NBA Finals 2017, Warriors vs. Cavaliers: Game 1 schedule and results

OAKLAND, Calif. — Kevin Durant just had one of the great games of his career, and all anyone wanted to talk about on Twitter was whether it was fair. That’s the burden for becoming the living avatar of Warrior exceptionalism, and it’s difficult to consider Durant in any context other than his immediate surroundings.

Make note of how he operates with such grace in the space afforded by his skilled teammates, and it becomes a reminder of just how obscenely talented the Warriors have become. Comment on their fluid passing and unselfish movement, and it feels like a backhanded slap at his former team.

One of the biggest keys to the Warriors blowing a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals the Cavaliers winning the 2016 championship was how they put Stephen Curry through the ringer on defense. Cleveland targeted Curry in pick-and-rolls, forcing him to switch onto LeBron James (not happening) or Kyrie Irving (not great either).

Naturally, the Cavaliers came out in Game 1 of the 2017 NBA Finals by employing the same strategy. But it failed miserably this time around, and the Warriors came away with a 113-91 Game 1 win.

It only took one quarter for Jeff Van Gundy to get a little distracted in the opening game of the NBA Finals, and it was for good reason. Rihanna walked right by him!

I know Andre Iguodala was driving to the rim, and a court full of superstars were playing in a championship basketball game, but Van Gundy sees them all the time. He does NOT get to see Rihanna nine months out of the year though.

LeBron James will still dunk on you.

James actually set a career high in dunks (145) this season in Cleveland, one more than his previous career high. So, uh, no. He’s not past his prime. He’s probably still getting better, to be honest.

In 2013, Mike Brown was hired by the Cleveland Cavaliers on a five-year deal reportedly worth $20 million. Brown was fired one year later and replaced with David Blatt, who lasted only a season and a half. Due to Brown’s guaranteed contract, though, he is still being paid by the Cavs.

Brown took two years off from coaching basketball before signing as the lead assistant for the Golden State Warriors in 2016. He replaced the outgoing Luke Walton and was hired with the knowledge that he might need to fill in for Steve Kerr, who continues to face health problems after complications from back surgery.

Not even an hour after the Golden State Warriors sealed their trip to the NBA Finals with a win over the Spurs on Monday, team owner Joe Lacob said he wants a rematch after losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers this time last year.

Golden State may have been the better team. After all, they won an NBA-record 73 games en route to the Finals. But the Warriors held a 3-1 series lead over the Cavaliers before notably dropping three straight to lose in seven. They then watched as Cleveland hoisted the Larry O’Brien Trophy in Oakland.