Golden State Warriors: Breaking down the NBA Finals position matchups

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PORTLAND, OREGON – MAY 18: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors high fives Draymond Green #23 during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers in game three of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Moda Center on May 18, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. NBA Finals (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

The Golden State Warriors will begin the quest for their third straight NBA Championship when they take on the Toronto Raptors in the 2019 NBA Finals. Here is a positional breakdown ahead of the final series of the season.

It will be a battle of the old guard and the new upstarts. A fight between the established, dominant dynasty and the team that could never quite get over the hump. Thursday night will mark the first game of the 2019 NBA Finals and the Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors will each have very different motivations.

The Warriors will be looking to solidify their place among the NBA’s greatest dynasties. Searching for their fourth NBA Championship in five seasons and their third in a row, it will be their quest for the elusive three-peat that motivates them throughout the series.

On the other hand, the Raptors will simply be trying to prove that they belong. Only once in their 24-year history had the Raptors even reached the conference finals and they have never once made it to the NBA Finals.

This will be the Warriors chance to forever cement their legacy in NBA history — to leave one final mark on the league before their dynasty could fall. And for the Raptors, this is their chance to prove their worth and show the NBA world that they aren’t a franchise to be taken lightly.

It all kicks off on Thursday night, but for now, let’s dive in and breakdown the two squads position-by-position.

PORTLAND, OREGON – MAY 20: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors shoots the ball against Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half in game four of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Moda Center on May 20, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

Point Guard (Stephen Curry vs. Kyle Lowry)

Kyle Lowry has worked hard to silence his doubters regarding his postseason play. The five-time NBA All-Star averaged nearly 20 points per game throughout the Eastern Conference Finals and has been one of the driving forces behind Toronto’s postseason run.

While Kawhi Leonard has clearly been “the guy,” Lowry has quietly been valuable as a vocal leader, underrated defender, and all-around gritty player.

But he isn’t Stephen Curry.

Curry has been absolutely phenomenal since Kevin Durant went down with an injury in Game 5 of the Western Conference semi-finals against the Houston Rockets. The two-time league MVP has scored at least 25 points in every game since Durant’s injury and scored 36 points or more in each of the four games Golden State played the Portland Trail Blazers.

Simply put, Curry has been exceptional as of late and it’s easy to see why he’s considered one of the greatest shooters in NBA history. Still in search of his first NBA Finals MVP, this could be an ideal spot to secure said trophy given his recent play.

All respect to Lowry, but there isn’t a point guard in the NBA today that’s matching up with Curry.

Advantage: Warriors

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