Random dribbles on the Cavaliers, Warriors and NBA Finals, which finally tip off Thursday night in Oakland:
1. I just want it to be over. Not the Finals, not even Game 1. I'm mostly referring to the buzz and hype and the forcing of players and coaches to talk about the unknown. Finally, a game. And while I don't play, I can promise I am nervous. Why? I have no clue. No matter who is crowned champion by the end of the month, I'll still have to pay the electric bill. So does it really matter?
2. Funny thing is, the answer to that question is yes -- it does matter, and to a whole lot of people. Being associated with a championship team may not change our lives, and there are certainly more important things in the world. And I'm actually extremely close with no less than eight people who have no interest whatsoever in the NBA. But for fans that follow, for fans of the Cavs and Warriors, this is a dream matchup and may have caused a restless night.
3. I've covered this league for a long time and watched it even longer. It's been forever since I've felt this excited -- not necessarily about who wins and loses, but about the actual basketball. The Cavs are basically a first-year program with a first-time NBA coach in David Blatt. Most such programs don't come close to making it this far. Then again, most programs don't have LeBron James.
4. And what a great story. The Cavs have gone from the glamour of the Big Three, of LeBron and Kyrie and Kevin Love -- to LeBron and a bunch of guys who scrap and claw and truly seem to love to rebound and defend. With Love out and Irving hurting, the Cavs have become a garbage-pail bunch. Then again, most garbage-pail bunches don't have LeBron James.
5. Meanwhile, the Warriors are simply electrifying behind ultra-skilled guard Stephen Curry. He is likeable and flashy and buries 3-pointers with the greatest of ease. I have no clue how the Cavs will slow him down. I'm sure LeBron will try to take a turn. That could be good news for the Cavs. James is taller, stronger and frankly, will get away with more (from the officials) than other defenders.
6. On the other hand, I don't see Irving attempting to defend Curry much. It doesn't sound like the extended rest has done anything to improve the tendinitis in Irving's left knee. Sticking him on a guy as explosive as Curry is too big of a risk. Instead, look for Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith (and LeBron) to alternate.
7. So who will Kyrie defend? I have no idea. Cavs coach David Blatt doesn't really provide that information and I don't blame him. I've always operated under this philosophy: Want to know who a certain guy is guarding? Great. Watch the game.
8. I could see Kyrie spending much more time chasing around Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson, or even small forward Harrison Barnes. While Irving gives up four or five inches to each, he did a solid job on taller shooters such as the Hawks' Kyle Korver and Bulls' Mike Dunleavy in earlier rounds. But neither of those two is as good as Thompson.
9. I'm certainly not the first to say this, but if the Cavs are to win the title, it's likely to come down to "X-factors" such as Shumpert, Smith, Tristan Thompson and Timofey Mozgov. Actually, throw Matthew Deallvedova and James Jones in there, too. None of them need to play better than ever -- but all must perform like they have so far in the playoffs. If that happens, the Cavs will have a great chance.
10. As for the Warriors, well, they are clearly better than any team the Cavs faced in the East. Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes are all capable of killing you. Also, their bench has been extremely solid and features the likes of Andre Iguodala, as well as former Cavs Shaun Livingston and Marreese Speights -- who was cleared to play after missing the West finals with a sprained calf.
11. LeBron on trying to win Cleveland's first championship since the 1964 Browns: "I understand the drought our city has been in as far as a major championship, so it's a huge motivation for me. And it's helped me get to this point. But I'm not done. I've still got a lot left in me in this season."
12. Curry on how he planned to spend the eve of Game 1: "I'm going to get a haircut. I'm going to hang out at the pool at my house, get some sun and get a good night's rest."
13. Shumpert on LeBron's experience on the NBA's biggest stage: "It's huge for us. All year just (James) knowing the league, knowing the situations and time and score, he's always a step ahead of the game."
14. Finally, you've asked for my prediction on a champion, and I've put you off for more than a week. Truthfully, I don't like making picks. I like watching the games, enjoying the games, writing about the games, then going about my day. The game itself, as opposed to winners and losers, has always been the most enjoyable aspect to me. But predictions come with the job title, so if you'd like to know what I think, move on to point Nos. 15 and 16.
15. In 20 years covering the league, I've learned a lot of things, but two of them really stand out. First, a player's character is often more important than his talent. Second, there is no substitute for experience.
