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Another frustrating NBA Finals on tap for Cleveland Cavaliers

By Nick Dudukovich

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts against the Golden State Warriors during the first half in Game 5 of the 2017 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 12, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts against the Golden State Warriors during the first half in Game 5 of the 2017 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 12, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Another frustrating NBA Finals could be on tap for LeBron James and fans of the Cleveland Cavaliers with the Golden State Warriors laying in wait.

No one’s giving the Cleveland Cavaliers a chance in the 2018 NBA Finals.

Vegas has Golden State, according to ESPN. The four-letter network’s Romana Shelburne said the Warriors just have more than everyone else, much like they have over the past four seasons (someone should’ve reminded her about 2016).

And this is just in the immediate aftermath of Warriors winning the West. The national media still has three days to spew out some Cavs hate.

Yet even threw my Cavs’ colored glasses, I can’t muster an argument against them.

Do I think they have a chance?

Until they’re eliminated, of course they’re going to be in this thing (Cleveland, baby)  LeBron James still wears a Cavs jersey and when you have the best player in the world, well…just ask the 2016 Warriors what can happen.

But the 2018 Finals are shaping up much like last season’s championship series, which lasted five games.

1. The Warriors had four superstars then, just like they do now. The Cavs are actually down a superstar, after trading Kyrie Irving.

I’m in the camp who believes LeBron James can bypass Micahel Jordan by doing something nobody believes can be done. The Cavs are already huge underdogs.

Help must come from somewhere though.

Even with Irving a year ago, the Cavs were booted out in five games. The team’s depth is better now, but even then, this James has had to carry the weight of getting the squad this far.

2. Kevin Love is an All-Star, although if you just started watching basketball in the playoffs, you’d be surprised to learn that.

Additionally, Love’s never matched up well against the Warriors, and he still doesn’t. Who’s he going to guard? Golden State started Kevon Looney in Game 7 against the Rockets, and he played a whopping 17 minutes.

It’s not going to be a great series for Love.

3. Golden State’s margin for error is enormous. Think about it. The Warriors are down 11 at halftime on the road in Game 7 at Houston. They come out swinging, and cut into the deficit.

Kevin Durant hits some deep twos with Trevor Ariza basically on him like a shadow and Stephen Curry scores 11 consecutive points. In mere minutes, Golden State goes from down 11, to up 11.

4. The Rockets responded just as how I envision the Cavs would by going cold from 3-point range.

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The Warriors responded by raining down 3’s. All Houston could do was drive to the basket. Golden State was happy to trade 3’s for 2’s.

5. There’s no reason to believe J.R. Smith can have a great series. He’s been inconsistent for the entire season. He shot .294 from 3-point range in the Eastern Conference Finals.  Would you bet money on him to be lights out in the playoffs? No thanks.

6. And then there’s Kyle Korver. He’s a liability defensively, but I’d be willing to live with that because of his ability to knock down shots. Unfortunately, Ty Lue can’t be counted on to get him in the game when LeBron gets desperate for help.

Next: Why LeBron will end the GOAT debate

7. Nobody’s giving Cleveland a chance, but no had them clawing back from a 3-1 deficit in 2016.  This is why they play the games, unfortunately, I just don’t see it ending well for the Cavaliers.

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