriguing storylines of Cavaliers-Warriors IV in Finals showdown

The perfect NBA Finals ending will take place in a Game 7, making it 107 consecutive games played for LeBron James this season. He will log 48 minutes in Game 7 and then another five in overtime before the 2017-18 championship is decided.

LeBron will record a triple-double, and on the stage with confetti falling from the rafters NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will hand the game’s all-time greatest player both the MVP award and the Larry O’Brien trophy.

Now that’s the appropriate conclusion to an incredible playoff run for the self-proclaimed King. Reality, however, says Golden State in 5. As much as you want to build a case for LeBron and the Cleveland Cavaliers to pull off the monumental upset it’s hard to imagine the Warriors not winning a second straight championship and beating the Cavs for the third time in four years.

The Warriors are prohibitive favorites, which makes LeBron yet again an underdog.

This is the fourth installment of the rivalry and with Game 1 on Thursday in Oakland and the Warriors installed as a 12-point favorite to take the opener, here are four storylines to follow: 1. LeBron as the greatest player in NBA history If James wins four more games it’s hard to argue otherwise. LeBron has reached the NBA Finals a remarkable eight straight years, and this postseason he’s done his best work with a mediocre supporting cast.

He’s averaging 34 points in 18 playoff games and absolutely willed Cleveland to wins in Games 6 and 7 against the Boston Celtics.

LeBron, at 33, is still the league’s most dominant player. He’s played in 235 career playoff games, 56 more than Michael Jordan. A loss would put LeBron’s record at 3-6 in the Finals but he’s been the underdog in seven of them. 2. Warriors as all-time great team

If Draymond Green doesn’t foolishly get himself suspended for Game 5 in 2016 with the Warriors leading the Cavs 3-1, we would be looking at Golden State closing in on a fourth straight championship.

But another title – three in four years – places them in select company.

The Jordan Bulls three-peated twice in the ’90s while the Lakers ran off three straight with Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant starting in 2000. In the late ’60s the Celtics won three of four.

This season hasn’t been easy for Golden State. Like Cleveland, the Warriors had to win the last two games of their conference finals to advance. Stephen Curry appeared in just 51 games during the regular season and missed the first six of the playoffs while recovering from a knee injury.

Sure, they’ve gotten a little arrogant over the years, which is only natural. But don’t kid yourself. This is an alltime great club.

3. Health of Love and Iguodala

The Cavs arrived in the Bay Area late Tuesday unsure if Love, who is in concussion protocol, will be available.

Love, injured in the first quarter of Game 6 against the Celtics, did not play in Game 7. His replacement, Jeff Green, scored 19 in the victory but Cleveland needs the All-Star power forward to have any chance of winning.

Iguodala, the 2015 Finals MVP, has missed the past four games with a knee injury and there’s a growing belief that he could miss at least the first two games. 4. Futures of LeBron and Durant

Both can become free agents on July 1 with the understanding they could sign more lucrative deals.

Staying in the East makes the most sense for LeBron, who absolutely owns the conference. But the theory of LeBron moving to Los Angeles or perhaps Houston is very much in play.

Durant may listen to other teams, but why ruin the once-in-a-lifetime situation? He’s four wins away from back-toback titles and the Warriors will enter next season as the favorite again.

If LeBron sand Durant stay, we could get Warriors-Cavs for a fifth straight year.

(New York Daily News/TNS)