Advertisement Continue reading the main storyWith the rare exceptions of the truly gifted and blessedly affiliated, the N.B.A. finals — basketball’s ultimate stage — are seldom a showcase for those not long removed from the clutches of the N.C.A.A. Kyrie Irving, genius innovator of the midair maneuver, was 24 when he helped take down the Warriors last year but was already in his fifth N.B.A. Photo“This year, the projection is that we’re going to have 20 one-and-done players coming, actually being drafted this year,” Silver said. The cycle of top-heaviness is perpetuated and the story lines of the finals, along with its participants, become increasingly familiar.

Source: New York Times June 11, 2017 18:41 UTC