5 reasons the 2017 NBA Finals could be the best ever

3. The matchup possibilities are seemingly endless

This year’s Finals provides something even its two predecessors between the same teams couldn’t compete with: endless different matchup possibilities. While last year still featured some amazing talent and some great defensive battles, the addition of Kevin Durant to the Warriors’ cast gives even more for any fan to desire throughout the series.

Think about what you could witness if you just look at starting lineups for this series: There’s Durant up against LeBron James, Steph Curry with Kyrie Irving, Draymond Green with Kevin Love, and Klay Thompson with JR Smith. Let alone the defensive shuffling that will inevitably happen, where you’ll have LeBron and Curry, LeBron and Green, Love and Curry, Love and Durant, and endless others.

Last year, Love was a surprise hero because of his defense on Curry in the series’ most pivotal moments, and it provided some great storylines for fans to follow. Irving actually managed to outperform the season’s MVP in Curry, and LeBron and Green provided for some great drama (and suspensions). Now, add in Durant to that mix for the second-coming of Durant and LeBron in the NBA Finals, and there’s plenty of fresh content to watch for in a loaded series.

This also provides the first real opportunity for these players to “meet their match” in this postseason, as no one has come close to the talent level of any of these players in the Cavaliers and Warriors’ respective series. We’ll finally have a “level” playing field, and it’ll surely give some great basketball throughout the Finals.