LeBron's greatness is so massively underrated. The fact that he averaged 36/13/9 on 40% shooting with Dellevadova as his right hand last year in the finals against this squad is remarkable. Unfortunately, a lot of people look at this as some career defining series for him, when it really shouldn't. His crappy finals record is somewhat skewed especially considering the rosters he was working with vs. the Spurs the first time and the Warriors last year. Put him on any roster in the league, including the 76ers and they at minimum go to the conference finals and more than likely win the East. I say this as someone whom has rooted against the guy in every single series he has played in since The Decision. I've finally come to appreciate how good he really is, and will be rooting for him in this series. I didn't see the Bulls play when they won 72 games. Something tells me they were much better than this Golden State team. To me, Golden State went balls to the wall every single game to try to get that record, and while it doesn't make it any less impressive, it seems like the Bulls friggain waltzed to 72 wins. Maybe some whom are old enough can shed some light on that. It just wouldn't seem right for the Warriors to win, beat LeBron and perhaps be considered the greatest team ever, if they really in fact aren't. Again, maybe someone can bring some more insight on the matter of how good the Bulls really looked that year? ^Stokes. Curry may be a douche, but Draymond Green is by far the biggest douchebag in this entire series. And I guess the refs are just down to let the illegal screens go without a call, at least in game 1. The Warriors are known for it, but Tristan Thompson has been throwing moving forearm shivers throughout the first half. Bogut's job is basically illegal screening and Draymond looks to do it because he's a massive shithead.
He faced a PR nightmare the first time and it didn't stop him. I don't think he'll leave, and certainly not before he grabs them a ring. But I'm not sure why you're so sure about it. He signed a lifetime contract with Nike worth a rumored billion dollars. They have to go with whatever narrative he wants. Endorsements for a player like LeBron has no bearing on what he does (unless it's illegal activity). I don't think the fans hate him. He gave them two rings, four finals appearances and added at minimum two more years to Wade's career by him not shouldering the career. Where are you getting that from? Dan Gilbert wrote a hateful letter on behalf of LeBron leaving and welcomed him back with open arms. LeBron singlehandedly uplifts a cities economy. There's no way a team wouldn't like him because of the general manager's ego. As fucking whack as it is, he's voiced his want to at least play one year with Wade-Melo-Chris Paul. When he gets the ring for Cleveland, which is inevitable because the guy goes to the finals every year, I think he might try to team up with his buddies at the end of his career when no one really gives a shit about what he does. Did Seattle & Utah create PR nightmares for Malone & Gary Payton like you claim it would for LeBron when they made a super team in LA? Maybe a little bit, but not at some crazy clip like you're envisioning. Once you're 38 years old, you can realistically do whatever the hell you want. I blamed and blamed and blamed LeBron for the decision for years, based on how stupid and ego-driven it was. Then I think about it. I'm 24. He was what? 26? I couldn't imagine having to make a decision like that with hundreds of millions of people waiting to see what you'll do. It was dumb. But it needs to be forgotten, especially because he's come back to battle for a Cleveland ring.
Good game so far! LOVE Clevelands game right now. Let the Warriors bench beat you. Take out Curry and Thompson. Keep it close!
First half notes if anyone gives a shit. - For as heralded of an offensive rebounder Tristan Thompson is, he looks lazy on the opposite end. Is it a pick your battles type of thing? Not sure, but he seems to have all the tools in the world to be one of the league's best rebounders, yet he isn't. - Feed LeBron in the post, run pick & roll with him and Kyrie. For as well as they've played together thus far in the playoffs, they don't seem to be working together so far. Kyrie has been an ISO player his entire career, so he's still growing in the Spurs-esque team ball aspect that have the Cavs shooting the ball at a ridiculous rate. 6 of Kyrie's 13 points are from free throws going to the basket. They're not flowing very well as they have in the prior series. - The Warriors are winning the first half without Thompson and Curry shooting very well. Bad news for the Cavaliers. Like Falco said above, force the Warriors bench to beat you, but the Thunder tried that, and those two blasted 3's in everyone's face. At the same token, Kyrie is 3/12, and that should improve. - I'm so god damn sick of seeing Draymond Green smirk after he hits a 3. When they go with that small ball lineup, if the Cavs are playing with a big on him, they have to get up in his grill. Force him to the basket (expending that energy), and beat you with a pass or force him to finish. He's a good passer, but he's not this all-world finisher at the basket. Force him to try to be, rather then let him drain several wide open 3's, because he's gonna hit them. - Every Warrior's game Mark Jackson does has got to kill him inside a little bit. Kerr is a hell of a coach. - If JR Smith in particular and Frye/Jefferson aren't going to be hitting 3's they're essentially useless, and the Warrior's bench (in particular Iggy/Livingston) can and will contribute a lot more if those guys don't heat up from beyond the arch. - James Jones can probably keep riding the bench as the 12th man until LeBron retires into his mid 40's. What an awesome job. He's collected $3,143.43 per minute played this year.
This is what Dellavadova does. Not sure he's even good enough to be playing in this game. His role is the cheap shot. Saw it last year, seeing it this year again. If you're going to tell me that was purely accidental, then I guess I have to believe Green/Adams was accidental as well.
Cleveland is clearly getting in Currys head. He hesitated so bad on that final shot and threw up a hail mary because of it
maybe Curry and Klay figured this can't possibly be the NBA Finals. They're resting up for the upcoming series against the Spurs. Seriously, the Finals is such a letdown when one conference is so much better than the other.
I was just thinking the same thing, in that he doesn't look nearly good enough to even be on the court. Proof in the superiority of the Warrior's bench. The Cavs offense is so stagnant, they're resorting to that shit ISO ball, similar to the way Durant/Westbrook combined for their own meltdown. As good as both LeBron and Kyrie are at getting to the cup, the Warrior's help defense is too good for that. Kevin Love is a waste of space in a movement offense. Shows us not only how good Bosh really was/is, but how well he adapted his game to fit the offense. Two years in and Love stands in the corner waiting for a kick-out. No wonder Bron hates playing with him. And he's an absolute 0 on defense.
Cavs mistake in game one is obviously not putting an end to that GS bench run early in the 4th. Sent from my BLU LIFE ONE X using Tapatalk
