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Forecast: Who will win Finals MVP?

NBA, Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers

The 2017 NBA Finals between the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers and the 2015 champion Golden State Warriors will be the most star-studded Finals ever. So which star will shine brightest on the biggest stage this June and win Finals MVP: LeBron? KD? Steph? Here are the predictions from our ESPN Forecast panel of experts, and a panel of fans.

KD has best shot at Finals MVP

Some notes on the Finals MVP contenders:

  • Kevin Durant, Golden State: KD is no stranger to the NBA's biggest stage. He led the Thunder to the Finals in 2012 and averaged 30.6 PPG against the champion Heat in five games. In his first season with the Warriors, Durant enters the Finals on fire. He averaged 28 PPG on 60 percent shooting against the Spurs in the Western Conference finals.

  • Stephen Curry, Golden State: When the Warriors won the championship two years ago, Andre Iguodala was named Finals MVP, whereas Curry didn't receive a single vote. This year, Curry enters the Finals averaging 28.6 points per game on 50.2 percent shooting from the field and 43.1 percent shooting from 3, all postseason career highs.

  • LeBron James, Cleveland: He's attempting to earn his fourth Finals MVP award; only Michael Jordan (six) has more than three.

  • Draymond Green, Golden State: Already a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year, Green could be the first player since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1994 to win Defensive Player of the Year and Finals MVP in the same season.

  • Kyrie Irving, Cleveland: It has been 10 years since a point guard won Finals MVP; San Antonio's Tony Parker won it in 2007.

  • Klay Thompson, Golden State: After compiling a 17.4 PER during the regular season, Thompson enters the Finals with a postseason PER of 8.4 in 413 minutes. That's the worst PER among the 37 players who have played at least 300 minutes this postseason.

ESPN Forecast and the fan panel predictions were conducted in coordination with Microsoft Research. Join the fan panel here.

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