When the NBA Finals kick off, who will be under more pressure: the Cleveland Cavaliers or Golden State Warriors?
We all hope for a good series in the NBA Finals. There have been some duds so far in the post- season with only a few series that really drew in the casual fan.
For many, this is the series. This is the match-up. This is the revenge. This has the storylines.
This is the NBA Finals most fans wanted to see.
The record-setting Warriors of the West versus the Beasts from the East.
The big, strong, fast LeBron James versus the small, quick shooter in Stephen Curry.
A former MVP versus the current MVP.
Last year’s Champion versus last year’s runner-up.
So many storylines that we will try to hit, without giving you the same old song and dance that is everywhere.
The most important question may not be an X’s and O’s one, and there are certainly plenty of those. It may not be about homecourt advantage, shooting, defense or coaching.
Instead, the most important question may be about the mental status of the two teams and which one is under more pressure.
We will start with the defending champions:
Warriors
The Golden State story is well known. They have been even better this year after winning the NBA Title last year. They won an NBA record 73 games this season and seemed unstoppable. Their Playoff run hasn’t gone as smoothly however
Their Playoff run hasn’t gone as smoothly, however. After losing only 9 of 82 Regular Season games, the Warriors have lost 5 of their 17 in the Playoffs.
They still made it. Here they are, back in the NBA Finals.
Last year, Golden State beat a hobbled Cavs team in the Finals. Without Kyrie Irving or Kevin Love, the Cavs were limited which led to some minimizing the Warriors title. Their opponents were hit with injuries well before the Finals as well.
Their Title was a little tainted in the public’s eye.
This year, they validated that title in the Regular Season. They gave few teams hope in their amazing run.
Now, facing their, perhaps, toughest test and a chance to lay claim to the title “Greatest Team Ever,” GSW faces a ton of pressure.
If they lose, last year will have an asterisk with many believing the Warriors to be only Champions due to injury.
If they lose, this year’s 73 wins will be a footnote. Much like the teams with the most Regular Season victories in the NFL, MLB and NHL, who also didn’t win a title that year, the Warriors will be largely forgotten.
That is a lot of pressure riding on one series. One NBA Finals could mean a whole lot for the Warriors and they are likely aware.
Cavaliers
For the Cavs, it is simpler and basically the opposite at some level. A win validates everything that they have done, gives them confidence that, without injuries, they could be a 2-time champ and sets them up long term.
The pressure starts on LeBron James. With a 2 – 4 record in the NBA Finals, LeBron has a lot to do to try to obtain “Greatest Ever” status. Some will never see him as better than Michael Jordan but a 2 – 5 record could shut the discussion down forever.
Winning an NBA Title for the city of Cleveland, and getting one more title away from a .500 record, could keep that conversation going.
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For Tyronn Lue, his future as a head coach could have it’s foundation set with this Finals. A win, or a close series, and Lue has a strong grasp on the reigns of the Cavaliers. A quick ouster and Lue could be looking at the same results as his previous boss, David Blatt.
Then we have GM David Griffin and Kevin Love. The two are tied together so closely. Kyrie was already here. LeBron came back to Cleveland, not because of Griffin. Love was Griff’s big move and fits his desire for an outside threat at the 4. A series win and Love is here to stay. A loss and Love, and possibly soon after Griffin, could be out the door.
For the fans of Cleveland, and the city itself, another loss (Cavs would be 0 – 3 as a team) would put them in conversation with the Buffalo Bills as teams that just couldn’t pull off the big one. For a fanbase so downtrodden (Believeland anyone?) another loss could be brutal.
So who faces the most pressure in the NBA Finals: Warriors or Cavs?