No surprise: It’s Cavs-Warriors in the NBA Finals yet again

While another NBA Finals loss would certainly hurt LeBron’s legacy, you could certainly argue that a win would mean much more than a loss would hurt.

It always comes back to Boston and a Big 3; and Cleveland’s threesome of stars put the hurt on the Celtics in a series-clinching contest Thursday night (final score 135-102) that was over by the end of the first quarter.

Set for a third straight championship matchup against Golden State, the Cavs are ignoring the Las Vegas odds makers and others who don’t think they have a shot at beating Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant & Co. They played a load of close games, tried like hell to leave a mark on the league, and advanced as far in the playoffs as anybody could have reasonably hoped.

Cleveland is better than a year ago thanks in part to Kevin Love’s (l.) improved play.

Thomas says he told doctors that whatever happens, he needs to come back even better – “and I will”.

Cleveland, stunned by Boston in Game 3 after romping two blowout wins in the opening two games of the Eastern Conference series, looked to be heading for another shock as the Celtics dominated the first half. It’s not about wanting to establish himself as the NBA’s greatest player. There was Irving breaking ankles and spinning in double-pump layups off the glass.

But Kevin Love isn’t buying it.

So LeBron James is not called the King of the Court for nothing. It’s also worth mentioning that despite playing in more games, James entered Thursday with 4,361 field goals attempted in the playoffs, while Jordan attempted 4,497.

Led by its Big Three, Cleveland quickly built a 21-point lead in the first quarter, while getting lots of contributions from their teammates. It felt like we grew as the year went on.

Cleveland superstar LeBron James surpassed National Basketball Association icon Michael Jordan as the league’s all-time playoff scoring leader on Thursday in the Cavaliers’ Eastern Conference finals victory over the Celtics in Boston. Magic averaged 26.2 points, 13.0 assists and 8.0 rebounds en route to winning Finals MVP.

“Throughout the series, I didn’t get the opportunity to have that moment (with Thomas)”, James said Thursday night. “We’d love it if we could win in four games, that would be great”, Green said with a smile. When you’re growing up and seeing Michael Jordan, it’s nearly like a God. “We were able to go to the Eastern Conference finals, learn a lot about being in this position, and I feel like it’s going to help us for next year”. “So, I’m just taking this thing one day at a time”. Still, they beat the Cavaliers in Cleveland the next game before falling easily in Games 4 and 5.

Lue said he started his game planning for the Warriors after the Cavs returned home from Boston early Friday. The Grizzlies had the league’s worst record and the best odds at the No. 1 pick but fell to fourth as West, then the Grizzlies’ president of basketball operations, was left livid with the process. “It’s carried me all the way to this point now, and it’s going to carry me for the rest of my career because scoring is not No 1 on my agenda”. “It should be the same for us”, James said. The organization suspected it before, but knows with certainty now: the league’s superpowers belong in a league of their own.