2. LeBron James Must Continue Success vs. Warriors’ Defense
Although he’s very aware that this is a completely different Warriors team compared to the ones he’s faced in the past, LeBron James historically has put up outstanding numbers against Golden State over the years. In 21 career games against the Warriors, James averages 29.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.8 assists in 39.9 minutes per game.
In order to slow down James, forward Draymond Green and the Warriors will need to play excellent help defense and make things extremely difficult for the two-time NBA champion.
“A player like LeBron, obviously you want to make him work for his baskets,” said Barnes. “Just giving him little things like that and not having that commitment to eliminate those easy baskets, those are the things that can change a 20-point night to a 40-point night. A couple easy dunks, he gets in a rhythm, easy free throws, he’s got his shot going and now you have a problem on your hands. Making sure everything is contested is the biggest thing.”
James, who enters his fifth consecutive season in the NBA Finals, continues to be absolutely dominant throughout the 2014-15 playoffs. With eye-popping statistics, the 11-time All-Star currently averages 27.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.8 steals in a whopping 40.7 minutes per game.
“It’s unbelievable,” said J.R. Smith on playing with James this season. “All I’ve got to do is shoot spot-up shots and play defense. It makes it so much easier, it’s almost unreal.”
Green (14 points, 10.8 boards, 5.3 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.7 steals per game during the 2014-15 postseason), an NBA All-Defensive First Team selection this season, will definitely have his hands full on defense with guarding James. Also, expect Barnes and shooting guard Andre Iguodala to have a crack at guarding James in the series.
Next: Win the Point Guard Matchup
