The highly-anticipated NBA Finals are almost upon us; game 1 is slated to tip off at 9 pm ET on Thursday, June 4. A matchup between 4-time MVP LeBron James’ Cavaliers and reigning MVP and fan favorite Stephen Curry’s Warriors is sure to entice fans everywhere.
In preparation for the finals, we’re going to take a look at each positional battle in the matchup between the two teams.
Point Guard: Stephen Curry vs. Kyrie Irving
The battle between Kyrie Irving and Stephen Curry should be a fantastic one. Irving has thrived playing alongside LeBron James, shooting an incredible 48.1% from downtown in the playoffs. Nevertheless, Curry is the MVP. He’s one of the best players in the world. Curry takes shots that would make most coaches tear their hair out… and drills those shots. Head coach Steve Kerr calls that shot the “No No No No Yes” shot, according to Curry. Kyrie is a superb point guard, but Curry is unfair. He’s something we’ve never seen before, but thoroughly enjoy watching. Curry has the edge when the two are both at their fullest, so add Irving’s injury into the mix, and the answer is obvious.
Advantage: Warriors
Shooting Guard: Klay Thompson vs. Iman Shumpert
Iman Shumpert is a very solid player, and many folks thought that he would evolve into a star when he first entered the league. He hasn’t, but it’s not difficult to see why some would think that. He’s an excellent defender, a solid shooter from outside, and can jump out of the gym with a 42″ vertical. Klay Thompson has done what Shumpert could never do though: take the leap to stardom. He made the all-star team for the first time this season, and is widely considered one of the best shooting guards in the league. Thompson is one of the premiere shooters in the NBA, and assuming there are no complications with his “not a concussion”(yeah, okay Warriors’ medical team), he wins this matchup.
Advantage: Warriors
Small Forward: Harrison Barnes vs. LeBron James
This one is the most obvious of them all. All due respect to Harrison Barnes: he has had a great year, shooting more efficiently than ever before. He isn’t LeBron though. LeBron is the best player in the world, and has carried the Cavs through thick and thin this season. LeBron has been abysmal this postseason shooting-wise(17.6% from deep). However, he’s still King James. When his jumper isn’t falling, he can attack the rim and post up, especially against the smaller Barnes. Even while shooting horribly from long range, LeBron is averaging a ridiculous 27.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game in the playoffs. Barnes will struggle guarding LeBron, as does every player in the world. He may need some help from Defensive Player of the Year runner-up Draymond Green, but even with Green guarding LeBron, LeBron’s going to be a force. Harrison Barnes has developed nicely into a good player, but LeBron is… LeBron.
Advantage: Cavaliers
Power Forward: Draymond Green vs. Tristan Thompson
This should be one of the more interesting matchups of the finals. Tristan Thompson is the best role player in the NBA. He does what he does: rebound, particularly on the offensive end. He does it better than just about anyone else. Failing to box out Tristan Thompson is one of the reasons that the teams in the East fell to Cleveland. Keeping him off the glass should be one of Golden State’s top priorities. Thompson is a game-changer, but Draymond Green is as well, and to a higher degree. Green’s shot has disappeared on him in the playoffs thus far(26.4% from beyond the arc), but he always contributes in a major way for the Warriors. Green is arguably the best defender in the NBA right now, and his playmaking ability has also been big for the warriors. His 5.3 assists this postseason rank second among power forwards(behind Blake Griffin). While both players play big roles for their respective teams, Green is a bigger impact player. He affects the game in more ways than Thompson does, and is going to get paid this offseason.
Advantage: Warriors
Center: Andrew Bogut vs. Timofey Mozgov
Timofey Mozgov has been huge for the Cavs in the playoffs thus far. He has been marvelous defensively, and has done an admirable job on the boards. He’s a good center who has been a big part of a much-improved Cavs’ defense, there’s no denying that. However, Andrew Bogut is essentially a better version of Mozgov. Bogut is a better defender than Mozgov, and a better rebounder as well. He also brings something to the table that Mozgov does not: passing. Bogut is one of the better playmaking centers around. Bogut’s a nice passer, but his main focus in the finals will be protecting the rim. He can’t let Mozgov have his way around the basket, and he’ll need to be in the paint to help out each and every time that LeBron inevitably gets to the rim.
Advantage: Warriors
The Benches
The Warriors boast one of the best second units in the league. Shaun Livingston is a long defensive-minded point guard who can also attack the rim and knock down those short-range jumpers with ease. Andre Iguodala is an athletic small forward who can do it all: defend, pass, shoot, drive. He’s sure to spend time guarding LeBron, and why wouldn’t he? He’s always been an exquisite defender throughout his 11-year career. Marreese Speights, who had a great season and is automatic from the midrange, is set to return from injury. Even big man Festus Ezeli has been playing well as of late, and seems to have a nice nose for rebounds. As for the Cavs: J.R. Smith has played much better than expected, Dellavedova is effective in a scrappy sort of way, James Jones can knock down treys, and Mike Miller has a history of coming alive in the postseason. Golden State’s bench wins though. They’re just deeper and more talented.
Advantage: Warriors
After looking at each positional matchup, you can see why the Warriors are favored. The one and only matchup the Cavs win at is small forward. That’s fitting, because the general consensus is that LeBron James is going to have to play out of his mind if the Cavs are going to compete with the Warriors.
