"Hot in Cleveland"

LeBron James kneels down on the ground in Game 2 of the Cavs 110-77 loss to Warriors in the NBA Finals.

By: Lamar "L.A." Smith

LeBron James versus the world has been the recurring storyline throughout King James' career. The same guy who was called "The Chosen One" before he logged a single NBA minute is the same one facing the most tumultuous task of his career. But, this is what James unknowingly signed up for when he entered the league as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft.

The most polarizing sports icon in the twenty-first century. Michael Jordan to most fans across the globe is the "God" of all things basketball therefore James was supposed to be "Jesus".

James probably has just as many fans as critics. He is 2-4 in the NBA Finals. He's not considered a closer because he routinely looks to make the right basketball play instead of taking the last shot in close games. Everyone criticized him for infamously "taking his talents to South Beach".

Criticism is well-deserved but the praise can be scarce at time. James should be appreciated despite several of his faults for the continued excellence he's brought to the game of basketball,

Through an age 31 season there is not another player in NBA history who has played as many minutes in the regular season and postseason as James. He's played almost more minutes in the regular season alone than Magic Johnson did during his postseason and regular season career at the end of his age 31 season. James has played 46,643 minutes in his career (through Game 2 of the Finals) which is a lot for one man let alone a man who has the responsibilities James has each and every night on the basketball court.

James will go down as one of the greatest players of all-time when he's done dribbling a basketball but this Finals could alter his legacy forever. James himself cannot expect anything else.

Who would expect anything else when you become the first player in 50 years to go to six straight NBA Finals?

The Golden State Warriors are standing in between LeBron and his third Finals ring. Now down 2-0 versus the greatest regular season team in NBA history the heat could not be any hotter in Cleveland.

The Cavaliers were embarrassed in Oracle Arena losing by a NBA Finals record combined 48 points through two games in the Finals.

James has looked passive at times though partially due to the fact he's been trying to keep his teammates as involved as possible in the game.

The biggest problem Cleveland has heading into Game 3 is the fact the Cavs do not have any answers defensively for the Warriors. Golden State just proposes too many matchup problems across the board.

The Cavs are at a constant disadvantage because 2/3 of the team's "Big 3" are defensive liabilities. Therefore, Cleveland's starting lineup is playing three on five most of the game on defense. Cleveland has looked brilliant throughout the playoffs due to the fact the Cavs played inferior competition throughout the Eastern Conference.

The last team to comeback from a 2-0 deficit was the 2006 Miami Heat led by Dwyane Wade who won two titles in Miami with James. Wade put Miami on his back and put up one of the most memorable Finals performances in Finals history by averaging 34.7 ppg and making every big shot possible down the stretch versus the Dallas Mavericks.

James challenge looks quite daunting in comparison. Cleveland loss by a record margin through two games and the Splash Bros did not have big games. The duo simply cooled off in the wave pool. James would have to be better than he was last year in the Finals to salvage a series which many thought would go the distance. Kevin Love is playing like the awkward adolescent kid he portrays in State Farm commercials and Kyrie Irving seems to be auditioning for a hoop mixtape.

Love and Irving have to show up. Cavs fans may be "All In" but the team's fans seem to be the only ones. Everyone has to play better or J.R Smith and Tristan Thompson will not be urging the "Big 3" to finish a press conference so the team can celebrate a win. The two will be bragging about who caught the bigger fish on the team fishing trip this summer.

Curry and Thompson are going to Cleveland with plans of only going back to the Bay for a championship parade. The Warriors do not have Game 5 in this team's vocabulary. James better galvanize his troops for Game 3 quick because as he's found out on multiple occasions a finger cannot beat a fist.

"Strength in Numbers"

Shaun Livingston (left) and Steph Curry (right) NBA Finals Game 1 post game interview

By: Lamar "L.A." Smith 

The Warriors are so lethal because of the team's depth. Golden State has worn t-shirts with the message "Strength in Numbers" on them for the last two years during the playoffs. The team's slogan did not resonate any louder than after the team's 104-89 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

Golden State's bench outscored Cleveland's bench 45-10. Led by Peoria, Illinois native Shaun Patrick Livingston.

Most casual fans may not be aware of who Livingston is or know about his game but, his journey does not parallel to any other NBA veteran. He was the fourth overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft coming out of Peoria Central High School turning down a chance to play at Duke.

Expectations came and Livingston was not the player some expected. Things did not get any easier when in 2007 Livingston destroyed his knee in a game versus the Charlotte Bobcats.

Many people would have never thought Livingston the guy who tore up every crucial ligament in his knee, the guy who had to learn how to walk again would make a difference on a championship team. He's the same guy who is currently playing for his tenth NBA team and the guy who many thought would never step foot on a basketball court again.

Livingston scored a playoff career-high 20 points on 8/10 shooting from the field including 10 points in the fourth quarter. During the fourth Livingston could not be guarded, taking advantage of every switch and mismatch versus the Cavs draining a barrage of mid-range jumpers.

Livingston led the way but everyone chipped in to lift up the struggling Splash Bros who combined for 20 points. Six teammates outside of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson scored in double figures: Livingston, LeAndro Barbosa, Andre Iguodala, Draymond Green, Andrew Bogut and Harrison Barnes.

Barbosa dazzled fans showing he's still the "Brazilian Blur" who won the Sixth Man of the Year in 2007. Barnes got out of an offensive slump and Iguodala's versatility on both sides of the ball showed why he was last year's Finals MVP.

Curry and Thompson are not the only reason the Warriors are a force not to be trifled with, the Warriors are the best regular season team in NBA history because the team plays nine to ten guys every night.

Curry gets hurt. Livingston fills in as the starter and the Warriors don't miss a beat losing only two playoff games without the two-time reigning MVP.

Curry's backcourt mate is currently the leading scorer in the playoffs out of the remaining teams far as points per game (ppg). Thompson also is currently fifth in the NBA in ppg in the 2016 Playoffs.

Golden State's bench proposes serious matchup problems to Cleveland. 

Livingston is a 6'7 guard who loves to post up smaller guards and during switches in the pick roll has the athleticism to beat most bigger defenders off the dribble. He also is a strong mid-range shooter and has the length to get his shot off over most shooters. 

Iguodala is a 6'6 athletic wing who guards positions 1 through 3 on the perimeter, handles the ball, facilitates and can create his own shot.

Barbosa still is a quick guard who can blow past you and shoots the three well. Mauresse Speights better known as "Mo Buckets" is a 6'11 big who can score in bunches with three-point range. One would be wise not to forget Festus Ezeli or Bogut.

Both are strong bigs who can pass the ball and defend the paint well.

The Warriors may be known as the sweet shooting team down by the Bay but this team was constructed with the "next man up" mindset. Several players on one team who all have high basketball IQs, who can pass, cut and shoot the ball well from three-point range, inside the paint or both areas.

Bay Area natives and fans across the globe are treated to the exhibition game style entertainment the Warriors have brought to the basketball world over the last couple of years. 

This series is far from over. Game 2 is Sunday and should the Cavaliers win this series could very well go the seven games many people have expected. 

Everyone may not be fully aware of the "others" on the Warriors squad but basketball is a team sport. Though the Splash Bros are the faces of Golden State basketball the duo are champions because of the strength of the team.

All of the doubters can look to Game 1 of this year's Finals should any validation be needed to show their is "strength in numbers".