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Cleveland Cavaliers: 2017 NBA Finals Game 1 Preview

By Miles Jamieson

Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; (Editors note: a tilt-shift lens was used to create this image) The Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates beating the Golden State Warriors in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; (Editors note: a tilt-shift lens was used to create this image) The Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates beating the Golden State Warriors in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 14, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) celebrates after making a basket against the San Antonio Spurs during the third quarter in game one of the Western conference finals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Spurs 113-111. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 14, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) celebrates after making a basket against the San Antonio Spurs during the third quarter in game one of the Western conference finals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Spurs 113-111. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Klay Thompson

Klay Thompson has almost become an afterthought on this stacked Warriors team. There is no denying that he’s one of the most talented two-way guards in the NBA, but his shot has failed him throughout these playoffs. He’s still been a lockdown defender, but his three-point shooting has dipped below his season average.

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As a Splash Brother, Thompson is known for his unbelievable shooting abilities. The Cavaliers are aware of his all-around game, so they won’t be guarding him any differently just because he’s struggled in these playoffs.

Thompson is shooting a respectable 36.4 percent from three-point range, but that is far off of his career average of 41.9 percent from three-point range. Not only is his shot not falling, but he’s also getting fewer opportunities. Thompson is touching the basketball 14.3 percent less in these playoffs than he did during the regular season. It seems like he is pressing to try and get into the flow of the offense instead of taking good shots when the opportunities present themselves.

The Warriors have had a long break between clinching a trip to the Finals and today’s game, so they should’ve addressed these issues with Thompson.

Because the Finals is such a long series, we won’t be able to determine in this game if his shooting woes will continue. But we should find out in today’s game whether Thompson will be a bigger part of the Warriors offense or if he’ll continue to be the afterthought that he’s been so far in these playoffs.