Not to get ahead ourselves or anything, but Jeff Van Gundy expects the Golden State Warriors to make appearances in the NBA Finals a regular habit.
Speaking to reporters on a conference call Tuesday morning, the former coach and current ABC/ESPN analyst made note of the Warriors' combination of youth, health and talent, and said he sees Golden State making "eight to 10 straight Finals."
"This is a dynasty to me," he said. "... I think it would be a massive upset if they're not there each and every year."
"I think when you're the prohibitive favorite against LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, that means you're a heck of a team," he told reporters. "... The Warriors are heads and shoulders talent-wise above anyone else in the NBA."
Van Gundy's broadcasting partner, Mark Jackson, also picks the Warriors to win the series, but he scoffs at prognosticators who believe the Cavaliers have little chance to win. Jackson believes Love, who has been on a remarkable postseason roll, could be an X-factor who enhances Cleveland's chances.
"If he's playing the way he's played thus far, this is a Kevin Love that the Warriors have not seen outside of a Minnesota Timberwolves jersey," he said. "He's playing similar to the way he played there. Rebounding the basketball, knocking shots down, being more involved offensively. It's another threat to add to LeBron and Kyrie and makes them a tough team. ... But the Warriors to me are the favorite."
