NBA Finals Are Over, & LeBron is Not the King of the Court

Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports 

LeBron may be “KING” on the basketball court, but at the end of the night Tuesday, he was not the King on the court, nor was his team.

The Golden State Warriors won the 2015 NBA Finals title, proving they all most definitely deserved to be there. Actually, if anyone did deserve that title, it was them. Golden State enters the franchise’s first finals appearance in 40 years. Now that’s some motivation coming from the whole team.

But the guys who really stole the show for the boys in blue were the SPLASH BROTHERS! Obvi.

The warriors haven’t won an NBA title since 1975 and without these guys they wouldn’t have gone as far as they did.

If you didn’t know, these guys can shoot… from anywhere. Pretty sure some of Curry’s buckets were straight up coming from the parking lot. And after that NBA Finals performance, there’s no doubt  Curry will go down in history for his 3-point precision. Curry ended the series with an outstanding 156 points for the series, with 37 points in Game 5. Thompson ended with 95 points, scoring 34 of them in Game 2.

Although, Cleveland Cavaliers lost the 2015 NBA Finals, it must be mentioned that LeBron was on fire and put up an incredible performance throughout the entire series. The court really was LeBron’s own “personal playground.”

And naturally, it wouldn’t be like LeBron not to break some records during the Finals. LeBron scored the most points of any player through the first three games of the NBA Finals with 123 points. And let’s talk about his actual Game 3 performance. This was the first ever 40-point, 12-rebound, 8-assist, 4-steal NBA Finals game since steals were first recorded in 1973-74.

The warriors haven’t won an NBA title since 1975 and without the splash brothers they wouldn’t have been able to keep up with LeBron, however there was another name on the court that stood loud and clear for the warriors. Andre Iguodala.

Now, with the Golden State Warriors winning the NBA title, you would think it only makes sense to name a Warrior MVP, but Iguodala is definitely a debatable call- not to say he didn’t perform off the charts for himself during the Finals. After coming off the bench for the beginning of the series, Iguodala dominated on the court throughout the series getting 98 points, scoring 25 in Game 6. But let’s be real, he probably won MVP because he has the same birthday as me, January 28^th, duh.

Congrats to Golden State on the Title and an even bigger congrats to one of our own SM Eagles- Klay Thompson for achieving this milestone!

Cheers up for you boys!

– Briana

 

LeBron Makes His Fifth Consecutive Finals Appearance

Don’t act like you are surprised. How could you be?!

LeBron James is a two-time NBA champion, four-time league MVP, and one of the game’s best players averaging 27.6 points and 10.4 rebounds this year in the playoffs.

James post-season play has been phenomenal, but what has been the most impressive characteristic of James is his maturity, leadership and will to win. James returns to the Finals for a fifth consecutive year and is using that experience to fuel him.

Growing up in Cleveland, this championship run the Cavaliers are making takes a special place in my heart. Hell, to even hear the words “championship” and “Cleveland” in the same sentence is strange for me. What I keep going back to for constant positive thoughts during the series is LeBron’s letter (the opposite of “The Decision”) that he released to Sports Illustrated below:

“I feel my calling here goes above basketball. I have a responsibility to lead, in more ways than one, and I take that very seriously. My presence can make a difference in Miami, but I think it can mean more where I’m from. Our community, which has struggled so much, needs all the talent it can get. In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given. Everything is earned. You work for what you have. I’m ready to accept the challenge. I’m coming home.”

LeBron’s back is a bit sore (literally and figuratively) from carrying the Cavs, but his supporting cast has definitely stepped up. With no Kevin Love and an injured Kyrie Irving the most unlikely players are making a name for themselves.

Matthew Dellavedova, the backup point guard single handedly won Game 3 against the Hawks, scoring 17 points off the bench. He has been the defensive and energetic spark plug for the Cavaliers always ending up in scrappy hustle plays on the floor leaving 110% on the court. In Game 6 of Cleveland’s series clincher against the Bulls, Dellavedova posted 19 points as well.

Forward Tristan Thompson is a big, gritty man who can guard multiple positions defensively and kill it on the offensive glass to get second chance points.

JR Smith scored a playoff career high 28 points and set a Cavaliers playoff franchise record nailing eight 3-pointers and is acting as a 3-point specialist.  Smith brings the cockiness and swagger that every locker room needs.

But make no mistake…this is LeBron’s town, this is LeBron’s team and it’s starting to look like it might be his time too.

– Morgan

NBA Finals: Cavs v Warriors Mini Preview

NATHANIEL S. BUTLER/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

With the NBA Finals coming up, it is only natural everyone makes a prediction. And let’s just say these two teams are making it pretty hard. In terms of head to head match ups, the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers have only faced off twice this season.

In the first game on Jan. 9, the Cavs traveled to Oracle Arena. The Warriors pulled away with the win, 112-94. Klay Thompson led the team in scoring with 24 points and Stephen Curry finished with 23 points and 10 assists. LeBron James was out due to lingering injuries.

Getty Images

The next time the two teams met was on Feb. 26 in Cleveland. This time the Cavs had “The Chosen One” on the court, and he was dominant, as expected. James finished the game with 42 points and 11 rebounds. Mr. MVP Stephen Curry had an off night (shockingly), shooting only 5-of-17 from the field. This game was tied eight times and had 12 different lead changes. One prediction is for sure – this series will be entertaining.

With a week off before the Finals start, both teams have time to rest and get players healthy. The advantage of this goes to the Warriors. Curry will have time to rest a sore elbow and Thompson a cut in his ear and a concussion. Cleveland needs more than a week to get their players in shape. Kevin Love is out for the Finals and it is unclear what will happen with Kyrie Irving.

Both teams have weapons. James and Iman Shumpert are the Cavs best defenders, but they will have their work cut out for them containing the splash brothers.

The Warriors are known for hitting their threes left and right, and their defense is just as solid. Draymond Green has been all over his opponents and he’s having his best defensive year yet.

The Cavs and the Warriors both have big guys under the hoop, guys that can shoot the ball well and often, and players that can take over the game at any time.

Now for my prediction: LeBron James may be the best player, but the Warriors are the better team. Warriors WIN in 6.

Catch the NBA Finals starting June 4.

Game 1: June 4, 9 p.m. ET Cleveland at Golden State
Game 2: June 7, 8 p.m. ET Cleveland at Golden State
Game 3: June 9, 9 p.m. ET Golden State at Cleveland
Game 4: June 11, 9 p.m. ET Golden State at Cleveland
*Game 5: June 14, 8 p.m. ET Cleveland at Golden State
*Game 6: June 16, 9 p.m. ET Golden State at Cleveland
*Game 7: June 19, 9 p.m. ET Cleveland at Golden State
*Denotes if necessary

– Paige