Question No. 4: Who wins the West, who wins the East and who wins The Finals and why?
DC: Well, I love to watch the Spurs and Warriors. It’s a nice reprieve from what we’ve had in Chicago all season. I think the correct answer is Golden State, but I’m riding with Kawhi this year. Spurs probably can’t take out the Dubs, but it’s what my heart tells me. Either way, I’m excited to watch either of those teams in the Finals.
MF: The Western Conference will still be about Spurs-Warriors for a long time coming when thinking favorites. I would have to go with the Warriors again. Once Kevin Durant comes back with his team-leading numbers, this stacked Golden State team will have just the amount of firepower they need to pile drive their way back into the NBA Finals. Against who? I’m going to be different and say the Boston Celtics. The Cleveland Cavaliers’ defense is sky falling at an alarming rate the past few games. Granted they would turn their defense up in the playoffs, I would like the see the Boston Celtics come out of the Eastern Conference Finals with a seven-game series victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers? Am I crazy? Maybe. I’m just hoping for something different. Winner of the NBA Finals? Warriors, because, well, they’re the Warriors.
DB: In the Western Conference, I have the Golden State Warriors defeating the Houston Rockets to go to the NBA Finals in what will an insane series filled with dagger 3 after dagger 3. In the Eastern Conference, I got the Cleveland Cavaliers defeating the Boston Celtics in a series similar to last year’s Eastern Conference Finals against the Toronto Raptors. The Celtics may take a game or two off the Cavs, but the Cavs will be in control. Golden State beats Cleveland in six games in the Finals if Kevin Durant is healthy. The Warriors are just on another level with Durant and with the way the Cavs defense has been playing as of late, Golden State will just tear them apart. Cleveland will be in it because of LeBron James, but the Warriors will be able to win their second championship in three years.
MP: The Golden State Warriors versus the Cleveland Cavaliers. I know, I know, this matchup sounds boring with all the drama surrounding these teams right now that offer a slimmer of hope for two different ball clubs. But, the simple fact is, these two teams are most likely to win their respective conferences. The Warriors looked like hot garbage when Kevin Durant was initially injured, but since they have found their groove and I assume they’ll only get better when he returns. Meanwhile for the Cavs, they’re struggling, but can anyone really say the Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards or Toronto Raptors will beat them? No. If I had to choose a winner, I’d go with the Warriors. I think the addition of Durant, the remembrance of their identity with him out and their overall anger after last year’s defeat will put them over the top.
PS: Kyrie tweaks an ankle and Kevin Durant isn’t quite the same after he returns from injury. I GIVE YOU THE WIZARDS VS. ROCKETS IN THE NBA FINALS. This is what we all want. This is what we need. John Wall has been absolutely losing his mind while Harden has drawn so much contact he ended up in the finals. It’d be a a fun and fast series. I’m talking Road Runner fast and swimming pool-like fun.