6. David Blatt Must Outcoach Steve Kerr
The Cavs’ David Blatt, in his first year as a head coach in the NBA, has quietly compiled an impressive 12-2 record so far in his early playoff career. Blatt has faced a lot of criticism this year during his team’s up-and-down roller coaster regular season, but he continues to develop great team chemistry and continues to make the necessary adjustments needed for the Cavs to succeed at a high level.
On the opposing side, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has gotten off to a great start in his playoff head coaching career towards a 12-3 record. However, coach Kerr is no stranger to playoff success, as the former three-point shooting specialist is a five-time NBA champion (three with the Chicago Bulls and two with the San Antonio Spurs).
LeBron James, who compared the Warriors’ style of play and discipline to that of the Spurs, was quick to praise coach Kerr’s efforts this season.
“Coach Kerr does a great job of putting guys on the floor that can make plays, no matter who it is,” said James. “They’re high-motor guys and you can’t relax for one second defensively or else they’ll make you pay.”
This series could very well go either way between these two great teams, but ultimately the Cavs will ride James, the long-range shooting of J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert, and an all-around gritty defensive effort en route to Cleveland’s first professional sports championship in 50 years.
Prediction: Cavaliers in 6
