The Finals

Other then the third straight match up between the San Antonio spurs and Lebron James, this match up between Golden State and Cleveland is the match up we all wanted. This is James's fifth NBA finals in a row, but this isn't the biggest story of the series. James has been excellent, even with his other two members of the big three has been nagged with injury.

The story of this NBA season has been the Golden State Warriors led by the MVP Stephen Curry, who will be headed to the finals for the first time in forty years. His outstanding shooting has continued in the playoffs, averaging nearly 30 points per game. The Warriors do have injury concerns of its own, but they are much healthier than the Cavs. Yes Curry is the MVP, but I believe we would all agree that Lebron is the best player in the league. The question is will Golden State's supporting cast provide the edge?

Lets start with the Warriors: Other than the performance against the Grizzles, the Warriors have looked like the team that took this NBA season by storm.  Curry is averaging 29 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assist per game. While shooting 46% from the field and 43% from three point land. This team has made really good Western Conference teams look bad. Its not just Curry and Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andrew Bogut have truly stepped up and became anchors in the paint defensively. You could argue that the Warriors have the best defensive in the league. Klay Thompson concussion could be a concern. But the long period of rest should help the Warriors get healthy for the Cavs. 

Now to the Cavaliers: Love is out, and has been since the first round after a dislocated shoulder. Kyrie has been slowed down while dealing with knee tendinitis. But Lebron is who he is, the best player in the NBA. While Cleveland's path wasn't as difficult, that doesn't dismiss the numbers James has put up. While he has struggled with his outside shot, he's still 27.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, 8,3 assist per game and has taken over games in a form that remind you of the 2007 Lebron, when he took that Cavs team to the finals. J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert have played the best basketball of their careers, while Tristan Thompson is becoming a breakout player and he is the best re bounder of this series.

Warriors win if they continue doing what they have been doing all year long; playing amazing offense and playing great defense. Also if Curry and Thompson are healthy and knocking down shots, while working as a team to defend Lebron Warriors will walk away the NBA champions.

Cavaliers win if James continues his excellent, Klay Thompson isn't the same after his injury, Irving is healthy after the long layoff, and role players like Smith, Shumpert, Tristan Thompson and Mozgov come up big.

Prediction is Warriors in 6. 

Joshua Keene