NBA Finals Preview: Warriors vs. Raptors

It's time for the NBA Finals and I could not be more excited for this matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors; if you are like me, you feel like an outsider in Pittsburgh since over half of the city likes to act like the NBA does not exist. Pittsburgh may not take notice to the NBA since we do not have a team, but the rest of the world is for sure paying attention as the popularity for the NBA has skyrocketed with a boat load of star players in the game. A stat I always love to use against NBA haters is that game 1 of the 2017 NBA finals had 17.4 million viewers while the Penguins series clinching game 6 of the 2017 NHL Finals had 7 million viewers.. Now that I finished my soap box, lets get on to this years match up!

Lebron James enters his 9th straight finals... wait, hold on a minute; you're telling me there can be an NBA Finals without Lebron? The 2019 Finals will be the first NBA Finals without Lebron James since 2010; how crazy is that? I love Lebron, but this Final has a lot more intrigue to it with differing storylines and an opposing team to the Warriors that actually has a decent chance to win. 

The Warriors enter the finals hunting for a 3-peat and looking to win 4 of the past 5 NBA finals. If the Warriors pull this off, there is no denying that they are one of the greatest dynasties in sports. What is even more amazing, is that the Warriors might pull this off without Kevin Durant who has won the last two Finals MVP awards. However, the Warriors have a very good challenger in Toronto and they will give them all they can handle. Let's take a look at the main story lines going into this finals along with the key player for each team.

1. Will Kevin Durant Play?

This is a huge question going into the finals and all that we know so far is that he will not be playing in Game 1. With Durant out, that frees up Kawhi Leonard to guard either Klay Thompson or Steph Curry with his elite defensive skills, which could cause the Warriors some problems. When Toronto  lost Game 2 of the ECF to the Bucks, they adjusted by having Kawhi guard Giannis, which made the "Greek Freak" relatively ineffective. If Durant comes back, Kawhi will be forced to guard him, which will free up Curry and Thompson to play like the Splash Brother they are and Toronto will be doomed. 

2. NBA Finals in Canada for First Time Ever

For the first time ever, the NBA Finals will be in Canada; how cool is that? Toronto has not had a team in the finals of their respective sports since the Blue Jays won the World Series in 1993; Toronto was way over due for a Championship match up. I love to see the Raptors in the final because it will only help the brand of the NBA to continue to grow. Enjoy the finals, Canada!

3. Does Kawhi Have Enough Help?

All playoffs, Kawhi has been a machine putting up thirty point game after thirty point game along with hitting clutch shots like his iconic game winner against the 76ers in the semifinals. Kawhi has arguably been the best player in the playoffs, but will he have enough help to beat the Warriors? The Warriors are going to have a plan for Kawhi Leonard, so it is going to be up to players like Kyle Lowry, Marc Gasol, Pascal Siakam, and potentially OG Anunoby if he returns from injury as reported to step up in order to defeat the Warriors. 

4. Finals MVP: Drake

If you asked Drake who has been the Raptors MVP so far this post season, he would probably say it is himself and take all the credit for shutting down Giannis by getting in his head during the ECF. I for one am excited to watch Drake's antics court side during the Finals, even if it is a little obnoxious. 

Raptors Key Player to Win: Kyle Lowry. If the Raptors are to win this series, Kawhi needs a lot of help, and he can get that with Lowry who has been an All-Star and has shown glimpses of being very good. He has the ultimate point guard match up against Steph Curry, and he will need to rise to the occasion for the Raptors to win. 

Warriors Key Player to Win: Steph Curry. Curry was lights out in the WCF leading the Warriors to a sweep of the Trail Blazers. If he can repeat that type of performance, this may be a very short series. 

Overall, the Warriors are huge favorites over the Raptors (as expected), but if you are going to the Rivers Casino to place your bets on the finals, keep in mind that Toronto won both regular season match ups even when Kevin Durant was playing. But as we know, playoff Warriors are just different. The Houston Rockets also won the regular season series against the Warriors, but that did not stop them from losing in 6 games against a Warriors team without KD. With that being said...

Finals Prediction: Golden State in 6. 

Finals MVP: Steph Curry. 

-Aaron, TGYK