The Ocho’s NBA Finals Predictions
The rubber match between Golden State and Cleveland has been a year in the making, and everyone is making it known where they stand. Here are the predictions by The Ocho’s staff writers.
Lino Dixon (staff writer/The Ocho Hockey Show) — Cleveland in 6
LeBron is not just the best basketball player — he is simply the most dominant athlete in any sport in the world. A couple years ago, there was debate about who was the best; Curry or James. At that time and to this day, I reiterate the fact that LeBron is the consensus number one player in the NBA. His omission from the MVP nominee list despite personal highs in multiple categories is a joke.
Let’s not forget, in only one half of basketball, Lebron and company scored more points against the Celtics than the Monstars did in Space Jam.
Josh Higgs (staff writer) — Golden State in 7
Cleveland has a deeper bench than the Warriors, and the ability to put multiple lineups on the floor each night. Irving’s iso game will be very hard to stop, and guarding Lebron seems impossible.
That said, Golden State has four top-tier scorers who can take over a game at any time. If one or two are mitigated by Cavs defenders, there are still high level options ready to step up. Cleveland’s defense and depth will keep them in the series, but Golden State’s stars will win it for them.
Shotaro Honda Moore (staff writer) — Golden State in 6
It took Cleveland seven games to beat them last year without Draymond for a game, and they’ve since added a KD. I think Kevin Love is playing particularly better than last year, and Kyrie looked unguardable at times throughout this run.
However, what I thought would be Cleveland’s advantage, in terms of bench strength, seems questionable going into the finals. Korver hasn’t been hitting a lot of shots recently and if Klay plays well to support KD and Curry I think it will almost be impossible for Lebron to will out another championship like last year.
Alan Shaw (staff writer/draft analyst) — Golden State in 5
I’ll be the one to say it — this series is going to let us all down. Everyone has been waiting for this series to somehow save the terrible playoffs we just witnessed, but I for one think it will be rather one sided.
While LeBron and his posse have steamrolled through much lesser competition, Golden State has had to play a couple tough teams on their way to 12–0. They come in more focused, game tested, and hungry after hearing all year about 3–1. Klay gets out of his funk and the Warriors avenge last year’s loss with a commanding series win and validation as the best team in the NBA.
Alex Scantlebury (staff writer) — Cavaliers in 5.
LeBron James is LeBron James. With Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love as his respective right and left hands, the Golden State Warriors don’t have what it takes to remove the Cavalier’s crown.
Many will disagree because on paper, the Warriors are the far superior team. However, after taking the “LeBron Factor” into the consideration, it’s a foregone conclusion for me.
Austin Evans (staff writer) — Golden State in 6
Golden State has a historically good offense and defense, so that helps. The Cavs will be able to get points off of switches with bigs in the pick and roll that will expose the lack of rim protection. However, their defense that has shown some weakness over the season will likely have trouble containing both Curry and Durant.
Golden State is out for blood this year.
Aaron Lieberman (cofounder/The Ocho Podcast) — Golden State in 7
Golden State feels like Cleveland has something that belongs to them. After losing Draymond to a suspension in game five last year, everything went wrong for the Warriors. The addition of Kevin Durant was/is/will forever be known as one of the biggest moves in NBA history and gives the Warriors an offensive stud and defensive contributor.
Look for the Cavs to prove, just like last year, that they will not go down without a fight. Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving are playing some of their best minutes as Cavs, but Lebron can’t afford any head colds this round. After a mundane edition of the 2017 NBA playoffs this is the seven game series we all deserve and we all want.
Ben Ripley (staff writer) — Golden State in 4
May Golden State make the ghost of Moses Malone proud and go, Fo, Fo, Fo, Fo.
Golden State is the better basketball team. I am also aware of the old adage that in basketball the team with the best player wins the series. I believe that to usually be true. It was true last year. This year is different. The gap between Lebron and Durant is narrower than the gap last year between Lebron and Curry. I think the Warriors want to crush them so everyone forgets about 3–1 comeback. I don’t think Draymond will get suspended or call LeBron something profane that swings the whole series.
Actually, Draymond will definitely say something profane to Lebron — it just won’t swing the whole series this time.
Riley Nicklaus Evans (Editor-in-chief/The Ocho Podcast) - Cleveland in 7
Cleveland has the best basketball player currently inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide, and it’s not close. They’ve also held Golden State significantly under their regular scoring average in both of the last two Finals, so this may not be the high scoring affair we’re all expecting.
LeBron’s team has won a road playoff game in every series they’ve played in the last decade, and he’s not stopping now. The King stays on his throne, and he takes another step towards finally catching the folk hero in Chicago.
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