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The Golden State Warriors have an opportunity to add to their legend tonight when they face the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the 2016 Western Conference Finals.
The Warriors could become just the fourth team ever to come back from a 3-1 deficit in the Western Conference Finals. And with so much on the line, Warriors coach Steve Kerr has elected to start Andre Iguodala in place of Harrison Barnes.
Game 7 Warriors starters: Curry, Thompson, Bogut, Green, Iguodala
— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) May 31, 2016
Andre Iguodala hasn't started since Jan. 2, when he had nine points and six assists to zero turnovers in the Warriors' 3-point win over DEN.
— Rusty Simmons (@Rusty_SFChron) May 31, 2016
Love Kerr moving Iguodala to the starting line-up. He was the most important player in Game 6 not wearing Yoda socks.
— Fast Break (@GSWFastBreak) May 31, 2016
ESPN's Bill Barnwell nicely summarized what's at stake narrative-wise while surveying other Game 7's that followed a Game 6 loss by a team that was previously up 3-1 and reminds us that home court advantage carries no guarantees.
History doesn't tell us that the Thunder are likely to pull the upset, but it also doesn't tell us that the Warriors are going to run them off of the floor because of what happened Saturday night. It tells us that we have no idea about what's going to happen -- that the Thunder's offensive movement and the Warriors' lineup decisions and the variance of incredible shooters are more important than the emotional toll of a tough playoff loss. That's promising for both Thunder fans and neutrals looking for a great
It's definitely fair to expect the Warriors to win, but it is by no means a given -- OKC has already proven they can win at Oracle and the Warriors still have flaws they can exploit. The Warriors will need to bring their A-game again to come away with a win.