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NBA Playoffs 2017: Ranking possible NBA Finals matchups

By Dennis Clausen

January 16, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates in front of Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 16, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates in front of Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Celtics, Bulls
Feb 25, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) and guard Marcus Smart (36) speak during the first half of a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Golden State vs. Boston

This sounds a little funny rolling of your tongue, as most fans are probably used to saying Cleveland as opposed by to Boston when referencing this potential matchup NBA finals.

Can you imagine if Boston actually beat Cleveland to make it to the NBA Finals? Hard to imagine for some. Though it may be hard to imagine, it’s not necessarily unlikely.

The Celtics have been preparing for this moment since Boston won their last NBA championship in 2008. They signed Al Horford as a free agent last off-season, they gave Danny Ainge, president of basketball operations and Brad Stevens contract extensions.

This would be a matchup of teams viewed on opposing ends of the spectrum. The Celtics built their team from the ground up, keeping their core group intact for the past several years. They have made smart trades and relied on excellent coaching to become successful.

The villainous Warriors took that path for awhile, then they just signed Kevin Durant and now resemble an NBA 2K roster, you know the kind of roster you can make when you turn on “force trade” in General Manager mode (some of you know what I’m talking about, don’t judge me).

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