The rematch we've all been waiting for is finally here. The Golden State Warriors host the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight at 9 p.m. (EST) on ABC.
Here's a head-to-head position comparison of the Warriors and the Cavs.
Guard: Back-to-back NBA MVP Stephen Curry and backcourt mate Klay Thompson have more than lived up to their "Splash Brothers" moniker this postseason. While Curry missed six playoff games with a knee injury, Thompson proved more than capable of leading the team in scoring. Both players are averaging just over 26 points per game each this postseason and will likely give the Cavs headaches trying to stop them both.
On the other side Cavs guard Kyrie Irving is likely chomping at the bit to face off against Curry. In case you forgot Irving went down with an injury early during last year's NBA Finals, robbing us of the chance to see two elite point guards battle each other on the hardwood. Although Irving won't be able to stop Curry from getting buckets, the same can be said for Curry when he has to guard Irving. At the two-guard spot, J.R. Smith is the wildcard. Smith is one of the streakest shooters in the NBA: when he's hot he strikes the fear of God in defenses; but if he's cold this series will end bad for Cleveland.
Edge: Warriors. Although Kyrie can hang with Steph, the Splash Brothers are simply the best backcourt duo in the league.
Forward: The million dollar question for Steve Kerr is do you start Harrison Barnes or not? Although he struggled a bit against Oklahoma City in the Western Conference Finals, if I was a betting man I would say Barnes is the starter for Game 1. At the other forward spot you have Draymond "Mr. Do-It-All" Green. While Steph Curry is the face of the Warriors, Green is the heart and soul. He provides leadership in the locker room and fills the stat sheet on the court. This postseason he's averaging 15 points, a team-high 9.8 rebounds and six assists.
The storylines have become all too familiar for Cleveland's King James. LeBron James is playing in his sixth consecutive NBA Finals and second straight with the Cavs. James' played like a man possessed during last year's Finals but it wasn't enough to top Golden State. This time around he'll be playing with Kevin Love who also missed last year's Finals with an injury. Love will give the Cavs a much needed third scoring option to take the pressure off of James and Irving.
Edge: Cavaliers. James is still arguably the best player on the court in this series.
Center: The Warriors will roll out former No. 1 overall pick Andrew Bogut as their starting center. Bogut's stats this postseason (5 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.47 blocks per game) don't stand out because he is only playing 17 minutes a game. The reason being is the Warriors tend to play a small lineup often so there is no need for a traditional center.
The Cavs will likely start Tristan Thompson at the five spot. Thompson is one of the best rebounders in the game and makes all the hustle plays that don't show up on the stat sheet. But since the Warriors like to play small lineups it will be interesting to see if Thompson's minutes are reduced for a player who can match up better with the Warriors three-point shooters.
Edge: Even. Since the NBA has evolved into a guard-friendly league this will be the least interesting matchup in this series.
Bench: The Warriors are not afraid to go deep into their bench. The first guy to shed the warmups will be 2015 Finals MVP Andre Iguodala. The former Arizona Wildcat will be tasked with trying to slow down LeBron James once again. Look for guards Shaun Livingston, Leandro Barbosa, and Ian Clark to see significant minutes as well.
For the Cavs the guy to look for off the bench is Channing Frye. Another former Wildcat, Frye is shooting lights out from three-point range this postseason. In fact, he's so hot he may break a playoff record if he keeps up his current pace. Following him off the bench will be Iman Shumpert and Matthew Dellavedova who will both be tasked with guarding Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. Look for 14 year veteran and you guessed it, former Arizona Wildcat Richard Jefferson to see significant minutes as well.
Edge: Warriors by a hair. Cleveland's bench is better than last season but Warriors bring back the same core of guys who won the NBA title last season.
Coaching: Steve Kerr (with a bit of help) coached the team to an NBA record 73 wins in the regular season coming off of an NBA title.
He also helped the team come back from a 3-1 deficit against the Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.
Tyronn Lue meanwhile, is 12-2 this postseason, his first as a head coach. Lue has done an admirable job but he will have his work cut out for him trying to stop the Warriors potent offensive attack.
Edge: Warriors. Experience can make all the difference as a head coach.
My pick: Warriors in seven.
Here's a head-to-head position comparison of the Warriors and the Cavs.
Guard: Back-to-back NBA MVP Stephen Curry and backcourt mate Klay Thompson have more than lived up to their "Splash Brothers" moniker this postseason. While Curry missed six playoff games with a knee injury, Thompson proved more than capable of leading the team in scoring. Both players are averaging just over 26 points per game each this postseason and will likely give the Cavs headaches trying to stop them both.
On the other side Cavs guard Kyrie Irving is likely chomping at the bit to face off against Curry. In case you forgot Irving went down with an injury early during last year's NBA Finals, robbing us of the chance to see two elite point guards battle each other on the hardwood. Although Irving won't be able to stop Curry from getting buckets, the same can be said for Curry when he has to guard Irving. At the two-guard spot, J.R. Smith is the wildcard. Smith is one of the streakest shooters in the NBA: when he's hot he strikes the fear of God in defenses; but if he's cold this series will end bad for Cleveland.
Edge: Warriors. Although Kyrie can hang with Steph, the Splash Brothers are simply the best backcourt duo in the league.
Forward: The million dollar question for Steve Kerr is do you start Harrison Barnes or not? Although he struggled a bit against Oklahoma City in the Western Conference Finals, if I was a betting man I would say Barnes is the starter for Game 1. At the other forward spot you have Draymond "Mr. Do-It-All" Green. While Steph Curry is the face of the Warriors, Green is the heart and soul. He provides leadership in the locker room and fills the stat sheet on the court. This postseason he's averaging 15 points, a team-high 9.8 rebounds and six assists.
The storylines have become all too familiar for Cleveland's King James. LeBron James is playing in his sixth consecutive NBA Finals and second straight with the Cavs. James' played like a man possessed during last year's Finals but it wasn't enough to top Golden State. This time around he'll be playing with Kevin Love who also missed last year's Finals with an injury. Love will give the Cavs a much needed third scoring option to take the pressure off of James and Irving.
Edge: Cavaliers. James is still arguably the best player on the court in this series.
Center: The Warriors will roll out former No. 1 overall pick Andrew Bogut as their starting center. Bogut's stats this postseason (5 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.47 blocks per game) don't stand out because he is only playing 17 minutes a game. The reason being is the Warriors tend to play a small lineup often so there is no need for a traditional center.
The Cavs will likely start Tristan Thompson at the five spot. Thompson is one of the best rebounders in the game and makes all the hustle plays that don't show up on the stat sheet. But since the Warriors like to play small lineups it will be interesting to see if Thompson's minutes are reduced for a player who can match up better with the Warriors three-point shooters.
Edge: Even. Since the NBA has evolved into a guard-friendly league this will be the least interesting matchup in this series.
Bench: The Warriors are not afraid to go deep into their bench. The first guy to shed the warmups will be 2015 Finals MVP Andre Iguodala. The former Arizona Wildcat will be tasked with trying to slow down LeBron James once again. Look for guards Shaun Livingston, Leandro Barbosa, and Ian Clark to see significant minutes as well.
For the Cavs the guy to look for off the bench is Channing Frye. Another former Wildcat, Frye is shooting lights out from three-point range this postseason. In fact, he's so hot he may break a playoff record if he keeps up his current pace. Following him off the bench will be Iman Shumpert and Matthew Dellavedova who will both be tasked with guarding Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. Look for 14 year veteran and you guessed it, former Arizona Wildcat Richard Jefferson to see significant minutes as well.
Edge: Warriors by a hair. Cleveland's bench is better than last season but Warriors bring back the same core of guys who won the NBA title last season.
Coaching: Steve Kerr (with a bit of help) coached the team to an NBA record 73 wins in the regular season coming off of an NBA title.
He also helped the team come back from a 3-1 deficit against the Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.
Tyronn Lue meanwhile, is 12-2 this postseason, his first as a head coach. Lue has done an admirable job but he will have his work cut out for him trying to stop the Warriors potent offensive attack.
Edge: Warriors. Experience can make all the difference as a head coach.
My pick: Warriors in seven.
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