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Top 10 storylines for the 2017 NBA Finals

NBA Finals NBA MVP LeBron James Kevin Durant Golden State Warriors Cleveland Cavaliers

6. LeBron James, defining a legacy

LeBron brought a championship to Cleveland for the first time in over a half century. He did so less than two calendar years after returning from his stint in South Beach. Now, with seven consecutive NBA Finals appearances to his name, James is being mentioned among the game’s best. We’re talking about Bill Russell’s dominating run with the Celtics in the 1950’s and 1960’s. We’re also talking about Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.

It really isn’t hyperbole. James’ domination of the Eastern Conference over the course of the past near decade is historical. This year’s run to the NBA Finals is no different. In 13 games, James is averaging 32.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, 8.6 assists and 2.2 steals while shooting at a 56 percnt mark from the field.

Most experts are concluding that Golden State will run through Cleveland in the Finals. While that might very well be true, we can’t discount what James brings to the table. His performance last June is a prime example of that. If there’s one player that can take down this Warriors team, it surely is King James himself.

Though, there’s a wrench has been thrown into this entire narrative recently. We all know Golden State signed Durant to go up against James in June. It doesn’t take a genius to realize that. For the reigning NBA Finals MVP, it won’t be a cake walk like the Eastern Conference Playoffs were.

Sure Paul George offered a solid matchup in the first round, but he was a one-man show for Indiana. After that, the level of competition for James himself just wasn’t up to snuff. DeMarre Carroll and P.J. Tucker of the Raptors offered very little resistance in the conference semifinals. Meanwhile, Jae Crowder and rookie Jaylen Brown were in way over their heads in the conference finals.

That won’t be the case in the Finals. When Durant is not going up against James one-on-one, Defensive Player of the year front-runner Draymond Green will take on the four-time MVP. Heck, we will also see former NBA Finals MVP Andre Iguodala up against James. Those are three elite-level defenders. And if James is able to overcome them, his legacy will be defined as one of the greatest players to ever suit up in the NBA. It’s that simple.

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