This day as been long awaited by basketball fans all across the world, from New York to Hong Kong. It’s finally here and the teams deemed most likely to make it to this point are in the Finals.
Courtesy – SI.com
In one corner, you have the Golden State Warriors, a streaking young team with unmatched hunger and potential. At 67-15, they had the best record in the NBA this season, tied for 3rd best of all time. However, no team other than the Chicago Bulls has won 60+ games in the regular season and won the NBA Finals.
The Warriors are young, but talented, with Klay Thompson and MVP, Stephen Curry. They’ve had a fairly easy time of handling previous adversaries. They swept the Pelicans, bested the Grizzlies 4-2, and allowed the Rockets only 1 win in that series.
The Cleveland Cavaliers had a fresh start this year, re-acquiring 4 time MVP, LeBron James. He’s paired with two capable stars, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving. Many thought the Cavs would be a 60-win team, but they ended up having a better-than-average 53-29 regular season record. LeBron and Co. turned it up this postseason with decisive sweeps against the Celtics and the #1 seeded Atlanta Hawks. They also had a 6-game series with the Bulls.
Courtesy: Sporting News
Despite recent success, over 75% of the players on the Cavaliers’ roster have no playoff experience. That includes All-Stars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. LeBron James is the only Cav with Finals experience (five-in-a-row, winning two). Hopefully his success in the Finals will help the Cavaliers overcome the very skilled and young, Warriors.
I predict the Golden State Warriors will take home the gold in 6 games. They have a better, more well-rounded team with more experience.
Don’t get me wrong. The Cavaliers will make it a competition, but ultimately, it will not be enough.
