NBA Playoffs: Can LeBron James Make Cleveland Cavaliers Champions?
I’m an an unabashed LeBron James fan. I would like nothing more than to see the prodigal son return home and make the Cleveland Cavaliers NBA champions. I think that they have a few things working in their favor. First, they have the best player in basketball who may one day retire as the greatest to ever play the game. Second, they have a very easy path to the NBA Finals by virtue of playing in the Eastern Conference. If they can get past the Chicago Bulls, I don’t see anyone really standing in their way. If the Western Conference eats itself alive, teams like the Golden State Warriors, admittedly more talented than the Cavs, will be too exhausted to properly fight for the crown. As such, I think LeBron James has a very realistic chance at winning it all again and ending Cleveland’s professional sports drought. So here’s how I think it will all go down.
Eastern Conference:
I’m unimpressed by the lower seeds in the East. I think these teams barely made it into the playoffs and their substandard performances this year are indicative of lackluster play and mediocrity throughout their rosters. The Boston Celtics were trying to blow up this team and ended up in the playoffs. Oops. But I don’t think they will compete with the Atlanta Hawks or Cleveland Cavaliers. Despite their offensive woes, I expect the same from the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks.
Where I’m really excited in the first round is the Toronto Raptors vs Washington Wizards series. The Raptors have one of the best backcourts in all of basketball, and I think they fly under the radar because they play in Canada. The Wizards have some serious star power of their own and are one of the grittiest teams in the NBA. This series is a battle between toughness and finesse, and I’m going to pick finesse to win out in a close and exciting series.
In the second round, I like the Raptors to upset the top seed in the East. While the Atlanta Hawks jumped out to an early season lead in the standings, they’ve leveled off considerably down the stretch. They finished the year on a three-game skid and played .500 ball as the season closed out. I think the Raptors can put some pressure on them and will win out in another exciting series.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will struggle with the defensive strength of the Chicago Bulls, but ultimately I think the Cavs have too many weapons for Chicago. The Bulls go into massive scoring droughts, and don’t discount Cleveland’s ability to turn it on when it matters most. While many are looking to this as a huge challenge for the Cavs, I think they’ll find a way through this series. The question for me is how much it will take out of them.
After a long road, I think the Raptors will run out of steam. Cleveland matches up well with them as their guard play is just as strong. Moreover, I question if they’re physical enough to compete with Cleveland and slow down LeBron James. Kyrie Irving can go toe-to-toe with anyone at guard, too. I’ve got Cleveland making it to the NBA Finals with only a few bumps and bruises along the way.
Western Conference
The West is cluttered. I think even the 8th-seeded New Orleans Pelicans can compete with the Golden State Warriors, but ultimately I don’t think anyone will outscore this team. The Pelicans have considerable lapses and struggle to close games out. I think the Warriors take advantage with a few big runs and put them away, though I hope my hometown team can give them a series. I like the physicality of the Grizzlies to knock out the Portland Trailblazers, but I think it will be a great series if everyone in Portland is healthy. I expect the Rockets to run away with their series against Dallas.
The last series in the first round that I am excited about is the LA Clippers vs the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs lost to the New Orleans Pelicans, spawning New Orleans’ playoff berth but dropping San Antonio from second all the way to sixth. The result is a really tough series with the Clippers. Where speed and exciting play meet fundamentals and experience, it’s hard to say who will come out on top. Ultimately, I like the Spurs to find a way.
In the second round, I think the Warriors are too dynamic for the style of play the Grizzlies like to play and I think the open court will favor them. Home court advantage and some slick shooting will get them by. In another matchup with speed and exciting offense, if the Spurs have enough in the tank I think they’ll beat what is basically a lesser version of the LA Clippers when they face Houston.
Running out of gas, I expect the Grizzlies to battle the San Antonio Spurs. I think this is where the West will destroy itself from the inside. The Warriors can beat anyone when they’re shooting, and ultimately I think a grueling run to the finals will wear down the Spurs and take them out of contention. I’ve got the Warriors getting through to the finals because I just don’t see who can beat them when they’re on. Obviously, though, the whole conference looks like a crapshoot and I’d take 75% of the bracket to beat the entire East in a seven-game series right now.
NBA Finals: Golden State Warriors vs Cleveland Cavaliers
Unfortunately, I think the West will be too worn out by the time the finals roll around. This is what we want to see, right? Star power – LeBron vs Curry. High-powered offenses and the best teams in basketball – but I just don’t think the Warriors can shoot their way through the entire playoffs. They will end up in long series that I think they will win, but Cleveland will have a much easier road – especially since their first round opponent should prove to be a complete non-factor in terms of fatigue. I expect blowouts in the East, but I expect devastation out West. As such, I’m picking the Cavaliers to win it all.
Cleveland Cavaliers over Golden State Warriors in six.
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