2017 NBA Finals: Potential x-factors for the Cavs and Warriors

Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) shoots the the game winning shot during the fourth quarter against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

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May 25, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Richard Jefferson (24) attempts a three point basket over Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) during the first quarter of game five of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

The Cavs’ Options

At this point, it’s a well-accepted fact that the only prayer one has of beating this Warriors team is to go small. The Cavs certainly figured it out last season, even going so far as to feature LeBron James at center for a few short stretches.

They might pull that card again this year, but Tyronn Lue will use lineups with LeBron at power forward far more often. Cleveland doesn’t have a traditional small forward on its roster outside of Richard Jefferson, who was arguably the x-factor for the Cavs in last year’s NBA Finals.

Jefferson is a year older now, and at 36, that matters. He hasn’t played a lot in these playoffs, and while he’ll see minutes in this series, they will likely be few and far between. With that in mind, we can assume that lineups featuring James at the four will rely on one of Cleveland’s guards playing up a position.

That job has gone to Iman Shumpert a lot in the past, but his shooting remains a concern. He’s hitting a surprising 47 percent of triples this postseason, but on only 17 attempts. The Warriors will likely leave him open when he’s on the floor in order to limit Cleveland’s other options, which is not a winning formula for the Cavs. Shumpert was a -43 in last year’s Finals, including -22 in 33 minutes during games six and seven.

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