NBA Finals: What if Cavs Win Game 2?
The NBA Finals narrative seems already written by many. The Golden State Warriors will destroy the Cleveland Cavaliers. Maybe the Cavs will take a game from the soon to be champs. Maybe LeBron James can carry this team of misfit toys, with 2 of the 3 Super-toys on the shelf, to a couple competitive games. Maybe the Warriors have a hiccup or two. That seems to be the story, for many it is almost cast.
Or maybe, just maybe the Cleveland Cavaliers can summon up all the talent, heart, defense, shooting and rebounding that led them throughout the NBA Playoffs. Maybe the NBA Finals story is not written just yet. Maybe the Larry O’Brien Trophy shouldn’t have the engraving process begin. Maybe LeBron James and his cast of talented players brought together for a singular purpose can pull off the unthinkable.
So we ask the question: What if the Cavs win Game 2?
First, the legacy of LeBron grows by a leap and a bound. While other players will get some credit, will get to that next, LeBron will have praise heaped on his already broad shoulders. Taking the ’07 Cavs to the NBA Finals was an accomplishment. Taking this team, after losing two of their best 3 players, to Game 3 at home tied 1-1 would be something else. The amount of adversity that the Cavs would have to overcome would make LeBron’s legacy grow and grow.
Second, Boobie Gibson will likely be joined by another Cav for a huge game. So far in the NBA Playoffs, J.R. Smith and Matthew Dellavedova have lined up behind Daniel Gibson in Cavs lore, a big game from one of them, or Iman Shumpert, Tristan Thompson or Timofey Mozgov, would etch a new name next to the once bright, and fast fading, star of Boobie.
Third, the national and local narrative would be one full of doubt and wonder. Most would doubt the Cavs ability to muster up enough to actually compete to win 3 more games. Many would wonder how they were able to pull it off. Others would call it luck, happenstance or blame the Warriors.
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Finally, this site, as well as many others, would give the Cavs credit for what they accomplished. Holding the Warriors to 98 points in Game 1, and almost pulling off the victory. Then, after losing their 2nd best player, taking it to that same Warriors team on the road to put the NBA Finals in doubt at 1-1. We covered the Cavs blueprint for winning (New Window), it comes from the East Finals against the Atlanta Hawks, earlier today.
Defense, shooting, rebounding and LeBron James is enough to win against anyone. The Cavs almost won Game 1 with little contribution from anyone outside of LeBron, Kyrie and Timo. Tonight, without Kyrie, it is another players chance to shine. If they do. If the Cavs pull off the upset, the emotion, momentum and Series will all be going Cleveland’s way.
Many are doubting. Many believe the NBA Finals are already over. Many haven’t had to fight back like Clevelandars, Ohioans have. We don’t give up. We won’t give up.
So what if the Cavs win Game 2 of the NBA Finals tonight? What happens then?