Golden State Warriors: 3 takeaways from Game 1 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Golden State Warriors blew out the Cleveland Cavaliers, 113-91 in Game 1 of the 2017 NBA Finals. For the second straight year, the Cavs were not only outmatched, but outworked in the opening act.

The main takeaway from the Golden State Warriors‘ Game 1 win in the 2017 NBA Finals is a lot like what we learned in Game 1 last year: When they are healthy and in-sync, they are almost unbeatable.

Here are three of the other, more precise things we learned.

1. If the answer is a Kevin Durant dunk, you aren’t asking the right question

Defenses treat Stephen Curry threes like they’re worth 10 points. If you don’t believe me, watch the plays at 2:12 and 2:58 below:

Yes, Curry is the greatest shooter of all time, but he still only shot 45.3 percent on wide open threes (with the nearest defender six or more feet away) this year, and is at 50.0 percent this postseason. Kevin Durant, meanwhile, made 119 of 122 dunks this year. I won’t condescend you with the points per shot here; one is clearly better than the other.

2. Nine days off did Andre Iguodala well

As I discussed leading up to yesterday’s game, Iguodala’s health is a sneakily important subplot to this series. He has had a dreadful postseason on both ends, and his body appeared to be breaking down for the second straight year.

That may still happen as this series goes on, but he looked rejuvenated in Game 1. He had arguably his two bounciest dunks since the end of the regular season, and hit his only three-point attempt (he was 3-of-27 through three rounds).

More importantly, his defensive tenacity was back. He was able to stay in front of James and Kyrie Irving (after getting roasted by Dante Exum and Manu Ginobili last month), while stripping drivers in his signature fashion. He was credited with two steals and a block.

Without Iguodala, the Warriors are forced to give up defense, offense or a little bit of both with their No. 5 guy. If Iguodala continues to bring bounce, shooting and defense (playing only 24 minutes increases the likelihood of that), the Warriors are just about flawless.

3. Zaza Pachulia affirms he is the best center option in this series

The Pachulia-McGee dynamic has been fascinating this season. One guy is cringeworthy to watch, extremely clumsy and hard not to make fun of. The other guy is JaVale McGee.

Yet, despite McGee’s surprising ascent from Shaqtin’ superstar to the league’s scariest lob threat, he is still, subtly, the most mistake-prone player on the Warriors. He doesn’t box out, overplays every pick-and-roll and is predictable as a leaper and thus ineffective as a rim protector.

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Basically, he’s the last guy you want playing against Tristan Thompson, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.

Pachulia’s visible oafishness, meanwhile, masks his subtle all-around effectiveness. The ESPN/ABC broadcast harped on his unwillingness to go up under the basket in the first quarter, as well as the awkward attempts he did take.

McGee replaced him midway through the period, and had two impressive dunks in two minutes. There was not a person in the building who did not feel, at the moment, like McGee would have the bigger game.

That was not the case. McGee is an excellent spark plug who can jumpstart the offense in tense moments. But after five minutes, an offensive rebound allowed to Thompson and multiple dunks allowed to James, he failed to find the court again.

Pachulia, meanwhile, ended up 4-of-5 with six boards in 14 minutes. He also properly defended pick-and-rolls, held his position as a rim protector and wiped Thompson off the map.

Next: Golden State Warriors - 5 keys to winning the 2017 NBA Finals

The Warriors will go small as much as they can in this series. When they cannot, Pachulia will be the center they rely on.

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