Golden State's assortment of defenders for LeBron

The Warriors have owned the NBA's best defense all season long. Against LeBron James, that title will be put to the ultimate test. Despite James' inefficient postseason (shooting 42.9 percent), he's still been dominant, and after playing nearly 400 minutes the past ten games, a week-long rest should grant him fresh legs. Golden State can respond with Defensive Player of the Year runner-up Draymond Green, All-Defense selection Klay Thompson, and versatile swingmen Andrew Iguodala and Harrison Barnes.

They all have the size, quickness, and strength to bother James, who has played the role of volume-scorer for the Cavaliers. The Warriors have allowed 100 points only three times this postseason, most recently coming in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, when James Harden scored 45. It goes without saying that containing James is the key to Golden State's chances. But if The King can get open shots for his teammates, as the Warriors look to check him, things could get even more compelling.

Tristan Thompson's impact

Since 6 May, the fourth-year forward is averaging a double-double (11.0 points, 11.4 rebounds). Granted, Kevin Love's absence has opened up minutes for Thompson, but his impact on the boards and in the paint has been a season-long theme. He finished fifth in Sixth Man of the Year voting, accepting a role off the bench after starting the past two seasons.

But as a starter, Thompson has been a dominant presence against the likes of Al Horford, Paul Millsap, and Pau Gasol, who each made the All-Star team this season. Against Draymond Green, Thompson's youth, energy and tenacious approach will be matched, especially on the boards. Green, like Thompson, plays with an edge, and provides endless energy to Golden State's attack. Ultimately, Thompson's numbers will only tell part of the story. If he's able to not only collect his points and rebounds, but also contain Green's ambition to amass his own, the Cavaliers can breathe a relative sigh of relief.

Kyrie Irving's health

The extent of Irving's health should shift the momentum of the series. His ability to create off the dribble, space the floor, and draw double-teams when hot, takes pressure off James. Irving has been pained by knee trouble recently, and the hope is a week off should allow him to feel better.

He missed two games during the Conference Finals, but he returned in Game 4, registering 16 points on 6-11 shooting. Despite the knee pain, Irving was aggressive off the dribble, driving to the basket and finishing creatively. If he's able to return to form during the Finals, he'll allow James to defer on offense a bit more, picking his spots and allowing Irving to (hopefully) match Stephen Curry point for point. A healthy Irving would also allow Matthew Dellavdova to come off the bench again, bolstering a much-improved Cavaliers second-unit. How the 2014 All-Star Game MVP feels come Game 1 will be pivotal for the series.

Two rookie coaches lead the way

Steve Kerr and David Blatt are rare finds. Each of them have put their own stamp on their respective teams, and one of them will win an NBA championship during their first year on the job. Rookie coaches haven't squared off in the NBA Finals since the 1946-47 season, the NBA's inaugural campaign. That being said, these two aren't without championship experience.

Kerr, who played under legendary coaches Phil Jackson and Gregg Popovich, won five NBA championships as a player. He played alongside the likes of Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, David Robinson, and Scottie Pippen, making his impact an expert shooter, especially in late-game situations. Maybe that's how he relates so well to Stephen Curry, who's MVP campaign has been filled with an assortment of similar heroics.

Blatt, on the other hand, made his claim to fame overseas, where he won the Euroleague championship just last season. With Maccabi, he earned a 225-55 overall record in four seasons. With the Cavaliers, he coaches LeBron James, who's looking to add to his own trophy collection. No matter which coach earns his first championship, both have done an exemplary job of guiding their teams this far. The last rookie coach to guide his team to the NBA title? Pat Riley, in 1982.

Does K-Love Get a Ring? (And What Does That Result Mean For His Future Plans?)

Remember Kevin Love? He's had to watch Cleveland carry out their plans - his plans - for an NBA championship since suffering his shoulder injury in the first round. Not being on the court now, and dealing with regular season struggles (his lowest scoring average in 5 seasons), what would a ring this season mean for Love's legacy? There's also the question of free agency: If the Cavs win, is he more likely to stay and repeat, or move back to his own show satisfied? If they lose, does he call it a failed experiment and exit, or return with something more to prove? Somewhere, Andrew Wiggins has a restless ring finger...

Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith On Both Sides of the 2003 Draft

It's certainly hard for Knicks fans to watch Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith realize the goal of playing in this year's NBA Finals - in the jersey of another team. Even worse, LeBron's team. Stemming from the Great Draft of 2003, the career parallels of James, the top pick, and the Knicks' Carmelo Anthony, the 3rd pick, could potentially be laid to rest on the other side of this series. Shumpert has already played more postseason games this year (14) than he had previously in his career. Smith played parts of 8 seasons with Melo, both in NY and Denver, making it out of the first round just twice. In just 58 games with LeBron, Smith is in his first career NBA Finals.

Does Steph Curry's MVP Trophy Bring Him More Hardware?

Hard to believe, but Steph Curry is just the 6th point guard to win MVP in NBA history. (Allen Iverson won in 2000-01, but as a shooting guard) Of the six, only two converted championships in the MVP season: Boston's Bob Cousy in 1956-57, and the Lakers' Magic Johnson in '86-87. (By that math, Curry may need to wait two seasons for 2016-17 for the PG-MVP-Champion stars to realign) Further odds against Steph: In the last 10 seasons, the MVP has only gone on to win the title twice. On both occasions, 2012 and 2013, that man was LeBron James...

Can Cleveland's Bench Keep Up?

Cleveland's offense has exceeded expectations when LeBron had to sit out. The bench unit even survived losing Matthew Dellavedova to the starting lineup for the hobbled Kyrie Irving. But maintaining that level of play against the high-powered offense of Golden State is a whole other story. If the Cavs can match the production of the Warriors' high flying bench, which includes starting-five caliber players such as Iguodala, Lee and Speights, they will have a real shot at taking the series.

How Big Of A Role Will Home Court Play?

The Roaracle has been Golden State's fort throughout the season, and the Warriors only lost 3 games there all season long. However, both the Grizzlies and the Rockets were not intimidated by the raucous atmosphere in the arena, and gave the bay area team a real scare there. Can Cleveland steal a game on the road, while protecting it's own home-court, where they only lost once all playoffs?

Will LeBron Rediscover His 3-Point Touch?

It seems unthinkable, but LeBron is shooting a dismal 17% on 3-pt shots in the 2015 Playoffs. He has more than made up for it with his all-around game, but Golden State will gladly take any small edge it can get when facing the king. If James can rediscover his shooting touch, it will open up the whole floor for the Cavs' offense, and the Warriors will have to rethink their whole defensive strategy.