Several analysts believe that the 2018 National Basketball Association Finals could be one of the most lopsided championship matchups in NBA history.
The Golden State Warriors may be the odds-on favorite, but for retired San Antonio Spurs' cager Bruce Bowen, there are many things that will favor the Warriors, and there are some others that will go the way of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
One factor that the Warriors will miss is 6'6” guard/forward Andre Iguodala and his ability to defend.
“He's a big piece of the Golden State Warriors as far as his ability to defend,” said Bowen in an interview with the Manila Standard yesterday at the EDSA Shangri-la Hotel during his visit to the Philippines to celebrate the NBA Finals with Filipino fans.
Being the MVP of the 2016 NBA Finals also makes Iguodala a plus factor in the Warriors' chances of winning the finals.
“You won't miss somebody who was able to score, a go-to guy when he was with Philly, a guy who understands and who can put his imprint in the game as far as defense is concerned,” added Bowen, who will attend two viewing parties for fans that are hosted by NBA broadcast partner Solar.
Then, Bowen took note of Kevin Love, the Cleveland Cavaliers' 6'10” center who plays alongside 6'8” small forward Lebron James.
“You don't know what's going to transpire. But I think Jeff Green gave him a lot of confidence. He made (his teammates) understand that if you don't have Kevin Love, you have to have someone else out there,” said Bowen.
For the Cavaliers, Bowen said it's more than anything else, and it's not just about scoring.
And it will be about their defense on the Warriors.
For Bowen, it will be about what the Cavaliers can take away from the Warriors.
“It's all about well they can take away what they can take away from them, just being aware of the guys who are playing on the three-point line,” he added.
Bowen said one of the biggest factors of the game will be James, who he said became better when he played for the Miami Heat under coach Erik Spoelstra.
“He was able to grow around Erik Spoelstra, Pat Riley, guys who understood what it took to win and what it took to be a leader. And when he took on that leadership role, that's when we got the Lebron James today,” said Bowen.
This will be the fourth straight year that the Warriors and the Cavs will face off in the Finals, with the Warriors having won two of them.