The Official Warriors VS Cavs 16-17 Finals Thread

[xavieronly1]

Originally Posted by Orangejello727

There is no competition in collusion. Its toxic for the league. The league is suffering from competition today because of what Lebron did/started. You hate the way the league is unbalanced because your man lebron is at fault for it.

KG and Ray Allen started it before Lebron and Bosh.

[WilyWestbrook0]

Originally Posted by bdoody42

Can we talk about the finals? I've tried multiple times to get this back on topic and it just doesn't happen.

There are a few of us who have, but by and large, the thread has been overtaken by LeBron-only debates.

I'm really looking forward to seeing what happens at Cleveland. Game three is pivotal. If they can take a game and make the series competitive, it would be great. I'm skeptical they can win more than one, but I'd love to see it happen. I don't think anyone but Warriors fans and LeBron haters want to see a sweep. There are also big picture aspects to the series that are interesting to consider. If they get swept, then there's going to be a lot of turmoil over whether to keep the big three intact and where to go from there. But if they can make this a series, perhaps they don't need to dismantle the big three and start over, but instead look at ways to enhance the supporting cast to make them better equipped to face a team like the Warriors.

[Orangejello727]

Originally Posted by WilyWestbrook0

There are a few of us who have, but by and large, the thread has been overtaken by LeBron-only debates.

I'm really looking forward to seeing what happens at Cleveland. Game three is pivotal. If they can take a game and make the series competitive, it would be great. I'm skeptical they can win more than one, but I'd love to see it happen. I don't think anyone but Warriors fans and LeBron haters want to see a sweep. There are also big picture aspects to the series that are interesting to consider. If they get swept, then there's going to be a lot of turmoil over whether to keep the big three intact and where to go from there. But if they can make this a series, perhaps they don't need to dismantle the big three and start over, but instead look at ways to enhance the supporting cast to make them better equipped to face a team like the Warriors.

Im going to make a prediction of 1 of 2 things happening.

1. Cavs win next game, then for game 4 someone on GS gets suspended to alter the momentum. Series gets stretched to 7 games.

2. GS wins with a clean sweep.

[WaiverWire]

I saw an article that this year's finals currently have the highest TV ratings of any NBA Finals since 1998. I thought it was interesting because while some people are complaining, it seems even more are tuning in and and watching.


For the Cavs to win game 3:
Tristan needs 10+ rebounds
Draymond needs to get in foul trouble
Two of the Three Golden State shooters need to go cold (Durant/Steph/Klay)
Kyrie needs to shoot at least 45% from the field.

On the other hand:
If Kyrie scores less than 20 points
If Kevin Love gets in foul trouble early and
Golden State shoots over 40% from three
Cavs lose.

[duwal]

Originally Posted by pgisback

Agree to disagree. Those battles in the East between the Celtics/Heat and the Heat vs the West were very entertaining to watch. His Cavs team with Sideshow Bob and Boobie Gibson weren't gonna win a championship. I think it's great when great players compete in the conference championship/finals. Like last years Thunder/Warriors series or the finals. The Heat/Celtics. I'd love it if players like AD could get on other teams with players like Paul George, Porzingis, Jimmy Butler, etc. Seeing those guys competing against Lebron, Curry, Durant, Harden, Kawhi, etc... would add a lot of entertainment to the game. What Durant did was eliminate competition. Lebron created competition. Huge difference.

So Lebron knows he isn't going to win a championship with the team that he's played his whole career with and decides to leave to a team he thinks has a better chance of winning (PGIII: That's great for basketball!!)

Durant knows he isn't going to win a championship with the team that he's played his whole career with and decides to leave to a team he thinks has a better chance of winning (PGIII: That's weak! Lame! Gutless! He's ruining basketball)


Makes sense

[DajuanWagner]

Originally Posted by Orangejello727

Im going to make a prediction of 1 of 2 things happening.

1. Cavs win next game, then for game 4 someone on GS gets suspended to alter the momentum. Series gets stretched to 7 games.

2. GS wins with a clean sweep.

It will be #1 since the NBA is rigged and it is all about the benjamins.........imagine how much the NBA would lose if the Dubs swept.

[pgisback]

Originally Posted by duwal

So Lebron knows he isn't going to win a championship with the team that he's played his whole career with and decides to leave to a team he thinks has a better chance of winning (PGIII: That's great for basketball!!)

Durant knows he isn't going to win a championship with the team that he's played his whole career with and decides to leave to a team he thinks has a better chance of winning (PGIII: That's weak! Lame! Gutless! He's ruining basketball)

Makes sense

Nope, you got it all wrong.

Lebron knows he can't beat the Celtics big 3 with his Cavs team. Lebron knows he can't beat the Spurs/Lakers with his Cavs team. So he tries to get other players on other teams that aren't competitive either to compete against the best.

Durant simply joined the best.

Not sure how you're not understanding that. If Lebron joined Kobe and the Lakers or the Big 3 in Boston... then that would be comparable to what Durant did.

[WilyWestbrook0]

Originally Posted by WaiverWire

I saw an article that this year's finals currently have the highest TV ratings of any NBA Finals since 1998. I thought it was interesting because while some people are complaining, it seems even more are tuning in and and watching.

Yeah, I saw the ratings, too. Not everyone likes the Super Team and three-point era, but the ratings are easily explainable. The casual, less analytic fan remembers what a great comeback the Cavs had last year. Game seven had massive ratings, and the most viewers since the 1998 Finals as well. I think they hope LeBron can still do it, perhaps not realizing just how much of an advantage the Warriors have now that Durant is on board. Also, there is appeal to the Warriors' fast-paced, shooting style. It's more aesthetically appealing and exciting to watch than a big 7 foot guy grinding and pounding down low, which is what a typical American thinks of when basketball is brought up. So even if the series ends up with blowouts, there are still going to be lots who watch just to see the Warriors spectacle. It would be better though if LeBron and the Cavs keep it competitive. Fans like the rivalry and competition. It's why the Lakers-Celtics rivalry helped set up increased attention to basketball and eventually MJ's Bulls reign.

[persona]

Originally Posted by Orangejello727

Im going to make a prediction of 1 of 2 things happening.

1. Cavs win next game, then for game 4 someone on GS gets suspended to alter the momentum. Series gets stretched to 7 games.

2. GS wins with a clean sweep.

I agree with #1.
Cavs will win tomorrow night and Draymond gets a cheap tech that leads to ejection.
I don't know why we all act like the finals are over.
Warriors protected home court as they should've.
Hopefully cavs can do the same and stretch out the series.

[daxwills]

Originally Posted by pgisback

Nope, you got it all wrong.

Lebron knows he can't beat the Celtics big 3 with his Cavs team. Lebron knows he can't beat the Spurs/Lakers with his Cavs team. So he tries to get other players on other teams that aren't competitive either to compete against the best.

Durant simply joined the best.

Not sure how you're not understanding that. If Lebron joined Kobe and the Lakers or the Big 3 in Boston... then that would be comparable to what Durant did.

Wait, Lebron MAKES a super team which is fine but Durant JOINS a superteam and that's stupid. Talk about splitting hairs. How about you go with "I'm a Lebron fan so whatever he does I am going to justify with this circular logic until hell freezes over or everyone agrees with me". If you ctrl C ctrl V that sentence right there it'll save you a lot of typing.

[xavieronly1]

Originally Posted by WaiverWire

I saw an article that this year's finals currently have the highest TV ratings of any NBA Finals since 1998. I thought it was interesting because while some people are complaining, it seems even more are tuning in and and watching.

There is no doubt that the NBA Finals is a must-watch TV. But outside of the Finals, the non-Finals playoff and regular season are down 6% comparing to last year.

[pgisback]

Originally Posted by daxwills

Wait, Lebron MAKES a super team which is fine but Durant JOINS a superteam and that's stupid. Talk about splitting hairs. How about you go with "I'm a Lebron fan so whatever he does I am going to justify with this circular logic until hell freezes over or everyone agrees with me". If you ctrl C ctrl V that sentence right there it'll save you a lot of typing.

It's mind boggling you guys can't grasp the difference between making a team that can compete with the best versus joining the best and making them better. Mind boggling for sure.

[daxwills]

Originally Posted by xavieronly1

There is no doubt that the NBA Finals is a must-watch TV. But outside of the Finals, the non-Finals playoff and regular season are down 6% comparing to last year.

Only 6? I'd be surprised if that isn't just the drop off in Sixers viewership/attendance. They were so bad they put tickets deals down to 99 bucks for 4 tickets, 4 sodas, 4 hot dogs. Which was kinda fun, you had zero expectations of them winning when you went.

[duwal]

Originally Posted by pgisback

Nope, you got it all wrong.

Lebron knows he can't beat the Celtics big 3 with his Cavs team. Lebron knows he can't beat the Spurs/Lakers with his Cavs team. So he tries to get other players on other teams that aren't competitive either to compete against the best.

Durant simply joined the best.

Not sure how you're not understanding that. If Lebron joined Kobe and the Lakers or the Big 3 in Boston... then that would be comparable to what Durant did.

And Durant was in the SAME situation as Lebron with knowing that Thunder team he was on was not going to be able to beat a Warriors, Spurs and Cavaliers team.

Both guys straight up wanted to upgrade from the playoff team they currently were playing for because they weren't championship caliber

[duwal]

Originally Posted by pgisback

It's mind boggling you guys can't grasp the difference between making a team that can compete with the best versus joining the best and making them better. Mind boggling for sure.

And we're all wondering why you're so confused that you don't see that both guys were in the same situation with their teams and decided to increase their odds of winning a championship

[pgisback]

Originally Posted by duwal

And we're all wondering why you're so confused that you don't see that both guys were in the same situation with their teams and decided to increase their odds of winning a championship

I'm not confused at all. There is nothing wrong with a player wanting to upgrade to be competitive against other teams, lol. James never joined the Celtics though, he sought out to beat them. Which is great for the NBA and competition. What Durant did was as weak as it gets and nothing like what Lebron did.

[atoaz12]

Originally Posted by pgisback

It's mind boggling you guys can't grasp the difference between making a team that can compete with the best versus joining the best and making them better. Mind boggling for sure.

Usually don't agree with much of PG's posts, but he's right on this one

There is a difference.

You still may not like what both did, but there is a definite difference

Lebron had a bunch of puzzle pieces spread all over the place. He had to track them down and work to make them fit together to make something amazing

KD fit in to a puzzle that was already put together and amazing. He just made it more amazing-er haha

Much more of a feat for Lebron than KD

Both amazing. One had to work a little harder.

[codered]

Originally Posted by pgisback

It's mind boggling you guys can't grasp the difference between making a team that can compete with the best versus joining the best and making them better. Mind boggling for sure.

Yeah it's about as different as cheating on your loved one with someone who seduced you or cheating on your loved on as a seducer. Huge difference. It's mind boggling

[xavieronly1]

Originally Posted by duwal

And Durant was in the SAME situation as Lebron with knowing that Thunder team he was on was not going to be able to beat a Warriors, Spurs and Cavaliers team.

Both guys straight up wanted to upgrade from the playoff team they currently were playing for because they weren't championship caliber

Thunder had a 3-1 lead. And they had 5 points lead with 4 mins left in Game 6. It is NOT the same.

Lebron lost to Boston when Boston had like 4 all-stars. If Lebron joined Boston in 2010, it would be the same as what Durant did last year.

[Orangejello727]

Originally Posted by persona

I agree with #1.
Cavs will win tomorrow night and Draymond gets a cheap tech that leads to ejection.
I don't know why we all act like the finals are over.
Warriors protected home court as they should've.
Hopefully cavs can do the same and stretch out the series.

If that happens we all know the NBA is scripted and Lebron is pulling the strings. THere is no way in hell for 2 yrs in a row the league needs to eject players to make it easier for Lebron to win.

[codered]

Back to the series, how about Lebron and kyrie (your two best players) step up and play some defence on Steph and durant? How about that huge payroll you have step up and scores some damn points and play defence. It's your own fault you spent so much damn money on players (Thompson, smith and shump) that don't/haven't stepped up. How about let k-love work down low with his back to the basket and create some pressure on the d instead of letting golden states d hangout around the 3 point line to defend the shooters because Lebron sure as hell ain't creating pressure driving. Last time I checked KD has done a pretty good job defending him.

[Orangejello727]

Originally Posted by pgisback

It's mind boggling you guys can't grasp the difference between making a team that can compete with the best versus joining the best and making them better. Mind boggling for sure.

The best team last year were the Cavs. They won the championship. I dont understand why the argument changes every time on who is the best. If someone says GS was the best team because they won 73 games some homer comes along and argues 'yea well they it means nothing if they dont win the championship". But then when Cavs win the championship they are the best team all of a sudden.

Which is it? Who was the best team last year? The team that won the championship or not? Dont keep changing the criteria for the best team to form fit Lebron. Just quit it.

THe best team last year were the Cavs. So if Durant joined the Cavs, it would have been like Lebron joining the Celtics. In both cases the team that won the championship the previous year (this is how you calculated the best team right?> right? right?)

But since Durant didnt join the champions, he joined a team that would compete against the champions?? Just like Lebron didnt join the champions, he joined a team that would compete against the champions. Thats the premise here. You seem to keep chaning foots for both players to give the advantage to Lebron all the time.

[yiguiri2002]

Originally Posted by xavieronly1

Thunder had a 3-1 lead. And they had 5 points lead with 4 mins left in Game 6. It is NOT the same.

Lebron lost to Boston when Boston had like 4 all-stars. If Lebron joined Boston in 2010, it would be the same as what Durant did last year.

That was only the second season the Cavs had more than 50 wins. They were never title contenders before that (yes, even after reaching the Finals). In those two seasons, they lost against Orlando and Boston. And both those teams lost to the Lakers.

KD's team was a contender for 5 seasons and wasn't able to win it all for different reasons (him choking was one of them).

LeBron could have easily returned to Cleveland and lead his team to the Finals next season. Celtics were old and never made the Finals again; Ainge blew the team up 2 seasons later. Warriors (and Spurs) are not going away in 2 seasons.

[pgisback]

Originally Posted by Orangejello727

The best team last year were the Cavs. They won the championship. I dont understand why the argument changes every time on who is the best. If someone says GS was the best team because they won 73 games some homer comes along and argues 'yea well they it means nothing if they dont win the championship". But then when Cavs win the championship they are the best team all of a sudden.

Which is it? Who was the best team last year? The team that won the championship or not? Dont keep changing the criteria for the best team to form fit Lebron. Just quit it.

THe best team last year were the Cavs. So if Durant joined the Cavs, it would have been like Lebron joining the Celtics. In both cases the team that won the championship the previous year (this is how you calculated the best team right?> right? right?)

But since Durant didnt join the champions, he joined a team that would compete against the champions?? Just like Lebron didnt join the champions, he joined a team that would compete against the champions. Thats the premise here. You seem to keep chaning foots for both players to give the advantage to Lebron all the time.

Nope, you got to type a lot of paragraphs to try to deflect from this. Bottom line is Lebron didn't join a team that was a title contender, he formed a team to compete against those teams. Durant took the easiest way out possible. If Lebron joined the Celtics or the Lakers, I'd have said the same thing. But he didn't.

[elee712]

Originally Posted by pgisback

Nope, you got to type a lot of paragraphs to try to deflect from this. Bottom line is Lebron didn't join a team that was a title contender, he formed a team to compete against those teams. Durant took the easiest way out possible. If Lebron joined the Celtics or the Lakers, I'd have said the same thing. But he didn't.

You already mentioned that what Lebron did was cheap. It sounds like now you're saying what Lebron did is ok. Or are you saying both are cheap but durant is worse?