NBA Finals: What the Cavaliers need to learn from Game One

Stephen Curry (R) of the Golden State Warriors shoots against LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers

Stephen Curry very candidly stated that he wanted to get the title to Akron. Not many till then realized that Curry like LeBron has his roots back in Akron, Ohio. Two superstars from the same city battling for the highest honor in the NBA world, albeit for two different cities and creating two very varied legacies.

Game 1 was a pulsating nerve-wrecking encounter and set the tone for what promises to be a true historic spectacle. The rust did creep in the two teams due to the 9-day layoff but the likes of Irving, Thompson and Speights were better from the rest. Kyrie came out firing and with the Warriors choosing to play LeBron with single coverage, he dominated the game, scoring at will and almost coming up with the win. Curry did his thing, but in the end it was Coach Kerr’s security blanket in Iguodala who made the biggest plays and got the Warriors through.

Now in our ardent desire to bedizen the likes of Curry and Thompson, we tend to forget that the foundation for what the Warriors have achieved has a lot to do with the sacrifices made by the likes of Iguodala and Lee. Iguodala has always been one of the premier wing defenders in the game, and with his ball-handling ability and play-making expertise, he has always been a prominent starting piece for every team and coach he has played for. With Kerr, he had to accept the role of a sixth man and allow Harrison Barnes to take the starting role. That couldn’t be easy for a former All-Star, but it was his sacrifice that brought Barnes to the fore and Barnes has flourished in the added responsibility and embraced the playoffs pressure like nobody ever envisaged of him. Iguodala on the other hand has become the leader for the Warriors second unit and is quite easily the biggest reason why the Warriors bench is one of the most envied in the league.

His stupendous defense on LeBron to close out the game was vital and LeBron finished with 2-12 shooting when Iguodala was covering him. And most importantly, Iguodala wasn’t doing it with his strength or athleticism but with his veteran savvy, denying the easy pass in the block, forcing his way through screens and ensuring that LeBron turned into a perimeter jump-shooter, which is not his greatest strength. He made vital steals, transition plays and took LeBron off his rhythm to close out the game.

What happened to LeBron?

It also needs to be mentioned that Kerr was extremely bold and savvy in allowing LeBron to do his thing in the post without double teaming him. He trusted his players to make it as difficult as possible and most importantly ensure that LeBron didn’t get into the “Magic Johnson” mode. He threw different match-ups at LeBron and by the fourth quarter it seemed LeBron didn’t have much lift or rhythm to become a jump-shooter. The Warriors were disciplined in their defensive assignments and efficient when they chose to help. LeBron was too good an offensive player to contain but by staying close to the Cavs shooters they ensured that LeBron doesn’t become a play-maker and took the Cavs shooters out of the game.

LeBron wanted to dominate the mismatch and he did that. His numbers were hypnagogic as he bulldozed his way to 44 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Great numbers and his insuperable effort put the Cavaliers in a position to win the game. His choice to settle for a step-back fade-away can be questioned, yet nobody can deny that for most parts, the Cavaliers offense looked like LeBron or bust.

And that is where the Warriors won the game. While we may still be throwing the bloviating adjectives at LeBron one needs to notice that JR Smith played almost no role in the game. He started hot making 2 out of his first 3 shots, but beyond that he struggled to find any shots in the offense. Shumpert also cut a sorry figure on the offensive end. Mozgov had some touches and Thompson was a beast on the offensive board, but other than Irving and LeBron nobody in the Cavs team looked to have any major role in the offense. The ball movement was abysmal and almost no weak-side action and movement was drawn up by Blatt to get open looks for his shooters. The Cavs need to understand that even if LeBron were to average 40 points in the series the team’s X-factor is still the production they get out of Smith, Shumpert and Dellavedova.

Coach Blatt also needs to take a major part of the blame. Playing Irving for 44 minutes may count against him, but Dellavedova in the 9 minutes he featured in didn’t do enough to warrant greater minutes. Blatt needs to find ways to get Smith and Shumpert in the offense and it can’t be all mid-range post-up with LeBron. Smith is an elite pick and roll player and the combo of LeBron and Smith in the pick-and-roll needs to be exploited. Jones and Milner have NBA Finals experience under their belt, and both of them are elite shooters who need to be featured now. Blatt has to defer from LeBron in the post and allow him to play play-maker, get Thompson and Mozgov more active in setting weakside screens for the shooters in the Cavs team to flourish. Losing Irving and Love is a huge blow for any team, but the Cavs roster is deep enough to give LeBron the necessary help.

What next?

If Game 1 was about making statements, game 2 will be about getting momentum. The Cavs have been great on their home floor, and will want to take as much momentum as possible to their home court. With Irving gone, it sets up the opportunity for Smith, Shumpert and Dellavedova. They will carry the nerves because it is their first time in such high pressure, but this is the NBA Finals. This is what makes Champions out of greatness. The stage is set. LeBron we all know will show up, as will the Warriors. Can the rest of the Cavs step up too and can Coach Blatt show the guts to defer and rely on his supporting cast. LeBron can only take you so far. Blatt needs to find ways to help him get to the hilt.

Game 2 will be surely a test of the aptitude or ineptitude of the much-maligned Blatt. I hope he does the gutsy thing his counterpart did in Game 1.