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Cleveland Cavaliers: Why I’m not afraid of the Golden State Warriors

By Kyle Stuver

BOSTON, MA - MAY 15: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after being hit in the face in the first half against the Boston Celtics during Game Two of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 15, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 15: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after being hit in the face in the first half against the Boston Celtics during Game Two of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 15, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – MAY 15: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after being hit in the face in the first half against the Boston Celtics during Game Two of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 15, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 15: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after being hit in the face in the first half against the Boston Celtics during Game Two of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 15, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

The Cleveland Cavaliers will yet again draw the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals but as usual, we shouldn’t be afraid of them.

Alright, this one might be a bit more difficult. After being very correct about not being afraid of the Raptors, and slightly less correct about not being afraid of the Celtics, here are three reasons why I will still be able to sleep at night despite the Cleveland Cavaliers upcoming match-up with the reigning NBA superteam, the Golden State Warriors.

Reason No. 1: The Cavs have one “big” advantage

I’m going to assume that the Cavs stay with their “big” lineup to kick off the series, even if Kevin Love returns for Game 1. Before the Celtics series, I begged Coach Lue to go with Tristan Thompson at the 5 and shift Kevin Love to the 4. He must do so again here. I think that one way the Cavs can make things interesting is by dominating on the glass.

With the Warriors projected starting frontcourt of Kevon Looney, Kevin Durant, and Draymond Green, the Cavaliers should have the rebounding advantage just on Tristan Thompson alone.

If Love is able to come back and start in place of Jeff Green, then we are talking about the kind of advantage that might even steal a game or two. I know that Draymond gets a ton of love as a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate but he gives up a lot of size to Thompson in the post.

In previous years, the Warriors had backup big men to turn to, this year they appear to have no interest in doing so. Jordan Bell got 16 minutes off the bench in Game 7, but I can picture a world in which the Cavaliers dominate the boards to the point where the Warriors need play him more or even turn to Zaza Pachulia or JaVale McGee.

It probably goes without saying that this would be great news for the Cavs.