LeBron and the Cavs in 7

The waiting is finally over. Game 1 of the NBA Finals tips off tonight. Colin has spent a lot of time considering his Finals pick, and expects it to go 7 games. He thinks those predicting a Warriors domination of the Cavs are completely off base.

Colin is taking Cleveland in 7. In the end, the more physical Cavs should have a slight advantage because officials historically allow more physical play in the Finals. LeBron is also as rested as he’s ever been heading into a Finals with the best team he’s ever brought to the Finals, and Cleveland has a distinct coaching advantage in late game situations.

Even though the Warriors have largely coached themselves since Steve Kerr left the team, there will inevitably be close games where coaching decisions, and mistakes, are magnified.

“I’ll take the Cavs in 7 games.”

Cleveland isn’t a dynasty. LeBron is the dynasty

There has been plenty of belly aching ahead of the Finals about the lack of NBA parity, and that the pre-ordained Cavs/Warriors Finals is bad for the NBA. Colin disagrees.

Colin has long said he’s pro-superteam and thinks that the idea that the Warriors are store bought is a myth. The core group of Warriors that won 73 games last year without Kevin Durant was acquired through mid-level draft picks and just being smarter than other teams.

In Cleveland’s case, they are only dominant because they have the best player in the world, and he’s so much better than anyone else in the East that if he went to Philadelphia, he could have them in the Finals. That’s not Adam Silver’s problem.

Cleveland is not a dynasty, LeBron James is a dynasty.  If he went to Milwaukee, they’d become a dynasty. 

Is it the league’s fault that LeBron is so much better than the second best player that everywhere he goes they dominate?”

Guests:

Jim Jackson – FS1 Basketball Analyst and 14-year NBA veteran joins the show to preview Game of the Finals; if players don’t give Steph Curry credit because they resent him; and if the NBA would be better off eliminating the one-and-done.

Jason Whitlock –  Co-host of Speak for Yourself is in-studio to react to LeBron James comments about his house being vandalized; why he thinks LeBron invoking Emmett Till was a mistake; and why he believes LeBron has embraced a socially progressive “victimhood” attitude.

Chris Broussard – FS1 NBA Insider is in-studio to talk Finals Game 1; if the Celtics should draft Lonzo Ball; why former NBA players don’t give Steph Curry credit; and why he’s taking the Warriors in 6.

Cedric Ceballos – 11-year NBA veteran with the Suns Lakers and Mavericks is in-studio to discuss Scottie Pippen’s criticism of Steph Curry; and why Klay Thompson could be the odd man out in Golden State.