Golden State Warriors: History at stake
By Paul Matli
The surprising and impending Game 7 marks a historical moment for the Golden State Warriors. They will either cap off the greatest regular season in NBA history with an NBA Championship or they will be known as the biggest chokers in NBA Finals history.
The later is what the Warriors are trying to avoid. No team in NBA Finals history has lost a series up 3 games to 1. In fact only 3 teams have ever forced a Game 7 in this scenario. The Cleveland Cavaliers with help from the NBA are one of these teams.
The Warriors know what’s at stake and what they need to do. Will they do it and do they have enough left in the tank to make it happen?
This series has been one of the weirdest of recent memory. The Warriors were running circles around the Cavaliers and then the Lebron James and Draymond Green incident happened. Ever since that moment and the following suspension the series has been different.
The Warriors played horribly in Game 5, lost Andrew Bogut and Harrison Barnes. Then they got roasted in game 6, and Andre Iguodala‘s health problems emerged. Even with all this the Warriors are by far the better team and just need to play their game.
If the Warriors play their style of basketball they will win. This includes running the offense, making open shots, defending the vanilla offense of the Cavaliers and staying attached to Tristan Thompson. They did all this in the first four games of the series, there’s no reason they can’t do it again.
Also, the splash brothers need to splash.
Stephen Curry has had a subpar NBA Finals by unanimous MVP standards. He’s been outplayed by two players, James and Kyrie Irving. Curry’s injured, but, Game 7 has no excuses. He needs to be all time great; James has been, Irving was in Game 5, it’s Curry’s turn to be all time great, show why you’re the MVP Mr. Curry.
Klay Thompson doesn’t have to be all time great like Curry, although it would be nice. Thompson needs to score at least 25 points and make life difficult on Irving. If Thompson does this the Warriors will win.
Two more keys for the Warriors are reviving a guy with the last name Barnes and Festus Ezeli actually playing like he wants to get paid in the offseason.
Barnes was fantastic in games 3 and 4. He averaged 16 ppg and made 20-39 shots. In Games 5 and 6 he was a horror show, shooting 2-22.
Barnes will be the X factor for the Warriors. Whether this is good or bad remains to be seen. Barnes will continue to get wide open 3 points looks. If he makes them the Warriors will win, if he doesn’t they will more than likely lose, unless the Splash Brother combine for 70 or more.
The curious case of Ezeli continues. Ezeli has flashed moments of greatest, but he’s mostly been overhyped. Ezeli has not earned whatever contract he will be receiving. Ezeli has stone hands, no post moves, he’s slow footed, and falls for every pump fake.
Ezeli needs to put these flaws in a locker and perform like Bogut. Steve Kerr needs to start Ezeli and have Ezeli give him 15-20 quality minutes. If Ezeli can be effective for 15 minutes or so the Warriors will greatly appreciate it. If Ezeli can’t play his role, he will be shoved out the door as soon as the season ends.
Time to earn your money Barnes and Ezeli, Dub Nation is counting on you.
Regardless of the frustration this series has caused, Game 7’s are the pinnacle or any sport and should be appreciated. The Warriors need to use the momentum of Oracle Arena and close out the Cavaliers.
Will the 73 win Golden State Warriors please stand up.