History at hand in title showdown
In rubber match, many storylines same, some new
This isn’t your standard Warriors-Cavaliers NBA Finals matchup. It’s not only hyped beyond measure, it’s historic.
This marks the first time in the 71-year history of the league that the same teams have met three straight times with a championship at stake.
But that’s a bit misleading, given the changes to both teams that should make this trilogy tiebreaker all the more intriguing. Harrison Barnes has turned into Kevin Durant. The Cavaliers bench has added Deron Williams and Kyle Korver. And, depending on how Steve Kerr’s ailing back acts, the Warriors could have more than one coach roaming the sideline.
The teams enter a combined 24-1 in the playoffs and featuring seven of the last eight league MVPs.
Who has the edge? The answers start coming Thursday night. become a more engaged defender. Smith also seems impervious to pressure. But Thompson remains the more steady presence, particularly defensively.
Warriors. shot. This matchup will be something. Cavaliers.
The Warriors’ Draymond Green, the game’s most versatile defender, has helped to neutralize Kevin Love in the past. Love has been brilliant in these playoffs, shooting 47.5 percent from 3-point range and providing the spacing so vital for James and Irving. But he’s a poor defender, and the Warriors attacked him relentlessly with screen-and-rolls last year.
Warriors. in the postseason. Of more importance, 4.2 of his 9.3 rebounds per game have come at the offensive end. He keeps possessions alive. Green has the ability to slide over to guard him if Zaza Pachulia can’t keep pace. But that would negate the Warriors’ ability to keep Love quiet.
Cavaliers.
Even though starters play heavy minutes in the finals, this used to be a huge edge for the Warriors. But Andre Iguodala has slipped a bit of late, even though he owns a finals MVP trophy in a series that featured Curry and James. Williams and Korver have boosted the Cavaliers’ production but mostly on offense. Shaun Livingston adds to the Warriors’ large defensive edge.
Warriors.
Kerr will be around, even if his back won’t allow him to be on the bench all series. Mike Brown is trying to beat the franchise that fired him not once but twice. Tyronn Lue has James’ respect, which is the single biggest requirement for any Cavaliers coach. Lue is vying to join Minneapolis Lakers coach John Kundla as the only coaches to win titles in their first two seasons as coach. Kundla did so in 1949 and 1950. Warriors.
Warriors in six.