I awoke this morning and sent a text message to a friend, and my government did not keep a record of it. This is a small taste of what freedom feels like, and it is good to have it back nearly 14 years after this country’s ideals got turned upside down in the aftermath of the World Trade Center attack. Kudos to Rand Paul. And Edward Snowden.
Yes, things change.
Things get better, and nothing bad lasts forever. That is the feeling I awoke with on the eve of the start of the 2015 NBA Finals, the morning after the U.S. government enacted a law to stop the bulk collection of Americans’ electronic communications records – a historical invasion of privacy overreach that goes against the grain of everything inferred in the phrase “Freedom of Speech.”
Now, I can honestly say I am looking forward to the next two weeks more than any two weeks I have ever anticipated in my 50 years and three weeks of inhabiting this planet – and not just because I have some reassurance that I am not being snooped on by anyone other than Kevin Draper, who is very good at his job even if he, like me, goes a little overboard from time to time.
More than half of my 50 years have been spent covering the NBA, and we are about to embark on a best-of-seven excursion that that will be as uplifting to some as it is heartbreaking to others.
One drought is going to end: the 40-year wait by fans of the Warriors for an NBA championship, or the 51-year wait by fans of professional sports in Northeast Ohio who have not had anything to celebrate since 1964.
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I have been around the game long enough to recognize one thing above all else: When the best player on the planet is competing for the championship, don’t bet against him. I covered Michael Jordan’s final two championships from the front row of the United Center and the arena once known as the Delta Center, and I was young and foolish enough at the time to think Karl Malone would come through in 1997. Yes, we all learn lessons the hard way sometimes.
So what we have ahead of us is a matchup of greatness vs. greatness, and it should be a roller coaster ride. The Warriors will jack up 3s at a record pace, cementing Stephen Curry’s status as the perhaps the greatest shooter in the history of the game. (This series will go a long way toward determining whether the word “perhaps” should be removed from this sentence.) The Cavs will give the ball to LeBron and have everyone else get out of the way, and the ups and down of The King (whose postseason offensive numbers are startlingly off from last year’s) will be chronicled, debated and analyzed like never before.
Eventually, we’ll get to Game 7, because this thing has seven written all over it. And LeBron will score between 40 and 50 points, including the game-winner as the entire season and postseason goes down to the final possession. Cleveland’s drought will have ended. LeBron’s haters will be silenced. The Cavs will be champs. Cavs in 7.
So with my prediction out of the way, let’s turn to the SheridanHoops.com staff.
CHRIS BERNUCCA, Managing Editor/Columnist
Cavs in 7.
Maybe a road win in the ultimate game – which among the all-time greats, only Bill Russell has done – will get the haters to back off LeBron James. The haters should look at the Finals records of some of the NBA’s all-time greats.
PAUL LADEWSKI, Columnist, NBA Finals Correspondent-Oakland
Warriors in 7.
The series comes down to the last man standing — Kyrie Irving or Klay Thompson.
BOBBY GONZALEZ, Columnist/ Future NBA Coach of the Year
Warriors in 7
I think it will be long, close series. It’s very hard to pick against LeBron when he’s trying to make history by bringing a title to his home, but he did average 28 a game in last year’s Finals and his team was beat handily. I believe Golden State is just a better all-around team with more weapons, balance and answers offensively.
JAN HUBBARD, Columnist/Author of NBA Encyclopedia
Cavs in 6.
It feels odd to write this, but the difference will be the ex-Knicks role players. Seriously.
DANNY SCHAYES, Columnist/NBA Labor Expert
Cavs in 6.
Hopefully Kyrie Irving has had enough time off to be a factor. I like LeBron going to the basket over living on 3s. Never bet against the unstoppable force.
MARK HEISLER, Hall of Fame Columnist
Warriors in 5.
I liked Bron better with Wade, Bosh, Spo’s defense and Riles backing up his coach than with Kyrie, et al, and David Blatt, who’ll be rumored to be in trouble as soon as they fall behind in the series.
JIM PARK, Chief Blogger/Fortune Teller
Warriors in 6.
This is the team I picked to win it all in the preseason, and I’m not about to change that stance now. Both teams have the superstars, shooters, rebounders and defenders to make this a compelling series, but the Warriors look to be just a bit deeper, with better overall defense. Cleveland will rely heavily on LeBron James, but Golden State has plenty of bodies to put on him. Can the Cavaliers do the same against Stephen Curry?
SHLOMO SPRUNG, Analytics Expert/Columnist
Warriors in 6.
The mismatches Golden State can create offensively will be something Cleveland has not seen.
AJ MITNICK, International Editor/Unicorn Spouse
Cavs in 6
I pick the Cavs for the same reason I picked them in the preseason. LeBron is a once in a generation type talent, and despite the injuries to his supporting cast, I fully expect him to lead his team to victory. It certainly doesn’t hurt that Coach Blatt won the Euroleague last season when the odds were stacked against them way more than this Cleveland team.
JACOB EISENBERG: Columnist, Tassel Owner (Emory University)
Warriors in 5.
The trio of Draymond Green, Harrison Barnes, and Andre Iguodala is as well-equipped defensively to contain LeBron James as any trio in the league. Factor in a healthy Curry against a hobbled Irving and I just don’t think Cleveland will have enough firepower to keep up.
MICHAEL SCOTTO, Columnist/PayPal Security Skeptic
Cavs in 7.
LeBron James knows NBA immortality is on the line with a chance to further cement his legacy among the all-time greats when his career is finished. While Golden State has the deeper team, it’s hard to bet against the best player in the game. Stephen Curry going toe-to-toe with James will be special.
JOE KOTOCH, Draft Guru
Cavs in 6.
I had the Cavs winning the title in the preseason and I’m going to continue with that prediction. The Warriors have consistently been the best team in the NBA this season. However, the Cavs have played at a higher level than any team this postseason. LeBron James has done an amazing job as a player and leader. The way he has mentored a young team has been remarkable. Cleveland looks like a team of destiny.
JON MARKS, Columnist/Mahorn Savior
Cavs in 6.
Sorry, Steph & Co.. The Warriors’ golden run ends here. Any team with three ex-Sixers on its roster (Andre Iguodala, Marreese Speights and Justin Holiday) can’t possibly expect to win a ring. Besides, the way he’s going, I think LeBron and any four guys from Petersburg, Va. Akron, could beat anyone.
MAXWELL OGDEN, Reporter/Night Owl
Cavs in 6.
The Warriors are the better team. They’re deep at every position, have starting-caliber reserves and are led by the league MVP. Cleveland has LeBron James, who will deliver a series for the ages.
SheridanHoops.com has been publishing since September, 2011. The publisher has been covering the NBA since 1990. Follow him on Twitter.