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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Apr 17, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Deron Williams (31) shoots over the defense of Indiana Pacers guard Monta Ellis (11) during the first half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

A Former Star…

Enter Deron Williams. It’s not often that a two-time former All-NBA second team guard is in a position to play this type of role in this big a spot, but here we are.

Williams – amazingly still just 32 years old – was signed to take some of the playmaking duties off of LeBron’s shoulders during the regular season. But it’s crunch time now, and he likely won’t have the ball in his hands much during this series. He will, however, have a chance to make a serious impact.

With the Cavs, Williams shot 41 percent from deep on just over two attempts per game. In the playoffs, he has hit on half of his 22 attempted threes, and he is a career 40 percent shooter from downtown in the postseason.

Against the Warriors, Williams will garner the respect from Golden State that Shumpert fails to receive. In turn, this should allow the Cavs to space the floor like they’ll need to. That spacing is the key to everything Cleveland does on offense. Thus far in the playoffs, they could afford to have weak spots on the floor here and there. Weak spots equal death against the Warriors.

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