Golden State Warriors can top 73-9 with 16-0

It’s a showdown of the two most popular players in the game, LeBron James and Stephen Curry. He shows no signs of slowing down, and the team around him with Irving and Kevin Love can pick up as he fades. At the time that each of those series were played, both seemed like the most monumental series imaginable. No matter what, you have to get out on him and chase him off the 3-point line and try to make him drive to the basket. Bowman recalled with a grin. With an undefeated record this postseason, Golden State is looking more dominant than ever.

The driver said, if the Warriors win, he’ll contain his excitement until he drops the Cavs off at the airport. The last three versions of this have produced co-champions, so there is a limit to how far they’ll go. It’s really that simple.

There’s a four-headed, shot-making, scoreboard-breaking monster out West awaiting LeBron James and the Cavaliers.

Irving will play a major part in this year’s Finals, as he has the past two Finals.

Defense has been the question for the Cavaliers all season.

As of now James has won three National Basketball Association championships and is currently in search of his fourth.

He’s 28-6 in two postseasons with Cleveland.

As for this year’s Finals – Golden State’s third straight – Van Gundy labels the Warriors as “prohibitive favorites”.

James has probably never been better than he is now.

Hard to believe, but this version – with Durant – might be even better.

Let’s get back to those numbers. He was nailing them and playing some of his best ball of the season.

And now, as they’re set to meet for an unprecedented third consecutive year in The Finals beginning June 1 (9 p.m. ET, ABC), we’ll likely once again get to see plenty of what have become two of the NBA’s more familiar offensive attacks.

After ending Cleveland’s 52-year championship drought last season, James has been unburdened, free of the criticism or consequences.

Reuters/Kyle TeradaGolden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) collides with Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half of a regular season game in January 2017.

Irving won the matchup past year, averaging 27.1 points to Curry’s 21.1. “No disrespect to Cleveland, but I just think the Warriors are at a different level”.

Except those Warriors aren’t these Warriors.

In the closeout win over the Celtics, James scored a game-high 35 points on 13-of-18 shooting, including a four-for-seven showing from three-point range, and that performance moved him past Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan and into first place on the NBA’s all-time playoff scoring list.

Durant is the difference.

Then, in three games at Boston, the Cavaliers won by an average of 30 points, including an Eastern Conference Finals and franchise record 44 points, 130-86, in Game 2 at TD Garden.

Additionally LeBron has held the edge over Durant since Durant has come into the league.

“I’d like to tell you I’m ready”, Kerr said, addressing reporters after Monday’s practice here at the team’s facility because his interim coach, Mike Brown, was out with the flu. They know the pain that comes with losing a Finals, particularly one where a 3-1 series lead gets wasted. But downplaying the impact Kevin Durant’s choice had to leave OKC for Golden State is silly. Golden State is the first team to enter the NBA Finals with a flawless 12-0 mark. They’re rested. They’re healthy.

The FiveThirtyEight.com forecast has Golden State with a 90 percent chance of winning this series, based on 50,000 simulations.