u200bLeBron James and the Cavaliers beat the Warriors in a small-ball-heavy Finals that saw the teams taking turns running each other off the court. Even in defeat, the Dubs’ major philosophical contributions to the sport were reinforced. Basketball is simply prettier and more enjoyable when the pace is up, the ball is moving, playmakers have room to operate, positions are fluid and points pour in from beyond the arc. Golden State’s 2015 title produced a wave of copycats, and that trend will continue.
Here’s how the NBA shapes up in terms of entertainment value, from “top trending topic” to “cut the cord.