And now, they wait. Again. The Golden State Warriors have gotten used to going to the NBA Finals, and their win in Portland on Monday night clinched their fifth consecutive trip.

For a small kid growing up in Cork in the 1970s, the big American sporting occasions, like the Super Bowl, the NBA Finals and even the US Masters represented a whole world of awe and inspiration.

The odds are longer than a Stephen Curry three-pointer, Kevin Durant’s wingspan, or Draymond Green’s catalogue of technical fouls.

With another Game 7 victory at stake, LeBron James would not sit out.

One victory left for the Golden State Warriors to claim another title. Not the one as NBA champions. The one as the best team ever.

Martin O’Neill is an avid consumer, a voracious reader. Forever aware and always interested in the topics of the day. At Ireland training on Tuesday afternoon, he was heard enquiring on the rolling updates of Tiger Woods’ latest sorry episode.

Kevin Durant does not need to be told that Golden State Warriors should have a muted celebration after winning the Western Conference finals.

It’s the two-time reigning MVP who is trying to finish off a record setting season with a second straight title, against a two-time champion who is tantalisingly close to finally ending Cleveland’s 52-year title drought.

Like everyone else, Draymond Green could only watch as LeBron James and Kyrie Irving sent the NBA Finals back to Cleveland.

Sony announced the two games that will be given away for free to PlayStation Plus subscribers on PlayStation 4 as part of the Instant Game Collection.

LeBron James savoured every bump from Kobe Bryant in the low post.

LeBron James had a night for the ages as he hauled the Cleveland Cavaliers level in the NBA Finals with a 95-93 overtime win over the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night.

LeBron James returned to Miami for the first time on Christmas Day but there was no generosity afforded from the Heat who saw off his Cleveland Cavaliers 101-91.

"It’s been years since the Super Bowl felt as significant as the draft."

LeBron James is heading back to free agency.

Annual traditions are everywhere in San Antonio.

Eamon Dunphy perpetual trophy for post-match entertainment: Davy Fitz

The San Antonio Spurs spent most of the past week resting, answering the same questions from the media and battering each other during practice.

These used to be the moments that suffocated LeBron James.

Americans like their team sports to be reduced to duels, the battle of stars who are more often than not defined by recent form.

DIRK NOWITZKI, the German playmaker who led the Dallas Mavericks to an NBA Finals victory, admitted he was “overwhelmed” by the response as he came back to his tiny home city Wuerzburg yesterday.

THE NEWS spread like wildfire during the third quarter of Tuesday night’s NBA Finals Game Four.

THERE’S winning pretty, and there’s just plain winning – and the Los Angeles Lakers will to continue their no-nonsense winning approach as they look to outmuscle the Boston Celtics in tomorrow night’s Game Two of the NBA Finals (tomorrow 1am Irish time, Live on ESPN).

THE Orlando Magic will look to continue their fightback against the LA Lakers as they bid to level the NBA Finals series 2-2 tonight (live on Setanta Ireland, Setanta Sports 2).

KOBE BRYANT finished with 25 points and five steals to keep the Los Angeles Lakers’ NBA Finals dream alive with a 103-98 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game Five at the Staples Center on Sunday.

LOS ANGELES Lakers guard Kobe Bryant rates reaching this year’s NBA Finals among his greatest achievements.

TIM DUNCAN put up numbers worthy of a champion with 25 points as the San Antonio Spurs beat Detroit 81-74 on Thursday to win their third NBA championship in seven years.

San Antonio 86 Detroit 95

Defending champions Detroit will are going back to the NBA finals due to Shaquille O’Neal and the Miami Heat could not hold onto a lead in the final minutes.

ALLEN IVERSON surrendered to authorities at sunrise Tuesday on charges that he burst into his cousin's apartment with a handgun and threatened two men while searching for his wife after an argument.