It's here folks. Round 3. The greatest 3 year stretch by an individual team in NBA history vs arguably the greatest player in NBA history. Let's see what's in store, we'll start with the squads.






The Cavaliers, after a hot start- which included a comeback win on Christmas vs the Warriors- stumbled their way to the finish line, costing them the #1 seed in the process. Some, especially a poster around these parts whose name rhymes with fuss, believed that this would be the year LeBrons streak would end. ESPN's "stats inc" had them as the 3rd most likely team to come out of the East, well behind the Celtics and barely behind the Raptors.

They responded like great teams do, by obliterating the field. The most impressive part was how they did it. After a series of close wins against a pesky Pacers squad- including a 25 point comeback win @ Indy- the Cavs faced off against Toronto and changed up their defensive strategy against their two stud guards. They blitzed every p&r forcing them to become playmakers. The results were immediate and severe, with Cleveland winning by an average margin of just under 16. Then they went into Boston with a more laid back scheme and, despite no HCA, beat them down even worse.

As a team, we know what they have. Led by LeBron James and his ridiculous 7th straight finals they are loaded with shooting, surrounded by Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, and J.R Smith. To go along with them they are supported by Tristian Thompson, todays vastly inferior version of Dennis Rodman. His insane rebounding ability coupled with his ability to switch onto guards in isolation makes him the perfect supporting piece on this team. They head into the finals extremely confident, showing the ability to excel in a number of different styles, and with the ever important (hi Bill!) no one believes in us mentality.






The Warriors, coming off their heartbreak finals loss added one of the best players in the league in Kevin Durant and picked up right where they left off. Despite some injuries they cruised through the regular season obtaining the #1 seed with little difficulty. And somehow they were just getting started.

Despite Durant not 100%, missing games from Iguodala & Zaza, Klay deciding not to show up for most of the playoffs, they won all 12 games in the Western Conference by an average margin of 16.3. Both all-time records. The only games with which they had adversity- game 3 @ Utah where they were down by as many as 9 in the 2nd half, and game 1 vs San Antonio where they were down 25- were both handled with relative ease.

They head into the finals as confident a group we've ever seen, relatively healthy, and with revenge on their minds.

The Matchup



Everything seems to be pointing Golden State's way this time around. They were clearly the better team the past two seasons and they added one of the best basketball players in the world. Even more ridiculous, is said player fits the scheme of what they do perfectly. On offense they are unselfish, they pass, they cut, they move without the ball, and the shoot the **** out of the ball. On defense they employ a switch everything strategy trusting that their lengthy players can guard just about anyone on the opposing team. All of that is Kevin Durant. And Cleveland, while steamrolling through the East, did show a liability at defending the 3 pt line, allowing numerous open 3 pointers thus far in the postseason. Do that against Golden State and you die.

So why should Cleveland have any hope? This series could very well be a bloodbath, especially since Golden State has to be looking for the ultimate revenge. One reason could be a bit of good luck coming in the form of injury. The injury to Isaiah Thomas forced the Celtics to play a more Warriors style ball running tons of action off the ball to try to create the best look possible for their meager options. The results were shaky, especially in the 2nd half of game 3 and 1st half of game 4, but the series essentially allowed Cleveland to start practicing early for the brand of ball Golden State will play. Another injury, the injury to Andre Iguodala, is another benefit for Cleveland for a number of reasons. Mostly, he is their main option in guarding LeBron but also obtaining Kevin Durant forced them to sacrifice depth. If Iggy can't go or is limited that may force the Warriors to run Ian Clark and/or Patrick McCaw more than they would like which the Cavs should look to capitalize on.

Ultimately I believe the boring answer is that this series will come down to shooting. You can't stop Golden State from getting what they want, to beat them 4 times you simply have to hope they run a little bad on open shots or you run extra good. If Golden State knocks down their shots this shouldn't be much of a series. I say shouldn't because there's a guy on Cleveland who has defied the impossible before and I don't think anyone would be surprised if he did it again.

Will the Warriors finish off one of the most impressive seasons and 3 year stretches of all time? Will LeBron cement his legacy as being better than Kobe Bryant but not as good as Oscar Robertson at the game of basketball? Tune in next Thursday to find out as we do some of our last NBA'ing of the 2016-2017 NBA season.

In

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Warriors in 4

Cant imagine what it is like to not be rooting for LBJ in this series.

Pretty obvious the team full of guys who blew a 3-1 one lead for separate teams is gonna lose in 7.

The Cavs are actually better this year. And GS doesn't have the depth like last couple of years. And Klay looks stoned and disinterested. more often than usual.

SAVE US LARBON

I like the cavs in 7.Expecting this to be the greatest series ive ever seen. Multiple overtimes and some amazing LBJ heroics.

Warriors in 4. LolEastern dismantled during summer

Triple OT game 7 is what I can ask for out of this series

If the Warriors don't win it will be the lol'est 3 year stretch in NBA history.

The fact that they won 73 games then added Durant is wtf. What an embarrassment if they lose again

Nice OP Geoff.

If you're rooting for GSW and you're not from the area you're an evil sociopath. ONE TIME LABRON. Got the Woyas blowing a 3-0 lead in this one.

can't wait for this series to start next month

I guess I'll get in on the ground floor since I get a shoutout in the op

Well done young rass

Feels like Woyas in 5 - hope I'm wrong and it's epic

cavs got this. lebron is playing at the highest level in nba history and, honestly, it looks like he hasnt even kicked it into his highest gear yet. hes just been coasting along putting up 30+ with insane efficiently.

I think we are about to see ultra focused and competitive lebron and it is gonna be scary for the warriors and their fans. I anticipate his statline to go something like 42/12/8. his usage is gonna rise to around 35% with .590 ts.

and he will guard durant and eat his lunch and drink his milkshake.

cavs in 7. jr smith hits the game winner on a drive and kick from lebron and the haters rip on lebron for passing.

Adorable

Good guys (Woyas) in 4

73 and done still not on the same level as 18-1.

How many minutes can LeBron handle? I'd be tempted to try to play him all 48 if I was Lue unless he specifically requests rest.

I think he will continue to get his usual 2-4 min of rest in the first half. good chance he plays the entirety of the 2nd half if necessary. pretty sure thats how it went last year in the finals a few times.

Warriors in 6 imo

you need to say how this run ends before you compare. how many rangz do the Curry/Durant Warriors end up with? that determines how lol another choke would be

yeah 18-1 Pats is v ugly but they won 5x so ultimately it's ¯\_(ツ)_/¯