Storylines to Follow During the 2015 NBA Finals

NBA Finals to tip-off Thursday night.

NBA Finals Tip-Off Thursday Night - It's only right that the NBA Finals have the Golden State Warriors against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The best player on the planet, in LeBron James, who has been raising the level of play of his teammates, up against Stephen Curry, the NBA MVP on what has been the best squad this season. But there's way more to know about these Finals than the two superstars leading the way. BET.com's got you covered. Nothing like the Finals!—By Mark Lelinwalla(Photos from Left: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images, Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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NBA Finals Tip-Off Thursday Night - It's only right that the NBA Finals have the Golden State Warriors against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The best player on the planet, in LeBron James, who has been raising the level of play of his teammates, up against Stephen Curry, the NBA MVP on what has been the best squad this season. But there's way more to know about these Finals than the two superstars leading the way. BET.com's got you covered. Nothing like the Finals!—By Mark Lelinwalla(Photos from Left: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images, Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Rookie Coaches - So much for needing coaching experience to go far in the NBA playoffs. Both Cleveland's David Blatt and Golden State's Steve Kerr are first-year coaches. All Kerr did was lead the Warriors to a 67-win season—the 10th-best regular season mark of all time—and a trip to the Finals. Blatt, meanwhile, weathered the storm of a 19-20 record to help lead the Cavs to a 53-29 mark and the second overall seed. But did you know that if it wasn't for Kerr, Blatt might have never been the Cavs' coach? Blatt actually accepted an assistant coaching job under Kerr on the Warriors' bench, but Kerr let him interview for Cleveland's open spot and the rest is history.(Photos from Left: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images, Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

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Rookie Coaches - So much for needing coaching experience to go far in the NBA playoffs. Both Cleveland's David Blatt and Golden State's Steve Kerr are first-year coaches. All Kerr did was lead the Warriors to a 67-win season—the 10th-best regular season mark of all time—and a trip to the Finals. Blatt, meanwhile, weathered the storm of a 19-20 record to help lead the Cavs to a 53-29 mark and the second overall seed. But did you know that if it wasn't for Kerr, Blatt might have never been the Cavs' coach? Blatt actually accepted an assistant coaching job under Kerr on the Warriors' bench, but Kerr let him interview for Cleveland's open spot and the rest is history.(Photos from Left: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images, Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Superstar Spotlight on LeBron James and Stephen Curry - So, how's it going down in these NBA Finals? Are we going to see LeBron James, already providing the best leadership of his career, win a third title and end Cleveland's 51-year drought without a major sports title? Or will we see Stephen Curry cap a 67-win Golden State Warriors' and MVP season with his first ring? This questions being answered in itself is a key reason to watch these Finals.(Photos from Left: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images, Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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Superstar Spotlight on LeBron James and Stephen Curry - So, how's it going down in these NBA Finals? Are we going to see LeBron James, already providing the best leadership of his career, win a third title and end Cleveland's 51-year drought without a major sports title? Or will we see Stephen Curry cap a 67-win Golden State Warriors' and MVP season with his first ring? This questions being answered in itself is a key reason to watch these Finals.(Photos from Left: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images, Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Health Issues With Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson - Let's see what a week's rest will mean for All-Star guards Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson. Irving has been battling left-knee tendinitis through the bulk of these playoffs, while Thompson sustained a concussion just last Wednesday, before being cleared to play Thursday night. Both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors crucially need the services of Irving and Thompson, respectively.(Photos from Left: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images, Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for GQ)

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Health Issues With Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson - Let's see what a week's rest will mean for All-Star guards Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson. Irving has been battling left-knee tendinitis through the bulk of these playoffs, while Thompson sustained a concussion just last Wednesday, before being cleared to play Thursday night. Both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors crucially need the services of Irving and Thompson, respectively.(Photos from Left: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images, Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for GQ)

Which J.R. Smith Will Show Up? - J.R. Smith has increased his offensive production in each of Cleveland's playoff series this postseason, averaging 9.8 points in the opening round against the Boston Celtics, 12.8 against the Chicago Bulls in the semis and 18 against the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference Finals. But the Golden State Warriors are easily the best team they've seen thus far. Can the ultra-streaky Smith keep it up? (Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

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Which J.R. Smith Will Show Up? - J.R. Smith has increased his offensive production in each of Cleveland's playoff series this postseason, averaging 9.8 points in the opening round against the Boston Celtics, 12.8 against the Chicago Bulls in the semis and 18 against the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference Finals. But the Golden State Warriors are easily the best team they've seen thus far. Can the ultra-streaky Smith keep it up? (Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

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Draymond Green Remembers LeBron's Trash Talk - Draymond Green remembers LeBron James telling him, "You too little" during the Golden State Warriors forward's rookie season in 2012. Before Green was even in the league, he tweeted about King James not being able to win a title. This all spells out a pretty good trash-talking battle between the two in the NBA Finals. Let's see if Draymond can live up to his First Team All-Defense honors against LeBron.(Photos from Left: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images,  Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

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Draymond Green Remembers LeBron's Trash Talk - Draymond Green remembers LeBron James telling him, "You too little" during the Golden State Warriors forward's rookie season in 2012. Before Green was even in the league, he tweeted about King James not being able to win a title. This all spells out a pretty good trash-talking battle between the two in the NBA Finals. Let's see if Draymond can live up to his First Team All-Defense honors against LeBron.(Photos from Left: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images,  Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Ex-Warriors Coach Mark Jackson to Call NBA Finals For ABC - Yes, Steve Kerr did squeeze out 16 more wins and can be partially credited with the growth of small forward Draymond Green. But Kerr basically inherited what Mark Jackson built at Golden State from 2011-14, before being fired. Jackson got a bit emotional when the Warriors won the Western Conference Finals last week and will call the NBA Finals for ABC. At times, it still may be awkward and bittersweet—especially if the Warriors win—but Jackson told the Associated Press that he's just trying to do his job. (Photo: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

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Ex-Warriors Coach Mark Jackson to Call NBA Finals For ABC - Yes, Steve Kerr did squeeze out 16 more wins and can be partially credited with the growth of small forward Draymond Green. But Kerr basically inherited what Mark Jackson built at Golden State from 2011-14, before being fired. Jackson got a bit emotional when the Warriors won the Western Conference Finals last week and will call the NBA Finals for ABC. At times, it still may be awkward and bittersweet—especially if the Warriors win—but Jackson told the Associated Press that he's just trying to do his job. (Photo: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Who Wants The Rebounds More? - Draymond Green has been dubbed "The Heartbeat" of Dub Nation, hauling in 12.2 rebounds per game in the Western Conference Finals for the Golden State Warriors. Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Tristan Thompson pulled down 11 boards per game in the Eastern Conference Finals. Rebounding is all about desire. Which forward wants it more?  (Photos: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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Who Wants The Rebounds More? - Draymond Green has been dubbed "The Heartbeat" of Dub Nation, hauling in 12.2 rebounds per game in the Western Conference Finals for the Golden State Warriors. Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Tristan Thompson pulled down 11 boards per game in the Eastern Conference Finals. Rebounding is all about desire. Which forward wants it more?  (Photos: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Harrison Barnes and Iman Shumpert Keep Improving - Harrison Barnes and Iman Shumpert have been solid over these playoffs, averaging 12.3 and 11.1 points per game, respectively, over the past two rounds. We know LeBron James and Stephen Curry will show up, but don't be surprised if plays here or there from Barnes or Shump turns out to be the difference.(Photos from Left: Jason Miller/Getty Images, Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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Harrison Barnes and Iman Shumpert Keep Improving - Harrison Barnes and Iman Shumpert have been solid over these playoffs, averaging 12.3 and 11.1 points per game, respectively, over the past two rounds. We know LeBron James and Stephen Curry will show up, but don't be surprised if plays here or there from Barnes or Shump turns out to be the difference.(Photos from Left: Jason Miller/Getty Images, Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)