OAKLAND — If the Golden State Warriors are playing their best basketball Sunday during Game 2 of the NBA Finals, LeBron James and his Cavaliers won’t have a chance to even the series before heading back to Cleveland.
The question becomes this: Are there ways to make the Warriors feel uncomfortable on the basketball court? Are there ways to grab control of Game 2?
The discussions at practice on Saturday at the Oakland Marriott between coaches, players and media revolved around changes they think the Cavaliers will make on Sunday. Kevin Durant, who doesn’t expect to have wide open dunking lanes for an entire game this time, gave his best guess.
“They’re just going to muck the game up and be physical,” the 7-footer said.
Slowing the game down is certainly an option for the Cavaliers, but it may not be the best idea. People tend to forget the Warriors have the best half court defense in the NBA. Banging in the post against Draymond Green, Zaza Pachulia and even Durant is an entirely new challenge within itself. It was Pachulia’s physicality that really seemed to bother Tristan Thompson right from the outset of Game 1.
Still, it would be foolish of Cleveland not to try some different looks. Putting LeBron’s back to the basket is something he’s not the most comfortable with, but it would be a look that could pose some issues for Golden State. Generally you need two defenders on LeBron near the basket, which would leave an open shooter on the outside. LeBron prefers to play face-up with the basketball in his hands, and he’s one of — if not the — best in the world at it.
So, what about engaging in a 3-point shootout with the Warriors? It would be a major risk, but wasn’t the main reason Cleveland’s front office acquired J.R. Smith, Kyle Korver and Channing Frye to beat Golden State in June? Somebody besides LeBron or Kyrie Irving has to catch fire from the outside. Korver hasn’t scored in double figures since the Toronto series on May 7. Smith only took four shots on Thursday. Frye didn’t even play — coach’s decision. Oh, and by the way, Steph Curry hit six 3s the other night. Poking the bear from behind the arc could end in disaster.
There are just very few scoring options coming off Cleveland’s bench. Richard Jefferson was actually really the only bright spot outside of the Cavs’ Big 3. He scored 9 points in 15 minutes and seems to match up well against Golden State. Cleveland’s also relying on his confidence. During Saturday’s interviews, he was adamant his team did not play that poorly in Game 1.
“They shot 42 percent from the field,” Jefferson said. “We turned the ball over 20 times and they had nine dunks. They shot 42 percent from the field. The best shooting team in the history of the NBA. How far are we? Not very far.”
Ah, defense. LeBron may be the best player in the world, but he alone cannot make up for his teammates’ deficiencies on that end of the court — especially not when he’s occupying Durant. The Warriors had a clear game plan on Thursday: attack with Durant. They’ll likely have an entirely different one for Game 2, potentially involving a lot more pick-and-roll. There will without question be some new wrinkles.
Thursday’s defensive display from Cleveland was nothing short of embarrassing, causing coach Tyronn Lue to admit his game plan was backwards. Multiple times Irving and Smith got out of Durant’s way as he glided in the lane for dunks. Kevin Love grabbed 21 rebounds, but he nor Tristan Thompson were anywhere near the rim on all the breakaway dunks. Expect the Warriors to attack Love in space with Durant, Andre Iguodala and even Draymond Green.
One hazardous option Cleveland could explore on defense is doubling Durant and leaving Klay Thompson open (3-for-16, 6 points). On Saturday, Thompson said he’s blocked out all media coverage during the NBA Finals. He knows the scrutiny is intense on his game. The Warriors would beg the Cavaliers to enact this strategy. They recognize the dangers, too.
“(He’s) not in a great rhythm because Steph and KD are playing at a high clip, and they have been in the playoffs,” Lue said. “So maybe be a little bit out of rhythm, but as far as off in a slump, I don’t believe that. A guy like that is never slumping.”
Steph Curry made perhaps the most astute observation of the day: Game 2 is going to be completely different. Things from one game to the next don’t bleed over as often as media members think they do.
“That’s the beauty of the Finals,” Curry said. “It doesn’t matter really what happened in Game 1. It’s a whole ‘nother experience that we have to be ready for.”
So that means Cleveland won’t be turning the basketball over 20 times. But that also means the Warriors probably won’t miss 15 layups in the first half; Thompson and Draymond won’t combine for a 6-for-28 shooting clip.
But what is a constant from Game 1 to Game 2 is Kevin Durant. His presence has changed everything. It’s made it so superhero performances from LeBron and Irving aren’t enough to standalone.
There just aren’t a lot of adjustments the Cavs can make. Cleveland has very few options at its disposal.