And then there were two, the Cavs and Warriors

[cuseattle]

Holy Cow! Cavs steal the win on the road. This is getting interesting.

 

[longislandcuse]

Respect for Cleveland. That was an absolute dogfight.

 

[CuseFaninVT]

Respect for Cleveland. That was an absolute dogfight.

And I have to say, it was interesting to see LeBron not get the calls at the end of the game.

Curry had a terrible game and they almost got away with it, but if that happens in Cleveland they lose by 15.

 

[NineOneSeven]

Wild game.

Props to cleveland. Big win. Plenty of series left.

So many close plays late, that's why basketball is so frustrating at times. If iggy saves the ball to curry late off the green block, Warriors likely win.

Warriors were also down 2-1 to Memphis.

 

[Fireball Jr.]

Respect for Cleveland. That was an absolute dogfight.

It's Matthew Dellavedova's team now!

Warriors could easily be going to Cleveland down 0-2. I don't wanna get too giddy, but, like Jake and Elwood, I sense LeBron, et al., are on a mission from God.

And this was the best, most spine-tingling Anthem I've heard since 1969. Carlos' wife on drums was a great touch.

 

[longislandcuse]

Dang, Curry can't have a bad game ever huh? Dude is always on point, has one bad game and everyone freakin out on him.

Also, Draymond Green is sooooo overrated. Knicks better not even entertain the thought of throwin a max at him.

 

[General20]

Ive got to say it. The last two games by LeBron were the two greatest games any basketball player has ever played. Period.

I know statistically they don't measure up to the greatest games ever, but he single handedly played the best team in the league to two draws on their own home court despite the fact that:

1) They are the best defensive team in basketball (and statistically one of the best defensive teams in the history of basketball).
2) They have 5 guys well suited to guard him, and they were able to throw 2 and often times 3 of them at him at once without having to worry much about his teammates hitting open shots.
3) They were able to hack him relentlessly without getting called for it.
4) Golden State has one of the best coaches in the league and Cleveland has the worst.

Nobody has ever, ever, ever been able to win with all that going against them.

At times JR Smith looked like he was actively trying to lose the game.

Golden State is holding 2 time all star David Lee (once just 2 years ago I think he was 3rd team all NBA) at the end of their bench, because they are so good they dont have room for him. He would be the second best player on Cleveland right now.

I'm too lazy to look it up, but I believe LeBron accounted for something like 70 of his teams 95 points in this last game with points and assists. And that doesn't count hockey assists where the guy is only open because three guys were covering LeBron, if you count those he probably accounted for about 85 of the 95.

In game 1 LeBron played the greatest game of basketball that has ever been played.

In game 2 he topped it.

I hope to god everybody is appreciating what they are seeing. One guy beating an all-time great team with hardly any strategy, no play calls to speak of (other than iso), no help from teammates, no calls from officials.

 

[longislandcuse]

Ive got to say it. The last two games by LeBron were the two greatest games any basketball player has ever played. Period.

I know statistically they don't measure up to the greatest games ever, but he single handedly played the best team in the league to two draws on their own home court despite the fact that:

1) They are the best defensive team in basketball (and statistically one of the best defensive teams in the history of basketball).
2) They have 5 guys well suited to guard him, and they were able to throw 2 and often times 3 of them at him at once without having to worry much about his teammates hitting open shots.
3) They were able to hack him relentlessly without getting called for it.
4) Golden State has one of the best coaches in the league and Cleveland has the worst.

Nobody has ever, ever, ever been able to win with all that going against them.

At times JR Smith looked like he was actively trying to lose the game.

Golden State is holding 2 time all star David Lee (once just 2 years ago I think he was 3rd team all NBA) at the end of their bench, because they are so good they dont have room for him. He would be the second best player on Cleveland right now.

I'm too lazy to look it up, but I believe LeBron accounted for something like 70 of his teams 95 points in this last game with points and assists. And that doesn't count hockey assists where the guy is only open because three guys were covering LeBron, if you count those he probably accounted for about 85 of the 95.

In game 1 LeBron played the greatest game of basketball that has ever been played.

In game 2 he topped it.

I hope to god everybody is appreciating what they are seeing. One guy beating an all-time great team with hardly any strategy, no play calls to speak of (other than iso), no help from teammates, no calls from officials.

Whoa... He's been awesome but... Whoa.

Did Fireball bodysnatch you?

 

[rrlbees]

Ive got to say it. The last two games by LeBron were the two greatest games any basketball player has ever played. Period. I know statistically they don't measure up to the greatest games ever, but he single handedly played the best team in the league to two draws on their own home court despite the fact that: 1) They are the best defensive team in basketball (and statistically one of the best defensive teams in the history of basketball). 2) They have 5 guys well suited to guard him, and they were able to throw 2 and often times 3 of them at him at once without having to worry much about his teammates hitting open shots. 3) They were able to hack him relentlessly without getting called for it. 4) Golden State has one of the best coaches in the league and Cleveland has the worst. Nobody has ever, ever, ever been able to win with all that going against them. At times JR Smith looked like he was actively trying to lose the game. Golden State is holding 2 time all star David Lee (once just 2 years ago I think he was 3rd team all NBA) at the end of their bench, because they are so good they dont have room for him. He would be the second best player on Cleveland right now. I'm too lazy to look it up, but I believe LeBron accounted for something like 70 of his teams 95 points in this last game with points and assists. And that doesn't count hockey assists where the guy is only open because three guys were covering LeBron, if you count those he probably accounted for about 85 of the 95. In game 1 LeBron played the greatest game of basketball that has ever been played. In game 2 he topped it. I hope to god everybody is appreciating what they are seeing. One guy beating an all-time great team with hardly any strategy, no play calls to speak of (other than iso), no help from teammates, no calls from officials.

I know you said stats aside, but the best game ever can't include 11-34.

 

[General20]

I know you said stats aside, but the best game ever can't include 11-34.

In my opinion it did.

Every NBA GM will tell you that as usage goes up, efficiency goes down. We all consider GMac to be a great shooter, even though his shooting percentage was poor. Its because we know his usage had to be high because we didn't have any other 3 point shooters, and opposing teams knew it was coming.

In LeBron's case it wasn't just usage. Everybody in the arena knew what was going to happen on every play, and Golden State has Green, Barnes, Thompson, Igudala, and Livingston who are all among the best in the league at stopping it. There is no way to shoot efficiently under those circumstances. LeBron is the only player in league history who could have still dragged his team to a win, and he could only do it with a legendary performance that was in my opinion the best there has ever been.

 

[longislandcuse]

David Lee would not be the second best player on Cleveland. He wouldn't even start over Thompson and Mozgov and would be lucky to get spot minutes with how Cleveland goes small when one of their starters rests.

Even without Kyrie and Love, Cleveland has good players and I don't care what Golden State's defensive rankings were coming into the Playoffs... Cleveland, while losing firepower, replaced Love and Irving with defense, toughness and rebounding. Cleveland is the best defensive team in the league with this current team.

Lebron has been awesome but everything else you said is assuming Golden State is all time great and Lebron has a bunch of D-League players. Neither is the case.

 

[General20]

David Lee would not be the second best player on Cleveland. He wouldn't even start over Thompson and Mozgov and would be lucky to get spot minutes with how Cleveland goes small when one of their starters rests.

Even without Kyrie and Love, Cleveland has good players and I don't care what Golden State's defensive rankings were coming into the Playoffs... Cleveland, while losing firepower, replaced Love and Irving with defense, toughness and rebounding. Cleveland is the best defensive team in the league with this current team.

Lebron has been awesome but everything else you said is assuming Golden State is all time great and Lebron has a bunch of D-League players. Neither is the case.

Golden State is the best defensive team in the league by a wide margin. The stats prove that out. Your talk about Cleveland being a better defensive team is hyperbole.

I would never say LeBron is playing with D league players, but he is playing with poor NBA players. David Lee would average 20 a game and be an all star if he had the advantage of playing with LeBron. Remember what Thompson and Mosgov looked like before LeBron? Neither are better than Lee. Neither are even close.

Bottom line, there is not a single player on Cleveland that could play (even off the bench) on Golden State. Part of it is style. Golden State only has room for one big defensive center and Bogout has that role (he's better that Mosgov). Thompson could never play on Golden State because he can't handle the ball, he can't shot, and he can't pass. He'd what they do best.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Ive got to say it. The last two games by LeBron were the two greatest games any basketball player has ever played. Period.

I know statistically they don't measure up to the greatest games ever, but he single handedly played the best team in the league to two draws on their own home court despite the fact that:

1) They are the best defensive team in basketball (and statistically one of the best defensive teams in the history of basketball).
2) They have 5 guys well suited to guard him, and they were able to throw 2 and often times 3 of them at him at once without having to worry much about his teammates hitting open shots.
3) They were able to hack him relentlessly without getting called for it.
4) Golden State has one of the best coaches in the league and Cleveland has the worst.

Nobody has ever, ever, ever been able to win with all that going against them.

At times JR Smith looked like he was actively trying to lose the game.

Golden State is holding 2 time all star David Lee (once just 2 years ago I think he was 3rd team all NBA) at the end of their bench, because they are so good they dont have room for him. He would be the second best player on Cleveland right now.

I'm too lazy to look it up, but I believe LeBron accounted for something like 70 of his teams 95 points in this last game with points and assists. And that doesn't count hockey assists where the guy is only open because three guys were covering LeBron, if you count those he probably accounted for about 85 of the 95.

In game 1 LeBron played the greatest game of basketball that has ever been played.

In game 2 he topped it.

I hope to god everybody is appreciating what they are seeing. One guy beating an all-time great team with hardly any strategy, no play calls to speak of (other than iso), no help from teammates, no calls from officials.

Actually, I think it's the worst possible thing that can happen in the NBA. Golden State is a team. Cleveland is a Hail Mary and went and ugged it up because that's really the only way they have a shot. It's pathetic.

We need one of these well constructed teams to break through. There's got to be more to basketball than just having someone awesome and you can get away with a crap coach, limited roster, no plays, reliance on whistles and pushing the limits on defense, emerge from the East and only play one real team in the finals, etc.

Jordan was awesome, but the NBA sucked afterwards because the league learned the wrong lesson - yeah, Jordan was phenomenal but the Bulls knew what to surround him with and were successful putting a team around him, and the proof is that they did it more than once. After that, everyone wanted to get their designated star and have them dominate the ball and it produced a putrid brand of basketball. I'd like to think the league is smarter now, but so many teams sell out and tank in order to luck in to getting a superstar through the draft instead of just trying to build a team to compete that I wonder.

I'm not worried though. Golden State is going to win this. Curry isn't going to shoot so poorly again. But I am annoyed, because this is so predictable. Cleveland tried to hang, couldn't, got desperate and pulled one out. The fans will talk themselves in to it meaning more than it does. Fun for everybody.

 

[General20]

Actually, I think it's the worst possible thing that can happen in the NBA. Golden State is a team. Cleveland is a Hail Mary and went and ugged it up because that's really the only way they have a shot. It's pathetic.

We need one of these well constructed teams to break through. There's got to be more to basketball than just having someone awesome and you can get away with a crap coach, limited roster, no plays, reliance on whistles and pushing the limits on defense, emerge from the East and only play one real team in the finals, etc.

Jordan was awesome, but the NBA sucked afterwards because the league learned the wrong lesson - yeah, Jordan was phenomenal but the Bulls knew what to surround him with and were successful putting a team around him, and the proof is that they did it more than once. After that, everyone wanted to get their designated star and have them dominate the ball and it produced a putrid brand of basketball. I'd like to think the league is smarter now, but so many teams sell out and tank in order to luck in to getting a superstar through the draft instead of just trying to build a team to compete that I wonder.

I'm not worried though. Golden State is going to win this. Curry isn't going to shoot so poorly again. But I am annoyed, because this is so predictable. Cleveland tried to hang, couldn't, got desperate and pulled one out. The fans will talk themselves in to it meaning more than it does. Fun for everybody.

I agree. I don't think Cleveland has any chance of winning the series. That's why I'm so impressed with what LeBron did in the first two games. He all but accomplished the impossible.

Golden State will be a worthy champion by the way, and one of the best teams in history.

 

[HakAttack]

LeBron is going to average like 50 points as they get swept

LMAO!

 

[Knicks411]

Actually, I think it's the worst possible thing that can happen in the NBA. Golden State is a team. Cleveland is a Hail Mary and went and ugged it up because that's really the only way they have a shot. It's pathetic.

We need one of these well constructed teams to break through. There's got to be more to basketball than just having someone awesome and you can get away with a crap coach, limited roster, no plays, reliance on whistles and pushing the limits on defense, emerge from the East and only play one real team in the finals, etc.

I would say we had one of those teams "break through" in the finals last year. And the 2012 and 2013 Heat don't really sound like that at all either. The 2015 Cavs? Sure. But I'd also point out Golden State plays a very physical game, if for no other reason than they start Andrew Bogut. Draymond Green too; the guy fouled on both jump balls he took in OT.

 

[TinyManInside]

Actually, I think it's the worst possible thing that can happen in the NBA. Golden State is a team. Cleveland is a Hail Mary and went and ugged it up because that's really the only way they have a shot. It's pathetic.

We need one of these well constructed teams to break through. There's got to be more to basketball than just having someone awesome and you can get away with a crap coach, limited roster, no plays, reliance on whistles and pushing the limits on defense, emerge from the East and only play one real team in the finals, etc.

Jordan was awesome, but the NBA sucked afterwards because the league learned the wrong lesson - yeah, Jordan was phenomenal but the Bulls knew what to surround him with and were successful putting a team around him, and the proof is that they did it more than once. After that, everyone wanted to get their designated star and have them dominate the ball and it produced a putrid brand of basketball. I'd like to think the league is smarter now, but so many teams sell out and tank in order to luck in to getting a superstar through the draft instead of just trying to build a team to compete that I wonder.

I'm not worried though. Golden State is going to win this. Curry isn't going to shoot so poorly again. But I am annoyed, because this is so predictable. Cleveland tried to hang, couldn't, got desperate and pulled one out. The fans will talk themselves in to it meaning more than it does. Fun for everybody.

Cleveland HAD a very well constructed team that would have won this series in 5 games if Kyrie and Kevin were 100%.

 

[longislandcuse]

Golden State is the best defensive team in the league by a wide margin. The stats prove that out. Your talk about Cleveland being a better defensive team is hyperbole.

I would never say LeBron is playing with D league players, but he is playing with poor NBA players. David Lee would average 20 a game and be an all star if he had the advantage of playing with LeBron. Remember what Thompson and Mosgov looked like before LeBron? Neither are better than Lee. Neither are even close.

Bottom line, there is not a single player on Cleveland that could play (even off the bench) on Golden State. Part of it is style. Golden State only has room for one big defensive center and Bogout has that role (he's better that Mosgov). Thompson could never play on Golden State because he can't handle the ball, he can't shot, and he can't pass. He'd what they do best.

This type of talk is why there are so many Lebron haters. It's just too over the top for what is already an all time great player, we don't need to make up reasons why he's even greater.

It may be hyperbole, but it's true. Ask any analysts about the defense Cleveland has played since Love went down.

This is who Tristan Thompson is. He's scored like 4 points in the 2 Finals Games.. He's great defensively and elite at rebounding. He's done that with and without Lebron. Cleveland will be giving Thompson the max and if they don't someone else will. Bums don't get maxed out.

Mozgov is good. I don't understand why people keep saying this. Cleveland gave up a 1st round pick for him. You don't need to trade 1st round picks for bums.

When's the last time you say David Lee play? I think you're going off your memory of David Lee. If he's so good then why are Mareese Speights and Festus Ezeli playing over him? Neither of those guys are anything beyond mediocre.

It's basically Lebron, some junkyard dogs and 3 point shooting. That can beat Golden State if they don't get their act together. Also, while I hate on Lebron for whining 24/7 and being the most dramatic person ever, I will say that if he leads Cleveland to a Championship, it's time to start talking about him and Jordan together. Jordan is still the greatest but Lebron can legitimately make anyone question that.

 

[longislandcuse]

I would say we had one of those teams "break through" in the finals last year. And the 2012 and 2013 Heat don't really sound like that at all either. The 2015 Cavs? Sure. But I'd also point out Golden State plays a very physical game, if for no other reason than they start Andrew Bogut. Draymond Green too; the guy fouled on both jump balls he took in OT.

Draymond Green is so overrated. I will lose my mind if the Knicks even entertain the thought of maxing him out.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Cleveland HAD a very well constructed team that would have won this series in 5 games if Kyrie and Kevin were 100%.

I disagree with that. They did a nice job of retooling on the fly, but that isn't the same as having a well built team. Plus, where is would have won in 5 coming from? That's a huge leap.

 

[Knicks411]

Draymond Green is so overrated. I will lose my mind if the Knicks even entertain the thought of maxing him out.

I think Green is awesome, and he's going to be a bargain at whatever his max is going to be. Knicks aren't going to have a chance at him, the Warriors are gonna lock him up, or match whatever he gets offered.

 

[longislandcuse]

I think Green is awesome, and he's going to be a bargain at whatever his max is going to be. Knicks aren't going to have a chance at him, the Warriors are gonna lock him up, or match whatever he gets offered.

Not a fan. I think he's a product of that team and having some strange effect on the media that causes them to hype him up.

 

[Knicks411]

Not a fan. I think he's a product of that team and having some strange effect on the media that causes them to hype him up.

I think he is a perfect fit for that team, but since he isn't going anywhere, that's fine. He's not a one on one scorer, but he pretty much is great at everything else.

Also his max is gonna be like $16 million, considering where the cap is going, that's just not a lot of money at all.

 

[MikeSU02]

I think he is a perfect fit for that team, but since he isn't going anywhere, that's fine. He's not a one on one scorer, but he pretty much is great at everything else.

Also his max is gonna be like $16 million, considering where the cap is going, that's just not a lot of money at all.

Draymond is great... on Golden State.

People discount how important quality organizations are to getting the most out of people. You put a hotheaded, undersized Draymond on a dysfunctional organization in a different system and I'll bet you his worth goes WAY down.

The Spurs, GSW and a handful of others are well run from top to bottom. It's like anything else in the business world. These orgs have the right people, systems and structures in place for success.

I like Draymond as a player, he has a lot of tools. But I love him on the GSW in his role. You put him on most other teams and I bet you see much less productivity coming from him.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Not a fan. I think he's a product of that team and having some strange effect on the media that causes them to hype him up.

His shot has dissappeared in the playoffs, but he's still averaging 13 and 10 and 5 for the entire playoff with a 95D rating. What do you expect out your third best player? If Golden State wins last night everyone is talking about him blocking lebron at the rim as the play of the game...I will admit this is probably not a great series for him matchup wise.