Each year the NBA Finals teach us a great deal about the current situation of the league and its players. So, here are the top seven things the NBA Finals taught us this year.
7. Kyrie Irving is the best finishing point guard in the league.
Throughout the course of the series, Kyrie looked unguardable at times when he was attacking the rim. Over the five game stretch he consistently finished at the rim with floaters, acrobatic up-and-unders, and a plethora of left handed shots.
6. Stephen Curry is the best shooter in league history.
Despite fewer total shots and a poor shooting game in Game 4, Steph proved that he will knock down shots night in and night out. Unlike any player in league history, Steph is equally as lethal shooting off the dribble as he is shooting off of a pass. Enjoy the greatness while it's going on!
5. LeBron James is still an excuse-making crybaby.
Whether it be to the officials during the game or the media after the game, LeBron always has an excuse and something to whine about. The all-time greats of the sport have all found a way to win without feeling the need to complain about every little thing. Unfortunately, LeBron's poor attitude has rubbed off on the fans who now too complain and make an excuse for everything.
4. Draymond Green is not a Hall of Fame player.
While Draymond does a lot for the Warriors, he is not a Hall of Fame caliber player. Some would say that's obvious, but some LeBron fans claimed that the Cavs were playing against four Hall of Fame players and that was why they lost. This was just another one of their excuses.
3. JR Smith only makes contested shots.
Time and time again, JR Smith found a way to miss an open shot, but then come back down the floor on the next possession and make a shot when he couldn't see the rim over the defenders arms. Watching JR Smith play is entertaining to say the least. I wonder if any coaches will tell their players to leave him open since he shoots worse when he's open than when he's guarded.
2. Kevin Durant is the most natural perimeter scorer that the game has ever seen.
With a frame of 6 feet 11 inches and a wingspan on well over 7 feet, Durant can get a shot off whenever he wants. On top of that he has the quickness of a point guard, the size of a center, and the skill set of a wing player which makes him a nightmare for defenses. Durant can seemingly score at will and it's all so natural and fluid.
1. LeBron James does not belong in the same category as Michael Jordan.
For the last several years, people have started comparing LeBron James to the greatest player ever, Michael Jordan. This year's Finals confirmed that LeBron doesn't belong in that category. While LeBron is a first ballot Hall of Famer and unquestionably a top 20 player of all time, he is not better than Jordan. Jordan had 6 championships on 6 Finals appearances. LeBron has 3 championships on 8 Finals appearances. Jordan never made excuses, LeBron does. Jordan always took the big shot, LeBron passes. Jordan never joined two allstars in the offseason to create a stacked team, LeBron did. And LeBron still doesn't have the rings that Jordan does. LeBron is a great player, but deserves no part of the "Best Ever" conversation.
There are several other things that could have been noteworthy takeaways from this year's NBA Finals. The reality of the next few years in the NBA is that we will see the Warriors and Cavs matchup in the Finals again in the coming years. Hopefully the next few match-ups will be as entertaining as the first three have.
