As the NBA Finals starts Thursday night at 9 o'clock on ABC there are a few keys to this series that keeps on poppin up in my head. Let's be honest, the Cavs are big underdogs. I haven't seen any NBA insider pick the Cavs yet. Not that I will, but in order for Cleveland to make this a series that we all hope for, some things need to play out in their favor.

And here they are:

Will Bowen frustrate James? I think this might be the biggest key for Cleveland. Bowen is a great defender. All-Defensive 1st team the last four years, a very physical and psychological player, and with his teammates he plays great help defense. James cannot, cannot, let Bowen get in his head in this series with his physical game and don't think that Bowen won't try.

Who is going to stop Duncan? Who? Drew Gooden...will be in foul trouble in the first quarter. Who? Zydrunas Ilgauskas...can't run with him and is not as cordinated. Who? Anderson Varejao...I love this kid! He works his ass off night in and night out and has shown signs of the next level in the post-season this year. He'll front him, he'll run up and down with him, and he'll body him. The Cavs are really going to need this kid in the next two weeks, even on the offensive end to get Timmy in foul trouble.

Will the bench continue to play big? Daniel Gibson has been sensational this post season, not just in the conference finals either. We just weren't paying attention to the other series that the Cavs were in. Donyell Marshall is going to have to hit the shots when they need him too. I have seen him too many times miss shots, and not just the game 1 three, miss 3 after 3 in the forth quarters in the playoffs. Eric Snow will play solid and very rarely will he turn the ball over, also the only Cav to ever be in the Finals. And my boy Anderson Varejao, keep playin hard young buck and frustrate Tim Duncan with your pick and rolls and back to the basket defense.

Finally, will inexperience play a part in this series? I doubt it. Lebron and the young Cavs are going to play their buts off. I just hope that they don't over exuse themselves and play the type of basketball that got them there. Like a said early Eric Snow is the lone Cav that has been to the Finals, while the Spurs have a handful and some that have boosted up the NBA titles.

I gotta say, I will be routing for a great series first and the Cavs second. Lebron has a lot on his shoulders in the series. Tim Duncan is looking for his 4th ring. Really 4th, like as many as Shaq, more than Larry! I hope it'll be a good series so here's the pick!

Spurs in 6