2018 NBA Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers preview

3. Is Steve Kerr ready to unleash small-ball yet?

In Games 1-3 of the Western Conference Finals, Steve Kerr went with the Hamptons 5 starting lineup for a total of 74 minutes, starting that Curry-Klay-Iggy-KD-Draymond lineup all three times. They were a +31 in that span, but when Iguodala went down, Kerr shied away from small-ball.

That’s understandable to a degree, especially with Golden State’s lack of depth on the wing, but Death Lineups with Shaun Livingston in Iggy’s place have been effective in the past. In the conference finals, that backup Curry-Klay-Livingston-KD-Draymond lineup played a grand total of 18 minutes over four games (+4).

If Kevin Love plays in this series, and especially if Iguodala can’t suit up, there’s no excuse for Kerr to not ride a small-ball lineup exactly like this. Looney, Bell, Zaza Pachulia and David West may be unplayable at points in this matchup, especially if Tristan Thompson does what he does on the offensive glass. Nick Young has not looked capable of rising to the moment. That leaves Livingston.

In order to get TT off the floor, or capitalize on Love’s defensive flaws, going small will be key. Having Iguodala would be a luxury here, but Livingston is a capable replacement.

Perhaps even trying Patrick McCaw would be worth a look, but the bottom line is, if Looney and/or Bell struggle with Thompson on the glass, Love at the 5 or whatever other small-ball counter Cleveland can conjure, it won’t be long before flashbacks to Festus Ezeli minutes in the 2016 NBA Finals start creeping in.