20 bold predictions for the NBA’s second half
Draymond Green will win NBA Finals MVP
This sort of serves as a three-part prediction:
- The Warriors will beat the Spurs in the Western Conference Finals
- The Warriors will win the NBA Finals
- Draymond will win series MVP
The first two aren’t notable in any way; it’s the prediction most folks have. The third prediction comes down to the way the Warriors will win. And it will have more to do with Green than with probable NBA MVP Stephen Curry.
The element the Warriors have over all their potential matches in the East is their lineup flexibility. Having Draymond Green gives the Warriors a player who can guard anybody on the court, from point guard to center, and bringing him in allows the Warriors not to lose anything in terms of shooting, rebounding, passing or team speed when running the floor.
Essentially, he is the cornerstone to their small-ball lineup of doom:
PG Stephen Curry
SG Klay Thompson
SF Andre Iguodala
PF Harrison Barnes
C Draymond Green
That lineup has enough length, rebounding, perimeter and interior defense not to fold against the more powerful inside teams; on offense, together every element of that lineup can create a dizzying web of passes and screens and cuts to run the opposition out.
With Golden State playing with the urgency and speed of this season, a Finals series predicated on the threat of the small-ball lineup could very easily be in store. If that is the case, Draymond will be the key element of that series victory.
Next: Drummond's FT%