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2016 NBA Finals: Position-By-Position Breakdown Of Cavs-Warriors

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 9, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) in the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 112-94. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) in the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 112-94. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 16, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) during the first quarter of game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 16, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) during the first quarter of game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Shooting Guard: J.R. Smith vs. Klay Thompson

Two of the best shooters in the NBA will be tasked with producing with consistency at shooting guard. The difference between the two is that one is a starting-caliber player, and the other is an All-NBA star.

And truthfully, that’s not a bad thing for either team—it’s exactly what they need them to be.

Klay Thompson gets the positional advantage as an explosive scorer and borderline elite on-ball defender. J.R. Smith is an outstanding athlete and a lights-out shooter, however, and that’s what Cleveland requires in this matchup.

If Smith stays in his lane, the Cavaliers will have a chance to win this series.

Smith and Thompson were two of the four players who made at least 200 3-point field goals on 40 percent shooting or better from distance in 2015-16. Thompson is the two-way force who can provide 20-to-25 points per game, however, and that’s a clear advantage.

Smith can best help the Cavaliers if he doesn’t try to match Thompson shot for shot, but instead plays within his role.

Advantage: Golden State Warriors

Next: Small Forward