5 reasons Cavaliers and Warriors are the NBA's best rivalry

5 reasons Cavaliers and Warriors are the NBA’s best rivalry

Jun 10, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) exchanges words with Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the fourth quarter in game four of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. The Warriors won 108-97. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jun 13, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the third quarter in game five of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Who’s the greatest in the NBA?

There are three players in this rivalry that all have claim to status as greatest player in the NBA. Steph Curry has won the last two MVP’s, changed the way we look at shooting, and is a player that has to be guarded the second he crosses halfcourt. He’s a highlight machine that wows both common fan and basketball purist. People show up ridiculously early just so they can watch him warmup. There is a legitimate argument that his impact on a game, and the way he forces defenses to adjust to just him, makes him the NBA’s best player. He’s certainly got the flashiness for it with his games becoming appointment viewing for anybody that just enjoys the entertainment of everything. When he’s not dancing with the ball in his hands, and firing up shots that nobody else can make, he’s making incredible passes to one of his other incredibly accurate shooting teammates.

Such as Kevin Durant! Before a foot injury and some bad luck in Oklahoma City, Durant was on his way to challenging LeBron for best player in the NBA. Durant was a lights out shooter before Curry made it cool, and his absurd length made him one of the most difficult to guard players in the NBA. Durant and Westbrook were an unstoppable tandem that made it to the Western Conference Finals every season after their first playoff appearance, minus the year Westbrook got hurt. The one thing that’s held Durant back from greatest in the NBA status is his lack of a title. He was never able to get over that hump in OKC, but maybe his luck will change in Golden State.

Currently sitting atop the NBA, and proving to the world that yes he is still in fact the best player, LeBron James is an unstoppable force that can flip the switch at will. He’s still the player anybody would choose if they needed to win just one game or series. However, Lebron has shown a few cracks in the armor now that he’s in his 30’s, and he can’t really go 100 percent for the entire season anymore. It’s this small crack that has given way to Durant and Curry to challenge his status. Should the best player in the NBA be someone that can dominate any game they choose, or someone that can take the grind of 82 games, the playoffs, and still come out on top? This rivalry helps settle that debate.

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