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NBA Finals: Cavs, Warriors Is The Matchup Cleveland Needs

By Nick Dudukovich

May 28, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) drives to the basket as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) defends during the first quarter in game six of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) drives to the basket as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) defends during the first quarter in game six of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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A Cavs, Warriors matchup is the matchup long suffering fans of Cleveland sports need when the NBA Finals begin June 2.

The Thunder aren’t done yet…but only time is saving them from elimnation….anyway, It’s a busy weekend for all of you great Americans, and if you’re like me, your going to graduation parties, hanging out with family, celebrating the Memorial Day weekend.

And if your a diehard Cleveland sports fan, the one question you keep getting is, “Who would you rather play in the Finals? The Warriors or Thunder?

Naturally, I didn’t have a clear answer. Perhaps it’s the Cleveland in me…to think my response might somehow jinx the Cavaliers, thus robbing the city of it’s first title since 1964.

Honestly, before Game 6 of the Western Finals, both teams scared the be-jeezus out of me. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are the smash brothers. Draymond Green can literally commit any foul he wants to and not incur any penalties.

The Thunder have Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Arguably, two of the top five players in the Association.

Talk about picking your poison.

But with the Warriors looking like the video-game juggernaut they are by defeating the Thunder at home to force a Game 7, you might think I’d be praying for OKC right now.

‘Tis not the case.

The Cavs probably match up better with OKC, but a seven-game series with the Warriors would truly free Cleveland from it’s sports misery should the Cavs win.

Think about the storylines:

1. The rematch: Don’t think for a second that Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and the rest of “The City” don’t hear the whispers about the Warriors deserving an asterisk next to last season’s title. They defeated a decimated Cavs roster, and still lost two games to that LeBron James led team.

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2. Speaking of LeBron. He’s 31, won four MVPs, two NBA titles, is soaring up the scoring list and is appearing in his sixth straight NBA Finals. LeBron’s legacy building. Winning a title wouldn’t just be his third championship–it would be the biggest of his career.

Think of all the athletes to come through “The Land.” Many have tried, all have failed dating back to Jim Brown. A James victory elevates him to Michael Jordan status, because he won one in Cleveland, even if he still trails MJ by three Larry O’Brien trophies.

3. About that legacy building…not only would James win a title in Cleveland, but he’d be defeating the Warriors–a team that won  record 73 regular season games–in the process. If LeBron pulls it off, he’s in the elitist of the elite of the NBA stratosphere…with Bill Russell and that aforementioned Jordan guy.

4. The Warriors are a super team…but I think they have been exposed as having some flaws defensively. With a full roster that includes Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving, showers J.R. Smith and Channing Frye, the Cavs have the ammunition to force Golden State into the bunker.

During the regular season, Golden State was fourth in the NBA, allowing 100.7 points per 100 possessions. Before Game 5 of the Western Finals, the Golden State was giving up 107.3 points per 100 possessions. The Warriors also allowed 107.3 points per 100 possessions against the Blazers in the Western semifinals, but no one noticed–or cared–because Curry and company weren’t missing any shots.

Additionally, Curry is still fantastic, but don’t forget, he’s battled injuries this postseason, while Green is apparently obsessed with doing a Rasheed Wallace impersonation.

Next: NBA Playoffs Marked By Refs' Inconsistent Calls

The Warriors are still a 73-win team, but I like the Cavs chances against them as much as I do against OKC. Give me the storyline of knocking King Curry off the NBA throne. It’s time to set Cleveland sports free, and this is how it needs to be done.

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