2016-2017 NBA FINALS: Cavs v. Warriors

Originally posted by Bluesbro:

Originally posted by Knowledge:

The Warriors were also suppose to be "too good" last year

Cavs have the best player and guard. Warriors the best team

Will Durants soft ass be able to handle the pressure?

If these are your takes, I am starting to doubt your handle ... lol. Best guard ... seriously? At best it is a push, but personally I don't think it is close. And the next time Irving plays defense will be the first time. And he does not have near the gravity that Curry does (the ability to tilt the court).

Durant averaged 30 ppg on 65% TS in his first trip to the finals (against a LBJ team), and he was only 23 I think. A lot better team / talent around him now. If you are banking on KD being a weak link in this series, prepare to be disappointed.

And the difference between last year and this year from a Warrior perspective is night and day ... even if they did not have Durant I would say this. They were great last year in the regular season, they were gassed and dinged up all post season. Not to mention coming off a killer WCF, while Cleveland did their normal walk through the cakes to get there.

It's a fact. Knowledge is the biggest oxymoron in the WZ.

Originally posted by Knowledge:

The Warriors were also suppose to be "too good" last year

Cavs have the best player and guard. Warriors the best team

Will Durants soft ass be able to handle the pressure?

Kyrie the best guard in the league???? Are you serious. Don't get me wrong he is good and clutch but calling him the best guard in the league you can't be serious. Have you seen the Cavs before Lebron? A team lead by Kyrie got a consecutive 1st pick in the lottery. Imagine taking out Lebron and making it Kyrie team I don't think they will even sniff the second round of the playoffs.

Originally posted by nothing03:

Kyrie the best guard in the league???? Are you serious. Don't get me wrong he is good and clutch but calling him the best guard in the league you can't be serious. Have you seen the Cavs before Lebron? A team lead by Kyrie got a consecutive 1st pick in the lottery. Imagine taking out Lebron and making it Kyrie team I don't think they will even sniff the second round of the playoffs.

I think he is saying the best guard in this series, not necessarily the league

Originally posted by Sims19849ers:

Originally posted by nothing03:

Kyrie the best guard in the league???? Are you serious. Don't get me wrong he is good and clutch but calling him the best guard in the league you can't be serious. Have you seen the Cavs before Lebron? A team lead by Kyrie got a consecutive 1st pick in the lottery. Imagine taking out Lebron and making it Kyrie team I don't think they will even sniff the second round of the playoffs.

I think he is saying the best guard in this series, not necessarily the league

Best two guards in the league are on the Warriors. I love me some Kyrie but he's not better. Not yet. IMO he has the potential to be the best guard in couple years. Now, can he outplay them in this series...absof**kinglutely. He did last year. Cavs will need the absolute best from Kyrie and Love to have a chance. Very unlikely both can do that against the best defense in the league.

Originally posted by Ninerjohn:

You just love to make these statements dont you. EVERY player/coach. LOL You dont think winning games gives a team confidence and builds momentum? You dont believe that winning Game 5 after Draymonds suspension gave the Cavs a feeling that they could really win the series? Did you ever play sports at all because I would think that if you did you would understand how winning breeds confidence which builds momentum for a team.

Confidence and/or momentum from winning a game is short lived at best. Momentum can be changed multiple times during a game...hell it can change with couple of plays.

You need confidence to win. Winning just validates what you're doing is right but doesn't guarantee or makes it more likely that you'll win next time.

I'm sorry I'm not in HOF of all 3 sports like you but hard work and preparation builds real long lasting confidence...and this is true in any profession.

Originally posted by ads_2006:

Originally posted by Niners99:

How can LeBron be the GOAT when he's about to lose in 5 of his 8 Finals appearances?

jordan had HOFers for teammates man and faced weak ass west

lebron aint got nobody

Jordan always had Pippen. He didn't go recruit him and his buddies to band together like LeBron.

Jordan had to get through a real Eastern conference to get to the Finals. LeBron's path to the Finals has been a bunch of cupcakes this last decade.

If you had seen Jordan play, youd know why this isn't even a debate.

Originally posted by Niners99:

Jordan always had Pippen. He didn't go recruit him and his buddies to band together like LeBron.

Jordan had to get through a real Eastern conference to get to the Finals. LeBron's path to the Finals has been a bunch of cupcakes this last decade.

If you had seen Jordan play, youd know why this isn't even a debate.

Free Agency wasn't even close to being as big back then as it is now. MJ also played in a major market city with a GM willing to bring in vital pieces and a HC that is considered one of the best...the exact opposite was true for LeBron when he left for MIA. Then he came back to CLE and what buddies did he recruit? His GM saw what he was capable of doing with some help in MIA and got with the program like he should've done before but he didn't think he would leave. Nobody did that's why his owner was so damn butt hurt over how The Decision played out.

MJs team was so stacked they won 55 games without him in 94! Then went to a game 7 in the ECF!! None of that will/have happen with these teams LeBron has been on.

Originally posted by Niners99:

Jordan always had Pippen. He didn't go recruit him and his buddies to band together like LeBron.

Jordan had to get through a real Eastern conference to get to the Finals. LeBron's path to the Finals has been a bunch of cupcakes this last decade.

If you had seen Jordan play, youd know why this isn't even a debate.

In those six title runs they went to 7 games twice, lost 2 games twice, lost 1 game five times, and swept teams on nine occasions.

Their win loss in the play offs against eastern opposition stood at: 66-15

I haven't checked how close each game was, though in those six title years the Bulls dominated the play offs and in regular season finished 1st on five occasions and 2nd on one occasion.

Also, in the full year without Jordan they finished 3rd and went to the conference finals, and the other year where they played most of the season without Jordan they finished 5th.

So in regards to Jordan's titles in the 1990s, he had an easier run than some other decades since certain teams had declined (e.g. pistons, Lakers etc) and there was not really another elite team on their level. That's not to say he isn't one of be greatest of all time, if not the greatest, but in regards to getting to the finals he had it almost as easy as Lebron has in the past seven years since the Bulls were that good and dominate.

Originally posted by Ninerjohn:

It wasnt so much about the Warriors in Game 6. It was more about the Cavs. Winning Game 5 gave them the confidence and belief they could really win. Like Steve just said.. this was a dead team after game 4. That win gave them what they needed going forward. That is the biggest difference between 4 and 6 in my opinion.

Well in that case I guess we should thank Clay Aiesha and Clays father for yapping and poking the bear. A couple of em called LeBron soft and a baby and boy did that give him "momentum". I get that losing Draymond one game was big but the game goes on. Ask SA

Originally posted by AXEGRINDER:

As much as I hate to admit it, this is true. There were contributing factors, but at the end of the day it was a monster implosion combined with outstanding play from Cleveland down the stretch. Cavs didn't give up.

If only people could stop talking about it. I'm sure the Warriors are itching to get rid of that taste.

Exactly. This is the attitude you want. Now is the time GS can make amends.

Originally posted by Ninerjohn:

The Cavs had nothing to do with the Dubs adding KD. Every team in the league, regardless of their record the previous season, wanted Kevin Durant. The Warriors were just smart enough and fortunate enough to be in a position to sign him.

I think it was damn close GS actually getting Durant. I think had GS won in five like most assumed had there been no suspension that GS keeps Barnes and tries for the three peat. Also KD may have not been receptive as to how he could leave OKC to join a defending champion as the key piece that could get them over some imaginary hump.

By GS losing this gave them ammunition to let Barnes go and join the chase for KD. Plus KD could then convince himself that GS needed him instead of going to SA

Originally posted by 4ML:

Confidence and/or momentum from winning a game is short lived at best. Momentum can be changed multiple times during a game...hell it can change with couple of plays.

You need confidence to win. Winning just validates what you're doing is right but doesn't guarantee or makes it more likely that you'll win next time.

I'm sorry I'm not in HOF of all 3 sports like you but hard work and preparation builds real long lasting confidence...and this is true in any profession.

Yes momentum can change within games. Ask SA about that once Kawhi got hurt

Originally posted by Mike1989:

In those six title runs they went to 7 games twice, lost 2 games twice, lost 1 game five times, and swept teams on nine occasions.

Their win loss in the play offs against eastern opposition stood at: 66-15

I haven't checked how close each game was, though in those six title years the Bulls dominated the play offs and in regular season finished 1st on five occasions and 2nd on one occasion.

Also, in the full year without Jordan they finished 3rd and went to the conference finals, and the other year where they played most of the season without Jordan they finished 5th.

So in regards to Jordan's titles in the 1990s, he had an easier run than some other decades since certain teams had declined (e.g. pistons, Lakers etc) and there was not really another elite team on their level. That's not to say he isn't one of be greatest of all time, if not the greatest, but in regards to getting to the finals he had it almost as easy as Lebron has in the past seven years since the Bulls were that good and dominate.

MJ was the offensive catalyst for CHI. They were primarily a defensive team. Pippen was a great player and ran the triangle offense admirably when MJ retired. It helped that they added Kukoc AFTER MJ retired the first time.

When MJ returned he came to a good defensive and capable offensive team. CHI got a good bit of their offense aside from MJ off their defense and Rodman's rebounding. But make no mistake that CHI was a grimy defensive eastern conference team which were quite different from the Showtime Lakers out West of the 80s.

MJ had great help especially defensively when you can roll out Ron Harper MJ Pippen and Rodman in you starting lineup. The thing is most guys on CHI weren't offensive juggernauts but they played well together because they prioritized defense.

And Phil Jackson make his reputation around having an MJ Pip Rodman Horace Grant and them Shaq Kobe Gasol and all that talent Lakers amassed. Phil was a great coach but he also had the best superstars to help him become one of the greats

Originally posted by Mike1989:

Originally posted by Niners99:

Jordan always had Pippen. He didn't go recruit him and his buddies to band together like LeBron.

Jordan had to get through a real Eastern conference to get to the Finals. LeBron's path to the Finals has been a bunch of cupcakes this last decade.

If you had seen Jordan play, youd know why this isn't even a debate.

In those six title runs they went to 7 games twice, lost 2 games twice, lost 1 game five times, and swept teams on nine occasions.

Their win loss in the play offs against eastern opposition stood at: 66-15

I haven't checked how close each game was, though in those six title years the Bulls dominated the play offs and in regular season finished 1st on five occasions and 2nd on one occasion.

Also, in the full year without Jordan they finished 3rd and went to the conference finals, and the other year where they played most of the season without Jordan they finished 5th.

So in regards to Jordan's titles in the 1990s, he had an easier run than some other decades since certain teams had declined (e.g. pistons, Lakers etc) and there was not really another elite team on their level. That's not to say he isn't one of be greatest of all time, if not the greatest, but in regards to getting to the finals he had it almost as easy as Lebron has in the past seven years since the Bulls were that good and dominate.

The NBA today is a watered down league. So many irrelevant teams. To say there was no competition back then is ridiculous. Plenty of high quality teams that just got overshadowed by Jordan.

Originally posted by Sims19849ers:

Originally posted by Niners99:

Jordan always had Pippen. He didn't go recruit him and his buddies to band together like LeBron.

Jordan had to get through a real Eastern conference to get to the Finals. LeBron's path to the Finals has been a bunch of cupcakes this last decade.

If you had seen Jordan play, youd know why this isn't even a debate.

Free Agency wasn't even close to being as big back then as it is now. MJ also played in a major market city with a GM willing to bring in vital pieces and a HC that is considered one of the best...the exact opposite was true for LeBron when he left for MIA. Then he came back to CLE and what buddies did he recruit? His GM saw what he was capable of doing with some help in MIA and got with the program like he should've done before but he didn't think he would leave. Nobody did that's why his owner was so damn butt hurt over how The Decision played out.

MJs team was so stacked they won 55 games without him in 94! Then went to a game 7 in the ECF!! None of that will/have happen with these teams LeBron has been on.

Erik Spoelstra is one of the best coaches in the NBA.

LeBron runs the show wherever he goes. You cant suggest the GM isnt making the right moves, because LeBron tells him what to do. He literally orchestrated the Wiggins/Love trade. Hes had multiple coaches replaced. Hes in charge of his entire team, and he still cries when they lose, and points the finger at someone else.