No one likes Cleveland enough to rig the NBA Finals

Good morning. Let’s basketball.

COMEBACK: It’s pretty clear that Draymond Green damaged the Warriors’ chances to close out this series. Paul Flannery wants to know whether he’ll right that wrong in Cleveland on Thursday, or whether he’ll play timidly as he did in Game 4 of the Thunder series. Flanns also grades LeBron’s Game 5 against his other famous dominant playoff games and questions the sustainability of Kyrie Irving’s shotmaking. Check it out.

WHY CAN’T HE FLY? I explained why LeBron can’t always play “like that” and generally riffed on the relativity of expectations. Along those lines, I really enjoyed Russ Bengtson on LeBron answering the world’s call.

IN THE SUITE: Green did not have a very fun night watching the Warriors lose.

STAY WOKE: Bram Kincheloe at Golden State of Mind explains to folks too blinded by their fandom that no, the Warriors didn’t lose Game 5 because the NBA is rigged against them. Look, if you’re using the word “rigged” unironically these days in any context other than “I rigged a booby trap to catch the chupacabra,” you sound like a fool.

Speaking of the Mouth of Michigan, here’s a good look by Jason Patt at how important Green is to the team.

CAN THEY DO IT? Rubes and Naan explore whether Kyrie and LeBron can win this thing by themselves.

UNCLE DREW UNLEASHED: Zito Madu on when Kyrie is at his best.

NICE WORK, WORLD: Schoolboy Q turned Crying Jordan into album art.

SPEAKING OF WONDERFUL MEMES ... James Dator’s work to explore the artistic world of Screaming Kevin Love is incredible.

WELP: Stephen Colbert went to town on Steph’s new shoes.

AND FINALLY: I will always ride for Magic Johnson primarily because of the good work he does in the community. This effort to help get black students through South Carolina State is another example.

Happy Wednesday. See you next time.