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Well, we're finally here: Cavs vs. Warriors. NBA Finals.

It was inevitable — and it helped turned the NBA playoffs into six-week waiting game. But now that the moment is at hand, sit back and enjoy it.

The Warriors and the Cavaliers have long been the two best teams in the NBA for awhile now. And when Game 1 tips off Thursday in Oakland), it will be the first time in NBA history that two teams have met in the finals for three straight years, with the teams splitting the first two meetings.

And yet, a lot has changed during those three years. A Golden State team that won 73 games last season has added Kevin Durant, the best pure scorer in basketball and arguably the second best player in the league. Out for Golden State is Andrew Bogut and Harrison Barnes, two starters from the past two years. In are the likes of David West and ZaZa Pachulia, two veterans in search of a title.

The Cavaliers still have LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. They still have Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson. But can this collective core match the additional firepower Durant brings with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green?

It's a legitimate question.

The two teams have steamrolled through the postseason, going a collective 24-1 in the playoffs. And if many have criticized the playoffs for being non-competitive, this matchup should be the proverbial pot at the end of the rainbow.

Will Kevin Durant be a runner-up again?

Durant was the second pick of the 2007 NBA Draft, behind Greg Oden. He is considered the second best player in the world, behind James. With the Oklahoma City Thunder, he made the 2012 NBA Finals, only to finish second to James and the Miami Heat. This is his chance to be the ultimate winner for the first time in his career, and his team is a significant favorite to do just that. Shedding the runner-up image is why Durant bolted OKC for the Warriors in free agency.

LeBron looks in the mirror

James in 2011 became the first superstar to bolt in free agency and build a "super team" when he joined Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosch in Miami. So it is no small irony that he's going to have to beat one in order to secure the fourth title of his career. James has made eight Finals appearances. His teams has arguably been an underdog in six of them. The odds this year are the longest he has faced since 2007, when Cleveland was swept by San Antonio for the title.

Does coaching matter?

Golden State coach Steve Kerr has been sidelined by a bad back for nearly all of the postseason, with Mike Brown taking over on an interim basis. Kerr is one of the best coaches in the league, but even with Brown, the Warriors are so good, that hasn't mattered. Now, the test: How does Brown react, if he actually has to dust off the clipboard and draw up a big play? Or if he has to make a key substitution? Golden Stat has been so dominant, it hasn't been an issue. It could be against the Cavaliers.

The Draymond effect

Green has been sensational in the postseason. And he has kept his well-known temper relatively in check. That has to continue in the finals. Last year, he was famously suspended for Game 5, and that helped fuel Cleveland's rally. As good as Durant and Curry have been, and as good as they are, Green could be Golden State's most important player.

The Curry cure?

If the Cavaliers have any hope at the upset, Irving is going to have to be dynamic offensively. He may be the only point guard in the league who can match Curry. Irving is one of the best isolation scorers in the league, a wizard when he has the ball. The Cavs are going to need everything he's got in order to be competitive.

Series prediction

James has beaten superior teams before — he did it last year — but this is a different animal. This Warriors team simply has no weakness. They are almost unguardable offensively, and they are the best defensive team in the NBA as well. That's a tall mountain to climb, even for LeBron James. Just by his force of will, Cleveland will win a game, maybe two. But that's as far as the Cavaliers will go against this Golden State team. Prediction • Warriors in 5 Position matchups

Point guard • Kyrie Irving is sensational, but Steph Curry is the best point guard in basketball. Advantage: Warriors

Shooting guard • J.R. Smith will have a tough time chasing Klay Thompson around, and hitting his jumper. Advantage: Warriors

Small Forward • The two best players in basketball going at it. LeBron James and Kevin Durant will surely command a spotlight. Advantage: Cavaliers

Power Forward • Kevin Love is a good player. Draymond Green is evolving into a great one. Advantage: Warriors

Center • Tristan Thompson is one of the best rebounders in basketball. Advantage: Cavaliers

Bench • Pretty much a push, but Andre Iguodala tips the scales for Golden State.

Advantage: Warriors

Coaching • This would be Steve Kerr, but he's not healthy or available, due to back complications. Ty Lue is more than capable for Cleveland. Advantage • Cavaliers

Intangibles • The Cavs actually believe they can win the series. That will help against the Warriors. Advantage: Cavaliers

Finals schedule

Thursday • at Golden State, 7 p.m.

Sunday • at Golden State, 6 p.m.

June 7 • at Cleveland, 7 p.m.

June 9 • at Cleveland, 7 p.m.

x-June 12 • at Golden State, 7 p.m.

x-June 15 • at Cleveland, 7 p.m.

x-June 18 • at Golden State, 6 p.m.

x-If necessary