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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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Apr 20, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich during the second quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 20, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich during the second quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Cleveland vs. San Antonio

Any basketball purist would love to see this matchup again. Greg Popovich, the greatest NBA coach of all time (yeah I said it) looking for his sixth ring.

Back when LeBron and Manu Ginobili had hair (sort of), both teams met in the Finals in 2007 with the Spurs sweeping the Cavs. Eventually, LeBron took his talents to South Beach by way of Miami, Florida and met up with the Spurs again in the 2013 Finals, this time with Kahwi Leonard.  The Heat made an improbable comeback though and eventually won the series 4-3 (Think “Ray Allen shot”).

They would meet again in 2014, this time San Antonio made amends for their collapse the year before and won the series 4-1.

The Spurs beat the Cavs both times they played them this season. Unfortunately this series wouldn’t include Tony Parker, due to injury, but it would will still deliver. Both Kahwi and James are both in their primes and will look to add more rings to their collections.

Next: The 20 different emotions of Gregg Popovich

The Spurs gave up the second-least amount of points per game so it would be interesting to see how the Cavs and their high-powered offense would fair against Coach Popovich’s fundamentally sound squad.

But, If I had to pick a series I want to see to close the season, this would be it.

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