Dribbles: Suddenly underdogs, Cavs can play pressure-free

By foxsports
Published

Random pregame dribbles on Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors. Tip-off is 8 p.m. EST in Oakland, Calif.:

1. This isn't a must-win for the Cavs. It's a must-win for the Warriors. No way do the Warriors want to lose a home game, right before heading to Cleveland for two more -- Kyrie Irving or no. This is the Warriors' chance to put their foot to the pedal. And frankly, they'd darn well better do it.

2. That's right, the pressure is now all on the Warriors. They know they escaped Game 1 when Iman Shumpert missed a shot that skimmed off the rim at the final buzzer. Then Irving got hurt in overtime. If they lose, at home, against a team with no Kyrie (or no Kevin Love, for that matter), they have reason to worry. Major reason.

3. Nobody expects the Cavs to win this series. They can just have fun out there. It will be interesting to see LeBron James, at this stage of his career, as a heavy underdog. Is he more determined than ever? I bet he is. I bet he's fueled by Irving's injury. I bet he's licking his chops and can't wait for this game. Will it mean a Cavs win? That I don't know.

4. Either way, there is no pressure on the Cavs. They aren't expected to win and no one will blame them if they lose. They don't have their whole team. Life isn't fair and neither is basketball. And you can't take anything away from the Warriors if they win the title. They will be champs, period.

5. But imagine if the Warriors lose. Imagine what people will say about them. People will say they were nothing more than a great regular-season team. People will say they couldn't beat the Cavs without Irving or Love. People will call them a disappointment.

6. So let's go over this again:  If the Cavs lose the series, they'll be looked at as a team that suffered too many major injuries when it meant the most. If the Warriors lose, they'll be considered a flop. So again, who do you think is feeling the pressure?

7. I totally expect the Cavs to lose Game 2. Sorry, I just do. The Warriors are too good, especially at home, and the Cavs are still trying to find a way to overcome the loss of Irving (who underwent knee surgery Saturday). I just think there are too many obstacles for LeBron and friends to overcome. Then again, LeBron has proven me wrong (time and again) before.

8. But let's say the Cavs lose Game 2. I say no big deal. I say a series doesn't start until both teams play a home game. The Cavs get at least two -- Game 3 on Tuesday and Game 4 two nights later. Even without Irving, they're capable of winning both. Then all of a sudden, it's a best-of-three series and the Cavs are the only team with LeBron.

9. If the Cavs go down 3-0 or 3-1, I'll admittedly be worried. As Larry Bird once said when his Celtics trailed the Lakers 3-1 in the Finals: "I know when we're UP 3-1, I tell everyone it's over." Bird has a lot of great quotes that can be used in times like these. LeBron reminds me a lot of Bird in terms of passing, rebounding, playing "point forward," and mostly, telling it like it is. But trailing the series 2-0 when you haven't played a home game? Nah, not overly worried.

10. The Warriors already seem to be partying. They really celebrated their Game 1 win. That's OK. They should. They're new to this. But it ticked off the Cavs. I expect the Cavs to do something about it. I expect things to get chippy. I expect things to get physical. I expect Matthew Dellavedova, filling in for Irving, to tick off an opponent -- more than once.

11. The Warriors are so talented and deep. They are also extremely emotional. It won't take much to get them out of their game on this stage. They should win this series. Really, they should. I'll never believe they're a better team than the Cavs when the Cavs have a healthy LeBron, Irving and Love. But I believe the Warriors are better now. That doesn't guarantee anything, though.