Cavs vs. Warriors -- 2017 NBA Finals

[godfather]

Their owner is a cunt socket as well. And David West is a ring chasing chest thumping asshole too. Klay says stupid shit as well.

Fuck cury forever for saying "No disrespect, but I want to be the first one to bring Akron a championship."

Also that comment about hoping our visiting locker room still reeked of champagne. Also his stupid on court shenanigans.

Pretty much fuck most of those guys.

I forgot about Curry saying that. Yeah, they're all a bunch of arrogant and self-entitled assholes

Never forget Curry tossing his mouthpiece in game 6, then getting ejected, and pointing at LeBron that "he's coming for him". LMAO...

Probably the weakest moment in sports, then follows it up by gagging all over himself and getting embarrassed by Kyrie once again.

I think Curry actually was believing the hype started by the media he was better than LeBron.

No Curry, you were benefited by a great system to exploit your talents. If this guy was drafted by say Sacramento, he'd be thought of in the same way we think of say Damian Lillard.

 

[shoes22]

I’ve been thinking about this series a lot and how it’s gonna go...I’m not ready to pick a winner just yet, but I can confidently say that as long as there’s no significant injuries, this series should go at least six games.

Both teams have so much talent and offensive fire power. There are so many lineup options for mix and matching, that even if a team gets blown out in a game (and I do expect there will be at minimum one or two blow outs), both teams are more than capable of making adjustments and giving the other a team a different look that they haven’t seen before.

 

[Cavatt]

I’ve been thinking about this series a lot and how it’s gonna go...I’m not ready to pick a winner just yet, but I can confidently say that as long as there’s no significant injuries, this series should go at least six games.

Both teams have so much talent and offensive fire power. There are so many lineup options for mix and matching, that even if a team gets blown out in a game (and I do expect there will be at minimum one or two blow outs), both teams are more than capable of making adjustments and giving the other a team a different look that they haven’t seen before.

I agree with you, but one coach has had amazing success with that and one hasnt

 

[shoes22]

I agree with you, but one coach has had amazing success with that and one hasnt

That’s a good point...which begs the question, does anyone think Mike Brown will actually coach the Finals? Until I see confirmation that Kerr is ruled out, I’m operating under the assumption that he’s gonna come back.

 

[BigJ]

That’s a good point...which begs the question, does anyone think Mike Brown will actually coach the Finals? Until I see confirmation that Kerr is ruled out, I’m operating under the assumption that he’s gonna come back.

GSW said they will treat it like he wont return.. wich of course does not say he cant make a "Suprise" comeback.. I gues we wont know until nearer to Gameday.. i guess they will make a decision a few days before the Game earliest.. maybe even just Gameday..

 

[shoes22]

In other news, Nate Silver finally comes out and addresses everyone detailing what everyone on RCF already knows...why 538’s ELO ratings are shit with respect to the Cavs.

https://fivethirtyeight.com/feature...-can-he-beat-the-warriors-again/?ex_cid=538fb

 

[priceFTW]

Ugh i really need to stop reading and watching Sports Media at the moment.. As much as i love the underdog Role... it is annoying that almost everybody is picking GSW.. and i dont want guys like Screamin A Smith or Barkley to pick us.. neither are that Sound Basketball Minds.. I never thought Colin Fuckin Cowherd would be on our side..

Is anyone else a bit conflicted? Part of me wants everybody to pick GSW because all of them eating crow when we win will be even nicer... but its just so damn weird that as the defending Champs with the GOAT playing his best Basketball most people wont give us a Chance..

Is the Media really that dumb? Do they only look as far as the Casual Fan? Dont they look into that when you take injuries into Account that we dont played worse Teams than GSW? .. Dont they even look into that both Teams have an Identical Net Rating? .. Dont they look into our Defense not still beeing horrible?
I mean those are Sports Journalists.. its their Job to dig up as much Material as they can.. are they all just on the GSW Bandwagon?

Well, it's because the logical and rational choice is GS. By nearly every metric, this is the best team that's ever been put together. They have no real weaknesses and possess the most paths to victory of any team ever (that I've ever seen, at least). They can play their C- game for 40 minutes and A game for 8 minutes and beat just about every team in the league. Most of their games look like they're playing in 1st gear with no real urgency or effort.

They can score off of motion sets, they can score in ISO with two all time great scorers, they can run simple 1-4 pick and rolls with two all time great scorers, they can score in transition, multiple players can take a rebound and start an effective fast break with three of them being extremely effective at it. Lastly, they're not turning not over anymore as much this playoffs. Before the last two garbage games against the Spurs, they were turning it over less than anyone. They can do everything on offense.

On defense, they can switch anything, they close out on shooters, they protect the rim as a collective, they're average at getting defensive rebounds, they have active hands for deflections, they rotate well over on shooters, and so on.

GS IS the rational choice and I would've have been shocked if more than a couple of people picked the Cavs.

But, BUT, there is one thing: the Cavs have James. Last year, he played at the combined total impact of Curry/Dray/Klay/Iggy. It was the greatest combined offensive/defensive series in NBA finals history and if he can do it again, and Kyrie and Love continue where they were in the ECF, the Cavs will have chances. Everything will have to go right, but there's definitely a chance. LeBron knows that winning this title again gives him every bit as much of an argument for GOAT as Jordan has. He's going to do everything to make it happen.

 

[priceFTW]

Ugh i really need to stop reading and watching Sports Media at the moment.. As much as i love the underdog Role... it is annoying that almost everybody is picking GSW.. and i dont want guys like Screamin A Smith or Barkley to pick us.. neither are that Sound Basketball Minds.. I never thought Colin Fuckin Cowherd would be on our side..

Is anyone else a bit conflicted? Part of me wants everybody to pick GSW because all of them eating crow when we win will be even nicer... but its just so damn weird that as the defending Champs with the GOAT playing his best Basketball most people wont give us a Chance..

Is the Media really that dumb? Do they only look as far as the Casual Fan? Dont they look into that when you take injuries into Account that we dont played worse Teams than GSW? .. Dont they even look into that both Teams have an Identical Net Rating? .. Dont they look into our Defense not still beeing horrible?
I mean those are Sports Journalists.. its their Job to dig up as much Material as they can.. are they all just on the GSW Bandwagon?

Well, it's because the logical and rational choice is GS. By nearly every metric, this is the best team that's ever been put together. They have no real weaknesses and possess the most paths to victory of any team ever (that I've ever seen, at least). They can play their C- game for 40 minutes and A game for 8 minutes and beat just about every team in the league. Most of their games look like they're playing in 1st gear with no real urgency or effort.

They can score off of motion sets, they can score in ISO with two all time great scorers, they can run simple 1-4 pick and rolls with two all time great scorers, they can score in transition, multiple players can take a rebound and start an effective fast break with three of them being extremely effective at it. Lastly, they're not turning not over anymore as much this playoffs. Before the last two garbage games against the Spurs, they were turning it over less than anyone. They can do everything on offense.

On defense, they can switch anything, they close out on shooters, they protect the rim as a collective, they're average at getting defensive rebounds, they have active hands for deflections, they rotate well over on shooters, and so on.

GS IS the rational choice and I would've have been shocked if more than a couple of people picked the Cavs.

But, BUT, there is one thing: the Cavs have James. Last year, he played at the combined total impact of Curry/Dray/Klay/Iggy. It was the greatest combined offensive/defensive series in NBA finals history and if he can do it again, and Kyrie and Love continue where they were in the ECF, the Cavs will have chances. Everything will have to go right, but there's definitely a chance. LeBron knows that winning this title again gives him every bit as much of an argument for GOAT as Jordan has. He's going to do everything to make it happen.

 

[Ohio]

In other news, Nate Silver finally comes out and addresses everyone detailing what everyone on RCF already knows...why 538’s ELO ratings are shit with respect to the Cavs.

https://fivethirtyeight.com/feature...-can-he-beat-the-warriors-again/?ex_cid=538fb

In any event, the assumption that playoff basketball equals regular-season basketball seems to be pretty wrong in the case of the Cavs. This is something we plan on re-evaluating as we retune our NBA models this summer.

Thank god we no longer have to hear people defend 538s shit ass model by explaining what makes it a shit ass model

Shit is shit no matter how you spin it.

BPI should be next.

 

[BigJ]

Well, it's because the logical and rational choice is GS. By nearly every metric, this is the best team that's ever been put together. They have no real weaknesses and possess the most paths to victory of any team ever (that I've ever seen, at least). They can play their C- game for 40 minutes and A game for 8 minutes and beat just about every team in the league. Most of their games look like they're playing in 1st gear with no real urgency or effort.

They can score off of motion sets, they can score in ISO with two all time great scorers, they can run simple 1-4 pick and rolls with two all time great scorers, they can score in transition, multiple players can take a rebound and start an effective fast break with three of them being extremely effective at it. Lastly, they're not turning not over anymore as much this playoffs. Before the last two garbage games against the Spurs, they were turning it over less than anyone. They can do everything on offense.

On defense, they can switch anything, they close out on shooters, they protect the rim as a collective, they're average at getting defensive rebounds, they have active hands for deflections, they rotate well over on shooters, and so on.

GS IS the rational choice and I would've have been shocked if more than a couple of people picked the Cavs.

But, BUT, there is one thing: the Cavs have James. Last year, he played at the combined total impact of Curry/Dray/Klay/Iggy. It was the greatest combined offensive/defensive series in NBA finals history and if he can do it again, and Kyrie and Love continue where they were in the ECF, the Cavs will have chances. Everything will have to go right, but there's definitely a chance. LeBron knows that winning this title again gives him every bit as much of an argument for GOAT as Jordan has. He's going to do everything to make it happen.

You make good Points and i get all that.. it's just... i would have thought after Last year more people would have learned to never count Lebron + Healthy Team out..

I just find it weird.. on the one Hand more and more People start saying Lebron is the GOAT.. and still they dont give him the trust of previous GOATS.. While Magic was at his best you did not bet against Magic... While MJ was at his best you did Not bet against MJ.. to me it is clear... With Lebron playing like he has so far(and he maybe even has another gear left for GSW).. i would never bet against him..

 

[priceFTW]

You make good Points and i get all that.. it's just... i would have thought after Last year more people would have learned to never count Lebron + Healthy Team out..

I just find it weird.. on the one Hand more and more People start saying Lebron is the GOAT.. and still they dont give him the trust of previous GOATS.. While Magic was at his best you did not bet against Magic... While MJ was at his best you did Not bet against MJ.. to me it is clear... With Lebron playing like he has so far(and he maybe even has another gear left for GSW).. i would never bet against him..

I see what you're saying but those players never faced a team this good. NOBODY has in the finals other than the Cavs and maybe the Sonics and Jazz who played the 96 and 97 Bulls.
Magic faced the '91 Bulls that had peak Jordan, but the '91 Bulls overall were not as stacked as this GS team is.

Jordan didn't face anything close to what the Cavs and LeBron are facing. If I had to rank the teams both Jordan and James faced in the finals, it would be as follows:

• 2017 Warriors
• 2016 Warriors
• 2015 Warriors
• 2014 Spurs
• 2007 Spurs
• '97 Jazz/'96 Sonics/'13 Spurs
• 2012 Thunder (inexperienced but more talented than any team Jordan ever faced in the finals)

'91 Lakers had a prime Magic but everything else was remarkably unremarkable. The Blazers were probably a better team that season. The Lakers were incredibly unathletic by elite team standards and it shows in the finals.

'92 Blazers were a good team but nothing remarkable.

'93 Suns actually had a lower SRS than the '93 Bulls. That Suns team was limited defensively. Barkley had a phenomenal offensive year but was poor defensively. Their defensive stopper was Dan Majerle. Lol! Compare Majerle to Kawhi or Iggy or Roberson or Kidd-Gilchrist or PG13 or Draymond or even a Smart or Crowder. '90s wing defense was an utter joke. Can you imagine the destruction LeBron would lay upon Majerle who would have to guard James 1 on 1 due to '90s rules that didn't allow zone defense or quasi zones (sagging off your man to defend an area was illegal so all the Bulls had to do was place a Bull outside the three point line and his man could not sag off of him and defend the area Jordan would go to work on the Majerles and Ehlos of the world).

 

[Kizzle]

Likely defensive matchups for GSW should be:

Curry VS Kyrie +
Klay VS JR Smith 0
KD VS LeBron +
Green VS Love 0
Zaza VS TT. +
Cavs bench VS Warriors bench 0

+ means Cavs have edge
- means Warriors have matchup edge
0 means Its even

I look at these matchups and I just cannot be convinced we are underdogs. The matchups favor or are neutral across the board. No one is really SCREWED because the matchup is overwhelming. Zaza may be in the worst position but then again it may be Curry. Because he cannot guard Kyrie at all.



I believe Tyronn Lue will leave Zaza and Green open all series, and will load up on KD and play tight on Klay and Kyrie. This will funnel the ball to Green and KD for most possessions and force them to make all the decisions for their team. Green has shown hes good at that off the pick and roll and on the drive. But his advantage is more outrunning guys and making passes that anyone could really make. KD has shown that he can score a hell of a lot of points in ISO situations but by playing smart and tight on Splash Bros, we would be forcing KD not only to SCORE, but to score EFFICIENTLY.

 

[Kizzle]

But on second thought. A huge part of me says put JR Smith on KD and let that be a one on one affair all series. But I cant forget that Curry is very prone to turnovers if pressured. KD is taller so he has a physical advantage to throw passes out of double teams.


My gut is telling me to trap Curry off pick and rolls and to let Durant go one on one with Smith all game, and to have LeBron roam being extra midful not to roam off Klay too much.


In any one game tho heres a way we can gain BIG leads. If at any point GS doesn't shoot well from 3 or KD jacks up 5-6 straight misses we could build leads

 

[godfather]

The Cavs will beat Golden State.

And I got two reasons.

One: They are cunts

Two: Mike Brown

 

[Kizzle]

Just a weird stat because im bored. Warriors have 4 guys playing over 12 minutes per game, shooting above 38% FROM 3(KD, Curry, Green, Ian Clark.) The Cavs have 7. LeBron, Shumpert, Deron, Love, Frye, Smith, and Korver.
I know level of competition is a huge factor in this but still. We have more guys shooting well than GS. This will play a huge role in how tough GS can really play LeBron. If Kyrie, Korver, and Love light these guys up from 3 in game 1 then Kerr or Brown is forced to really play him straight up. Or they may pull a Boston and never send help and hope KD or Klay can guard him.

Also wanna note Klay Thompson's 3pt % and how....human it is. If Klay doesn't have it this series that really allows LeBron to guard him and be that roaming presence he likes to be on defense. Also keeps LeBrons energy because it allows us to keep JR and Shumpert on KD all series.

Really wonder where Mike Brown is gonna go with this one. Theres no surprise they are a better defensive team than they were last year. With that said I hope the plan he formulates to stop LeBron doesn't have any secret techniques that screw LeBron up.