NBA Finals Preview

The NBA playoffs are in full swing right now, and they have been for a few weeks. The Cavs and the Warriors have earned the right to be called champions of their respective conference. The Cavaliers are a new team who was built around superstar Lebron James, arguably the best player in the world. The Warriors have been led to the Finals by 2015 MVP Stephen Curry who averages over 20 points per game. So far this matchup is starting to look like one of the best in NBA history, but there is more to each team than their stars.

Let’s take a look at both team’s starting five. The Cavaliers have a new starting five as of this year, with many new players being acquired in trades during the season. One such player acquired during the offseason is star forward Lebron James, who some consider to be the best player of all time. The other forward on the team, who has been a fill in for most of the playoffs, is Tristan Thompson. Tristan has taken the place of an injured Kevin Love who suffered A dislocated shoulder during the Cavaliers’ sweep of the Boston Celtics. The guards on the team include players Kyrie Irving, the team’s first pick of the 2011 NBA Draft, and also Iman Shumpert who was acquired from the Knicks during this season. Both are good defensive players  who have helped this team make it to the finals. Finally their center, Timofey Mozgov has provided the rebounds necessary for the team to get more shots, and deny the other team some.

The Golden State starting five is not so different from the Cavaliers team. First of all they have their undeniable two best shooters, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. These two players are so good at sinking threes and making shots that they have been affectionately nicknamed the splash brothers. The forward and guard both average over 20 points per game which is a big amount, so we know Golden State has big scorers and faces for their franchise, but there are other players who contribute a great amount to the team. Center Andrew Bogut will need to be a the bigger man against Timofey Mozgov, because the Cavs center has A one inch height advantage against Bogut. The team also has guard Harrison Barnes who is nothing special, just a player who averages about ten points per game and is lackluster in other fields. Lastly, is forward Draymond Green who is a considerable scorer for Golden State.

For the Warriors to win, it won’t take much. The Warriors have an explosive offense and an established coach who knows his way around the NBA in Steve Kerr. Rebounds may be a problem for the team, but if Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes step it up it could be a good day for the Warriors. The Cavs need to do a few things to win. Number one, Give the ball to Lebron James as often as possible. Let him do as much is possible, he might even go for 35 points in one of these games. They also have to hope that they can somehow manage the damage that Curry can inflict. The key to beating the Warriors for any team is to shut down Steph Curry. Lebron James may not be the best defensive player in the league, but he is their best chance of shutting him down. The last thing they need to do to win is for Kyrie Irving to stay healthy. He suffered a knee injury during the blowout that was the Eastern Conference finals, and he just needs to make sure that he does not do anything to make this flare up again.Finally, is my prediction for the winner of the 2015 NBA Finals. I think that the Warriors will play great at home, and win A game seven at Oracle Arena.For Lebron it will be much like his first year in Miami, he will lose the finals his first year, then go on to win the rest of his career.

~Will