End of the Lebron era?

[Jpayne7787]

Now that the Warriors are again champions like most expected, is this the official passing the torch from the Lebron era to the GSW dynasty era? I can't imagine Lebron being at this level for more than a few more years.

-Will Lebron ever win a title again?
-Will the Cavs continue to run through the East and play second fiddle to the Warriors?
-Will another team take over finally make the leap to prevent Lebron from advancing to the finals? (Bucks,Celtics)
-Can the Cavs make necessary changes to possibly win one more? If so who?

I really hope a team like the Wolves or Bucks breakthrough next year but it's really starting to look like GSW will run through the league until Lebrons time is done.

Interesting to me that Lebron has faced two teams (Spurs and Warriors) that he has gone 1-3 in the Finals against. Hardly GOAT worthy imo, sure he is the most physically blessed and talented player ever probably, but can we really say he had a better career than say Kobe/Duncan?

[JasonM32]

I expect some changes in Cleveland. Not sure if they can find a way to move Love but they need to improve somehow. They overpaid for JR smith and Tristan Thompson so they are kinda stuck.

I don't expect Lebron to win another ring in "The Land" but you never know, injuries happen. Either that or he might decide to leave Cleveland again and do some more ring chasing.

[oplum29]

I think the NBA is in some trouble.

These "super-teams" are going to kill the league IMO.

It's one thing for a team to be built, like GS was with Curry, Green, and Thompson in the draft, and adding a few key pieces here and there (Livingston, West, Iggy), but it's another to add a piece like KD.

I give them credit for adding just that one guy but still.

They asked Lebron tonight if he was going to join another super-team or his thoughts, and he was caught off guard about it, saying he's never joined a "super-team", which is a joke, because he's joined two of them.

And now, the rumors are already starting of PG13 to Cleveland next year...my gosh, when will it end?

It ruins a league to me that has superstars like Kawhi who are going to have a very difficult time beating GS and Cleveland back-to-back, just to win an NBA Title.

As it is, the Cavs have a pretty easy road to the finals, now add on PG13 or Gordon Hayward or some other superstar like that, it's crazy.

but that's just me.

The NBA needs more parity, not just the same teams every year, it almost makes the league moot. You've got some solid teams like Memphis and Utah that won't be able to get to a Finals all because of these super teams that are joining up.

that's just me though.

[pingbling23]

33.6/12/10/1/1 on 56% shooting guarding the toughest matchup in the league. Stick a fork in him, he's done.

[spurs50fan]

If it is.....is amazing what it took to knock him off. A damn dream team lol

But he'll find the talent and bring them in or go elsewhere. The NBA has officially gone that way so it's going to suck for about 80% of the fans unless you start your I just love basketball mantras

[Jpayne7787]

Originally Posted by pingbling23

33.6/12/10/1/1 on 56% shooting guarding the toughest matchup in the league. Stick a fork in him, he's done.

I'm not saying he's done, he's still probably in his prime (tho I def have noticed a slight decline in his overall athleticism the last year or two) but I do think this was prob his last chance to win that 4th title. I can be wrong tho.

[SelfDestruct808]

Don't matter what the league tries to do to create more parity around the league, if all stars don't mind taking less money to create or join super teams, & they don't have the competitive drive to beat one another as guys in the past, you can't do much.

I still don't think it's close to the end of Lebron, or I hope, cause he ain't shown any signs of slowing down. But people will never show the appreciation he deserves till he's gone like the wind.

[RSCard]

Celtics may have a chance to stop cavs if they pick Fultz and he turns into a superstar. or if they sign gordon hayward and trade the first pick for a top15 player. Don't know much about the other teams in the east, but 76ers, wizards and bucks definitely have a very little chance haha.

Lebron is very smart player and he won't let his team lose the competitiveness, let's see what he will do.

[pgisback]

We're entering a dark period of basketball. Competition is going to be even more miserable next year.

[Archangel1775]

LeBron created HIS Super Teams, he didn't join them. But yes, last year they had to play 3 perfect games to win it all. That wont happen again against the Warriors. Should KD leave in a couple years, the Warriors are still the most formidable team in the West. Unless KD joins the Spurs, of course.

[oplum29]

Originally Posted by spurs50fan

The NBA has officially gone that way so it's going to suck for about 80% of the fans unless you start your I just love basketball mantras

You nailed it, big time.

and it stinks for fans of teams that aren't building those "super teams". I'm a Spurs fan, so forget this ever happening, which is fine with me. I don't really want CP3, I like Murray a lot, as most Spurs fans do, but it seems that is the route the NBA is going.

If you can't join Cleveland or GS, then I guess SA is the next good destination for those wanting to win a ring. Or Boston.

[Cervantes]

What a great season, playoffs, and finals for Lebron. He was absolutely amazing, and someone said tonight, Van Gundy? I dunno, but they said something like ''year 14 and he's still in his prime.''

I know that Irving and Love are no bums, and they're top what...20 players? Higher? Anyway, they're terrific players, but this series felt like it had to be the SUPERTEAM Warriors vs. LEBRON JAMES and kyrie and kevin.

They both played well, especially Kyrie, but I just felt that unless Lebron had the greatest Finals series ever, averaging something like 40/15/15, they couldn't win, and even then...it would be tough. That's unfair to the rest of the Cavs, but it's how I felt.

He's not done, but I just don't know that the team can do enough to build around him to beat this GS team. It may be his fault, but if you swapped Wiggins for Love, are they better equipped to beat this team? If Lue never became the coach, would they have won? Ifs are nice, but man, I just don't know what they could do moving forward.

I think Lebron's legacy is going to continue to grow as he continues to dominate, but his title hopes for the next couple of years are diminished, imo, unless something drastic happens in Cleveland.

He's not leaving.

Great job to both teams, though; it was fun. Warriors were supposed to win, and that's ok. Happy for KD. Hope Kerr's health improves. Realized I don't care for Mike Brown speaking very much. Draymond is worse. Love Klay, and Kyrie became one of my favorite players. Lebron is still awesome. Curry really stepped up.

Random thoughts.

[ThoseBackPages]

Originally Posted by pgisback

We're entering a dark period of basketball. Competition is going to be even more miserable next year.

so, sweep next year?

[spurs50fan]

Didn't really think about it but with all the celebration, the only disappointment this year would've been if the Warriors DIDN'T win it. It's like planning your own surprise party

[exoticprince]

I expect the Cavs to make some changes in the offseason, maybe trade Love. Would love to see Love traded for Paul George or Cousins but both very unlikely. They'll need to improve the roster as crazy as it sounds to have a chance at beating this same warriors team next year. Welcome to the new NBA.

[mc1]

Last year before the Cavs came back I said Lebron would never win another ring. This was before Durant joined the Warriors too. They pulled it out and made me look like a fool. I wont go as far as that, but I will say his window is closing, fast. Hes got probably 3-4 years of reaching the Finals. Who knows what teams could be waiting from the west. 9, 10, 11 Finals in a row would be historic regardless. All time great player, for sure. Not the best, but top 5 or 10.

Also, this Cavs team is not a super team. Im still not sold on Love and he never accomplished anything on his own. Hes not a superstar. Irving has huge potential, but like Love he never did squat on his own either. He was clutch last year and played well this series. Yeah, Heat were definitely a super team with 2 guys that had previously won titles and an allstar in bosh. Again though, he never did anything on his own and was never a superstar in this league.

[duwal]

They have to find a coaching staff that can implement a good defensive system and the players that can adapt and thrive with it like the Warriors. Lebron isn't going to win another championship if he is on teams that are defensive one of the worst to make the playoffs

[hermanotarjeta]

The NBA has always been a super team league since bird and magic joined the nba, I don't know why anyone is complaining about it.

I certainly don't hear any warriors fans complaining about it.

Whoever has the best marbles wins.

Who says that Charlotte or Sacramento needs to have a fair chance? They get high draft picks every year and the same opportunity to turn the table just as the warriors were in the dungeon for such long time.

You build your own dynasty. And the organizations who are best at DRAFTING and SCOUTING talent are the ones who will be winners over the long-term.

If you are just good enough to get in the playoffs but not draft very well, you will be mediocre for a long time.

People tend to forget the warriors have been bottom-feeders for a LONG TIME. A couple miracle draft years and some good free agent pick ups and you've got a winner.

Lebron has the same chance as anyone else, though he might suffer the same fate as the Utah Jazz did when they were very good, but not able to get over the hump because they could not draft very well due to their success and could not add that third cog that could have put them over the Bulls.

[Noah]

Take Whatever Side you wish in the greatest ever debate, but Appreciate what you've seen tonight and all season long. A unique team has fulfilled it's destiny and Lebron adds to his legacy

Hate Him or Love him you will be telling your children and grandchildren you were lucky enough to see him

That being said i don't see him getting another ring if the Warriors stick together, Klay and steph will become better....... It's Scary

He changed the league to what it is now and now it looks like it is going to backfire on his legacy if KD and the Warriors win 4-6 in a row on him before he retires

He was like Superman and it takes a Superteam to take on his Supersquads

[d2t]

Originally Posted by oplum29

They asked Lebron tonight if he was going to join another super-team or his thoughts, and he was caught off guard about it, saying he's never joined a "super-team", which is a joke, because he's joined two of them.

I'm of the opinion they weren't super teams until he joined them. Miami and Cleveland weren't 73-9 before he went and joined them. GSW had just broken the regular season wins record before Durant decided to sign.

[oplum29]

Originally Posted by Cervantes

I know that Irving and Love are no bums, and they're top what...20 players? Higher? Anyway, they're terrific players, but this series felt like it had to be the SUPERTEAM Warriors vs. LEBRON JAMES and kyrie and kevin.

SUPERTEAM Warriors, just like the teams Lebron assembled in Miami and Cleveland?

I don't feel sorry for Lebron at all because he helped create this stigma of ring chasing with superteams to begin with.

It used to be, that only the old dudes would do this after playing 10-15 years with one team and not being able to win, but now, you've got players in their prime leaving and joining forces and Lebron was the biggest name to do that.

I know Boston did before him, but none KG and Ray Allen weren't top 5 players when they did, Lebron and KD were.

[thecomebacker]

He's in decline, that's for sure. Sure, he can still bully his way to decent offensive stats, but his D has dropped so much from his Heat days, it's not even funny. KD had his way with Bron all series. Doesn't matter if you average 30 if the guy you are guarding is averaging 35. Bron looked lost out there at times today when defending.

[daeve]

Originally Posted by JasonM32

I expect some changes in Cleveland. Not sure if they can find a way to move Love but they need to improve somehow. They overpaid for JR smith and Tristan Thompson so they are kinda stuck.

I don't expect Lebron to win another ring in "The Land" but you never know, injuries happen. Either that or he might decide to leave Cleveland again and do some more ring chasing.

Love isn't really the problem but the Nuggets have pieces and would love to pair KLove with Jokic [probably wouldn't trade Murray/Harris though so not sure Cavs would do it]

[oplum29]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

The NBA has always been a super team league since bird and magic joined the nba, I don't know why anyone is complaining about it.

Because its one thing to build a superteam, and another to buy one.

the reason people don't complain about GS is because they really added one person in KD. Klay, Curry, and Green were drafted.

Lebron joined up with Bosh and Wade in Miami, then added Ray Allen.

Then he leaves to Cleveland, and joins Kyrie and they added Love on top of that.

[Andy5]

Originally Posted by thecomebacker

He's in decline, that's for sure. Sure, he can still bully his way to decent offensive stats, but his D has dropped so much from his Heat days, it's not even funny. KD had his way with Bron all series. Doesn't matter if you average 30 if the guy you are guarding is averaging 35. Bron looked lost out there at times today when defending.

No, you're not allowed to talk about his defense. Now lets all just daze over his tremendous triple doubles he put up whilst going 1-4.