The 2021-22 season NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Boston Celtics are well and truly underway. Three games are already done with and the Celtics lead 2-1.
While this is the first time the Warriors take on the Celtics in an NBA Finals, a soccer star once predicted them to face off in the Finals.
During the 2016-17 NBA playoffs, FC Barcelona star and Shakira’s ex-husband Gerard Pique made a bold prediction that drew in a lot of attention. He predicted an NBA Finals between Golden State and Boston.
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Interestingly enough, another soccer legend trolled him for his prediction. Former Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas took to Twitter and said, “You know about the NBA too? you know everything laddy!”
También entiendes de @NBA ?? Entiendes de todo chiquillo… https://t.co/qI8Pbv22In
— Iker Casillas (@IkerCasillas) April 13, 2017
Casillas was not the only one to bash Pique. French international Antoine Griezmann chose the Houston Rockets and James Harden as the favorites to win the title. He said, “Sorry Piqu?. I think the beard Harden winning his first ring is more likely.”
Safe to say, Griezmann was wrong. Golden State did make the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers led by LeBron James and they went on to win the series that year.
Stephen Curry and the Warriors show LeBron James his place
The 2017 NBA championship Finals gave us an epic matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Moreover, this was a battle between two of the best players in the league during that time, Stephen Curry and LeBron James.
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The Dubs breezed past the Cavs with a 4-1 Finals win and Curry won his 2nd ring. Kevin Durant was crucial for the win as he won his first ring and was also awarded the NBA Finals MVP award.
He averaged 35.2 points,? 8.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists. On the other hand, Curry averaged 26.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 9.4 assists.
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Although LeBron James put in a great performance, it was not possible to take down the Warriors. James averaged 33.6 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 10.0 assists. (Source: basketballreference.com)?