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2019 NBA Finals: How do Raptors compare to Warriors’ past 4 opponents?

By Daniel Lubofsky

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 09: Marc Gasol #33, Kawhi Leonard #2, and Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors look on against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at the Wells Fargo Center on May 9, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Raptors 112-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 09: Marc Gasol #33, Kawhi Leonard #2, and Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors look on against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at the Wells Fargo Center on May 9, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Raptors 112-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

1. 2016-17 Cleveland Cavaliers

No, this is not the Cavs team that won the NBA championship. Quite the opposite, in fact, having been dominated in five games. Luckily for Cleveland, that route says more about a Warriors team hell-bent on winning in Kevin Durant’s first season with his new team, leading to an all-time best 16-1 record in the playoffs.

Cleveland brought back to the table much of what helped lead it to the championship the previous season. LeBron James continued his run of dominance in becoming the first player to ever average a triple-double in the NBA Finals. Kyrie Irving managed to increase his scoring average from the previous Finals to 29.4 points a night.

Where this team differs and improved on its 2016 iteration was in the supporting cast. Cleveland had fully embraced its identity as a 3-point shooting team, ranking second in makes, attempts and percentage during the regular season.

The front office managed to acquire reputable sniper Kyle Korver midseason, only adding to the embarrassment of riches they already had on the perimeter with eight of their 11 most frequently used players shooting above 35.0 percent from downtown.

During the Finals, the rotation went a legitimate 10-deep, with all averaging more than 10 minutes per game. Not all of them managed to perform well, but each one had their moments throughout the season and could be called upon at any point in time.

Prior to their championship, the Cavaliers struggled with fully integrating everyone into their game plan. Following the title, it was clear everyone had settled into defined roles offensively, fostering cohesion and the most efficient offense during the postseason.

The increased comfort was no more apparent than with Kevin Love, who, after serving as a no-show in his first Finals appearance, canned 38.7 percent of his 3-point shots on his way to 16.0 points and 11.2 rebounds per game in 2017.

James and Irving managed to up their games even more in this series, yet it didn’t make much of a difference. This iteration of Golden State was scary, motivated and one the league hadn’t yet grown accustomed to. Not even the most historically dominant of teams could’ve posed much of a threat.

The 2016-17 Cavs still manage to claim the top spot in spite of their finish because of their overall improvements to complement an already elite level of production. They shot the ball better and played with a greater sense of flow with their Big 3 clicking on all cylinders.

Next. Top 100 moments of the 2018-19 NBA season. dark

What they simply couldn’t have seen coming, however, was the Warriors running things back with one of the greatest players in NBA history joining a team coming off a 73-win season, creating a super-team unlike any before it.

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