NBA Finals: Position By Position Preview

Feb 26, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives against Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) in the fourth quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Small Forward- LeBron James VS Harrison Barnes

Advantage- Cavs – Just wanted to get the obvious out of the way. LeBron versus anyone is advantage Cavs.

LeBron’s game has never been less efficient, yet more impressive than it has been in the NBA Playoffs. As he enters his 5th straight NBA Finals appearance, he has figured out how to get it done with whoever is around him. Because of the attention he draws and his playmaking, the Cavs have had different players step up throughout the Playoffs.

LeBron is only shooting 43% from the floor in the Playoffs and a measly 18% from beyond the arc. Yet he is averaging 28 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists per game for a team that is 12-2. Not to mention his 1.8 steals and 1.3 blocks per game in the post-season.

His regular season was also a bit of a drop off, especially early in the year. Yet he still finished with 25 points on 49% from the field and 35% from downtown. He put in his great all around stats with 6 boards and 7.4 assists per game. Those numbers were brought down by a non-LeBron first couple months to the season.

Defensively he may have lost a step but James is a smart, active, fast and big defender. He makes it tough on almost anyone. He has defended point guard and centers. With Irving hobbled, the Cavs have not unleashed full LeBron Defender often in the Playoffs, so he could save his energy. That could change in the NBA Finals.

Harrison Barnes, selected after Dion Waiters, has established his role on the Warriors this year. After splitting time with veteran Andre Iguodala for a couple seasons, Barnes is now the clear starter. He only averaged 10 points per game but with Curry and Klay, his job was not to score. He shot good percentages, 48% from the field and 41% from deep, on only 2.6 attempts per game. He is a long, active defender but lacks the size to stop LeBron either in the post or with a head of steam.

Barnes offense picked up in the last series, with the Rockets, but the Cavs are likely to try to let him, not the Splash Brothers, beat them in the NBA Finals. Expect James, or whoever is guarding Barnes, to help off of him often. He could make the Cavs pay, as his percentages indicate, but they are willing to allow that as he doesn’t shoot often. Iguodala, with his strength and veteran knowledge could see a little more time this series.

Next: X-Factors: Tristan Vs Draymond