5. LeBron: You still think you’re the best player? Show it
So, last year, the Cavaliers were significantly upgraded defensively by not having Irving or Love in the Finals. This year, they are defensive liabilities, yes. But they are also spacing safe havens. Andre Iguodala deserved Finals MVP last year mainly for the defensive impact he made on LeBron. But it’s a lot easier to guard LeBron when all of your teammates can have one foot in the paint because they aren’t worried about any other player being able to consistently knock down shots.
This year, Iguodala is coming off maybe the defensive performance of his life. He made one of the most lethal scorers of all time in Kevin Durant work for everything he got, and he partially saved the season with his forced turnovers in game six. But, there is nothing like guarding LeBron if (HUGE if) he is hitting is jump shot.
To this point in the postseason, teams have been guarding LeBron James as if he were Rajon Rondo, making it harder for him to get to the rim. But, if he shows that he consistently knock down his jumper again, Iguodala’s job becomes immensely more difficult. The Cavs will need every bit of LeBron’s greatness in this series, and his jumper is the key to unlocking it.
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