I hate to be the guy who mentions LeBron James in an article about these NBA Finals, which features a terrific matchup between Golden State and Toronto, but this is the first time since 2010 that we will be watching a championship series that does not include The King. For those of you reading this that are fellow college students, that means we have not seen a LeBron-less NBA Finals since middle school. Think about that, it's just absurd. Okay, enough about that. ESPN seems to have enough reporters that eat, sleep, and breathe LeBron and like I said before, I am not going to be that guy for the rest of  this piece.

This year, it's all about the Raptors and Warriors, squaring off in an extremely intriguing matchup with a lot of variables that are still in question. The most important being the health of Kevin Durant, whom some would argue is the best player in the world right now. He has been ruled out of Game 1 tomorrow night, but still traveled with the team to Toronto for the first two games of the series. Some are questioning whether or now KD will even appear in this series. The Warriors with Durant and The Warriors without Durant will create two completely different NBA Final endings, and I am going to break down what each one looks like.

The Warriors without Kevin Durant

Without Durant, the Warriors have managed to look like the best version that we have seen all season. Ball movement has been fluid, Steph Curry has been looking like his MVP self, Draymond has been on an absolute tear, and the whole supporting cast has really played to their potential. They outplayed the Rockets in Game 6 without Durant, proving to be the superior team down the stretch. Then they swept the Trailblazers in the Conference Finals, despite that series being a lot closer than what the score would suggest. However, neither the Rockets nor Blazers pack the same kind of punch that the Raptors do. The Rockets cannot get through the playoffs. They rely too much on isolation basketball which has led to some late-game sputters and an inability to close out games against elite teams, *cough cough* Golden State. The Blazers simply did not have enough of a supporting cast around Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum to be able to close out games against the Warriors. 

The Raptors though are a different monster. They are led by superstar Kawhi Leonard who was raised in the fire of Western Conference basketball with the Spurs and Coach Popovich. In my opinion, he is playing the best basketball in the league right now. The Raptors are a long and physical team who have a wide variety of ways that they can D-up their opponents. Down in the paint, they can throw Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka at you to deny easy layups and dunks. On the perimeter, Kawhi is always on lockdown as well as Danny Green and Kyle Lowry, who have really been dogging opposing offenses in these playoffs. Pascal Siakam is an extended and spidery defender, and he really uses his length to intercept and tip passes. Offensively, the Raptors have been streaky all season outside of Kawhi but have been hot ever since Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Case in point, the Raptors could match up with these Warriors. Look for the Raptors to switch on every screen, especially because they have the personnel to do it. Without Durant, the Warriors will be playing a lot of perimeter offense just like they did against Portland.  If the Raptors can keep Golden State from getting crazy hot from beyond the arc, they can and will win their first NBA Finals. Let me repeat that, if Kevin Durant does not play in these Finals, the Toronto Raptors will be the NBA Champions. With their offense clicking, the Raptors are one of the hardest teams to stop in the entire league. Without Durant to make those clutch buckets down the stretch, the Warriors lose that element of being unstoppable, and with a lengthy, athletic, switching defense, they can be made vulnerable.

My pick without KD: Raptors in 7
 
The Warriors with Kevin Durant (by Game 3)

If Kevin Durant comes back after Game 1 or 2, the Warriors will win. Plain and simple. Kawhi has been the best player overall in these playoffs, the whole Raptors team has been playing elite and has shown so much resiliency. Examples being like facing a 2-1 deficit against the Sixers, and a 2-0 hole against Milwaukee. However, the Warriors are too much for anyone to handle when they have Kevin Durant along with Steph, Klay, Draymond, and the rest of the group. I would pick the Warriors in 6 with him healthy. Sure, they looked off against the Clippers and the first half of the Rockets series, but I am convinced they were not giving 100%. The Warriors are a different team when the spotlight is on, whether it is the Conference Finals or NBA Finals. With KD, they are 8-1 in the Finals, all against Lebron and the Cavaliers. A lot of those games to that point were blowouts. Even when they are close, the Warriors can finish the job. Given this year’s Raptors are a better team than the Cavs, I still think the Warriors have too much skill and experience for them to handle with KD.

My pick with KD: Warriors in 6
 
Side Note: Somehow, against all odds, DeMarcus Cousins is likely to play in this series, maybe even by Game 1. With or without him there has not been a big difference, hence why I did not cover it previously. He is just not the same Boogie we are accustomed to seeing ever since his Achilles tear. He always has the potential to make game-changing plays. At one point, he was one of the best big men in the league, and that still has not disappeared. Look for him to possibly be an X-factor in this series if he can come back healthy.

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Since 2012, the Minnesota Twins have struggled to succeed and become ready for a playoff spot. After missing the playoffs for the 6th straight year, the front office in Minnesota was ready to make some changes. Starting with personnel, the team hired former player Rocco Baldelli as their new manager. This move showed the players that they are done with older coaches and want their coaching staff to get younger as their roster gets younger. During free agency, the team signed vets Martin Perez and slugger Nelson Cruz to have some experience in the clubhouse. After losing franchise players Joe Mauer and Brian Dozier, this team was becoming one of the youngest in baseball. 

The statistics for the Twins speak for themselves. The team currently averages 6 runs per game, along with a slugging percentage of .518 and their OPS percentage is currently at .860. These numbers put the Twins around the top of the league in almost every category, including their record, which is a league best 36-16. Another big part of their success is due to the long ball. After roughly 50 games, they have a total of 100 home runs as a team, which is on pace to beat the current record set by the New York Yankees in 2018. The team is now on pace for 327 home runs, which would destroy the previous record by 60 homeruns.  

The outstanding part about this rejuvenated Twins team, is that they are playing as a complete unit and do not need to rely on one superstar talent to push them along each game. Every player is doing their part and they, as a result, have become a very nice surprise as the 2019 season continues to progress. 

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​After two electrifying seasons as a defensive end for the Philadelphia Eagles, Chris Long has finally decided to end his 10-year football career by announcing the decision via social media on May 18, 2019. A must-need player for every team, Long was always the type of person to go above and beyond to reach the championship.  As much as his accomplishments were impactful on the field, it was his actions off the field that made people from all over the world look to him as an icon.

Being the son of famed defensive end Howie Long, Chris harnessed his father’s appetites of football by continuing the legacy.  In 2008, Long was drafted as the second pick to the St. Louis Rams.  During his 7-year tenure on the team, Long was found to be a “natural fit” to the defensive schemes, averaging 35.1 combined tackles a season, and starting every game for much of his time there.  Unfortunately, his last two seasons were very minimal due to injuries, and he would be let go at the end of the 2015 season.

Long would then continue making his mark on the league by signing a 1-year deal with the powerhouse New England Patriots.  Again, he started every game, and would help his new team post a formidable 14-2 record to go to Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons.  Losing going into the third quarter, Long would aid Tom Brady by leading the defense to holding Matt Ryan’s offense.  His efforts would award him his first title, along with a combined 35 tackles for that season alone while also accumulating 4 sacks.

One title would not be enough for a hungry dog like Chris Long, who along with fellow ex-Patriot LeGarrette Blount, would move to the Philadelphia Eagles, a team who was desperately trying to be a contender.  Following his signing, Long announced that he would be donating his entire 2017 salary to different charities throughout the season.  Long would say shortly after the decision, “I hope it won’t stop here, but that more people will become inspired to commit energy and resources to our educational system.  It will be the number of people invested in this cause that will be the difference maker for a quality education for every student in America.”

His two seasons with the Eagles would be very hard to forget, as his experience and depth with opposing defenses would aid to 28 combined tackles along with 5 sacks.  Going into the offseason, it was an awkward moment for Long, as he would be facing his former team in Super Bowl LII.  Nevertheless, Long and the Eagles defense came in clutch by defeating Tom Brady’s last attempt to win the game, sealing the deal for his back-to-back Super Bowl titles. His following season with the Eagles was just as great, although without another deep playoff appearance, with the leadership and his hard-work on and off the field, he would post 23 combined tackles with 6.5 sacks to finish off his fantastic career.

The NFL has watched closely to what Long has done off the field to help the surrounding communities.  Aside with donating his entire salary, Long has established The Chris Long Foundation, which helps underprivileged countries by providing necessary resources such as fresh drinking water, military appreciation, and helping the lives of the homeless and youth with better living standards and financial support. For his extremely dedicated actions, Long was awarded the 2018 Walter Payton Man of the Year, gaining an endless amount of respect from many different players around the league.

As an Eagles fan, I will miss Chris Long’s domination against opposing offenses. After last season, I just felt as if there was something to finish, perhaps a second Super Bowl title.  He was someone who again could unite the locker room, and push everyone around him to 110%.  Every single game that I watched him play, he always had a smile on his face, and in the game of football, that is a rarity.  I hope that the current Eagles defense will take it upon themselves to replicate his spirit both on and off the field, as he will find himself in Canton, Ohio someday.  

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The Golden State Warriors just completed their sweep over the Portland Trailblazers Monday night. The battle of the Curry brothers, Steph versus Seth, was short lived. Dell and Sonya Curry were flipping a coin to decide which son’s jersey each one would wear, representing different teams each night. Despite the sweep, the brothers were able to share a couple of laughs, one coming at the expense of Steph with 9:25 remaining in the 4th quarter of Game 4. Steph Curry headed to the free-throw line where he had made 81 consecutive 4th quarter playoff free-throws, that is when Seth got subbed back into the game. Steph ensued to miss the free-throw, breaking his streak at 81, and he turned around and pointed at Seth and the brothers shared a laugh amidst the high stakes of this playoff game. 

The odd part about this series however, is that the Blazers actually held a lead in games longer than the Warriors did, and by a decent margin. The Blazers led for 101 minutes of the series, while the Warriors only led for 83, and the Blazers squandered a 17 point lead in Game 2, an 18 point lead in Game 3, and another 17 point lead in Game 4 (which they lost in overtime). CJ McCollum had an excellent series, Damian Lillard played well for the majority of the series as well. Meyers Leonard had an exceptional series, which included a 30 point Game 4 (25 points in the first half shooting 80% from three). The Blazers showed that they have the talent to hang with the Warriors, as they had double-digit leads in 3 of the 4 games, but ultimately did not have the poise or depth to close those games out. Despite the sweep, the Blazers may have found a confidence that they can carry over into next season where they could make a run once the Warriors talent disperses and continues to age.

​Steph Curry was absurd. He set the record for most points per game in a playoff series sweep, averaging 36.5 PPG against the Blazers, which tops a couple of legends including Shaq (36.3 PPG), LeBron (36.0 PPG), Kobe (35.0 PPG), and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (34.8 PPG). The absence of Kevin Durant had almost no effect on the Warriors, who just seemed to revert back to their form we saw back in the 73 win season of 2016. Another surprise to me: the healthy, positive mindset of Draymond Green which lead to excellent team chemistry and superb ball movement. Common concerns throughout the season for Golden State has been the clashing between Draymond and KD, who is staying and who is leaving, and whether they can balance these egos and stick together as a unit to win the title.

The Warriors are just simply playing all-time great basketball even without Kevin Durant, and Draymond has really stepped up and been the star the Warriors need him to be. I would go as far as to call him the co-MVP of this series, tied with record-breaking Steph, as he is averaging 13.6 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game in these playoffs and featured his best performances against the Blazers. While Steph, Draymond, and Klay were phenomenal, the supporting cast was also great, including great production off the bench by Shaun Livingston, Kevon Looney, Quinn Cook, along with great surprise starts by Alfonzo McKinnie and Jordan Bell. What Golden State displayed in this series is that they still have the adaptability, chemistry, and depth to be a heavy favorite against any team they are playing. My message to Toronto or Milwaukee: LOOK OUT...

In a series that once looked to be on the brink of being a possible sweep, the Raptors were able to dodge the metaphoric foot the Bucks had on their throat by winning the thrilling Game 3 double-overtime game in Toronto, thanks to excellent performances by Kawhi, Pascal Siakam, and Marc Gasol. Then there was Game 4. Essentially a must-win game, given teams trailing 3-1 only come back to win the series 4.5% of the time, and has only been done 11 times in NBA history. Kawhi Leonard finished Game 4 with 19 points and Pascal Siakam with 7. By looking at those totals, many would assume the Bucks are holding a 3-1 lead heading back to Milwaukee. But that’s not the case. Let me reveal the rest of the stats. 

• Kyle Lowry: 25 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds
• Marc Gasol: 17 points, 7 assists
• Norman Powell: 18 points, +29 Plus/Minus (Team Best)
• Serge Ibaka: 17 points, 13 rebounds, +24 Plus/Minus
• Fred VanVleet: 13 points, 6 assists, 3/3 3PT, +25 Plus/Minus

Kyle Lowry has been stepping up this whole series, and I can say that this is the best playoff form I have ever seen him play in. He has been aggressive, confident; he has filled his role as a top offensive option for Toronto, and has kept them in games. If I had to sum up Marc Gasol’s performance in this series in one word, I would choose timely. In Game 3, he hit some huge shots and huge free-throws to help a gassed Kawhi Leonard (who played a game-high 52 minutes), and was essential for the Raptors to pull that game off. In Game 4, as I displayed above, he was key in filling in for an exhausted Kawhi and Pascal Siakam. Norman Powell, Serge Ibaka, and Fred VanVleet were an absolute dream for coach Nick Nurse, all scoring in double figures off the bench and adding key rebounds and assists.

Norman Powell has really stepped up the past few games, and held the team high for Plus/Minus, which is a stat that measures what the scoring trend was while each individual player was in the game. It is a stat that I really like, because it shows how well each player stepped into the game, whether it is a starter or bench player, and contributed to the success or failure during their time on the court. In Game 4, the Raptors bench was stellar, and the Plus/Minus backs that truth up. I stated in a previous article that the key for the Raptors to make a run would be supporting cast and bench production, and whether they can get enough of it to help Kawhi. This is the blueprint for how the Raptors can win this series, and yes, maybe even win the Finals. Let us not forget, the last time Kawhi played the Warriors in the playoffs, his Spurs were up 25 points in Game 1 before Zaza Pachulia stepped on his ankle and knocked him out for the series. 

​As for the Bucks, there is no need to panic. Game 5 is in Milwaukee, they have not lost 3 games in a row all season. The home crowd should be very helpful with getting the team back on track and helping them find a good rhythm. Giannis and Khris Middleton have been great in this series, Brook Lopez had a monster game in Game 1 to surge the Bucks past the Raptors in the final minutes. Honestly, the key deciding factor in this series has been the supporting casts for each team, and which team makes the more timely plays and gets the better well-rounded performances from their whole squad. I know that sounds super generic, you could read that in any sports article for any level of sports consumer, but this series is so evenly matched that the basics are quite literally the deciding factor.

​The war of attrition between Kawhi and Giannis kind of leads them to cancel each other out, which means that it is up to the rest of the guys to make the plays that give their team the advantage. With the series tied at 2-2, this series is now a 3 game series, with probably 2 games in Milwaukee and 1 in Toronto, depending on if the series goes 7 games or not, which I think it will. I picked Toronto to make the Finals before the playoffs began, and I am sticking with that. Kawhi has been a warrior battling through heavy minutes and fatigue injuries. Kyle Lowry has stepped up in a major way, and I think this team that was once down 2-0 will find a way to reach the coveted NBA Finals.

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