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Duke in the NBA: NBA Finals Preview, Duke Edition

By Kevin Connelly

CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 15: Rodney Hood #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warms up prior to playing the Indiana Pacers in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on April 15, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 15: Rodney Hood #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warms up prior to playing the Indiana Pacers in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on April 15, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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It’s the biggest stage in the NBA and there are two Duke in the NBA players in this year’s version of the NBA Finals.

You weren’t going out on a limb if you predicted the Cleveland Cavilers and the Golden State Warriors were going to meet in the NBA Finals, but the way both teams got to this position was anything but usual.

However, it was also unlikely that Quinn Cook and Rodney Hood would be playing in this years NBA Finals.

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Quinn Cook was back and forth between the Warriors and their G-League affiliate until the injury of Steph Curry, when he became a force in the defending champions rotation.

Rodney Hood started the year with the Utah Jazz and at the craziness of the NBA Trade Deadline, he was shipped to Cleveland.

Quinn Cook played in 33 games throughout the regular season for the Warriors and averaged 9.5 points per game. In this postseason Cook has seen the floor in 15 games and averaged 5.3 points per game.

Cook’s best series of the playoffs came in the Second Round against the New Orleans Pelicans where he averaged 7.5 points per game.

However, Quinn Cook’s best game in this year’s playoffs arguably came in the Western Conference Finals in mop-up duty against the Houston Rockets.

In the Game 3 126-87 victory for the Warriors, Cook dropped 11 points and two steals in five minutes. Cook was perfect from the floor and the foul line in those five minutes as well.

Since Curry has returned, Cook has received minimum minutes but in a series that looks like it could be very lopsided, Cook’s minutes could be in line for some more playing time.

On the other side, it has been more of a disappointing postseason for Rodney Hood.

His regular season was very productive in both Utah and Cleveland. Hood suited up for 60 games and averaged 14.7 points per game.

In this postseason, Hood has been on the floor for 13 Cleveland games and only averaged 4.9 points per game.

Hood’s minutes have significantly decreased since the Cavilers series victory over the Indiana Pacers where he was on the court for an average of 18.9 minutes per game. Against the Toronto Raptors, Hood only saw about 13 minutes per game and against the Boston Celtics 11 minutes.

LeBron James is in desperate need of some help from his teammates and if Hood is able to produce in the very few minutes he may receive, he could gain the confidence from James and Head Coach Ty Lue.

Both players have the ability to get some significant minutes in this years NBA Finals but it will remain to be seen if either player will take advantage of his opportunity and thrive on the NBA’s biggest stage.

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