2016-2017 NBA FINALS: Cavs v. Warriors

The Cavaliers are one of the smaller teams in the league. I see them having a major issue with Durant's height, wingspan and athleticism (and to a lesser degree McGee in spurts). LeBron always plays bigger, because he is so athletic and strong (and clears out everything with his non ball handling arm). Love is a great rebounder but is real soft for his size. Thompson is great, but he still gives up height and reach to many Warriors. Height and reach wise, the only Cav that measure up is Channing Fry ... LOL.

It will be interesting to see if the Cavaliers can scheme open 3 pt shots like they have so far. I heard a crazy stat yesterday, that Kevin Love took 43 3 pt shots against the Celtics in the last series (might include long 2 pointers, can't remember now). But the crazy stat is that of those 43 shots, 40 were considered open (no one withing 4') or wide open. Not surprisingly he lit it up. Irving and James are both impossible one on one matchups. It is hard to believe that the Cavs will not have at least a few good shooting games (make over 40% from the 3 pt line). But can they make enough of a stand on defense? I see endless PNR options against the suspect Cavs defensive players that get heavy minutes (Love, Irving). Not to mention a TT switch on Curry or Durant. And Curry has healthy wheels this year. Last year he could not even dribble drive on Mr. feet in cement Love.

Anyway, as far as checking James goes, it needs to be a team effort. But don't expect the Warriors to leave a bunch of wide open 3 point shooters. They have enough defenders that can do a decent job on James singled up much of the time.

Cavs aren't built to handle this Warrior team, IMO. You can go back to last year's posts and see I never expect GS to beat CLE, not even when it was 3-1. This year GS is just too deadly combined with CLE's atrocious defense. I expect GS to get any open 3 they want just like BOS, TOR and IND got but GS is fully equipped to knock those down consistently. Cavs scheme is great vs teams struggling to shoot but horrible once a team can start knocking down their open looks. As great as Love has played, Draymond still presents a huge mismatch on him at the 4 position. If Klay can find his groove, this series will end quick

Steven A has W's in 7

Originally posted by Dr_Bill_Walsh:

Steven A has W's in 7

That guy He's been wrong every since 2011 but I'm with him this year

The only way Cav have any type of chance is if Durant ,or any of the superstar warriors get injured.

Enjoy it while you can because contracts are almost up.

Originally posted by TonyStarks:
The only way Cav have any type of chance is if Durant ,or any of the superstar warriors get injured.

Enjoy it while you can because contracts are almost up.

If the refs let the Cavs push and shove then we have a series. GS will play small ball with Andre guarding the King. If LeBron wins this series there has to be serious consideration of putting him in the glorified air of Michael.

Originally posted by RishikeshA:

If the refs let the Cavs push and shove then we have a series. GS will play small ball with Andre guarding the King. If LeBron wins this series there has to be serious consideration of putting him in the glorified air of Michael.

This is the Finals. They will allow pushing and shoving and CLE figured that out the last half of last year's Finals. I got GS in 7 because I believe they will allow the players to decide this series. I know CLE is motivated but I find it hard to believe they're more motivated than GS especially now they've added Durant. And yes LeBron would enter that conversation if he can win this one. I just think GS has a wee bit too much this time. Even for the King

Originally posted by TonyStarks:
The only way Cav have any type of chance is if Durant ,or any of the superstar warriors get injured.

Enjoy it while you can because contracts are almost up.

ANY chance? Please. The Cavs are too good to dismiss them like this. They are the defending NBA champs who are better this year than last year and have the best player in the world.

As for contracts being almost up.. do you think for a second that the Warriors wont sign Curry and Durant? Draymond and Klay both have long term deals so I would guess the Big 4 will be around for a few more years together.

Originally posted by Ninerjohn:

Originally posted by TonyStarks:
The only way Cav have any type of chance is if Durant ,or any of the superstar warriors get injured.

Enjoy it while you can because contracts are almost up.

ANY chance? Please. The Cavs are too good to dismiss them like this. They are the defending NBA champs who are better this year than last year and have the best player in the world.

As for contracts being almost up.. do you think for a second that the Warriors wont sign Curry and Durant? Draymond and Klay both have long term deals so I would guess the Big 4 will be around for a few more years together.

Yup. Sorry rest of the league. I know you want this nightmare to be over but Curry, KD, Draymond, and Klay are here to stay. The rest of the team will be made up with vet min players and guys on their rookie contracts.

Originally posted by Ninerjohn:

ANY chance? Please. The Cavs are too good to dismiss them like this. They are the defending NBA champs who are better this year than last year and have the best player in the world.

As for contracts being almost up.. do you think for a second that the Warriors wont sign Curry and Durant? Draymond and Klay both have long term deals so I would guess the Big 4 will be around for a few more years together.

Yes GS will gladly go over the cap to keep their guys together once they demonstrate they're a championship squad. They have deep pocketed owners and they're going to charge Hella loot to get into that new and packed arena in SF

Originally posted by Pillbusta:

Originally posted by RishikeshA:
If the refs let the Cavs push and shove then we have a series. GS will play small ball with Andre guarding the King. If LeBron wins this series there has to be serious consideration of putting him in the glorified air of Michael.

This is the Finals. They will allow pushing and shoving and CLE figured that out the last half of last year's Finals. I got GS in 7 because I believe they will allow the players to decide this series. I know CLE is motivated but I find it hard to believe they're more motivated than GS especially now they've added Durant. And yes LeBron would enter that conversation if he can win this one. I just think GS has a wee bit too much this time. Even for the King

Conversation doesn't start until he wins at least 3 more championships....and stops losing them.

Originally posted by Ninerjohn:

ANY chance? Please. The Cavs are too good to dismiss them like this. They are the defending NBA champs who are better this year than last year and have the best player in the world.

As for contracts being almost up.. do you think for a second that the Warriors wont sign Curry and Durant? Draymond and Klay both have long term deals so I would guess the Big 4 will be around for a few more years together.

Agree 100%. They're defending champs and are absolutely rolling right now. Crazy offensive efficiency, their eFG% during the playoffs is highest in NBA history entering the finals. Warriors might still be favored, but in reality it's very, very close. I smell another 7 game series. Both teams are playing at a much higher level than same time last year.

Originally posted by jcs:

Conversation doesn't start until he wins at least 3 more championships....and stops losing them.

I definitely get that argument. I just think he helped himself last year beating the heavily favoured GS bringing them from behind 3-1 and then leading everyone in everything. That was a 73 win defending champion with home court advantage. Then if he were to repeat his effort in beating this team despite adding Durant I will at least begin to listen to the argument.

That said I get that MJ never lost in the Finals and that he 3 peated twice! I also get that he never played a game 7 in the Finals. I get that he's the all time Finals leading scorer and 6 time Finals MVP. LeBron has plenty of chasing to do to catch that ghost!

Originally posted by SofaKing:

Agree 100%. They're defending champs and are absolutely rolling right now. Crazy offensive efficiency, their eFG% during the playoffs is highest in NBA history entering the finals. Warriors might still be favored, but in reality it's very, very close. I smell another 7 game series. Both teams are playing at a much higher level than same time last year.

I got GS in 7 barring another unreal performance from LeBron. GS just has it all throughout the roster this time ... And they're healthy!

Originally posted by Pillbusta:

Originally posted by SofaKing:
Agree 100%. They're defending champs and are absolutely rolling right now. Crazy offensive efficiency, their eFG% during the playoffs is highest in NBA history entering the finals. Warriors might still be favored, but in reality it's very, very close. I smell another 7 game series. Both teams are playing at a much higher level than same time last year.

I got GS in 7 barring another unreal performance from LeBron. GS just has it all throughout the roster this time ... And they're healthy!

I dont think I can take another Game 7. Im praying for Dubs in 4 or 5.