Cavs vs. Warriors -- 2017 NBA Finals

Ben said:

I don't care who you're a fan of, this right here might be the most embarrassing kickoff to a new arena that I've ever seen.
View: https://twitter.com/CourtneyRCronin/status/821466875938803713

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A what if the Village People consisted of three David Hodos cosplay?

Make no mistake, we will be underdogs coming into any games or more importantly any series against this team. Simply because on paper, they are a better team. Just like they were last year.

joyner89 said:

I mean...it was their 3rd road game in 4 nights and it was on Christmas Day...the Cavs on the other hand played Brooklyn at home on the 23rd in a pseudo night off. As for this game, both teams hadn't played in 3 days.

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Forgot to add that russillo was comparing our road trip we just had to theirs before the xmas game. It's ridiculous.

Oh and the Cavs had 2 days off and the warriors 3.

This isn't to make excuses for the loss. It's just funny how these guys spin shit.

Im just ready for the Cavs to get healthy and fully integrated. Cavs have gone through these stretches for a few seasons now, but usually figure things out once playoffs start.

mhi said:

Make no mistake, we will be underdogs coming into any games or more importantly any series against this team. Simply because on paper, they are a better team. Just like they were last year.

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its not just that

they are the best assembled team to ever play the game

they would be the favorites versus jordan, shaq

it will take a herculean effort to beat this team

but the King has shocked the world before, more than once

CHIMOCHIS said:

its not just that

they are the best assembled team to ever play the game

they would be the favorites versus jordan, shaq

it will take a herculean effort to beat this team

but the King has shocked the world before, more than once

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Sure, but this doesn't take context into account. This is indeed the most talented team ever assembled, on paper anyways. But in comparison to the rest of the league I don't know if it is much different than the 2001, 2002, or 2004 Lakers compared to the Sixers, Kings, and Pistons respectively.

I also don't know how heavy the favoritism would be over the Jordan Bulls or Shaq/Kobe championship Lakers. The Jordan Bulls had elite perimeter defenders at three positions and Rodman who was basically a better version of Tristan Thompson. I think that matchup would be close.

In terms of the Lakers, again, I don't know how heavy the favoritism would be. Golden State would literally be unable to defend Shaq. Prime Tim Duncan and prime KG - arguably the two best defensive bigs in NBA history - could not defend Shaq. I have no idea how the mix of 6'8 Draymond Green, thin Kevin Durant, and/or Zaza, West, and the rest of the Warriors bigs could stop him. They would have to resort to foul shots, and Shaq was a decent enough shooter during playoffs, meaning I don't know if Golden State could take advantage of the possible 12-18 possessions. Finally, Kobe, Lue, Rick Fox, and others were all elite perimeter defenders who would have no problem chasing Steph and Klay around screens.

The Warriors have the most talent of any team every assembled. But compared to the NBA during its historical context, GSW's talent does not seem much different to me than the Kobe/Shaq Lakers or Jordan's Bulls during their respective eras.

P.S., I agree with your overall point. Just trying to provide a bit of nuance.

The other thing is, Kevin Love will have to be a plus in those possessions on the block when KD is on him. I didn't see in it on Christmas or yesterday but if he can't roast him in those possessions, the Warriors will run off him off the floor in a potential series like they did Frye.

mhi said:

The other thing is, Kevin Love will have to be a plus in those possessions on the block when KD is on him. I didn't see in it on Christmas or yesterday but if he can't roast him in those possessions, the Warriors will run off him off the floor in a potential series like they did Frye.

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Not entirely true. As long as he's a plus defender, rebounds, and spaces the floor we'll be fine. If he posts up effectively on top of that, then GSW is toast.

mhi said:

The other thing is, Kevin Love will have to be a plus in those possessions on the block when KD is on him. I didn't see in it on Christmas or yesterday but if he can't roast him in those possessions, the Warriors will run off him off the floor in a potential series like they did Frye.

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What is Love supposed to do against Durant? This is no longer 22 year old, terrible defense Kevin Durant. He's playing DPOY type defense and has locked down legit centers(i.e. Cousins & KAT) this year. Love is at a severe disadvantage in size, athleticism, quickness, and length. Durant is a nightmare matchup for Love..He can't use position or post moves to create space like he does against other bigs, Durant's agility and size allow him to close and contest. Even if Love manages to establish position, Durant can just block his shot in the post with ease...

joyner89 said:

What is Love supposed to do against Durant? This is no longer 22 year old, terrible defense Kevin Durant. He's playing DPOY type defense and has locked down legit centers(i.e. Cousins & KAT) this year.

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That's fine during the regular season. KD won't be doing that during the post-season where games slow down and teams with bulldogs like LeBron and Kevin target him. Golden State should be familiar with what happens when KD fatigues or tries to do too much.

Unfortunately, I can't think of many teams capable of doing that except a healthy Cleveland and Memphis. San Antonio theoretically could but they don't have the firepower to trade baskets with Golden State over a series. Same thing with Houston.

And nobody should pin their hopes on the ^&$#@!& Clippers. ^%$@ that team.

Zeus69 said:

We have not played them with our black unis yet this year. The black unis are the Warriors' kryptonite. As long as we have those unis, I have minimal concerns.

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When we walk out on on the floor wearing those in Game 1, Warriors gonna be like

thedarkness2332 said:

This is exactly why I was begging that they would send Kyrie, Kevin, and LeBron home early from the road trip and give them a full week off, resting the Golden State game.

The last game of a long road trip, you knew they were going to lose by 20+ points. I'm a fan, and I don't want to say I didn't have faith, but it's regular season...we hadn't been playing great...you just had that feeling--Golden State had this one circled.

Rest your starters, lose by the same 35 points, and give no one anything to feel good about. Give no one any reason to doubt.

Now, we have people overreacting. The media is writing about it. The smug Golden State players are at their smuggiest. Should've handled it differently.

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Should've handled it differently for media reasons? Nah. They needed to play. Getting their asses kicked was good medicine. Plus, we'd be total bitches for sitting out that game.

Also, the loss may help give some extra motivation to Gilbert to loosen the purse strings a bit more for the trade deadline.

This team in particular seems to need the ass kicking to get their motor running. It's like they don't give their all until their backs are against the wall.

fujikuro said:

This team in particular seems to need the ass kicking to get their motor running. It's like they don't give their all until their backs are against the wall.

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This is one of the most used phrases over the last 2 years, but it's really not true. It usually gets mocked because there's a stretch of several games where people say "they've been embarrassed, now this will wake them up" but then they get embarrassed again

The only thing that will get the motor running is when they decide to run the motor. But losing by 35 to the Warriors with how pitiful the effort was isn't going to whip them into shape. It never does.

When i thought i was gonna make a funny post in the Kyrie thread only to realize @Ben locked that bitch up.