Last season the Cavs were down 2-0 (blown away in those games), and then 3-1, but came back. I think it was a combination of the Cavs turning it around and not giving up and the Warriors taking things for granted and not crossing the finish line when it was in sight. The same could very well happen this year, but I think the Warriors have learned their lesson. Cleveland will need their big three to play very well in order to come back. It's not implausible to think that LBJ, KI and KL will all need to score 25+ points each for them to have a shot. That and JRS will need to up his game. Golden State has too many weapons right now. I don't see their top guys going cold at the same time and not recovering. Cleveland may take a home game, but as I said earlier, I can't see Golden State making the same mistakes they made last year.
As far as the never ending GOAT talk, MJ is still the GOAT, certainly better than Lebron. I am not sure if Lebron is his main rival for that title though.
MJ's Chicago teams prior to 91 were not that good. He scored a record tying 63 points against the Celtics in 1986 and they lost the game, albeit in double OT, and that year's C's were arguably one the greatest NBA teams of all time. The Bulls record was 38-44 and just made it as an #8 seed. They fared better and pushed the Pistons a couple seasons but it wasn't until 1991 when they broke through. Jordan was at his peak in the late 80's early 90's, and with Pippen coming into his own, Paxson, Grant...they finally had a championship caliber team. The Cleveland teams were not that super either early in Lebron's career, but they were one of the best in the two seasons prior to Lebron moving to Miami. Him moving to 'greener pastures' is what many feel separates him and MJ, MJ stayed with the Bulls and the team was growing around him, instead of going to other teams with better players in them.
What surprises me is that Isiah Thomas not mentioning how tough the game was when he played. I mean he was on a team that epitomized the 80's and 90's: tough, hard-nosed basketball that sometimes got really nasty and into actual brawls. Rules have changed and teams aren't as physical and Lebron, like most other stars of the sport get a lot of leeway, particularly with those 'extra steps' and bogus fouls called on his opposition, but the biggest thing is the physical nature of the game, despite the fact that today's players being more athletic.