The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors are in the NBA Finals and it’s enough to set some folks’ teeth on edge with rage. They assume it won’t be a compelling series because we’ve seen it before three times and yet people seem to complain about the greatness right in front of us.
So what that the Cavaliers and Warriors have played so often? The Cavaliers know what to expect from Curry, Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, and the Warriors know what they’re going to get from Lebron James and his team. Roll the ball out and let them play, and savor what results.
Each team has overcome big obstacles to get to the Finals. The Cavs aside from the Raptors were tested against the Pacers in the first round and the Celtics the the Eastern Finals. The Warriors first and second round were a breeze but the match up against the Houston Rockets made up for it. Down by double digits, at hostile environment, on Game 7 after trailing 3-2 they won, and before any argues that the NBA forced the refs to help these respective teams advance look at who they faced. The Celtics will be great for a long time, however they are young and James has been in a Game 7 situation plenty of times. For the Rockets the first two quarters they were great so what happened? According to ESPN Twitter the Rockets missed 27 straight three pointers in the second half. The three pointers has always been this teams primary weapon and it unfortunately failed for them this game.
So what if these two teams meet up again? What about the Lakers vs Celtics rivalry? isn't one of the reasons why its the most historic and intense rivalry in the history of the NBA was because of how many times they met in the NBA Finals? The Cavaliers and Warriors might not have been the NBA’s best teams this season record wise but they’ve proven themselves to be the best in the league when it mattered.
Now some people might say this year is a lopsided series. Lebron James has teammates that doesn't have much playoff experience while the Warriors have All Stars but one of their vital pieces Andre Iguodala is still out and he's usually the primary defender to James and considering how great he's been they need him.
Greatness is never fully appreciated until it’s gone when Kobe retired it unofficially ended the old generation of basketball and started the Warriors style: three pointer Era and some love it while others dislike it. The Cavaliers-Warriors will eventually be seen for what it is, one of the NBA's all-time best rivalries, and we've been lucky enough to watch it in real time and if you're new enjoy thoroughly because its rare to see a rivialry not named Lakers Vs Celtics.
