2017 NBA Finals: Ranking most the 5 most important players on the Cavs and Warriors

May 14, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) dunks the basketball against San Antonio Spurs guard Kyle Anderson (1) during the second half in game one of the Western conference finals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Spurs 113-111. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

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May 25, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) passes the ball around Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) during the second quarter of game five of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving isn’t a LeBron James sidekick. He’s a superhero deserving of his own franchise. He’s Batman to LeBron’s Superman, if you will.

He proved it last season by knocking down the biggest shot in Cleveland basketball history, and if the Cavaliers are going to repeat as champions, Irving’s going to need to be elite.

For the Cavs to win, Irving needs to continue to show the world why he’s the best around-the-hoop finisher, but he’s also got to be on fire from beyond the arc.

I’d argue the Warriors are playing their at their peak, while the Cavs could still turn it up a notch. Throughout the playoffs, how many times have Kyrie and LeBron played like alpha dogs in the same game?

We witnessed Kyrie at his best in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semis, when he scored 42 points, but LeBron wasn’t at his best.

If both Irving and LeBron can play out of their minds through what promises to be an intense Finals, the Cavaliers will repeat.

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