Requirements For LeBron James To Be Better Than Michael Jordan
The Number One Contenders
Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and the Golden State Warriors
Stephen Curry, who many had determined was the best player in the league, had a chance to reach the legend of the player he was being accomplished to. Now, after a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in which he was both outplayed by Kyrie Irving for most of the series and bullied by LeBron, he’s likely not even considered the best player on his own team. Not that he’s been anything short of stellar, it’s just that Kevin Durant has been better with his ability to score efficiently from all three levels and be a stellar shot-blocker when surrounded by the talented defenders that Golden State possesses.
In a NBA Finals series against the Golden State Warriors, a rematch nearly every NBA fan seemingly wants to see, the Cleveland Cavaliers have a slight advantage because of a significant difference in the styles of the two teams. The Cavs are an attacking team and when they attack the rim against the Warriors, who would preferably use Draymond Green at center than Zaza Pachulia or Javale McGee, they have what no other team in the league has. Two of the best finishers in the game.
and
will be two of the biggest x-factors in a NBA Finals series against the Warriors. Thompson’s mobility and ability to dominate as an offensive rebounder will put the Warriors in a tough position when he’s on the floor. Even with
on the floor, it’s not unlike James would be incapable of playing bully-ball in the paint himself.
With an advantage on the boards and their three best offensive players on the floor, the Cavs will have plenty of chances to score.
At the same time, the Warriors run a scheme devoted to spacing out the floor with three-point shots and the Cavs have a number of defenders suited to slow their rather two-headed three-point attack, starting with Liggins.
Liggins gives the Cavs a versatile defender to throw at any perimeter player of the Warriors. However, his main assignment will be Curry. In a piece penned by SI’s Jeff Fischer, Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach James Posey discusses at length how Liggins impacts Curry’s ability to be an offensive weapon for the Warriors. In essence, Liggins defensive tenacity, physicality and length make it hard for Curry to perform up to his typical level of play. In other words, do the same thing to Curry that they do every year. Even if Curry is the Warriors second-best player, it goes without saying that the Cavs’ ability to play elite defense against a player who contributes to a significant amount of their points with his playmaking ability is going to give them a better chance to win a rematch in the NBA Finals.
Durant, who hasn’t been seen as the number one contender for James’ crown since losing to James in the 2012 NBA Finals and nearly every head-to-head matchup they’ve ever had, would probably play perfectly and win to be considered to be the best player in the game. That Durant hasn’t beat James in a game in nearly three years shouldn’t give the Warriors much faith that he can stop James from getting one this year and next year.