Too much firepower

After the disappointment of Game One, Lue declared that the Cavaliers had at least found the blueprint for containing the Warriors. They then employed it to poor results in Game Two, and then executed it better with Hood on tap in Game Three. Against the

The Player Formerly Known As Rodney Hood finally showed up yesterday, and it’s fair to argue that the Cavaliers needed his contributions. Up until Game Three of the National Basketball Association Finals, they were compelled to rely on a rotation that included willing-but-far-from-able Jordan Clarkson, with the glaring concession further damaging their cause. Facing a zero-two deficit, head coach Tyronn Lue had to do something — anything, really — to arrest the evident slide, and the inclusion of the hitherto-solid scorer in the lineup proved to be beneficial.

Unfortunately, not even Hood’s exertions on offense and, surprisingly, defense were enough to get the Cavaliers in the hoops gods’ good graces. To be fair, they used the three days between Games Two and Three wisely, integrating him in preparations with his unique skill set in mind, and the plans bore fruit. Systemic infirmities brought about by a significant disparity in talent were just simply too much to overcome. The Warriors are a veritable juggernaut, with advanced analytics pegging their firepower to be without peer in the history of organized sports.

That said, the Cavaliers came tantalizingly close to prevailing. They managed to control the tempo early on, and their effort in the familiar confines of the Q gave them a double- digit lead that would have been enough to coast on against most other opponents. The Warriors, however, are not most other opponents, and if they’re defending champions, it’s because their ascendancy has been made absolute by the arrival of Kevin Durant. Yesterday, he provided the many reasons why he’s widely deemed the league’s best player not named LeBron James.

After the disappointment of Game One, Lue declared that the Cavaliers had at least found the blueprint for containing the Warriors. They then employed it to poor results in Game Two, and then executed it better with Hood on tap in Game Three. Against the Warriors, though, “better” is never enough — and not just because all “perfectly” does is give them a chance. Which is why Game Three unfolded with the Warriors lurking before the break and then pulling away after, even with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson misfiring. There were still others to contend with, and none more imposing than Durant.

At this point, it’s all over but the shouting. The Warriors will retain the title, and perhaps via a sweep. It’s the outcome both conventional wisdom and advanced analytics have deemed the most expected, and it’s no knock on the Cavaliers. They’ll be bridesmaids anew not because they didn’t try, and that’s saying something at this point.