The NBA can go one of two ways after this year's finals. Which way will it go? That's going to be determined by who wins the 2016 championship.
In 2010, the Lakers and Celtics squared off for the ultimate prize. In a rematch of the 2008 series in which Boston came out on top, the series went back and forth. Trailing 3-2 and at home, the Lakers blew out Boston to force a seventh game. We all know what happened from there. Ron Artest passed Kobe the ball, Sasha hit two free throws, and the Lakers defeated the Celtics to win their 16th NBA Title. While many people remember this series for the history and tradition of Boston/Los Angeles basketball, which began in the Bill Russell era, I remember it for a different reason: this was the last NBA Finals to not feature LeBron.
The Cavs were knocked out of the playoffs in 2010, as the top seed, by the Boston Celtics, a team whom the Cavaliers were expected to defeat. In 2011, as a member of the Miami Heat, James and company lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the finals. The next year, the king won his first ring as Miami defeated Oklahoma City in five games. They followed it up with a 2013 championship over San Antonio, a miraculous title if I do say so myself. Had it not been for Ray Allen pulling a three out of nowhere, or Kawhi Leonard missing a big foul shot, the King may only have one ring right now.
They faced the Spurs again in 2014, but this time it was San Antonio who had the last laugh, winning the title in five games. Last year, LeBron had many excuses for losing in the finals to Golden State. Love was hurt. Kyrie was hurt. He literally had to carry a team that he had never played with before on his back, with a rookie head coach who I was not all that fond of. This year, however, is different. I believe the outcome of the 2016 finals will shape the NBA for the years to come.
Theory #1: If Cleveland wins, LeBron will stay in Cleveland and again be widely regarded as the best NBA player.
Right now, Steph Curry is undoubtedly the face of the National Basketball Association. Like it or not, it's the Golden State Guard's world and we are all just living in it. My Facebook news feed is constantly filled with pictures of his daughter, his loudmouth wife, or just something to do with Steph Curry. In breaking my professionalism, it can be irritating. That being said, he is arguably the best player in the league, and is truly revolutionizing the game with his sharp shooting. Seriously, this guy can pull from anywhere. In an era that may be less physical than any in NBA history, the Warriors (more specifically #30) are adapting perfectly, becoming the first pure jump shooting team to win the title last year, along with their defense of course. This season, they have been unstoppable. 73-9?!? Curry has broken countless records this year, some of which he held himself. Yes, the Warriors have dominated the NBA this season like no team (including the '95-'96 Bulls) ever have.
Meanwhile, on the east coast, the Cavs struggled at times throughout the season, but still managed to finish with 57 wins and the top seed in the east. While Golden State took care of Houston in five, the Cavaliers swept a scrappy Pistons team. While the Warriors took care of business against a Blazers team that shouldn't have been in the playoffs if not for the play of their back court (more specifically Lillard), Cleveland was sweeping the Atlanta Hawks, dominating them in every facet of the game. And, as the Warriors barely squeezed out the series win against Oklahoma City after trailing 3-1, Cleveland was in Toronto celebrating LeBron's sixth straight year of winning the Eastern Conference title. While the series with Toronto went six games (Toronto won games 3 & 4), the outcome was never in doubt.
James' goal since he entered the NBA in 2003 has been to bring the city of Cleveland a championship. The struggles of pro sports in Cleveland has been well documented. The city last won a championship in 1964, as the Browns defeated the Baltimore Colts 27-0 in the NFL Title Game. Since then, heartbreak has become second nature if you're a sports fan in the 216. The Drive, The Fumble, The Shot, The Decision... these are all perfect examples of why the city of Cleveland is known for its futility in winning championships. LeBron had a chance in 2007, but the Spurs were just the better team, and LeBron had nobody to help him. The Cleveland Indians were one inning away in 1997 when they had the title snatched away from them by Florida Marlins. And, last year the Cavaliers fell to the Warriors, losing three straight after leading the Warriors 2-1 entering game four at the Q. This is LeBron's ultimate mission. He grew up in Akron, which is a 40 mile drive from Cleveland... making him the hometown kid. I've never heard of an NBA team in Akron. As far as I'm concerned, LeBron is from Cleveland. If the Eastern Conference Champions can remarkably comeback, LeBron, as if he didn't already, will have the key to the city, and much more. The city is so thirsty for a title that I wouldn't be surprised if he was nominated for mayor, and received the larger half of the votes. If you would've mentioned Cleveland in 1999, what would most people have thought of? Bone-Thugs-n-Harmony? LeBron is the most famous Clevelander, and it's not even close. He has given the city a sense of pride, a sense of hope. Now, whenever someone says Cleveland, I'm sure I'm not the only one who has a picture of LeBron flashing through my mind.
If Cleveland wins, LeBron will be a cavalier for life, and they will most likely win another one in 2017.
Theory #2: Golden State will become a dynasty with the 2016 title, and LeBron will jump ship.
Before any Jordan-boys criticize me, please take the time to read the entire article. Jordan had two three-peats. What signs are pointing to the Warriors slowing down? Making it out of the West may be more difficult than any NBA Finals they may encounter. Their is no true second best team in the NBA. Here is how I would rank the top NBA teams:
1) Golden State Warriors
2A) Cleveland Cavaliers
2B) Oklahoma City Thunder
2C) San Antonio Spurs
With the current power balance in the NBA, I am not completely against the idea of a Top 16 Overall NBA Playoffs, as opposed to the Top 8 from each conference. While that will almost certainly never happen, that would be the most accurate way of determining the second best NBA team. For example, close your eyes for a second and imagine Oklahoma City playing Cleveland in the Finals this year. How would they do? My prediction is that they would be having the same amount of success as Golden State, and they would probably lead the series at this point. Think about San Antonio, who hasn't played since May 12th. Do you recall how good they were? 67-15, one regular season home loss, which was to the best regular season team ever. They would most likely be leading Cleveland right now too, with all of the issues that the Cavs have. If teams were seeded by overall record (Top 16), this is most likely how the final eight would look:
#1 Golden State 4 vs #8 Atlanta 0
#2 San Antonio 4 vs #7 Miami 1
#3 Cleveland 4 vs #6 Los Angeles Clippers 3
#4 Toronto 1 vs #5 Oklahoma City 4
#1 Golden State def. #5 Oklahoma City 4-3 to advance to NBA Finals.
#2 San Antonio def. #3 Cleveland 4-2 to advance to NBA Finals.
#1 Golden State def. #2 San Antonio 4-3 to win 2nd straight NBA Title
Ahh, if only one could wish. Instead, LeBron is pretty much handed a conference title every year. Obviously he can't control the conference he plays in, but I don't think he would be making it every single year if he played in the Western Conference. He would make it out of the West more than once, but to dominate it every single year like he does the east? I don't see that happening one bit.
As if Curry wasn't already the NBA's poster child, the internet may be going fan crazy for Curry like we've never seen before if Golden State can win one of the next two. To be the only Unanimous MVP in NBA History is remarkable enough, but to top it off with Finals MVP and the best player on arguably the best team ever? His marketability will continue to rise. I don't see LeBron staying in Cleveland if they leave the 2016 season ringless. I'm sure he'll have his agent arrange something so that he can go play with his friends. He could care less how he wins his titles, or who he wins them with (regardless if it was with other stars). He would rather create a super team and win one than to be on his own and not win one at all... but that's an argument for another article.
