2016 NBA Playoffs: Predictions From Basketball’s Talking Heads
By Josh Eberley
Finals Prediction
Without further ado:
Warriors vs. Cavaliers.
The experts were pretty decided on this. Of the 22 voters, 18 had this matchup. There were only three Finals matchups presented amongst the 22 voters, and all 22 had the Warriors reaching the Finals. It looks like we’re headed for a predictable but star packed Finals repeat. Poke your heads out, “If the Cavaliers were healthy” people, you know who you are.
James, who for the first time in a long time wasn’t the face of the NBA or the topic of nightly conversation, may have a shot to prolong his reign as king. That is, if he can take it to Curry and Dubs out in Oracle.
James currently owns a 2-4 Finals record. Regardless of outcome, a sixth straight Finals appearance would be impressive. Even in defeat, that’s worth some admiration. The table is set for the projected Finals, but what about the rejected?
The ramifications of this result could be drastic league wide. According to these predictions, Kevin Durant would then head into free agency without the rumored Finals run he’s yearning for. The Clippers, who may or may not have had Blake Griffin on this year’s trade block, would’ve gone a disgusting five straight seasons with a 60 percent or better win rate and still not made the conference finals.
While the Finals prediction should shock no one, it could leave the remainder of the league in a state of disarray and self-examination. There can only be one!
2016 NBA Champion
The Golden State Warriors
Surprise! Ok, we’re sorry. Well, at least the collective panel is, 19 of 22 voters apologized for not having a more inventive and less boring pick.
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But you can’t blame them? The Warriors aren’t human. We watched them dismember every other contender on national television, they won a record 73 games, and you can’t say they are too young or too inexperienced any more. It’s hard to pick against Golden State, though I’m sure many tried.
If the experts are correct and the Warriors once again pop champagne with Larry O’Brien, they’d be the first team to repeat since the Heatles in 2012 and 2013. The Warriors are a dynasty in the making, and working with the assumption they win this year, they’d have a great shot to threepeat.
The Warriors’ core three are all 28 or under — Curry 28, Draymond Green 26, Klay Thompson 26 — and let’s not forget they could make a monstrous splash in free agency!
The future is bright but let’s not get too carried away!
More hoops habit: NBA Injuries: 20 Stars That Deserve Career Do-Overs
Thanks for reading, thanks to the contributors, and happy playoffs everyone!