Because this NBA Finals matchup is so underwhelming and as predictable as it comes, this hack-of-a-scribe had to research a word to add a layer of interest. Didnโt want to settle and use quadruple for something to do with four times in a row.
As an alternative to “tetralogy”, “quartet” is sometimes used, particularly for series of four books. The term “quadrilogy“, using the Latin prefix quadri- instead of the Greek, was first recorded in 1865.ย Fun fact this will be the first time in history, 2 teams will meet in a championship game/series 4-yearโs in a row across all professional sports.
The how did we get to this moment will be longer than that actual breakdown. Lebron James is a basketball god and all-time great player who willed his team to his 8-straight Finals trip. At the present moment, Lebron is tied for 2nd-all-time with Michael Jordan for 40-point playoff games in a single postseason. (โThe Logoโ Jerry West had 8 in 1965). It took a seven-game series to beat a Boston Celtics squad missing their 2 best players, which is not a dig at James, rather a direct shot pointed at his teammates.
The Golden State Warriors needed all 7 games to finish off the Houston Rockets. 2 of the first 3 games it looked as though the Warriors would cruise with easy into their 4-straight Finals. The Rockets defensively tamed the juggernaut that is Golden Stateโs historic offense in games 4 and 5.
With 4-future Hall of Famers in the starting lineup, it shouldn’t have lasted a full 7. ย What makes it worse is the Rockets didnโt have Chris Paul for the last 2 games. Many will disagree, but this yearโs title will be remembered with an asterisk to some, similar to when the Warriors beat a Cavs team missing two important pieces in 2015.
The way to contain and/or beat Golden State is to be rough and tumble, limiting the number of open looks you give them. The problem is the Cleveland Cavaliers are not a team built to be hard-nosed or scrappy. Maybe for chunks of a game or a series but itโs not sustainable. Another problem is no Kyrie Irving in a Cleveland uniform we also donโt really know which Kevin Love will show up as well.
To be blunt, letโs face it the Western Conference finals weโre basically the Finals, so itโs hard to get too overly excited. In fact, with so much intrigue for this summerโs free agent class, many are brainstorming and debating on who will go where.
The only saving grace about last yearโs Finals matchup was the style of play. Sure, we all knew the Warriors would win but it was a very entertaining brand of basketball.ย The way the 2017-18 Cavs roster was assembled and then re-assembled in February along with Loveโs injury, doesnโt necessarily bode well for beautiful basketball.
The game plan for the return champions will be accepting that Lebron will get his and focusing on shutting down the rest of the team.ย The outcome of the 2018 Finals is already written just like it was in 2017. Barring major injuries or a suspension, once Kevin Durant joined a 73-win team in the summer of 2016 it was a wrap.
The Pick: Golden State in 5 only because Lebron will explode enough to win a game at home.
Written by Chris Carlson Host of the NBA Playoff Banter Podcast available atย blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadioย &ย TheGruelingTruth.Net. Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio
If you enjoy hearing from the legends of pro sports, then be sure to tune into โThe Grueling Truthโ sports shows, โWhere the legends speakโ
Contact us: [email protected]
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program. We adapted Google's Privacy Guidelines to keep your data safe at all times.