2016 NBA Finals Preview

It's hard to believe we are just two years removed from LeBron James falling to the Spurs in his final year in Miami, especially with the landscape of the NBA changing so drastically since then. Instead of the reigning champion, James enters the 2016 Finals as the underdog, looking to not only to usurp the Golden State Warriors, but also to reclaim his throne as the world's best player. Frankly, and deservedly, that title currently belongs to the back-to-back MVP Stephen Curry.

Stephen Curry ignites the Oracle Arena crowd

The Warriors' point guard had a season unlike any we've ever seen, making an unprecedented 402 three-pointers and shattering his own record of 286 last season. In fact, Curry and teammate Klay Thompson hold four of the five highest total threes in a season (http://goo.gl/4lvMyx) with the next closest being Ray Allen in 2005-06'. In the process of setting this lofty record, Curry averaged 30.1 points, 6.7 assists, and 2.1 steals, all while shooting 50% from the field, 45% from three, and 91% from the line. Oh, and not to mention he led his team to a record-setting 73 wins and became the league's first ever unanimous MVP.

Greatest shooter of all time?

With that being said, Curry has more to prove than anyone in the upcoming Finals, beginning tonight at 9 PM Eastern Time on ABC. Whether it is former stars such as Oscar Robertson or contemporary coaches such as Gregg Popovich, there has been no shortage of skeptics regarding Curry and the Warriors. Personally, I am in awe of what Steph and the Warriors have done to transform and push the game with their skill set and teamwork, all within the confines of the rules. It is astounding. That being said, however, it is easy to forget that Andre Iguodala, not Curry, was the MVP of last year's NBA Finals. What is not easy to forget is that the Cavaliers played without two of their top three players in that series, a fact that Golden State detractors are quick to point out.

For the Warriors, that noise serves as motivation. It fueled a 24-0 start to the regular season, eventually culminating in a 73-9 regular season. It fueled historically great regular seasons from Curry (see above), Klay Thompson (276 threes), and Draymond Green (1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists, 100 blocks, 100 steals). Most importantly, however, it fuels an insatiable desire to take down Cleveland at full strength.

Green (Left) and Thompson (Right) were integral parts of the Warriors' record setting season

If Golden State is to beat Cleveland, it will HAVE to be because of Steph Curry. Frankly, the Warriors are still playing because of Klay Thompson. Thompson's epic 41-point performance (11-18 from three) in Game 6 at Oklahoma City was the stuff of legend, and kept this incredible journey afloat. Steph didn't play poorly in that game (31 points on 9-22, 10 rebounds, 9 assists), but Klay was undoubtedly the main attraction. While Thompson's stardom rises, the pressure mounts on the two-time reigning MVP. Not only did he fail to bring home the hardware for Finals MVP last season, but he has significantly under-performed (by his standards) in this year's playoffs. He is scoring  nearly five less points per game (26.7) and shooting nearly five percent (45.8%) lower from the field than during the regular season. While these numbers are still great, we are talking about a player that seeks entrance to the pantheon of all-time greats. For that, yes, I will judge harshly. Meanwhile, people will hearken back to the ankle and knee injuries Curry suffered early in the playoffs. I don't buy it. I saw him explode for 40 points on the road in Portland (including 18 in overtime) in his first game back, all but sealing the series over the Trail Blazers. I saw him finally look like fully like himself in Game 7 against the Thunder, when he took over the game in the second half, finishing with 36 points and 8 assists on 13 of 24 shooting. In the final of three straight victories that completed the Golden State comeback and sent the team back to the Finals, the Warriors outscored the Thunder by 18 while Curry was on the floor, by far the highest +/- of any player in the game. The MVP looks to be rounding into form at the perfect time, and the Warriors will need every ounce of him if they hope to beat the guy on the other side, who wants to take down the Warriors more than anything in the world.

LeBron James wanted the Warriors, and he got them

LeBron James' realization of his potential has been questioned before. His postseason performances have been questioned before. Even his will has been questioned before. Last June, however, no one pundit could undermine the desire and motivation of this man. In a 4-2 series loss, James may have had the greatest individual Finals in history, averaging 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game. To the point of exhaustion, he willed his team to a highly competitive series against what was a much more talented squad at the time. He did so much so that many wondered whether the series may have ended differently with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love on the court. I, on the other hand, wonder if LeBron will demonstrate the same ferocity with his full supporting cast at his disposal.

Will Kyrie Irving (Left) and Kevin Love (Right) be the difference in this year's Finals?

For the Cleveland Cavaliers, this postseason has been about improving every game and preparing themselves for the challenge that awaits. LeBron is averaging 24.6 points thus far in the playoffs, his lowest total for a postseason since 2011 (23.7). He is also, however, attempting just 17.9 shots per game, versus an absurd 27.2 last season. If LeBron hopes to avoid the same physical depletion that plagued him last year, the decreased workload is crucial, which is where his two co-stars come into play.

Taken first overall by the Cavs in the 2011 NBA Draft out of Duke, Kyrie Irving is just 23 years of age. His immense and unique talent made him headstrong, often clashing with James early on. People often forget the maturation period that is required of young stars in this league, but it looks like Irving is finally nearing the end of his. Before being sidelined by a severe knee injury, he averaged 19 points and 3.8 assists per game on 43.8% shooting from the field. This postseason? Irving averaging 24.3 points and 5.1 assists, all while being far more efficient (48% shooting). It seems that Irving has finally figured out how to play cohesively with LeBron James and Kevin Love. He will often be the best player on the floor in the upcoming series, and the Cavs will need him to be just that to stand a chance. His agility and quickness will be a nightmare for Thompson and Curry on the defensive end, which means tiring them out may be his greatest impact.

J.R. Smith must play better in this year's Finals for the Cavs to win

Kevin Love, meanwhile, has become as much of a wildcard as J.R. Smith for Cleveland. He has had some truly special games this postseason and some truly horrendous ones. Frankly, I am not a huge Love fan, but there is one stat of his that jumps out. Love is averaging nearly three more rebounds (9.6) than he did last postseason (7.0). Granted, last season was a small sample size, but this is where Love will make his biggest impact. We know he can knock down open threes with the best of them. We know he has a decent offensive skill-set. Love's contributions on the glass could expose the interior of Golden State, which is without question the team's biggest weakness.

If the stars are a wash, this series may come down to which role players show up. Will J.R. Smith shoot 47% from three like he did in the Conference Finals last season versus Atlanta? Or will he shoot an abysmal 29% like in the Finals against Golden State? Tristan Thompson, meanwhile, will have to dominate the paint the way he did last year to the tune of 13 rebounds per game. 8.5 rebounds per game against Toronto last series just isn't good enough, especially when the Cavs' greatest advantage comes in the paint. On the other side, will Andre  Iguodala be Golden State's second-leading scorer and MVP again? With all due respect to the greatness of Iguodala, I don't think the Warriors can win if he is. Will Richard Jefferson (35) and Channing Frye (33) be able to continue to make the impact they have thus far? Will the Cavalier bench be able to match the agility of Shaun Livingston and Leandro Barbosa? Will Golden State be able to keep up on the boards? These are all questions that need answering, and that will be answered in the coming weeks as we watch a potentially epic series unfold. It's hard to imagine a player as great as LeBron James could lose in five out of his seven Finals appearances, which would be the case if his team went down here. Personally, though, while I'd still bank on LeBron's performance over Curry's, I'm taking the better, deeper, all-around team.

Prediction: Warriors in Seven