Stephen Curry opting out of 2016 Rio Olympics, others may follow Unanimous NBA MVP Stephen Curry is healthy enough to help pulverize the Cleveland Cavaliers — amassing 18 points, nine rebounds and four assists while playing just half of Sunday's 110-77 blowout in Game 2 of the finals — but he's going to need some rest after going the distance in two straight seasons. In order to recover … [Read more...]

After many turnovers, LeBron James looks for a turnaround 11:31 AM ET Dave McMenaminESPN Staff Writer Close Cavs and NBA writer for ESPN.com Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14 and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09 Syracuse University graduate OAKLAND, Calif. -- LeBron James' assessment of the Cleveland Cavaliers' 110-77 loss to the Golden State Warriors to fall … [Read more...]

Draft Preview: NBA Draft Ranks: PF Like last year, the power forwards this year are a very deep group, with a chance that everyone on this list ends up in the first round.  As the game changes, this has led to a very diverse group, with a nice combination of big men who can stretch the floor and your “classic” power forward-type. As a group, it is more about upside than the ability to step in … [Read more...]

Warriors use crushing defense to claim Game 2 of Finals 12:09 AM ET Ethan Sherwood StraussESPN Staff Writer Close Covers the Golden State Warriors for ESPN.com Contributes to ESPN's TrueHoop blog Hosts TrueHoop TV Live OAKLAND, Calif. -- In theory, it was going to be different this time. This wouldn’t be like last year's NBA Finals, not with the Cleveland Cavaliers so healthy, not with their … [Read more...]

With Draymond Green back, Warriors look almost unstoppable 11:22 PM ET ESPN Stats & Information When the Golden State Warriors are going as well as they’re going and Draymond Green returns to the form he showed for much of the season, their opponents have almost no chance to win. Such was the case in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, in which the Warriors thrashed the Cleveland Cavaliers. The … [Read more...]

Routed again: Struggling Cavs fall victim to dominant Warriors 2:03 AM ET Dave McMenaminESPN Staff Writer Close Cavs and NBA writer for ESPN.com Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14 and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09 Syracuse University graduate OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Cleveland Cavaliers came into the NBA Finals as a confident, well-rested team enjoying a 12-2 … [Read more...]

Little Splash, big wave: Warriors sail even with Curry, Klay quiet OAKLAND, Calif. — The outcome of any NBA Finals game usually serves as a referendum on the performances and legacies of its stars. Whether in victory or defeat, every result communicates something about what the best players on the best teams do. Did that guy take over when needed? Did another shirk from the spotlight? And … [Read more...]

Klay Thompson aims last shot of Game 2 at his dad, Showtime Lakers Last year, the Golden State Warriors capped a 67-win season in which they finished second in the league in offensive efficiency, first in defensive efficiency, and with top-10 all-time marks in both average margin of victory and Simple Rating System, by beating the Cleveland Cavaliers to win the NBA championship. For an … [Read more...]

Basketball Daily Dose: Dose: Treymond Green The Cavs got their behinds handed to them during Sunday’s 110-77 blowout loss to the Warriors, and after suffering back-to-back blowout losses by a combined 48 points to the defending champs, it’s looking like the conclusion of the 2015-16 season will again end in disappointment for Mr. LeBron James. Jeff Van Gundy said it best during the Game 2 … [Read more...]

Kevin Love enters NBA concussion protocol after Game 2 head injury As if the start of the 2016 NBA Finals wasn't going poorly enough for the Cleveland Cavaliers, they lost star forward Kevin Love midway through Sunday's Game 2. [Follow Dunks Don't Lie on Tumblr: The best slams from all of basketball] Love went down hard after taking an elbow to the back of the head from Golden State Warriors … [Read more...]