NBA thread 2016-17 v. The Age of The Land?

[KevShmev]

How loaded is GS?  James is playing out of his mind...and the Cavs are down by 21.  Crazy.

[Azyiu]

The Dubs are loaded with KD... but I also think they make serious defensive changes compared to the last Finals... at least in game 1... they ALWAYS rotate 2 guys in the paint... if the first wave miss their assignment, there is always another guy filling in... forcing the Cavs to either make a TOUGH shot over two guys, or to pass it out to reset.

[PB1]

The Warriors got every favorable call last night. It was ridiculous. If you factor in the ref influence, the score would have been much, much closer.

[King Postwhore]

The Warriors got every favorable call last night. It was ridiculous. If you factor in the ref influence, the score would have been much, much closer.

Or if LeBron didn't have what 8 or 9 turnovers?  I think they will bounce back and it will be a tough game 2 Sunday.

[KevShmev]

The Warriors got every favorable call last night. It was ridiculous. If you factor in the ref influence, the score would have been much, much closer.

Let's be serious.  Golden St wasn't losing that game last night.

Or if LeBron didn't have what 8 or 9 turnovers?

LeBron had a terrific game last night.  Without him, they lose by 40+.

[King Postwhore]

He has to be better than that to win the series. Well the whole team needs to.  He's the reason they are there but he has to be godly for them to win.

[KevShmev]

And that is an unfair standard to hold him, or anyone, to.  He was godly last year and they still barely won. I am not sure it would be enough this year.  GS is just too loaded.

[King Postwhore]

Thsts the price for being the best player in the league.  You and I know that GS is stacked.

Some of us fans can hold him to that.  He's been to 7 finals in a row for a reason.  He's that great.

[KevShmev]

Thsts the price for being the best player in the league.  You and I know that GS is stacked.

Some of us fans can hold him to that.  He's been to 7 finals in a row for a reason.  He's that great.

Wait, so when you are in the best player, you have to play godly in every game and have your team win, or that means you get criticized?  Seriously?

I cannot think of any NBA team in history that could beat this year's Warriors team 4 games out of 7.  Not the '86 Celtics.  Not the '96 Bulls.  Not one.

[King Postwhore]

I'm saying he has to be God like to win this series.  For me if they lose its not on him.  But for them to win he can't have that many turnovers.

[KevShmev]

I agree, but I think the Warriors defense is an underrated part of their game and why they are so good.  It seemed like many of those turnovers came on plays where they collapsed on James driving to the hoop, and when he had to pass out of it (James is not the kind of player to force up a bad shot against a double team), they were ready for it and stole the passes.

[TAC]

I don't believe this for a second.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/report-lakers-currently-plan-on-passing-on-lonzo-ball/ar-BBBUKvy?li=BBnbfcL

[KevShmev]

Early Game 2 thoughts:

-The Warriors are getting some major home town cooking in regards to officiating
-No one on Cleveland besides James and Love is playing worth a shit
-The Warriors are insane shooters (duh )

[Azyiu]

I forgot game 2 starts @ 8... so it was already at the 6 mins mark when I started watching, so sad, lol!!   

Cannot say for the rest of the Cavs, but at least LBJ comes to play.. but as a whole their D still sucks

[KevShmev]

This is one of the best games I've ever seen James play...and it might not matter. 

I'm still waiting for Kyrie Irving to pull his head out of his ass tonight.

[The Trooper]

I am An old fart. But love basketball. I consider the 86 Celtics, the 96 Bulls the greatest teams ever. Tonight we are witnessing maybey the greatest team ever. Bron can only do so much . This Warriors team are fuckin monsters. We are witnessing history. Durant and Curry may be the greatest tandem ever. Scary good. Few things blow me away. Tonites game did.

[Azyiu]

The Dubs simply have way too much fire power than the Cavs, and they also play better than decent D on the other end; I wouldn't be surprised the Dubs sweeping the Cavs this year, despite another superman effort by LBJ.

[KevShmev]

I turned it off at the end of the 3rd.  Unless you are a Warriors fan, what is the point in watching?

[Azyiu]

I turned it off at the end of the 3rd.  Unless you are a Warriors fan, what is the point in watching?

...errr... maybe because I wanted to witness LBJ losing in another Finals? 

[KevShmev]

I turned it off at the end of the 3rd.  Unless you are a Warriors fan, what is the point in watching?

...errr... maybe because I wanted to witness LBJ losing in another Finals? 

Enjoy?

To knowledgeable basketball fans, all this finals will do is enhance LBJ's legacy, not hurt it.

I know, I know, "Another finals loss," screams the Twitter universe.  But that is a lazy and short-sighted way of looking at it, which is far too commonplace in today's world where all people care about are hot takes.

[The Trooper]

The Dubs simply have way too much fire power than the Cavs, and they also play better than decent D on the other end; I wouldn't be surprised the Dubs sweeping the Cavs this year, despite another superman effort by LBJ.

Absolutely agree LBJ iss incredible, Love played well.. Dubs are just monsters. Fuck sweep is coming. Clay got over his funk. This Dub team will go down As the greatest ever

[Azyiu]

Enjoy?

To knowledgeable basketball fans, all this finals will do is enhance LBJ's legacy, not hurt it.

I know, I know, "Another finals loss," screams the Twitter universe.  But that is a lazy and short-sighted way of looking at it, which is far too commonplace in today's world where all people care about are hot takes.

Am I enjoying it? I can't say... but let's just say with the Dubs going 14-0 thus far, I actually would love to see them make history by going 16-0 in these playoffs.

[KevShmev]

Am I enjoying it? I can't say... but let's just say with the Dubs going 14-0 thus far, I actually would love to see them make history by going 16-0 in these playoffs.

It'll still have that asterisk because of the dirty play that enabled them to steal Game 1 against the Spurs, but they stacked the deck by recruiting Durant after winning 73 games last year, so this was pretty inevitable.

[Azyiu]

It'll still have that asterisk because of the dirty play that enabled them to steal Game 1 against the Spurs, but they stacked the deck by recruiting Durant after winning 73 games last year, so this was pretty inevitable.

The Spurs' 1999 title has an asterisk next to it too 

Seriously, asterisk or not, you just don't go 16-0 (if the Dubs accomplish it) by accident, nor I don't think the Cavs would lay down and let them Dubs walk all over them. I don't expect guys like Irving, K-Love or Thompson would suddenly wake up and play well collectively, but I bet games 3 & 4 will be much closer regardless.

[The Trooper]

I dont totally agree with Durants decision. But who am I to judge, That said. They have a Patriot dynasty for the next few years.

[TheOutlawXanadu]

Watching last night's game, I had a couple of recurring thoughts:

1) The Warriors are amazing. Their fans deserve a team like this after so many tough years, during which they were still some of the best fans in the league. Golden State's coaching and front office are a level above most other teams'. Durant clearly made the right decision going there.

2) From my perspective, Durant going to the Warriors is the most depressing to happen to the league in a long time. They are so good that they've rendered other teams completely helpless. The Cavaliers, while deeply flawed, are really good, but they look like a JV team out there. LeBron goes for 29/11/14, and it's like, "Not good enough. He needed 40/15/20 for them to even have a chance."

Who knows what will happen in the years to come? Maybe age hits Golden State hard and they become beatable sooner rather than later. The most likely outcome, however, is at least a couple more years of dominance.

[Azyiu]

Watching last night's game, I had a couple of recurring thoughts:

1) The Warriors are amazing. Their fans deserve a team like this after so many tough years, during which they were still some of the best fans in the league. Golden State's coaching and front office are a level above most other teams'. Durant clearly made the right decision going there.

2) From my perspective, Durant going to the Warriors is the most depressing to happen to the league in a long time. They are so good that they've rendered other teams completely helpless. The Cavaliers, while deeply flawed, are really good, but they look like a JV team out there. LeBron goes for 29/11/14, and it's like, "Not good enough. He needed 40/15/20 for them to even have a chance."

Who knows what will happen in the years to come? Maybe age hits Golden State hard and they become beatable sooner rather than later. The most likely outcome, however, is at least a couple more years of dominance.

Like you've just said, their front office will find a way to sign great players... or taking a cue from LBJ, they will find ways to form a new super team, lol! 

[Samsara]

I've watched both "games." Golden State is a class above Cleveland, and Cleveland is REALLY, REALLY good. It's unbelievable. I still think Cleveland will win a couple, but they have a decision to make. They are getting run out of the gym trying to play the style of ball GS does. If I were them, I'd start to get a little brash and revert to some harder fouls and defense. Not playing dirty, but coping an attitude and shoving guys, getting them pissed off and rattled. It's the only way they have a shot, IMO.

Channel the Pistons and Knicks from back in the day, slow the game way down, pound on KD and Steph, make Klay beat you, and deliver punishing shots anytime a GS player goes into the paint. They have to limit GS possessions and send a message. I fully expect Cleveland to do something like this next game.

Ty Lue is young, but he was a heady player, and is a good coach. He'll put something together. It'll be up to the Cavs to stop trying to be GS and be something different. If they do, and it rattles GS, they can get back into the series. But if the Cavs let Game 3 go, might as well just play H-O-R-S-E in game 4, because it will be over. The Cavs need to play old school.

[bosk1]

I have no idea what they are going to try to do or what they can do.  Other teams have tried doing what was suggested above.  It tends to not really work.  I'm not sure anything the Cavs can bring will change that. 

[Samsara]

I have no idea what they are going to try to do or what they can do.  Other teams have tried doing what was suggested above.  It tends to not really work.  I'm not sure anything the Cavs can bring will change that.

You're right. But those "other teams" are not nearly as good as Cleveland is. I fully expect GS to win this. But I also don't expect a team like Cleveland to roll over and die. They'll make it a series. I have no love for the Cavs, and while I appreciate how good he is, I'm no fan of Lebron. So I am "rooting" for GS in this matchup. But honestly, I am sick of the Warriors myself, so I just want a really competitive series. And so far, the right team is winning, but it is lame as hell (for me).

[bosk1]

Not that I'm against a series being competitive, but I'm with Azyiu in that I would like to see them get a complete playoffs sweep.  And I would very much like the Cavs to be on the receiving end of the culmination of that sweep. 

[KevShmev]

I dont totally agree with Durants decision.

I have no issue at all with his decision to go there.  He was a free agent and he had the right to sign wherever he wanted.  And he looks so much happier playing with the Warriors than he did in OKC playing with that fraud of an MVP. 

Watching these finals and seeing how great James, Curry and Durant all are makes it even funnier that Harden and Westbrook were considered the top two candidates for MVP.  What a laugh.

[Accelerando]

The Spurs' 1999 title has an asterisk next to it too 

No it doesn't. Just because Phil Jackson thinks it should doesn't mean that Championship has it.

[Azyiu]

The Spurs' 1999 title has an asterisk next to it too 

No it doesn't. Just because Phil Jackson thinks it should doesn't mean that Championship has it.

Was just responding to KevShmev comment above, lol 

[Nekov]

I've watched both "games." Golden State is a class above Cleveland, and Cleveland is REALLY, REALLY good. It's unbelievable. I still think Cleveland will win a couple, but they have a decision to make. They are getting run out of the gym trying to play the style of ball GS does. If I were them, I'd start to get a little brash and revert to some harder fouls and defense. Not playing dirty, but coping an attitude and shoving guys, getting them pissed off and rattled. It's the only way they have a shot, IMO.

Channel the Pistons and Knicks from back in the day, slow the game way down, pound on KD and Steph, make Klay beat you, and deliver punishing shots anytime a GS player goes into the paint. They have to limit GS possessions and send a message. I fully expect Cleveland to do something like this next game.

Ty Lue is young, but he was a heady player, and is a good coach. He'll put something together. It'll be up to the Cavs to stop trying to be GS and be something different. If they do, and it rattles GS, they can get back into the series. But if the Cavs let Game 3 go, might as well just play H-O-R-S-E in game 4, because it will be over. The Cavs need to play old school.

I actually think Cleveland needs to work on their offense rather than their defense, get gsw to run through screens, get those legs tired on defense. I haven't watched all the games but from what I've seen Cleveland is running mostly 1 on 1, driving through the lane and trying to hit the open guy. You can still do that but moving the ball around for a 10 seconds, trying to get switches and more favorable matchups.