A few intriguing storylines hover above as the NBA Finals loom closer. On one side is an exciting upstart led by a charismatic flamethrower that serves as the motor of a team that prides itself in having strength in numbers. On the other is the league's King, who after returning home, is in his fifth straight NBA Finals. It's the best team versus the best player on the planet. Something has got to give.

When LeBron James was asked how his Cleveland Cavaliers plan on defending league MVP Stephen Curry, his response was concise, yet true: "Same way you slow me down"¦You can't."

And that just might be where this series swings, could the Warriors do something the rest of the league has failed to do so this entire season, stop LeBron James. The Cavs, for their part, has shown an impressive defensive identity in these playoffs, the question is if the defense they've honed against their Eastern Conference rivals will be good enough against the league's most dynamic offense.

The Warriors will have tons of bodies to throw at James. They practically switch everything on defense, and wherever Cavs coach David Blatt positions James, Harrison Barnes, Draymond Green, Andre Igoudala, Klay Thompson, and maybe even Marreese Speights, and Shaun Livingston are all, at least on paper, conceivably able defenders against James.

Also, it will be interesting to see what lineup the Cavs stick with when the going gets tough. Do they go small with Tristan Thompson, who has been wonderful in the postseason, at the five, and James at power forward for extended minutes?

That has been the Cavs best lineup in the playoffs, but playing that small plays right into the hands of the interchangeable Warriors and their litany of 6'5"-6'7" bodies.

Both Warriors coach Steve Kerr and Blatt have displayed incredible adjustments throughout the playoffs, this matchup may be their toughest puzzle yet.

Game 1 of the NBA Finals is on Thursday, June 4 at the Oracle Arena. Tip-off is scheduled at 9:30 ET. You can catch the action via live streaming here.