This year’s Finals that begins on June 2 will be a rematch between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers to crown this year’s NBA champion. Either the Warriors will repeat or LeBron will finally bring a title to Cleveland.

The Warriors are coming off their record-breaking regular season in which they broke the record for most wins in a season (previously held by the 1995-96 Bulls who went 72-10) by going 73-9. The question now is can they close out the dream season by repeating as champions, because some will say, “73-9 doesn’t mean a thing without the ring.” The Warriors breezed through the Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers in the first 2 rounds in 5 games, but faced their toughest test yet in which they had to come back from 3-1 down to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder in 7 games. That series showed the resilience this years Warriors team has in coming back from what most thought was an insurmountable hole. When asked whether the Warriors will be considered the best team ever if they win the title, 10^th grader Josh Davonski said, “By overall record, yes, but if you want overall talent and ability, no, they are not the best ever.” 10^th grader Kenny Massa meanwhile said, “Since the Warriors beat the Bulls record, I think that the Warriors will be the best.”

Another thing that will be discussed win or lose in these Finals is the impact a potential fifth career Finals loss in seven appearances will have on the legacy of LeBron James. Talent wise he is one of the greatest to step foot on the court, but athletes of LeBron’s caliber are often judge on the number of championships they win. Take Michael Jordan for example he was a perfect six for six in the Finals, while LeBron is currently two for six. When asked how another loss would change LeBron’s legacy Massa said, “LeBron will no longer be known as the king.” 10^th grader Zach Giacco meanwhile said, “No, because if the Cavs lose LeBron is leaving and going to play with D-Wade.” A win obviously makes LeBron’s legacy a greater one if he gets his 3^rd title but a loss may make people change their tune about whether LeBron is a top 5 player in the history of basketball.

Now on to the series itself, both teams are loaded with superstars who will make the series great. The Cavs are fully healthy for this years Finals, with their entire Big 3 intact unlike last years matchup when Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving both went out with injury. The Warriors are also stacked with talent with the MVP of the league Stephen Curry, sharp shooter Klay Thompson, and the energetic Draymond Green, not to mention last years Finals MVP Andre Iguodala. When asked who will win the series and in how many games Massa said the Cavs in 7 games and that LeBron will be the MVP because he is the best player on the floor, Davonski said the Warriors will win in 7 games and that Klay Thompson will be the MVP, and Giacco said the Cavs will win in 6 and that Channing Frye will be the MVP. Regardless of the outcome the series will surely be a star studded series that will lead to some very entertaining basketball.