24: Appropriate to have Grammy nominee Aloe Blacc sing the national anthem before Game 7 on the night to find out who is “The Man” ? Stephen Curry or LeBron James?
23: Never mind the concussion and any troubles he’s had in the first six games of the series. Kevin Love comes out going to work on the offensive boards with everything on the line.
22: There’s no question he’s got a great handle and it creates space to get off his shot. But there are times when Curry is too, well, cavalier with the ball and gives up sloppy turnovers.
21: It says how much he’s doing and how dominant he’s been in the series when LeBron goes for six points, six rebounds, three assists and it’s “quiet.”
20: 5-for-11 on 3-pointers says the Warriors might have their lost mojo back after last two games. But they’re missing too many point blank shots in the paint to feel good about themselves.
19: Mo Speights. Mo Buckets. Mo energy for Warriors.
18: Draymond Green has left behind the deer in headlights look from Game 6 and playing like himself again.
17: All small lineup for Warriors midway through second quarter should be an all-you-can-eat buffet for LeBron.
16: You knew that if this series went on long enough that Iman Shumpert ? four-point play ? would eventually do something to justify being given a uniform.
15: Who had Green giving Curry 3-point shooting lessons in Game 7? Difference in first half: Draymond hitting jumpers, LeBron isn’t.
14: Three fouls on Steph. Should we be checking Twitter for Ayesha’s thoughts?
13: Cavs got back in the series with attack, attack, attack. Now have reverted to standing around on offense again. But Warriors could build a small apartment building with bricks they’ve piled up on missed layups.
12: Eco-Warriors? Golden State going all Green. This is Draymond’s 384th career NBA game, including playoffs. He scored 20+ points in just 35 of them before tonight. He has 22 at halftime. Is it possible to be back in MVP conversation after missing a game due to suspension? Does the fact that he missed Game 5 and Warriors didn’t close out series actually strengthen the argument?
11: And yet…Cavs down by just 49-42 at the half. That should make the home team nervous.
10: If you haven’t won a major sports championship since 1964 and have fought back from 3-1 in The Finals, do you really rely in Game 7 on J.R. Smith, Cleveland?
9: It’s all about Steph. No, not the fast break drive and the off-balance 3-pointer off the screen. We’re talking the block of Smith going in for the layup.
8: Here’s how tense it’s been since the opening tip: Midway third quarter and the cocky Oracle crowd hasn’t once felt brave enough yet to taunt with “Warrrr-iors! Warrrr-iors!”
7: Who let Uncle Drew out of the box? This is looking like a playground in a Nike commercial.
6: Tristan Thompson wakes from first half nap in time to play strong on the inside and even play some great defense on the outside against Curry.
5: How many times has it been said since opening night back in October? Draymond Green is outworking everybody on the floor. Except LeBron James.
4: Curry’s lazy behind the back turnover on pass to Klay Thompson is sheer arrogance and is one of those plays that can cost a championship. The casual ball handling is the biggest weakness his game.
3: LeBron rundown rejection of Andre Iguodala on the break is spelled: M-V-P. He’s joined Jerry West and James Worthy with the only triple-doubles in Finals Game 7 history ? 27 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists. And three monstrous blocked shots. To borrow and twist a phrase: Strength in superhuman numbers.
2: The cold truth: Curry 1-for-6 fourth quarter, watches Irving score winning 3 over him.
1: Up is down. Day is night. Pigs fly. Cavs first team ever to come from 3-1 down in The Finals. First road team to win a Finals Game 7 since 1978. First major sports championship for a certain Ohio city since 1964. Tears of joy all around. Best two words in sports tonight: Cleveland rocks!
Fran Blinebury has covered the NBA since 1977. You can e-mail him here and follow him on Twitter.
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