So many parallels between the Cavs-Warrios and the Lakers-Celtics rivalries. Will history repeat itself?
In '84, the Celtics with regular season MVP Larry Bird, defeated the Lakers in the Finals in 7 games after having the NBA's best record. The Lakers were without their 3rd leading scorer (Jamaal Wilkes) due to injury and was out for the entire series.
In '15, the Warriors with regular season MVP Stephen Curry, defeated the Cavs in the Finals in 6 games after having the NBA's best record. The Cavs were without their second and third leading scorers (Irving, Love) due to injury and were out for the entire series.
In '85, the Lakers defeated the Celtics in the Finals in 6 games. Larry Bird was the regular season MVP. The Celtics had the NBA's best record.
In '16, the Cavs defeated the Warriors in the Finals in 7 games. Stephen Curry was the regular season MVP. The Warriors had the NBA's best record.
In '87, the Lakers defeated the Celtics in the Finals in 6 games. The Celtics' bench, an asset of previous years' teams, was decimated by injuries to Bill Walton and Scott Wedman, forcing K.C. Jones to play his starters heavy extended minutes. By the time the Finals began, the Lakers were the far deeper team. New mid-season acquisition Mychal Thompson (Klay's dad) played a pivotal role as he helped alleviate 40-year old Kareem Abdul Jabbar.
In '17, the Warriors' depth, an asset of previous years' teams, now consists of a bench unit that lacks meaningful playoff experience with the likes of Clark, McCaw, and McGee. Not to mention the uncertainty of Coach Kerr's health. In addition, Igoudala hasn't been 100% of late, which leaves the aging David West and Livingston as arguably the only two healthy bench players who can be anything close to making any sort of real impact for GSW. Meanwhile, CLE's mid-season acquisitions of sharpshooter Kyle Korver and veteran PG Deron Williams were made specifically for the Finals matchup with GSW and the Cavs look as healthy as ever.
Cavs in 6, clinching it at home.