For the past four years, we've been treated to a historic rivalry: four straight NBA Finals matchups between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors. But many are growing weary and fans of the other 28 teams are often left to wonder: what's the point of watching if the same two teams are left in June every year?
In 2018, it seemed like the streak would end, as the Cavaliers barely got out of the first round, and the Warriors weren't fully powered. Even a week before the Finals, both teams were down 3-2 in their conference finals matchups. There was a taste of a fantasy where the young Boston Celtics took on the Houston Rockets, with almost every player making their NBA Finals debut. Instead, we had Cavaliers-Warriors, Round 4.
That should change next season, and definitely will if one thing happens: LeBron James looks set to leave Cleveland. The Cavaliers would instantly fall out of contention and guarantee we don't get a 5th straight matchup between the teams. However, we could still see LeBron's 5th crack at Golden State depending on where he goes.
So for the purposes of predicting the winners of the next 5 NBA Finals, I'm going to refer to a mysterious "LeBron's team" a few times. It could be the 76ers, Lakers, Rockets, Cavaliers, or a mystery team. This may create an inconsistency, depending on if I think team that will beat him is the team he's ultimately on, but it should make sense as a placeholder.
And without further ado: the next five NBA Finals matchups and winners through 2023.
2019: Golden State Warriors over LeBron's Team
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| LeBron James and Steph Curry would meet for the 5th straight year. Curry leads their head-to-head series 3-1. (Photo: USA Today) |
So the matchup finally changes but it's not all that different: and neither is the result. For the third straight year, the Warriors defeat LeBron James to end the NBA season. James' new team (an Eastern Conference one in this scenario) could have growing pains as the Miami Heat did when he joined them: but LeBron still owns the conference, and could carry a team to the NBA Finals.
Even if he's playing alongside Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons in Philadelphia, Golden State's four All-Star starting lineup would be too much to handle for at least one more season.
2020: LeBron's Team over the Houston Rockets
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| (Photo: Cavs Nation) |
So we've been calling it a "mystery team" so far but at this point it's obvious: the scenario playing in my head has LeBron James delvering the city of Philadelphia a championship. By this point, Simmons and Embiid are shoo-in Top 10 players, and the 76ers reach new heights. Even if it was the Warriors on the other side of the court, LeBron and company would be able to dispose of them.
But it's not the Warriors. It's the Houston Rockets, who even with an aging Chris Paul are able to get over the hump in his 3rd year on the team. James Harden plays a huge role in defeating the Warriors earlier in the playoffs, before falling to the monster that it is Philly's big three.
2021: LeBron's Team over New Orleans Pelicans
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| (Photo: USA Today) |
First of all: the Celtics are fuming at this point. Dating back to 2018, they've made four straight conference finals, and pushed LeBron James to seven games twice. But they just can't get over the hump and into the Finals, even though they held the top seed three of the four years.
In the West, the Warriors lose Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, and while the 1-2 punch of Steph Curry and Kevin Durant is somehow even more fun to watch, they can't compete with the Pelicans size. The Rockets were unable to repeat as Western Conference champions.
The Pelicans make it to the Finals as the peak of a slow climb. They keep the core of Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins, and turn an underrated All-Star into the third member of their core.
LeBron James appears in his 11th straight Finals, winning his 5th to improve to 5-7 in June. The 36-year-old finishes with one less championship than Jordan but six more trips.
2022: Boston Celtics over Phoenix Suns
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| (Photo: USA Today) |
After four agonizing years, averaging 60 wins per season, the loaded Boston Celtics finally win their first championship in the post-big three/Paul Pierce, era. And to do it, they finally LeBron's unparalleled run of 11 straight Finals Trips.
The core is still mostly together, with Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Terry Rozier alongside Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. Anyone else who sticks around (Marcus Morris, Al Horford) is icing on the cake.
The Phoenix Suns are a little more of a symbolic pick. Yes, they have up and coming star Devin Booker, but they also finished with the NBA's worst record in 2018. The pick shows the current landscape of the NBA: through aggressive free agency/trades and dare I say "lucky" drafting, any team can make the turnaround in just four years.
Chalk this up as the East's third straight Finals win, as the West has three different winners in three years, none of which could win a championship.
2023: Golden State Warriors over Boston Celtics
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| (Photo: Mercury News) |
I thought we killed off the Warriors after 2019? After losing Thompson and Green, the remaining stars Curry and Durant make a pact to deliver another championship to the Bay Area. After a down year, they are able to add another star (Maybe: Anthony Davis, Karl Towns, Joel Embiid, Jimmy Butler, etc).
The Celtics reach the Finals in back to back years, but fall to the dynasty that strikes back. After winning four championships in five years, followed by a three year hiatus, the Warriors return and attempt to create one of the longest-sustained dynasties in NBA history.
TL;DR
2019: Golden State Warriors over LeBron's Team
2020: LeBron's Team over Houston Rockets
2021: LeBron's Team over New Orleans Pelicans
2022: Boston Celtics over Phoenix Suns
2023: Golden State Warriors over Boston Celtics
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