Chickentonight - NBA Finals lyrics

Andrew Bogut compares defending against a rampaging LeBron James to facing a wrecking ball. How well Bogut and his Golden State Warriors defend against the man known as King James in the best-of-seven NBA Finals series with the Cleveland Cavaliers will likely decide the champions. The four-time NBA MVP has dominated in Cleveland's run through the playoffs, averaging 27.6 points, 10.4 rebounds and 8.3 a**ists a game — up in all those stats on the regular season. The Warriors have a plan that involves using their well-stocked supply of strong, athletic wing players, Draymond Green, Harrison Barnes and Andre Iguodala, on James while getting other teammates to help out. If James breaks free, as he will certainly do, it will be 213cm, 118kg Australian centre Bogut protecting the rim. Bogut is hoping the referees do their job and aren't unwittingly swayed by James' status as the world's best player. “Every NBA athlete can dunk on you so you have to make sure you get there early and contest the shot or foul him,” said Bogut of defending against James. “He's a wrecking ball coming down the middle and hopefully it will still be a legal rule in this series where we can jump straight up and not get called for a foul.” While the series is a joy for Australians, with Bogut and Boomers teammate Matthew Dellavedova on opposing teams, the finals are also a dream match-up for the NBA and basketball fans globally. The series pits the Warriors, known for their shooters, “splash brothers” Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, but also possessing the best defence in the league, against the team led by basketball's most dominant player, James. Asked how the Cavaliers could stem the flow of points from this season's MVP Curry, James said: “The same way you slow me down, you can't.” James is wrong. There is a proven way to stop James. In last year's game one of the Finals the air-conditioning in the San Antonio Spurs' AT&T Center mysteriously broke down, the temperature soared to 33C on the court and James, known for cramping up, was unable to walk. If the air-conditioning stays on in the Warriors' Oracle Arena for Thursday's (Friday AEST) game one, the Warriors will use a variety of other tricks. “We can throw a lot of bodies at him which is important against any great player,” said Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who won three NBA Championship rings with the Chicago Bulls alongside Michael Jordan. When James is defending, Kerr and Green also spoke about throwing up different screens, probably using the big body of Bogut, to slow him down. “You can't give him the same look because he'll eventually work it out and tear it up,” Green said. The Warriors know what it's like to watch James tear it up. Just a few months ago, on February 26, they played the Cavaliers in Cleveland and James had a season-high 42 points to smack the Warriors 110-99.