Storyline: It’s easy to predict, but it‘s not easy to predict accurately. Here’s what I saw a month ago when I looked into the NBA’s Crystal Ball. (This article was received by TSC on May 18. It was published a month later, on June 18.)
The NBA is on the verge of a possible regime change.
When the talking heads on ESPN and TNT talk about the NBA being a star-driven league, that’s not just Lip Service. Since 1980, every NBA Finals has featured at least one of the following superstars: Magic, Bird, Isiah, Jordan, Hakeem, Duncan, Shaq, Kobe, and LeBron. You’ll notice that each superstar is known by ‘one’ name.
That’s 35 years of NBA history dominated by 9 legendary players. Sure, a few other teams have snuck in and won titles over these legends through the years, but those teams were all led by single-moniker Hall of Famers, too: Dr. J, KG, and Dirk.
As we head into the NBA’s version of the Final Four we have one legendary name, LeBron, looking to maintain the status quo. And we have one newly-crowned MVP, Stephen Curry, looking to lead his upcoming Warriors to possible dynastic beginnings. We also have the two-star combo, James Harden and Dwight Howard, who are trying to verify their might-be Hall of Fame careers with a championship stamp of approval. And we have the 60-win Atlanta Hawks–a team nobody believed in all year.
So who will win the 2015 NBA Championship?
Courtesy: M.ajc.com
ATLANTA: The Hawks seem to have some similarities to the recently-crowned Spurs, but they just aren’t at that level. And, actually, after watching the first two rounds of the playoffs I don’t think they’re even close. They struggled with Brooklyn and Washington (minus Jon Wall for a few games), and I can’t see them beating Cleveland and, then, the Warriors or Rockets. A solid team yes, but a championship team … oh, hell, no. Sorry ATL, but include me on that “nobody believes in us list.”
Courtesy: nbcsports.com
HOUSTON: I still have doubts that THIS Houston team can win the title, but the end of that Clipper series revealed a little more Clutch City than I had thought. They have a perimeter superstar in Harden and a rare, dominant paint-protector in Howard. They have an experienced supporting cast, too, one that has already come through. Will it be enough? I’m not running to Vegas to place a huge bet, but it wouldn’t be as shocking as what the Pistons did in 2004. If the Rockets remain Clutch City there’s a chance—not a great chance, but a chance.
Courtesy: hoopshabit.com
CLEVELAND: Can LeBron really bring a championship to the city of Cleveland? In Year One of LeBron 2.0 “The Mistake by the Lake” finally has a shot at the trophy. Four straight title trips in Miami, two rings, two playoff MVP’s and the title of ‘King James” have already secured LeBron’s legendary status. He’s already one of the aforementioned “Nine.” But the Cavs shot at the championship took a nasty hit when Kevin Love went down in Round 1. The only All-Star-caliber player remaining is Kyrie Irving and, he too, has been hobbled. The whole roster is filled with question marks, but the Cavs are not without talented pieces. Because I’d never count out LeBron, if he takes this squad–along with all the Cleveland baggage–to the Promised Land … we’ll need to upgrade that King moniker. What tops King James? How about “King of the Andals and the First Men and ruler of the Seven Kingdoms James?” That’s a bit too long, but it would be very well deserved.
Courtesy: LA Times
GOLDEN STATE: If the Warriors end up winning it all this year we may be looking at adding to our list–from “Nine” to “Ten”–when discussing NBA Legends of the last 40 years. Stephen Curry has already added the MVP to his resume. If he can lead his team to the 2015 title, then the sky could be the limit for this Warrior team. Curry is the catalyst and lead actor for Golden State, but has a great supporting cast, too: Splash Brother Klay Thompson, gritty Draymond Green, anchor Andew Bogut, and 6th-man, Adre Igudola, to name four. And while offensive numbers might be the flash of these Warriors, the defense ignites everything. When Golden State is flashing on defense and creating turnovers, then their offense on the run becomes unstoppable because the splashes are coming.
MY ASSESSMENT
2015 looks like “Warriors time” and the emergence of the next legend in Steph Curry. Golden State is the overwhelming favorite for a myriad of reasons—and having the best offense and defense is a good place to start. LeBron still might be the overall best player in the league, but Curry is on his heels and his supporting should put him over the top.
Courtesy: Mediainsights.com
The scary part is that the Warriors may be even more difficult to stop in years to come. The core three–Curry, Thompson and Green—are extremely young and Coach Steve Kerr is in his 1st year. And while you can never assume that great teams, now, will be great in 3 years (Miami 2014), the Warriors have an excellent foundation on which to build.
Kerr was on those great Bull’s teams of the late 1990s, the ones that won three straight titles with swarming defense, the best offensive player in the game (Jordan/Curry), and a non-stop agitator/defender/rebounder (Rodman/Green). I wouldn’t be surprised If Kerr is feeling a little bit of Déjà Vu in 3 years.
MY CALL
The Golden State Warriors should win their first championship since 1975 with a 4-2 series victory over Cleveland.
