Going towards a familiar Finals cast

For the first time in franchise history, the Toronto Raptors became the Eastern Conference’s top seed. But for the third consecutive post season, they were scourged on the floor by their favorite crucifier, the Cleveland Cavaliers led by their chief torturer LeBron James and his minions.

Games 1 and 3 were classic battles but LBJ was in his usual groove – delivering from anywhere from the outside or bulldozing his way inside. There was ample help from his support crew yesterday that he was happily prancing on the sidelines for most part of the 4th quarter, content seeing his shock troopers add more suffering to the already tormented Raptors that they all seemed like the purple and green Barney.

Cleveland advances to their 4th straight EC Finals and will wait for the winner of the Boston-Philadelphia series.  The Celtics have a 3-1 edge over the Sixers and could end the Process-ing today.  Never was there any playoff team holding a 3-0 series lead ever been eliminated and Philadelphia has a chance to change the course of history.

Brad Stevens has a high coaching IQ that he had made it this far without superstars Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. Boston is destined to battle Cleveland for the second year in a row for the conference crown and probably will lose in six games.  I like the Celtics to advance to the Finals but they would be manhandled by either Houston or Golden State.  The Cavs will give the Western finalist a decent battle.

Let’s go back to LeBron.  In ten playoff games, he almost averaged a triple double with 37.7 points, 9.9 assists and 10.3 rebounds.   He will be 34 by December and basketball players at this age had already reached their peak and are slowly fading.  I cannot say the same with this specie.  At 6-8 and more than 250 pounds, LBJ is built like a football linebacker and is quick, considering his size.  Only a few players would dare sacrifice their bodies to stop a rampaging number 23.

If Cleveland disposes of Boston, it will be the Cavaliers’ 5th consecutive trip to the NBA Finals and LeBron’s 8th straight Finals appearance.  On the Western front, Houston and Golden State are within striking distance of each other.

If only Utah had Ricky Rubio and a man in the middle with the talent of either Al Horford or LaMarcus Aldridge or a combination of both instead of the butter fingered Rudy Gobert, the Jazz would have a strong chance of beating Houston.  The Rockets’ second year pro Clint Capella is running rings around Gobert .  Size-wise, both teams are about even but without Rubio and Dante Exum, their backcourt is over-matched with Chris Paul, James Harden, Eric Gordon and Gerald Green all healthy.

The Jazz are making do with a backcourt dependent on rookie Donovan Mitchell but he’s not exactly a point but a 2-guard.  Raul Neto and David Stockton simply don’t have the experience to orchestrate plays.

Golden State is the only NBA team that doesn’t need a coach.  Steve Kerr is there probably just to keep order on the hardcourt.  No other team in the league can compete with their “Death Lineup”.  Exactly how can you deal with a potently “small” starting unit of Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, Stephen Curry, Andre Igoudala and Klay Thompson.

Things would have been better for the Pelicans had DeMarcus Cousins been available to help Anthony Davis and Nikola Mirotic.  DMC and Dray would have vied for the most number of technical fouls received during playoffs.  Yes, Rajon Rondo has the veteran savvy but New Orleans just lack the material to go up against the Warriors.  Jrue Holiday is good but Shaun Livingston will apply his seniority on him.   Emeka Okafor is a legit center but that he was some 10 years ago and he’s being outplayed by JaVale McGee and Zaza Pachulia.

The Rockets and Warriors shall be battling for the WC title with Golden State winning the series, and a fourth straight Finals battle with Cleveland.