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Predicting The NBA’s Biggest Headlines In 2017

By Josh Cornelissen

January 4, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates with forward Andre Iguodala (9) against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 4, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates with forward Andre Iguodala (9) against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 10, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and forward Andre Iguodala (9) celebrate after a three point basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter in game four of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 10, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and forward Andre Iguodala (9) celebrate after a three point basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter in game four of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Return of Chef Curry: Warriors avenge Finals loss, top Cavaliers as Curry named Finals MVP

Since the moment the Cleveland Cavaliers hoisted the Larry O’Brien trophy in Oracle arena amidst confetti and downtrodden Warriors fans, the rubber match was a foregone conclusion. Golden State and Cleveland have been destined to meet again in June, and all of the games in between are just opening acts for the main event.

No two teams in NBA history have ever met three times in a row in the Finals, but any other outcome would be surprising, if not downright shocking. Both teams lead their current conferences and are only improved from last year.

The Cavaliers are about to add Kyle Korver as another elite shooter around LeBron James, and Kevin Durant joined a 73-win roster and has been their best player thus far.

The San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets have both defeated Golden State this season, and one figures to meet the Warriors in the Conference Finals. Despite going 6-0 in the Western Conference playoffs the last two seasons, this iteration of the Dubs has not faced Gregg Popovich or Doc Rivers during that run. Their last two playoff losses were to the Spurs and Clippers, and the most diehard of fans may think the Warriors are vulnerable as a result.

In the East, Toronto is trotting out an offense better than any in the East, and Boston has the defensive chops to match up with the Cavaliers. The Milwaukee Bucks are a year or two away, but Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the second-best player in the Eastern Conference this season.

But these are storylines to keep the media machine running, not real threats. The Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers are going to meet in the NBA Finals. And the Warriors are going to win.

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    • This is not the foregone conclusion, the matchup is; the Cavaliers are clearly the second-best team in the NBA, and they have defeated the Warriors the last four times they have played, including a Christmas Day nail-biter.

    But Stephen Curry has been going through a prolonged slump since returning from injury during the Western Conference playoffs. Although there have been moments of brilliance, overall Curry has been a step below his MVP self. By the time the playoffs roll around, Curry will be more comfortable with the new superstar dynamics on the Warriors and will take control of the league.

    With Curry draining shots from everywhere and destroying switches, the Cavaliers won’t be able to contain him and lock down Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Their advantage the last few meetings has come from a slower Curry.

    A supernova-level tear through the playoffs will win Wardell Stephen Curry the Finals MVP, and the Golden State Warriors the rubber match against their Eastern Conference foes.