As many analysts predicted, the 2018 BGBL Finals will feature a highly anticipated matchup between the defending champion Golden State Warriors and the defensive-minded expansion franchise Denver Nuggets. Seeking back-to-back titles in the franchise’s first two years, GM Brandon Colon and the Warriors enter the 2018 Finals as the league’s premier franchise, having won 11 of their last 12 games, dating back to last season. However, this does not scare the folks in Denver. Mollica has given Mile-High City a title contender, and the players on this team truly believe they can takeover the league reign in their first season together. This is no far-fetched belief, either, as an expansion franchise has taken the last two BGBL titles (Spurs in 2016 & Warriors in 2017).

The 2018 Finals showdown provides an intriguing face-off between the Nuggets’ physicality on the defensive side of the ball and the Warriors high-powered offense. There are only eight players in the league averaging over 16 points per game, and three of those guys (Brown, Brandon, & McCool) play for the team pursuing its second consecutive championship. Additionally, the GOAT Rob Burns himself has stepped into playoff form recently, resembling the man who led the 2017 team to a Finals victory. John Mollica and last year’s Defensive Player of the Year Travis Hughes both suffered eliminations in 2017 at the hands of the Warriors. The two good friends have since joined forces, hungry for revenge. Travis Hughes has been a huge part of what this team does defensively. GM Mollica will tell you Travis should have been given DPOY honors for the second year in a row, and he has a valid argument. Hughes leads the league with 4.5 steals per game.

Despite all this talk about Denver’s defense, their dominant offense should not be overlooked, either, as the team has four players (Frantz, Brandon, Travis, & Terry) averaging double-digit points per game. MVP nominee Frantz Dumas is averaging nearly 20 points per game and has hit more threes (29 threes) than any other player in the league, including his record-breaking performance against Boston where he drilled nine field goals from beyond the arc. Additionally, Brandon Kemmerer, who has earned the nickname “The Mountain” has developed into one of the most imposing big men in the league, as he is one of just three players currently averaging a double-double.

A major factor that could influence this series is the contrast between how both these teams are entering the Finals. The Nuggets have not played a game in the month of August, finishing off a sweep of the Rockets nearly two weeks ago. The Warriors, on the other hand, are fresh off a brutal 3-game series with their biggest rival. We have yet to see which team this will be an advantage for.

The Warriors will certainly be at a disadvantage with the loss of Defensive Player of the Year Conor O’Rourke for the Finals. O’Rourke sustained a serious ankle injury in the brutal semifinals series against the Sixers. O’Rourke still managed to record at least 4 blocks in all three games in that series. His absence should free up the lane for the Nuggets to attack the basket.

X-Factors:

Allen Brown (Warriors)
Despite the team only adding more talent from 2017 to 2018, Allen Brown’s offensive role has actually increased this season. Without major production from Brandon or McCool, Brown was instrumental in the semifinals series against Philadelphia. If it wasn’t for him, we may not be talking about a Warriors Finals right now. Brown dropped 21 points in the Game 3 clincher, including some big buckets down the stretch. Obviously, there will be a lot of focus on MVP Connor McCool and last year’s Finals MVP Brandon Colon, but Brown has just as much scoring potential as the other two. It is possible his number could get called again in the Finals, and whether he answers to it could be the difference between a 2018 championship and leaving Gardens High heartbroken.

Frantz Dumas (Nuggets)
In the Nuggets’ last outing versus the defending champs, Dumas did not look like his MVP-candidate self. The league-leading three-point shooter did not hit a single shot from beyond the arc. Much of this can be attributed to Allen Brown’s impressive defense. However, the league is well aware of what Dumas can do, and his two highest scoring games have come in the first two playoff games of his career, as he is averaging 31 points per game in the 2018 playoffs. If the Nuggets want to give the city of Denver a championship, Dumas will have to be on.

Key Matchup: Brandon Kemmerer vs Quentin Middleton
With O’Rourke’s absence, Q will be asked to play a larger role in the 2018 Finals. Matching up against “The Mountain” is no easy task. However, Golden State’s franchise center will have to hold his own against Kemmerer, or things could get out of hand in Denver’s favor.

Keys to the Game:

Warriors: Get Back on Defense
The Warriors’ sole loss this season could probably be attributed to the team’s lack of urgency getting back on defense. The Warriors’ offense will come; that is a guarantee. As long as the Warriors avoid giving up easy baskets on the other end, Golden State should feel confident about back-to-back titles.

Nuggets: Neutralize McCool
When McCool is doing his thing, it is nearly impossible to stop the Warriors. If the Nuggets want to shut down the Golden State offense, they may have to go straight to the source. How they want to do that will be up to GM John Mollica.

Last Time These Teams Met: In their only ever game against each other, the Warriors handed the Nuggets their only loss in the franchise’s young existence. Golden State converted on nine three-pointers compared to the Nuggets’ two, as the Warriors held the lead for pretty much the entire game, completing their undefeated regular season with a 61-46 victory.

BGBL fans have been anticipating this matchup after watching both teams breeze through the regular season. The level of talent on these teams is unquestioned and we should be in store for one of the more entertaining Finals in league history.