He's the closest thing to Jordan since the greatest basketball player of all-time retired over a decade ago and left us yearning for more. He dominates games in a fashion we haven't seen since MJ.
One of the best pure scorers in NBA history. No, not LeBron or Steph Curry. This guy.
With LeBron's fifth straight trip to the NBA finals, you'll find many analysts and articles talking about how LBJ is catching up to and transcending MJ. But in my opinion and in the opinion of many others, he hasn't even caught Kobe yet. Yet.
Bryant is currently looking at both of his hands, one with five rings on it and the other with none. He's been chasing number six for five years now and it doesn't look like he's going to get it. LeBron is quietly sitting with two rings, and still trying to make up for the three he couldn't cash in on. In case you need a quick refresher, MJ has enough to put rings on both hands, capturing six titles and six Finals MVP awards. To take it a step further, he should probably have eight rings but chose to pursue a "career" in baseball in the middle of his championship runs. Why the greatest basketball player of all-time gave it up in the middle of his prime to chase a dream in another sport is beyond me.
(MJ celebrating his 4th title on Father's Day 1996. His father, James, was murdered in 1993 on the side of the road while taking a nap in his vehicle.)
While the debate between Jordan, Kobe and LeBron will go on for unforeseeable decades to come, one thing is clear. LeBron is gaining ground. Quickly. He has taken his team to the NBA Finals now in five straight years and is making his sixth overall appearance. He's playing arguably the best basketball of his career while leading a team riddled with injuries. It was supposed to be the "Big 3" again for Bron Bron, this time in Cleveland. But losing Kevin Love to a cheap shot shoulder injury and Kyrie Irving to his ailing legs (I'm starting to wonder if Irving is beginning to think he actually is Uncle Drew) has left LeBron with a mediocre supporting cast. Let's give him the credit he deserves, he has willed this team to the Finals. He's the best point guard in the game, although his position is small forward. Now, the Cavaliers went through a weak Eastern Conference, I get that. But a team can only play who they are scheduled to play. The Cavaliers, LeBron in particular, have played very good basketball and positioned themselves to possibly take home the title.
(Irving, aka Uncle Drew, has to shake off the old man legs if the Cavs are going to have a chance in these NBA Finals)On the other side of the ball, we are graced with the greatest gift the NBA has given us this year. No, not Steph Curry. His daughter, Riley.
(Riley Curry is taking the NBA by storm)Ok, she's great but she can't play in the NBA yet. Only because of the dumb college rule. So let's focus on Steph. Better known as the baby-faced assassin, the better half of the splash, Curry is widely considered to be the greatest 3-point shooter of all-time. Yes, all-time. Better than Reggie Miller, Ray Allen, and Larry Bird. He makes making 3's look easier than breathing. He'll pull up from the parking lot. With the quickest release in the game it's almost impossible to block his shot. Curry had one of the greatest shooting seasons in NBA history and took home the MVP award, deservedly.
But he's not LeBron.
LeBron is the best player on the planet and has been for the last decade or so minus Kobe. He plays all five positions and has strengthened his teammates in a way that hasn't been done since.. Jordan?
What can we expect to see in the Finals?
Viewers can expect to see great basketball. The best player on the planet against perhaps the greatest shooter of all-time. Expect to see a record number of 3-point attempts. Look forward to fast-paced basketball with great ball movement.
Prediction
The Warriors have the better team and supporting cast surrounding Steph Curry. The Cavaliers have one of the best of all-time and a deadly sidekick in Irving. LeBron has started 172 career playoff games while the Warriors starting five has a total of 168. However...
The Warriors take home the title in one of the most prolific series in NBA Finals history. The best part for the Warriors? They do it at home in game 7.
*This blog was written in dedication to and in memory of Stuart Scott. The ESPN anchor loved covering the NBA Finals every year and made it one of his goals to come back and deliver the championship trophy last year in San Antonio, which he did. Stuart Scott passed away from cancer in January 2015.
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