After winning the 2015 NBA title, the Warriors adjusted their advance-scouting strategy during the regular season and did some work through freelancers.
According to NBA sources, the Warriors recently asked a handful of teams to borrow scouting-report material on the Cavaliers. As unconventional as that sounds, the Warriors must be doing something right as they close in on their second straight title in this dream rematch against the Cavaliers.
In truth, these teams should know each other well enough by now after last season’s 4-2 series win by the Warriors. Here’s the scouting matchups — from The Post, not the freelancers:
Point guard
Splash Brother No. 1, Stephen Curry, started to look like his assassin self again in Games 6 and 7 vs. OKC and the knee-injury/rusty talk has been put to bed. His super-deep 3’s and drives ending in soft floaters off the glass are joys to watch. Curry was tight early in last year’s Finals, but now his ballhandling mojo is working. Cavs All-Star Kyrie Irving injured his knee at the end of Game 1 last June and his two-way presence now gives the Cavs a better shot. The game’s best ballhandler outside of Curry, Irving (20-plus points in 12-of-14 playoff games) is also an underrated, improved defender with good hands.
Edge: Warriors.
Shooting guard
This is the Cavaliers’ biggest fear: Ex-Knick J.R. Smith reverts to his mistake-ridden Finals form of 2015. The usually streaky Smith has been on fire in the playoffs from beyond the arc (46.2 percent, 49 3-pointers made) and stalked Atlanta’s Kyle Korver. But Klay Thompson is no Korver. Thompson has got the same effortless release as Curry, but at a higher plane — which could give defensive specialist Iman Shumpert fits. Thompson’s 41-point explosion — 11 3-pointers — in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals is one of the most impressive playoff outings in recent memory, helping him step out of Curry’s shadow. And Thompson defends.
Edge: Warriors
Small Forward
LeBron James, making his sixth straight Finals appearance, averaged 35.8 points vs. the Warriors last June, but even he will admit he tried to do too much and his shooting percentage waned. To win in 2016, James will need to make his biggest splash on defense — perhaps needed to stifle one of the Splash Brothers. If Steve Kerr is smart, he’d start 2015 Finals MVP Andre Iguodala over Harrison Barnes, but could make the switch later in the series. One of the NBA’s most underrated players, Iguodala caused chaos against Kevin Durant in the Western Conference Finals and made it hard on James last June. Iguodala has one of the rare combinations of strength, size and quickness to handle King James.
Edge: Cavaliers
Power forward
Against the Thunder, Draymond Green unveiled a “nutty” streak that could hurt the Warriors, if he implodes. However, Green’s two-way undersized prowess is unmatched. Kevin Love probably gets Green, but he’s never been a solid defender. Love can shoot the 3 and his pump-fakes are wicked. Love’s absence in last year’s Finals limited the Cavs’ attack.
Edge: Warriors
Center
Plodding Andrew Bogut is hit-and-miss — his size is not always an attribute in Kerr’s fast-paced attack. That’s why Kerr uses a center-by-committee. Bogut misses chippies around the basket and is a terrible free-throw shooter. Cleveland’s Tristan Thompson is the NBA’s best-paid role player (5 years, $82 million) and it’s time to earn his money, devouring rebounds on both ends. Thompson averaged 10 points and 13 boards in 40.8 minutes in last year’s Finals, though won’t play as much this year.
Edge: Even
Bench
The Cavs’ reserves will make a bigger impact than they did in the 2015 Finals. Ex-Knick first-rounder Channing Frye is the big-man X-factor Cleveland didn’t have last year. He’s been a 3-point machine (57.8 percent) in the playoffs. Shumpert played last June with an injured shoulder and Richard Jefferson is still respected. The Cavs won’t need scrappy backup point guard Matthew Dellavedova to turn into a star as he did in 2015. Kerr went 11-deep in Game 7 against the Thunder and can turn to unsung guys like big men Mo Speights and Festus Ezeli. If Barnes comes off the bench, he can toss in 3s and defend. And don’t forget Shaun Livingston, a fleet 6-foot-7 point guard who puts pressure on the D but can’t shoot from deep.
Edge: Warriors
Coach
James is the unofficial coach, but Tyronn Lue has done an admirable job managing egos and keeping up spirits after David Blatt reportedly sank morale. Lue still has a lot to prove with adjustments in this spot after rolling through the weak East. Kerr is spectacular with game-by-game adjustments, harping on the guys to move the ball and rebound.
Edge: Warriors.
Predictions
Marc Berman
Golden State has the two most explosive offensive players in the Finals and a quick-footed defense. And then there’s J.R. …
Warriors in 6
Fred Kerber
The Warriors looked vulnerable against OKC, then were their old selves in Game 7, and LeBron James is, after all, LeBron James (look what he carried to six games last year). But Cavs guards can’t defend Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
Warriors in 7
Brian Lewis
The Warriors are rolling after storming back from a 3-1 hole vs. OKC. After breezing to a record 73 wins, this test will only make them tougher. Cleveland can score, but can the Cavs get stops? Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving aren’t going to help in that department.
Warriors in 7
Mike Vaccaro
Because LeBron. Because LeBron has help this time. And because it’s time for Cleveland. It’s just time.
Cavaliers in 6