The 2018 NBA Finals will feature the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers for the fourth straight year. This year will be a little different in that Kyrie Irving won’t be in attendance, but for the most part, the same star cast will return.
What’s at stake for LeBron James, Kevin Durant and more in the NBA Finals
A lot can happen in Cavs vs. Warriors round four.
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
Despite the feel that this series’ ending is inevitable, there’s a lot players, coaches and general managers have to play for. The fourth edition of this saga could have a lasting impact on the entire league.
Here’s what’s at stake for the stars of this matchup.
Legacy building, or hurting:
Despite a pair of MVPs and a pair of rings, Curry has never been his team’s Finals MVP. Durant took the crown last year, and Andre Iguodala two years ago. Though there’s never been an internal debate on whose team Golden State is that we know of, fans have been outward about their desire for Curry to hold the reign over Durant.
Can he be the team’s main aggressor for a seven game series? He’s been good, but not elite in his three previous trips.
A dominant effort from Curry in a Warriors sweep would only amplify his legend. If his team falls while Durant runs the show, Curry’s voice will be questioned.
Without Iguodala for at least Game 1, Green will be tasked to defend LeBron. That hasn’t always gone so well.
Despite losing the 2015 Finals, LeBron may have been the best player in that series. Golden State can’t let LeBron go superhuman if they want to win comfortably. Green needs to show he can make that happen each night until Iguodala returns.
If he can make a name for himself as the LeBron-stopper, that only raises his Hall of Fame potential. If he lets LeBron dominate, his defensive prowess will be labeled overrated.
Nothing left to prove:
James has little to prove in terms of his legacy. He’s won three rings, dragged teams to eight consecutive Finals, and proven to be one of the best passers, rebounder, scorers and defenders ever when he applies himself.
A loss is expected with the talent disparity his team is up against. The Cavs probably shouldn’t have made it this far, even. A series win could — and probably should — cement his status as the greatest of all time. Even putting up a fight will gain respect from critics.
Folding in five or less games — like last season — is sure to bring heat from his naysayers. But that’s all noise to him at this point in his career.
Regardless, these Finals are more an opportunity for LeBron. These may be the greatest odds he’ll ever be asked to overcome. If he fails, so what.
Everything to lose:
Durant struggled in a three-game stretch against the Rockets in the Western Conference Finals, and Warriors fans were calling for his head. Durant defaulted to an iso-game that Golden State is far from accustomed to, and it nearly cost them.
Durant has still been marvelous in the grand scheme, a true superstar. But he can’t flounder in the finals, even if he won MVP a year ago. The pressure will always be on KD, from his own fanbase or his ever-growing list of haters. He can’t win here.
It’s the bed he made. If Golden State loses, the blame will all be put on him. If Golden State wins, he’s just a piece of Curry’s team. But hey, at least he’ll get another ring.
Love’s been virtually unplayable in a number of Finals games against the Warriors over the past two years. (He missed the first matchup to injury.) Now he needs to make an impact, because LeBron has little help.
He averaged seven points and six rebounds in 22 minutes in the 2016 Finals. He scored 16 points on a gross 38 percent shooting with 11 rebounds in the 2017 Finals. He just wasn’t a star.
To show his worth, he’ll need to become a scoring and rebounding fiend and defend at the 4 and 5. Without Irving, he’s left with no choice.
If the Cavs fall short because of his play and his play only, it might be time to part ways. If the Cavs pull it off, it’s probably because he stepped up.
The Cavs’ bench and Ty Lue
The Cavs’ replacement bench and Lue have failed LeBron in one way or another through the regular season and playoffs. That can’t remain true for the Cavs to stand a chance at not only contending, but retaining James past this season. He’s free to sign as a free agent anywhere he pleases this summer.
If the Cavs get swept in the Finals despite LeBron going nuclear, that may close the book on James’ return home. Then they’ll be left rebuilding without many pieces or picks, and left wondering what they could’ve been.
If they pull off the unthinkable, it’s because the pieces finally clicked. And LeBron stay happily ever after.
It all begins Thursday night at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.
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