The Tribune

By Inigo 'Naughty' Zenicazelaya

It is painfully clear that this isn’t a repeat of last year’s NBA Finals.

Last year there was no Kevin Durant in Golden State and this year, up until this point, there hasn’t been any dubious suspensions by the NBA!

What appears most likely to happen is LeBron James, also known as “King James,” is going to ‘witness’ someone else wear the ultimate ‘crown’ for a fifth time, in his record eighth straight Finals appearance. (Great run, with little to show for it trophy wise).

Talk about not being able to win the big one. James has proven consistently that he can’t up until now, posting a 3-4 record thus far in his annual trip to the Finals.

And from what I’ve seen so far after two games in this year’s Finals, the Cavaliers from top to bottom, coaching staff included, don’t have an answer for the Warriors squad period.

(It doesn’t help when ‘the King’ only puts up 6 points in the second half of game two, after dominating in the first half.)

The Warriors on the other hand are poised, confident, and firing on all cylinders.

If the Warriors continue at this high level of play, and at such a torrid pace, Warriors fans may have case to break out their brooms, while celebrating their second championship in the last three seasons.

If it does play out this way, and James does end up 3-5 in eight straight Finals - his legacy will be tarnished. (More on this in next week’s column.)

LeBRONITES

STOP CRYING!

On another note, Cavs fans need to stop bellyaching over Kevin Durant’s decision to join the Warriors in free agency.

Please let me remind you of LeBron James’ exodus to Miami a few years back, you recall that love right?

Well, it made decisions like Durant’s en vogue, if it can work LBJ it most certainly can work for KD!!

NO NO TO LONZO?:

Laker nation don’t get too attached to Lonzo Ball as the team’s second pick in this year’s NBA Draft.

According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, there’s no guarantee Los Angeles selects the local kid from Chino Hills and later UCLA.

In fact, Kyler wrote that “unless Lonzo absolutely blows the doors off, he may not be the Lakers’ guy.”

“The Lakers are weeks away from needing to make their final decision, but there are many that believe the Lakers could go after both Kansas forward Josh Jackson and Kentucky guard De’Aaron Fox with the second overall pick. It has become so real that Ball’s camp, which started the process saying he’d only meet with the Lakers, have expressed a willingness to meet with the Philadelphia 76ers and possibly the Sacramento Kings depending on how things go with the Lakers.”

Kyler rightly pointed out that weeks after Lonzo’s dad LaVar talked to CBS Sports as if Ball at No. 2 was a done deal, the tune has changed.

Could L.A. be sending LaVar a message with this rumour about not being sold on Lonzo? Perhaps. But when push comes to shove, Rotoworld’s Ethan Norof thinks the Big Baller Brand CEO won’t play a role: And if the #Lakers think Lonzo Ball is their best bet at No. 2, the fact that LaVar is his father isn’t going to change the selection. Stop.

Ball’s individual workout with the Lakers will be this Wednesday, June 7. The rumours coming out of that meeting will hold more weight than the ones floating around now.

Until next week, practice makes perfect. Get back to work!