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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

9. Will Draymond implode again?

For the most part, Draymond Green has behaved extremely well during the 2017 playoffs. He’s received one technical in 12 games and isn’t close to reaching the threshold that would suspend him for a game. That’s absolutely huge news for the Warriors, especially considering one could say he’s their most valuable player in this series.

With Golden State up 3-1 in the Finals last year, Green found himself suspended for Game 5 after a kick to James’ man parts. That ultimately helped Cleveland overcome the two-game deficit to pull off one of the greatest comebacks in playoff history.

In reality, Green not only needs to be on the court in every game of the Finals, he must maintain his emotions. That’s easier said than done for someone who relies on said emotion to help his team on the court.

Green will ultimately be tasked with going up against everyone from Kyrie Irving to LeBron James and Kevin Love on the defensive end of the court. His mere presence will make it difficult for the big three to go off in the same manner we have seen thus far in the playoffs.

Offensively, Green has given the Warriors more than they could have asked for thus far in the playoffs. Taking advantage of teams having to focus on Curry, Durant and Thompson, Green has found a plethora of wide-open threes. To the surprise of most outside of Oakland, Green is hitting the three at a 47 percent mark in the playoffs. He’s also adding 8.7 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.9 steals and 2.1 blocks per game. That’s some tremendous stuff right there.

If Green is able to keep his emotions in check while playing at an elite level on both ends of the court, it’s going to be really hard for Cleveland to come out on top in this series.

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