Through the first three games of the NBA Finals, we’ve learned some things about both the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers.
For one, LeBron James remains the very best the league has to offer and can single-handedly crush all your hopes and dreams. We’re also learning that you can never count out a team that has made it to the Finals, no matter how underhanded they seem, and all of it can be so unexpectedly overwhelming if you’ve never been there before, as many of the Warriors players have shown thus far.
If you’re David Blatt, you hope things continue to go as they have, with Matthew Dellavedova making things difficult for Stephen Curry and slowing down the pace of the game in favor of the Cavaliers by playing through James – over and over and over again.
If you’re Steve Kerr, though, some things may have to change. Do you continue to play Harrison Barnes, who has been a non-factor on both ends of the floor, over Andre Iguodala? Do you start playing David Lee more minutes for a different look offensively, knowing it could backfire badly on the defensive end? At what point do you say enough is enough and double team James every time he touches the ball and force everyone else on the Cavaliers to beat you? The Warriors decided not to double team anyone for the first three games during the conference semifinals against the Memphis Grizzlies and promptly fell 1-2 in that series – the same hole they are in now – before making the decision to double team and restoring order by winning the next three games.
Then there’s Curry, who has been out of sorts since Dellavedova started to guard him in Game 2. He did say on Wednesday that he may have figured out some things since the final quarter of Game 3. Does he have to match James’ level of aggression to help the Warriors pull through? So far, James has more missed shots (64) than shots attempted by Curry (63). As great as Golden State is as a unit, it’s become clearer than ever that it will only go as far as Curry can carry it.
There have been plenty of takes about this compelling series from bloggers, players and coaches. On Wednesday, the legendary Magic Johnson decided to chime in on a number of factors through a string of tweets:
If LeBron keeps playing the way he’s playing & the Cavs win the title, this will be the single greatest performance we’ve seen in the Finals
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 10, 2015
In the NBA Finals there’s always going to be unsung heroes and Matthew Dellavedova is playing that role for the Cavs.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 10, 2015
The Cavaliers defense has been awesome and they have been physically & mentally tougher than the Warriors.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 10, 2015
I love Steph Curry & Draymond Green, but they both need to stop complaining to the referees and play basketball.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 10, 2015
Coach Blatt so far has taken Steph Curry out of the game because by double teaming him on every pick & roll.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 10, 2015
Coach Kerr now must make adjustments on the Cavs pick & roll with LeBron James. They should double team him every time.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 10, 2015
In Game 4 all the Golden State Warriors need to do is play the way they did in 4th qtr of Game 3.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 10, 2015
The Warriors’ Barnes & Bogut are struggling right now, so Coach Kerr must find more time for Iguodala & Lee who both played great in Game 3.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 10, 2015
After the first 3 games LeBron James should be on everybody’s Mt. Rushmore…including mine!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 10, 2015
LeBron, don’t listen to anybody, keep shooting as many times as you have to for your team to win!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 10, 2015
Jim Park is a blogger and editor of Sheridan Hoops. Follow him on twitter @Sheridanblog.