NBA thread 2018-2019 v. Raptors are Champs

[jingle.boy]

Let's put it this way: I will be stunned if the Raptors beat the Warriors a 3rd time in Golden St, especially with it being the last game at Oracle.  And if it goes to a Game 7, I will take the shooting and experience of the Warriors over a Raptors team that might be playing a little tight in fear of blowing the championship after having had a 3 games to 1 lead.  If the Raptors win the series, I will give them full props, but I think last night was their best shot and they blew it thanks to their dim-witted coach.

Other than the dim-witted coach comment, this sounds very similar to how another series final game went over the weekend.  You just worry about your team's chances before making broad proclamations about mine.     BTW, we miss you over in the NHL thread.

[jingle.boy]

Well, a lot of good this does today. 

https://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/nba-says-foul-missed-raptors-marc-gasol-late-game-5

[Samsara]

For the record, the time out by Nick Nurse was fine. Teams have been doing that all season. The rules got tweaked so that under two minutes, even if a team has more than two timeouts left, those extra timeouts are washed away, as you are only allowed two time outs with under 2 minutes to play. Nick Nurse called the timeout to get people rest. I understand the notion of momentum, and yes, it is huge. But as people have pointed out, they've been doing the same thing all year long, as have the Warriors and other teams. That timeout was no big deal to me.

I do think it is highly unlikely that the Raptors win in GS for a third time. Then again, I've been wrong about almost everything concerning the Raptors in the playoffs. 

Here's hoping the Raptors make me wrong again and take it in six.

[KevShmev]

I do not agree regarding the timeout.  Situation matters, and just because you usually do something doesn't mean you should always do it no matter what. Nurse displayed an astounding lack of situational awareness.  But we can agree to disagree.

[jingle.boy]

I have a feeling that Kawhi is gonna drop 40+, and will the Raps to victory.  I hope it's on Thursday, but if not, then on Sunday.  Maybe they can goad Draymond into one more T, and he suspends himself. 

[Lonk]

I do not agree regarding the timeout.  Situation matters, and just because you usually do something doesn't mean you should always do it no matter what. Nurse displayed an astounding lack of situational awareness.  But we can agree to disagree.

Agree! You have to assess the situation and see what the right thing to do is.

[Samsara]

The situation was fine. People make too big a deal about timeouts. The team was winded. I get it, each situation is unique. But my point is, these guys are USED TO TAKING TIMEOUTS AT THAT POINT. So it wasn't out of the ordinary, for them (or at least that's what I've heard today).

In other news, looks like Durant just came out of Achilles rupture surgery. It begs the question -- did they already know it was partially torn ahead of time? If they did, it looks like that KD kept it quiet, and then came back knowing he was going to need surgery after the season anyway, so he just played, and if it popped, it popped. And that's what happens. If that's true, and he went out there knowing it could blow, because it was already partially torn, and just gave it his all anyway, that's really a big deal -- and speaks volumes regarding his character.

Be interesting to find out, because usually, you wouldn't have the surgery a day or two after the injury. You'd confirm the injury, let the swelling stop, then do the surgery. It really seems like they knew what it was beforehand, and KD went out there anyway for as long as he could, knowing it was going to pop, and just said "I'll play til it blows."

[TAC]

In other news, looks like Durant just came out of Achilles rupture surgery. It begs the question --

The question it begs is that will the Warriors tell him to get ready for Game 7?

[Samsara]

In other news, looks like Durant just came out of Achilles rupture surgery. It begs the question --

The question it begs is that will the Warriors tell him to get ready for Game 7?

Could shoot free throws!

[jingle.boy]

The thing with the timeout... the Dubs were invariably going to take one at the end of that possession regardless.  Both teams left a timeout on the board at the end of the game, so it's not like Nurse took one that allowed GSW to rest, and save a timeout of their own for later.  The break was most likely coming whether the Raps scored that possession or not.  He took a calculated risk to burn it since he had it to give his own players some rest for that offensive play.  It backfired.  Shit happens.

What irks me more that Nurse DIDN'T take his final timeout with 15 seconds to go to draw up a play.  They could've/should've gotten a better look than that Lowry corner-3 that Draymond blocked.

Re KD... that's gutsy if he did know it was hanging on by a thread, and just decided to give it what he could and chance it.  I don't think any player would do that though... let alone the BEST offensive player in the league in a FA season.  Isn't a ruptured achilles about the most catastrophic injury for a hoops player?  My prediction is that he's gonna miss the entire season next year.

[TheOutlawXanadu]

Sadly, chances are that he misses the entire regular season, and is not the same when he comes back. I would wager that he will still be an All-Star, but the days of him being in the "best player" conversation are probably over with. It's actually really sad when you think about it. His prime will be over far too soon.

[Samsara]

Sadly, chances are that he misses the entire regular season, and is not the same when he comes back. I would wager that he will still be an All-Star, but the days of him being in the "best player" conversation are probably over with. It's actually really sad when you think about it. His prime will be over far too soon.

I wouldn't bet against him at all. KD is very light on his feet. And generally speaking, if you have your Achilles repaired, its actually strengthened more than before the injury. So it'll be about having time to work out and trust it again, full-tilt. If he takes ALL of next season off (and he should), giving him now...15 months of recovery time (say September 2020), I'd imagine that not only would he be healed, but he should have had ample time to shake the rust off, be in shape, and still be able to be the best in the league for another season or two. If he was heavier, and slower, I think it'd make a difference. But KD's body type, to me, makes it easier.

[jingle.boy]

LET'S GO RAP-TORS!  * * *-*-*!!!

[Azyiu]

FTs are what keep the Warriors in the game, and TOs are why they are down by 3 at HT... geez, too many unselfish passes by the Warriors... a bit too unselfish that led to TOs.

[jammindude]

How can the commentators say Green's foul was "close"?   The replay showed he slapped him DIRECTLY on the hand!  Are they high?   I don't think he got any ball at all!

[Lonk]

How can the commentators say Green's foul was "close"?   The replay showed he slapped him DIRECTLY on the hand!  Are they high?   I don't think he got any ball at all!

Lol yeah commentators are pretty bad. Specially van gundy

[jammindude]

Can I just say that this game is one of the best dogfights I've seen in a long time?

[MinistroRaven]

That last shot by KL was not a good choice, move the ball and find a better shot

[jammindude]

So the Stanley Cup goes to the USA, and the O'Brien goes to Canada?

[Azyiu]

Congratulations Toronto. 

[jammindude]

3 in a row on GSW's court.    WOW. 

[MinistroRaven]

Congrats to Raptors' fans

[Azyiu]

DeRozen helped lay the ground works for this championship... he deserves the Finals MVP 

[gmillerdrake]

Congrats Chad!

[lonestar]

3 in a row on GSW's court.    WOW.

Yup, unbelievable. And the last 3 games period on that court as well, probably not how they wanted to retire oracle.


Oh well, at least I'll stop seeing those stupid car door flags on every other car.

[Azyiu]

Yup, unbelievable. And the last 3 games period on that court as well, probably not how they wanted to retire oracle.

I guess home court advantage didn't mean much in this series... the home team won exactly one game, lol 

[jingle.boy]

Can I just say that this game is one of the best dogfights I've seen in a long time?

There were what - towards the end of the 4th, I’d heard there were 16 lead changes, and 9 ties. Unbelievable final game. Klay with 30 points in less than 3 quarters. Game probably would’ve ended differently if not for that awkward fall.

This country is going nuts. It’s totally different than when the Jays won in 92 and 93 - back then, they weren’t the only MLB team. There were 59 Jurassic Park setups across the country.

Parade on Monday is gonna be cuckoo.

[Azyiu]

There were what - towards the end of the 4th, I’d heard there were 16 lead changes, and 9 ties. Unbelievable final game. Klay with 30 points in less than 3 quarters. Game probably would’ve ended differently if not for that awkward fall.

This country is going nuts. It’s totally different than when the Jays won in 92 and 93 - back then, they weren’t the only MLB team. There were 59 Jurassic Park setups across the country.

Parade on Monday is gonna be cuckoo.

I wonder if the residents in Alert, Nunavut celebrate this championship 

[Lonk]

Deff did not see this coming. Congrats to the Raps.

Olay has a torn ACL so he’s able to come back the same player.

[Destiny Of Chaos]

Yay someone other than the Warriors or LeBron won the championship for the first time since the last time Leonard and Green were champions.

[jingle.boy]

Yay someone other than the Warriors or LeBron won the championship for the first time since the last time Leonard and Green were champions.

Coincidence?

That sucks about Klay... looked like a bad fall and immediately I thought blown ACL  Not cool.  I wish the Raps could've beat the 'best' that the Warriors had to offer, but ultimately victory is victory.  I know a lot of people will want to put an asterisk besides this championship (no KD; lost Klay for 6-ish quarters; Looney barely at 50% when he was there).  But for those that feel the need to do that, then you better put an asterisk on the last two for having such an unbelievably stacked team.  Klay/Steph/KD/Green/Iguodala in their prime is literally an all-star team, and each one that could take on an all-NBA team and still win.  When you bet heavy, you can also lose when the chips fall. 

Raptors exploited the Warriors bench, and when Cook and McInnie were getting undressed in the 4th, Kerr had to bring back Steph earlier than it would seem he wanted, and by the last shot, he was gassed.  That was an uncharacteristic brick that he threw up to win the game.  6-17 shooting for Curry tells me he'd run out of steam.  Boogie was terrific in the 1st, but he too looked gassed by the 4th.

All around brilliant team effort.  I figured Leonard would have to drop 40+ to put this to bed, but he ended up tied with VanFleet as the 3rd scorer on the team.   

Question, is Green suspended for Game 1 of next season, or do those 7 Ts become forgotten?  Serious question - out of curiousity. 

[MinistroRaven]

And asterisk? Nah, the Dubs also won a championship to The Cavs with Love and Irving injured and no one talked about an asterisk. All it’s part of the game including injuries. Good win for the Raps. They gave their all.
I also expected Leonard to drop 40+ and I was worried that his offense wasn’t that good but now who cares. I think he deserves the MVP. It was a great season for them all

[Lonk]

I believe because it's a new season, those are forgotten. Those fouls belong to the 18-19 season, and unless he does something off the court during the offseason, he should be ok to play opening night.

Yay someone other than the Warriors or LeBron won the championship for the first time since the last time Leonard and Green were champions.

I didn't even realize that! lol It's honestly a weird feeling because all these years, I saw the raptors as a good regular season team that folds in the playoffs. I guess Leonard was a difference maker they needed.

I wonder how DeRozan is feeling right now? It's similar to Mark Jackson and the Warriors situation.

[bosk1]

For the most part, there's no such thing as a "*" on a title win.  A win's a win.  It's a bummer this one went down the way it did, because I think if Klay doesn't get hurt, games 6 and 7 go to the Warriors.  But Toronto put themselves in a position to win this with impressive play from game 1 of the regular season through game 6 of the finals last night.  Truly great season for a truly great team.  There is no "*" on their title.  They earned it.

[T-ski]

Congrats to the Raps.

It was a perfect storm to be sure, but you still have to perform.

Very possible neither team is in this position next season which means......



























































Fear the Deer.