The NBA wrapped up a fantastic 2015-16 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers defeating the Golden State Warriors 93-89 in game 7 of the NBA Finals. The game was an instant classic, with both teams giving it everything they had for the right to be called champions. To celebrate the incredible game, and a superb postseason, here are 10 things we learned during this years NBA playoffs.
1. The Lil B Curse is The Most Powerful Force In The World
Things the Lil B curse is more powerful than.
1. The Koch Brothers
2. Kevlar vests
3. Tywin Lannister
4. Drake's Instagram
5. Pictures of flowers growing through garbage
Things more powerful than the Lil B curse.
1. Literally nothing
Sorry Kevin Durant, you're just going to have to play the man one on one, or you will never be able to escape the dreaded curse.
2. Damian Lillard Is An Elite Player
After incredulously not being selected to the All-Star Game, Damian Lillard was mad. Instead of complaining about it, Lillard showed on the court why he deserved to be counted among the NBA's best. Lillard's inspired play continued into the playoffs where he and his underdog Blazers were able to give the Golden State Warriors a serious challenge. Lillard certainly won't be happy with just a second round appearance, but his ability to lead the Blazers as far as he did is very impressive, and a signal of things to come.
3. The East is Weaker Than Ever
Step your game up Eastern Conference. The playoffs are way more enjoyable when you don't automatically know who's going to make the finals out of one of the sides.
4. The Thunder Should Stay Together
For reasons I have outlined here, Kevin Durant should stay on his very talented Oklahoma City Thunder team for at least the next year to see what happens. The Thunder were very impressive in the playoffs and have the potential to be even better next year. All they need to do is get Durant to play Lil B one on one. IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.
5. The Spurs Need A Third Guy
Kawhi Leonard and Lamarcus Aldridge were not enough for the Spurs to make a deep playoff push, to the great surprise of many. The Spurs classic three of Tim Duncan-Manu Ginobili-Tony Parker is no longer able to provide what the Spurs need, so a new star is needed to help the future. Mike Conley perhaps? Kevin Durant perhaps? We'll see.
6. Kevin Love Does Not Work Well In Cleveland
Poor Kevin Love just wants LeBron to like him. Unfortunately for him, this is not the case, and when LeBron doesn't like something in Cleveland that thing usually isn't around for long.
Love is not a bad player, but at times in the finals he sure played like one. Love seems to need a very specific set of circumstances to excel, and those circumstances are not present in The Land.
7. Kyrie Irving Does Work Well In Cleveland
Kyrie was a force during the finals, and showed himself as a real contender for the best point guard in the league. Irving will unfairly be less credited than LeBron for the finals win, but without him the Cavs would have had no chance.
8. The Warriors Have Real Weaknesses
When Curry is even slightly off the Warriors have the potential to sputter offensively. Worse than that is their inability to guard the paint. The Warriors lineup of death is superbly effective, but elite finishers (both Kyrie and LeBron) are able to score with ease. They also struggle getting rebounds, something that cost them dearly in the end.
9. LeBron Is An All-Time Great
LeBron hit the nail right on the head when he tweeted "Love me or hate me but at the end of the day you will respect me." While I think it is silly to "hate" someone because of sports, I definitively am not the biggest LeBron fan. He will never be the greatest player of all-time and I truly think that Steph Curry is a better player than him right now. He is strange of the court, is overtly self-aware and tries to micro-manage everything around him even when it is in his best interest not to. All that said, I do have to respect his game. Congrats LeBron you are one of the greats, and I honestly respect you.
10. 2017 Will Be Another Great Year For the NBA
The worst part of the NBA Finals is the signaling that there is no more NBA basketball to be enjoyed for the year. So we'll just have to start getting excited for next year. Will the Cavs be able to repeat? How will the Warriors respond? What about the Spurs and Thunder? What surprise team will be able to make a run? Bucks in six? These are all questions I can't wait til next year to be answered. Should be fun.
One last thing, not really something we learned but something that is very important.
J.R. Smith Is An NBA Champion
Dreams do come true.
