The 2017 NBA Finals will be the third straight matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors in the Finals. The franchises have split over the last two years, and come into the Finals having lost only one game combined during the playoffs. The following slideshow features the key names to know.
The owner of the Cavs, Gilbert is perhaps best remembered for his scathing letter after LeBron James left Cleveland to sign with the Heat. Of course, he did a 180 when James returned home.
Lacob is the majority owner of the Warriors, purchasing the team in 2010. Since then, the organization has seen great success.
Griffin was named the GM of the Cavaliers in early 2014. The team has been extremely successful under his watch after Griffin helped sign LeBron James in his first year as acting GM.
A former sports agent, Myers joined the Warriors front office in 2011. He became their GM in 2012 and has helped the team achieve great success in recent seasons.
Lue was promoted to head coach of the Cavaliers in the middle of the 2015-16 season after David Blatt was fired. He helped the Cavs win an NBA title in only his first season.
The former head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers, Brown has been acting head coach of the Warriors during the playoffs while Steve Kerr recovers from complications from back surgery.
The heart and soul of the Cavs and arguably the greatest player in NBA history, James is going for his fourth NBA Title and second in Cleveland. He's averaging 32.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game.
The head coach of the Warriors since 2014, Kerr suffered complications from back surgery early in the 2015-16 season and has also been out during the playoffs with further complications. It's possible that he could return at some point during the NBA Finals.
The first overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, Irving is a four-time NBA All-Star. He's averaged 24.5 points and 5.6 assists per game during the playoffs.
A two-time league MVP, Curry is coming off another great season. The sharpshooter has averaged 28.6 points and 5.6 assists per game during the playoffs, shooting better than 59 percent.
A four-time All-Star, Love contributes in all facets as Cleveland's power forward. He's averaged 17.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game during the playoffs, attempting more than six three-pointers per game.
Durant controversially signed with the Warriors during the offseason after nine seasons in the Thunder organization. The 2013-14 NBA MVP, Durant has averaged 25.2 points and 7.8 rebounds, but has missed time during the regular season and playoffs due to injuries.
The athletic Thompson has been a force in the paint for the Cavs since they selected him fourth overall in the 2011 NBA Draft. He's averaged 9.2 points and 9.3 rebounds per game during the playoffs.
A masterful defensive player, Green has been no stranger to controversy for his perceived dirty play in the past. He plays bigger than his listed height of 6'7", and has averaged 13.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 2.1 blocks, and 1.9 steals per game during the playoffs.
Smith became nationally known for celebrating shirtless during the Cavs championship celebrations last year. The starting guard has seen his contribution fade this season, but he's averaging 6.6 points during the playoffs.
Often forgotten with the Warriors other stars, Thompson is a three-time All-Star in his own right. He averaged a career-best 22.3 points per game during the regular season and has averaged 14.4 points during the playoffs.
A veteran three-point shooter acquired from the Hawks at mid-season, Korver has been a key bench player for the Cavs. The 36-year-old forward has averaged 6.4 points per game during the playoffs.
The 2015 NBA Finals MVP, Iguodala has played off the bench for the Warriors during the playoffs but has also missed time with knee soreness. He's averaging 6.5 points and 4.4 rebounds during the playoffs.
Shumpert started 31 games for Cleveland during the regular season, but has been strictly a bench player during the playoffs. He's averaging 4.7 points per game during the playoffs.
Golden State's starting center is averaging 6.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per game during 10 playoff starts. He controversially was involved in the play during the Western Conference Finals that injured Spurs star Kawhi Leonard.
A former NBA star point guard, Williams has played off the bench for the Cavaliers. The 32-year-old, five-time All-Star is averaging 5.6 points per game during the playoffs.
McCaw has started three games during the playoffs for the Warriors with 5.0 points per game. The 6-7 shooting guard was Golden State's second-round pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
A 34-year-old, former NBA starter, Frye has contributed in 11 playoff games off the bench for Cleveland. He's averaged 7.8 points per game.
Livingston has played nine games off the bench for the Warriors during the playoffs. The guard is averaging 4.4 points per game.
Jefferson is going on age 37 and hoping for his second straight NBA title in Cleveland. The forward has played in nine playoff games, averaging 2.9 points per game.
Clark is in his second season with the Warriors and has picked up his contribution as a key bench player this year. He's averaging 7.5 points in only 14.6 minutes per game during the playoffs.
The second-overall pick in the 2011 draft by the Timberwolves, Williams played 25 games with the Cavs during the regular season after starting his season in Miami. He's played five games during the playoffs, averaging 2.8 points per game.
A two-time NBA All-Star, West has played strictly off the bench for the Warriors this season. He's averaged 4.6 points and 4.3 rebounds in 12 playoff games.
Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.
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