NBA Finals Poll: Raptors vs. Warriors

[jcmel323]

cleared to practice is not the same as cleared to play.

This might be to give GS an extra motivation going to game5.

Still more than a day to gametime though

[Chris P]

Originally Posted by rhigh2390

But Klay did play in game 4, played very well, and they lost. Steph just isn't as good in the Finals when he can be bottled up. I believe GS would have definitely lost 2 years ago (against lebron and Kyrie), and probably would have lost last year also if KD hadn't come there. They have 1 superstar without KD and that one superstar has consistently come up small in big moments. That's not a recipe for winning championships. KD led them the past 2 years and I believe he was the difference.

Time will tell though if KD leaves GS in July. If GS wins another title with just Steph/Klay/Draymond, then I think it hurts Durant's legacy. If they never win another one without him, I think the narrative will change on just how good the Warriors were without KD.

I dunno, I definitely get what you're saying, agree to disagree though. Bunch of things change playing "what if's" because we don't know how Golden State looks if KD doesn't come, it's not just KD leaves and there's an empty gap, they would've gotten someone there, even at the very least if it's just keeping the team's depth intact and keeping Barnes. I'm also definitely not saying "it's 100%..the Warriors would win a title without KD and would've the last two years". I honestly don't know what would've happened. I think it would've been a coin flip and I think they "could've" won. My argument is "could" not "should", it definitely would be a tougher road. And yes, Toronto won with Klay playing games 1 and 4, but I expect that, because without KD, the Raptors-Warriors is a much closer series talent wise. I wasn't expecting this be a sweep or a 5 game series, I just felt this group, healthy, without KD, can win a title.

[kd the sniper]

Originally Posted by jcmel323

cleared to practice is not the same as cleared to play.



This might be to give GS an extra motivation going to game5.



Still more than a day to gametime though

Agreed! But he hasn't been ruled out yet. Kerr even said if things go well they would play him on 1 day practice. Still doesn't mean he will be pre-injury KD

Sent from my LG-H872 using Tapatalk

[asujbl]

Durant playing game 5... and losing... would be so awesome

[drobfan8]

Well here's KD's chance to prove himself. His team is struggling and he can be the hero.

Can he be the spark on both ends and get them a massive win.

Should be interesting.

[hairyangryfella]

Originally Posted by rhigh2390

I agree that any games Klay misses is definitely detrimental to GS, but before this series, almost everyone was saying "GS doesn't need KD. They still would have won the past 2 years without him and will still win this year without him."

That's clearly not true now. I'm glad for KD. Steph consistently comes up small in the Finals and Draymond is the most overrated player in the league. They've needed KD and this Finals is showing it.

Toronto has one superstar and they are embarrassing GS without KD.

You really hate Draymond don't you.
The fact that he's a great defender, a key ball carrier (offense often runs through him) and a triple-double threat makes him "the most overrated player in the league"? Or does it just make you a hater?

Like I've said before, I dislike the guy. But to criticise him like this is just a bit pathetic.

[pingbling23]

Originally Posted by pingbling23

Gonna be really surprised if Durant returns. Jalen Rose claims the workout with the team “didn’t go well at any level” and he doesn’t believe he will return this season.

We will see if jalen is full of spit.

[drobfan8]

Originally Posted by rhigh2390

But Klay did play in game 4, played very well, and they lost. Steph just isn't as good in the Finals when he can be bottled up. I believe GS would have definitely lost 2 years ago (against lebron and Kyrie), and probably would have lost last year also if KD hadn't come there. They have 1 superstar without KD and that one superstar has consistently come up small in big moments. That's not a recipe for winning championships. KD led them the past 2 years and I believe he was the difference.

Time will tell though if KD leaves GS in July. If GS wins another title with just Steph/Klay/Draymond, then I think it hurts Durant's legacy. If they never win another one without him, I think the narrative will change on just how "good" the Warriors were without KD.

I just don't see it as just a coincidence that the past 2 years going against a player that most consider top 5 of all time, KD and GS had their way and went 8-1 and now KD is out while GS is going against a really good, but not all-time great team (one superstar and really good pieces) and is down 3-1.

You've got a lot of hot takes here man.

How come the Warriors be up on LeBron's Cavs 3-1 and only lose to a Kyrie 3, yet the next season, magically without KD they definitely would lose? Come on now.

Also, if GS doesn't sign KD, who do they get? I'd assume someone pretty decent.

KD has been a huge part of their 2 recent chips, but to say they couldn't win without him is a stretch.

Many level headed people thought the Raps were gonna compete with GS no matter what, but that Klay injury is massive.

The Dubs haven't been good enough, but a lot more credit needs to go to the Raps, they're not just 1 star and parts. They have an excellent mix of veterans and youth and a core that's built towards this moment.

Good on them. It's not a fluke.

[persona]

Originally Posted by drobfan8

Well here's KD's chance to prive himself. His team is struggling and he can be the hero.

Can he be the spark on both ends and get them a massive win.

Should be interesting.

If I’m his agent I wouldn’t advise him to play.
Why risk being injured when you are two time back to back finals mvp and with you on the teams warriors are 2-0 and without you they may be 1-2 in the finals.
Cousins probably lost out on 100+ plus from his injury last year and I would not risk that at all.

I honesty thought the length of Giannis would give warriors problems without Durant and it would’ve made a better match up but I was clearly wrong.
Leonard is going to get his and him being a great free throw shooter and attacking the rim is a huge plus.
If Danny green can score 10pts tomorrow night it just maybe over.
Raps fanbase seem loyal and if I’m not mistaken I believe they’ve always had an amazing fanbase and it’s not a group of people who started coming along once they started winning

[jj2]

Originally Posted by rhigh2390

I agree that any games Klay misses is definitely detrimental to GS, but before this series, almost everyone was saying "GS doesn't need KD. They still would have won the past 2 years without him and will still win this year without him."

That's clearly not true now. I'm glad for KD. Steph consistently comes up small in the Finals and Draymond is the most overrated player in the league. They've needed KD and this Finals is showing it.

Toronto has one superstar and they are embarrassing GS without KD.

What a hot take.

[clipperboy24]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

Hell yeah. Long time coming. So sad Vince wasn't part of it...he really brought that franchise to the mainstream.

It’s too bad they couldn’t have signed him for the playoffs

[Litwing]

I guess KD won't play so warriors loss is totally not related to him.

[rhigh2390]

Originally Posted by drobfan8

You've got a lot of hot takes here man.

How come the Warriors be up on LeBron's Cavs 3-1 and only lose to a Kyrie 3, yet the next season, magically without KD they definitely would lose? Come on now.

Also, if GS doesn't sign KD, who do they get? I'd assume someone pretty decent.

KD has been a huge part of their 2 recent chips, but to say they couldn't win without him is a stretch.

Many level headed people thought the Raps were gonna compete with GS no matter what, but that Klay injury is massive.

The Dubs haven't been good enough, but a lot more credit needs to go to the Raps, they're not just 1 star and parts. They have an excellent mix of veterans and youth and a core that's built towards this moment.

Good on them. It's not a fluke.

I know it is all a "what if" game, but I just think we are seeing what the Warriors would have been without KD the past 2 years. They beat lebron twice very easily with KD and they can't get close to beating Kawhi without KD. I just take that as KD being the difference.

I totally agree too that the Raps aren't a fluke. They are a very good team! I love that they are taking the more traditional route to winning a chip. It's very refreshing to see.

[jj2]

Originally Posted by rhigh2390

I know it is all a "what if" game, but I just think we are seeing what the Warriors would have been without KD the past 2 years. They beat lebron twice very easily with KD and they can't get close to beating Kawhi without KD. I just take that as KD being the difference.

I totally agree too that the Raps aren't a fluke. They are a very good team! I love that they are taking the more traditional route to winning a chip. It's very refreshing to see.

No you're not because they had to gut all their depth to get KD. It's not the same GSW that won two titles just with the addition of KD.

They won two titles and had a 73 win season without KD.

[rhigh2390]

Originally Posted by jj2

No you're not because they had to gut all their depth to get KD. It's not the same GSW that won two titles just with the addition of KD.

They won two titles and had a 73 win season without KD.

They only won one title without KD and it was when Kyrie and Love were hurt, but you do you.

[codered]

SI, yahoo and BR all reporting discontent in warriors locker room over Durant not returning sooner even though it was expected by the warriors before the series that game 5 was the most likely game for his return.

[rhigh2390]

Originally Posted by codered

SI, yahoo and BR all reporting discontent in warriors locker room over Durant not returning sooner even though it was expected by the warriors before the series that game 5 was the most likely game for his return.

I saw that too. Don't really understand why the discontent if they were expecting game 5 to be the earliest he'd return. Will be interesting even if he does play. How many minutes will he play? There's no way he's in game shape, but even if he could give you 15-20 minutes, it would be better than nothing. Just not sure I'd risk it unless he is 100% ready. Would hate to see him re-injure himself.

[Stat Monsters]

Originally Posted by persona

If I’m his agent I wouldn’t advise him to play.
Why risk being injured when you are two time back to back finals mvp and with you on the teams warriors are 2-0 and without you they may be 1-2 in the finals.

I agree. KD in certain terms has more to lose than to gain. Right now the perception might be that the Warriors need KD and could have should have would have won with KD on the roster playing. The whole "What If?" mystique of his absence may add value to his free agency price tag.

If KD does play and the Warriors are down 1:3 right now, unless KD helps the Warriors sweep the next 4 games, he's seen as a good player but not clutch in this "what have you done for me lately?" world of sport we live in.

If KD plays and the Warriors lose the next game or any of the games, allowing Toronto to earn (and they've earned it!) the championship, he's seen as a non-factor to many, 'tho some can argue if he was there from the start the Warriors would not be in a 1:3 hole right now.

KD can get further injured as well.

He's best off sitting it out. The Warriors may wake up and see his value. Other teams may want him even more so.

If he did come back and sweep the next 4 games, sure he'll be anointed the GOAT moniker for the moment, but it's likely not to happen because basketball is a team sport and it takes more than 1 player to win it all.

[Chucky]

Originally Posted by rhigh2390

I saw that too. Don't really understand why the discontent if they were expecting game 5 to be the earliest he'd return. Will be interesting even if he does play. How many minutes will he play? There's no way he's in game shape, but even if he could give you 15-20 minutes, it would be better than nothing. Just not sure I'd risk it unless he is 100% ready. Would hate to see him re-injure himself.

I can’t see him taking any risk that might affect his future and upcoming FA. If the locker room is upset I would think that doesn’t help in resigning him.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by drobfan8

Also, if GS doesn't sign KD, who do they get? I'd assume someone pretty decent.

GS was 44 million over the cap this season. They are getting minimum salary or exemption type players unless they don't sign Klay too. Klay is expecting a big raise this year and Draymond is expecting one this year. GS is pretty much capped out for the near future.

[drobfan8]

Originally Posted by rats60

GS was 44 million over the cap this season. They are getting minimum salary or exemption type players unless they don't sign Klay too. Klay is expecting a big raise this year and Draymond is expecting one this year. GS is pretty much capped out for the near future.

GS will go over the cap whenever they want.

They can sign Klay last. But they do have moves to make.

Their only bad contract is Iggy. I wouldn't get too excited that it's all over for them.

[drobfan8]

The cap also goes up $9 mil and then Iggy won't get $17 mil again. Even if they lose Kd, I'm sure they'll want to re-sign Klay and another piece (Boogie is a nice insurance policy)

[drobfan8]

KD has nothing to lose and everything to gain by playing.

They win, he's the savior that got them back for another game at Oracle.

They lose and he's still a hero for trying.

[jj2]

Originally Posted by drobfan8

KD has nothing to lose and everything to gain by playing.

They win, he's the savior that got them back for another game at Oracle.

They lose and he's still a hero for trying.

Could be a bit to loose if he seriously re-injuries himself.

[deemsterz33]

Originally Posted by drobfan8

KD has nothing to lose and everything to gain by playing.

They win, he's the savior that got them back for another game at Oracle.

They lose and he's still a hero for trying.

If he re-injures the tear in his calf, he's worth quite a bit less. Forever.