And then there were two, the Cavs and Warriors

[NineOneSeven]

Timeout. I'm not suggesting that Kerr isn't a good coach, or doesn't have a bright future.

I'm talking about whether the moment is too big for him RIGHT NOW, as a rookie head coach in the finals.

Small ball didn't win that game in OT. The Cavs suddenly not scoring points and only netting 2 in OT is what won game one.

Small ball gave them a chance to win in OT.

Just because the absolute end outcome may not show it based on score, doesn't mean certain moments of the game aren't impacted by said changes.

 

[General20]

Timeout. I'm not suggesting that Kerr isn't a good coach, or doesn't have a bright future.

I'm talking about whether the moment is too big for him RIGHT NOW, as a rookie head coach in the finals.

Small ball didn't win that game in OT. The Cavs suddenly not scoring points and only netting 2 in OT is what won game one.

What has Kerr done to make you think the moment is too big for him?

He has gone small ball in the biggest moments in each of the last two games, and in my opinion that's the exact right move. You get the extra shooting, ball handling, passing, and speed that smaller players give you and you don't pay for it on the other end because Cleveland doesn't have a big guy who can score in the post.

Cleveland is really missing Love right now. Forget his stats or how good he is (yea he's overrated). He would spread the floor and make it harder to double LeBron, and maybe more importantly he would kill Green or Barnes in the low post thus punishing Golden State for going small.

 

[RF2044]

What has Kerr done to make you think the moment is too big for him?

He has gone small ball in the biggest moments in each of the last two games, and in my opinion that's the exact right move. You get the extra shooting, ball handling, passing, and speed that smaller players give you and you don't pay for it on the other end because Cleveland doesn't have a big guy who can score in the post.

Cleveland is really missing Love right now. Forget his stats or how good he is (yea he's overrated). He would spread the floor and make it harder to double LeBron, and maybe more importantly he would kill Green or Barnes in the low post thus punishing Golden State for going small.

Not being able to solve the Cavs defensive approach and attack it effectively. Not scheming to maybe get Curry off of the ball for some cleaner looks, and to mitigate the Cleveland double team that's forcing the ball out of his hands. Not making adjustments to limit the effectiveness of Mozgov, who has really taken it to Bogut in the first two games. Etc.

This is the playoffs / finals, so offensive performance is going to go down a bit. But GS has not played like they are capable of playing offensively for 95% of two games. I'd expect a more experienced coach to make in-game adjustments to help counter some of what Cleveland is doing defensively--and right now, I don't see those adjustments being made by Kerr. I'm not suggesting that he's overwhelmed, just that his inexperience might be showing.

 

[longislandcuse]

I think both teams, tactic wise, are playing this very well so far.

Cleveland knows they need to slow it down, play lock down defense, muck it up and let Lebron freak it on offense. Surround him with defense, rebounding and shooters. That's the only way they will win.

Golden State is letting Lebron get his, while taking everyone else out. Lebron is so good, he can win a game or two by himself... can he win a series though? Golden State's problem isn't scheme, it's shooting. Yea, Cleveland's defense is nasty but Golden State is the best bad shot taking team in the league. Steph and Klay routinely make difficult shots, when they don't they struggle, because despite everyone crowning them the best supporting cast ever, they are not. Not even close.

 

[MikeSU02]

I think both teams, tactic wise, are playing this very well so far.

Cleveland knows they need to slow it down, play lock down defense, muck it up and let Lebron freak it on offense. Surround him with defense, rebounding and shooters. That's the only way they will win.

Golden State is letting Lebron get his, while taking everyone else out. Lebron is so good, he can win a game or two by himself... can he win a series though? Golden State's problem isn't scheme, it's shooting. Yea, Cleveland's defense is nasty but Golden State is the best bad shot taking team in the league. Steph and Klay routinely make difficult shots, when they don't they struggle, because despite everyone crowning them the best supporting cast ever, they are not. Not even close.

I think you are spot on. Kerr's betting on the long game. Bron eventually loses steam and can't keep up this type of production and Steph and team eventually get a bit better.

If both teams move towards their season averages even a little, GSW will definitely win.

 

[longislandcuse]

Not being able to solve the Cavs defensive approach. Not scheming to maybe get Curry off of the ball for some cleaner looks. Not making adjustments to limit the effectiveness of Mozgov, who has really taken it to Bogut in the first two games. Etc.

I heard this morning that Mozgov owns Bogut, like it's a thing. Not just right now but always. Bogut is just another one of Golden State's overrated supporting cast players that everyone thinks is amazing because he along with Barnes and Green etc play off the best backcourt in the NBA.

 

[RF2044]

I heard this morning that Mozgov owns Bogut, like it's a thing. Not just right now but always. Bogut is just another one of Golden State's overrated supporting cast players that everyone thinks is amazing because he along with Barnes and Green etc play off the best backcourt in the NBA.

Bogut isn't overrated--he's a fine defensive player and a disruptive, physical guy. He just held his own with Dwight Howard last series.

Just because he plays with good players doesn't mean he's some stiff who can't play. Sure, he benefits from playing with those guys. But him being an above average starting defensive center and a guy who is a pretty good high post passer is a cog in the GS offensive machine on both ends of the floor.

 

[longislandcuse]

Bogut isn't overrated--he's a fine defensive player and a disruptive, physical guy. He just held his own with Dwight Howard last series.

Just because he plays with good players doesn't mean he's a bum. He's a former #1 draft pick.

Oh, he's definitely not a bum but if he played for Cleveland with Lebron, people would call him a bum. Mozgov is his equal imo but Mozgov is a bum, because, Lebron.

I think people are underrating Cleveland's players and overrating Golden State's. That's really what i'm trying to say and have said since this series was set. Golden State's role players are held in such high regard because Steph and Klay are ridiculous and we give Lebron all the credit in the world for making his teammates better but assume Golden State's aren't tremendously impacted by how great Steph/Klay in the backcourt driving that team are.

 

[RF2044]

Oh, he's definitely not a bum but if he played for Cleveland with Lebron, people would call him a bum. Mozgov is his equal imo but Mozgov is a bum, because, Lebron.

I think people are underrating Cleveland's players and overrating Golden State's. That's really what i'm trying to say and have said since this series was set. Golden State's role players are held in such high regard because Steph and Klay are ridiculous and we give Lebron all the credit in the world for making his teammates better but assume Golden State's aren't tremendously impacted by how great Steph/Klay in the backcourt driving that team are.

Ah--I see what you're saying. I need to fine tune my sarcasm detector.

Agree with that take, BTW--that's just part of the Lebron narrative.

 

[Cusefan0307]

I know a lot of casual fans only watch the finals, but Golden State was down 2-1 to Memphis in the second round and they looked worse in that series than they have in games 1 and 2.

 

[Knicks411]

I think Bogut is probably a better player than Mozgov, but it's not a huge difference.
Role players are always impacted by the star players around them, no question about that. But also kind of the fact that Golden State has 2 star players and the Cavs just have one also of says a lot.

Take Lebron off Cleveland and Steph off the Warriors; the Warriors are miles better than the Cavs,

 

[Fireball Jr.]

I think Bogut is probably a better player than Mozgov, but it's not a huge difference.
Role players are always impacted by the star players around them, no question about that. But also kind of the fact that Golden State has 2 star players and the Cavs just have one also of says a lot.

Take Lebron off Cleveland and Steph off the Warriors; the Warriors are miles better than the Cavs,

Eddie Johnson, whose 2 cents' are not necessarily any more valid than anyone elses' (although he did play in The Association for 17 years in the '80s and '90s), opines that the Cavs are a lottery team without LeBron.

We can debate strength of each teams' roster, but the Warriors have far more depth and able bodies than Cleveland does. The biggest issue with losing Love and Kyrie, aside from their talents, is how it affects the Cavs' depth.
http://da.radio.cbssports.com/2015/06/09/eddie-johnson-cavs-a-lottery-team-without-lebron/

 

[NineOneSeven]

Eddie Johnson, whose 2 cents' are not necessarily any more valid than anyone elses' (although he did play in The Association for 17 years in the '80s and '90s), opines that the Cavs are a lottery team without LeBron.

We can debate strength of each teams' roster, but the Warriors have far more depth and able bodies than Cleveland does. The biggest issue with losing Love and Kyrie, aside from their talents, is how it affects the Cavs' depth.
http://da.radio.cbssports.com/2015/06/09/eddie-johnson-cavs-a-lottery-team-without-lebron/

Yes, depth plays a big role.

But lebron is the best player in the world, overall, by far.

 

[Knicks411]

Eddie Johnson, whose 2 cents' are not necessarily any more valid than anyone elses' (although he did play in The Association for 17 years in the '80s and '90s), opines that the Cavs are a lottery team without LeBron.

We can debate strength of each teams' roster, but the Warriors have far more depth and able bodies than Cleveland does. The biggest issue with losing Love and Kyrie, aside from their talents, is how it affects the Cavs' depth.
http://da.radio.cbssports.com/2015/06/09/eddie-johnson-cavs-a-lottery-team-without-lebron/

I would imagine if you took Lebron off the current Cavs and had them play out a full season they would be a lotto team, even in the east.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I heard this morning that Mozgov owns Bogut, like it's a thing. Not just right now but always. Bogut is just another one of Golden State's overrated supporting cast players that everyone thinks is amazing because he along with Barnes and Green etc play off the best backcourt in the NBA.

Bogut made all-NBA third team. Mozgov will never come anywhere close to that.

 

[longislandcuse]

I would imagine if you took Lebron off the current Cavs and had them play out a full season they would be a lotto team, even in the east.

If you took Steph Curry off the Warriors, they would probably be a lotto team in the West. If you took the best player off most teams, they are a lotto team.

 

[Knicks411]

If you took Steph Curry off the Warriors, they would probably be a lotto team in the West. If you took the best player off most teams, they are a lotto team.

In the west I'd think they are for sure a lotto team just because of how loaded the conference was. I think they would finish over 500 though.
In the east I think they;d make the playoffs pretty easy. Look at the Nets roster.

 

[Fireball Jr.]

I admire the NBA's transparency in going public with reviews of refs' performances, although they should after the Tim Donaghy scandal. Whatta tough job, I'm impressed the refs didn't make more mistakes in crunch time of Game 2, although you'd think at least one of the six eyes would catch a player twice fouling an opponent on jump balls.

Interesting, probably all coincidental, but the road teams have won 11 of the 12 playoff games that one of the Game 2 refs, Scott Foster, has worked this year. Hope he's not working tonight.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-b...rtime-of-game-2--which-happens-180758229.html

 

[NineOneSeven]

It's comical that the league admits to missed foul calls but not a peep about travels.

Fact-lebron was fouled multiple times down the stretch. Fact- lebron gets away with so many walks, including on the iguodala baseline hack. I understand that travels often go uncalled in the NBA but come on. Both of them are part of the game.

And as I've already said, mozgov is a dradel down low.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

It's comical that the league admits to missed foul calls but not a peep about travels.

Fact-lebron was fouled multiple times down the stretch. Fact- lebron gets away with so many walks, including on the iguodala baseline hack. I understand that travels often go uncalled in the NBA but come on. Both of them are part of the game.

And as I've already said, mozgov is a dradel down low.

Are you suggesting Mozgov uses orthodox big man moves?

 

[Fireball Jr.]

It's comical that the league admits to missed foul calls but not a peep about travels.

Fact-lebron was fouled multiple times down the stretch. Fact- lebron gets away with so many walks, including on the iguodala baseline hack. I understand that travels often go uncalled in the NBA but come on. Both of them are part of the game.

And as I've already said, mozgov is a dradel down low.

The report on Sunday's refs mentions the missed LBJ travel before the missed foul.

 

[Fireball Jr.]

Pretty good swing in the betting lines last two days, Cavs opened a 1-, 1 1/2-point favorite after Sunday night's game, now, as game-time approaches, the Cavs are around a 2-point 'dog.

 

[longislandcuse]

Warriors owner Joe Lacob chartered a flight and bought tickets so every single full time employee of Golden State is at Game 3.

 

[longislandcuse]

Ok, Lebron just bowed down to Jim Brown.

Respect.

 

[NineOneSeven]

Van gundy and jackson ripping the unretiring of 44