Four is enough — or maybe too much.
That was the theme of a conference call this week with ESPN NBA Finals analysts Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson as reporters probed the former coaches to try to figure out if they were bored with the matchup.
They were asked if the Cavaliers have any chance, if the NBA should reconsider the playoff format to seed the teams without conferences having a bearing (Van Gundy for, Jackson against) and what it would be like if this were a Rockets-Celtics matchup, referencing the two teams who lost in Game 7 of their respective conference finals.
“It would have been tremendous stories all throughout the Finals, recognition of coaches, recognition of players, and appreciation for the long, hard struggle to get to this level and then to finally get there,” Jackson, who is calling his 10th NBA Finals, said of the just-missed scenario.
“But at the same time, I think even though with these two teams, it seems like we have seen that movie before. The difference is, you have guys on both of these teams that are locked Hall of Famers and they are chasing guys in that special room, and that’s the difference. That’s to be appreciated and recognized in my opinion.”
Aside from the repetition, there is a fear that this series will be one-sided with the defending-champion Warriors significant favorites over LeBron James, who comes in with his least-respected Cavaliers squad. How realistic that fear is started to get answered on Thursday night when Game 1 of the series tipped off. The narrative would change quickly if Cleveland were to steal one in Oakland and push the defending champion Warriors into a deep series.
“To me, it’s all about — it’s not about what we say, it’s about what happens on the floor and the results that the teams get,” said Van Gundy, who is behind the mic for his 12th finals. “I don’t think it’s up to us to try to excite people.
“Yeah, obviously the coverage is going to be star-driven, like it always is,” Van Gundy added. “So we’re going to tell the same stories about James and [Kevin] Durant and [Stephen] Curry that some may just be hearing for the first times and others may be sick of hearing.”
And that star power will still draw significant audiences to the games. Even with the factors working against it, the allure of this series may still be greater than any other possible matchup. The series also comes with it the possibility of this being James’ final one with the Cavaliers as the Lakers, 76ers and Rockets are circling as potential free-agent suitors.
“LeBron James being in the Finals is never bad for business, and obviously the Warriors are such a team of superior talent that Durant, Curry, [Klay] Thompson, you know, they are going to always be a big draw,” Van Gundy said.
“I think it’s up to other teams; if we want to see a different Finals, then we’ve got to have other teams win or we’ve got to set up a different system and not make it Eastern Conference and Western Conference, but make it based upon the records.”