FILE – In this June 2, 2016, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) dribbles against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry during the first half of Game 1 of basketball’s NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif. While there have been 14 rematches in NBA Finals history, this year’s meeting between LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers and Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors will be the first trilogy in league history. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
In boxing, it’s a candidate Fight of the Year before the first punch could be thrown or landed.
The NBA Finals series promises to be a classic, epic battle for the ages, just like the 1975 Ali-Frazier Thrilla in Manila.
It’s a bit odd though that the Cleveland Cavaliers, defending NBA champions, have been relegated as underdogs against the Golden State Warriors in the Finals series that starts on Friday (Manila time).
Aren’t the two fiercely feuding NBA clubs evenly matched?
LeBron James could not offer a firm reply. The closest he could do was acknowledge the gigantic challenge posed by the All-Star-studded Warriors, packing a great wallop behind Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.
James called the Golden State All-Star might “beastly.” He was quick to add he likes their chances.
“It’s probably up there; I mean it’s up there,” James admitted, adding Golden State was indeed a “high-powered team.”
For the record, Golden State and Cleveland are 1-1 in the two times they had clashed in the regular season.
Golden State has been known to celebrate their sharpness with deadly 3-point gunners, led by the prodigious and fearless Stephen Curry.
Hold it. Records however show Cleveland ranks first among playoff teams in offensive efficiency.
The NBA website (NBA.com) notes “no team has made more 3-pointers than Cleveland with a playoff average of 14.6 pts. a game.”
Golden State has a set of remarkable All-Stars to rely on. But, although Cleveland has its own pack of All-Star wonders, one less than Golden State, there’s only little said about the explosive Kyrie Irving and the quietly efficient Kevin Love.
Yes, both teams pack a big KO punch, but as there’s no such thing as a stoppage in NBA wars, it won’t be loose to suggest the Finals could be decided only after the seventh game.