And then there were two, the Cavs and Warriors

[BuffOrange]

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's so the opposite of that. MJ was the man. You can still put him #1 if you want and no reasonable person will get upset. Just admit you can put LBJ on any team in the East and they'd be in the finals. Listening to this gibberish about JR Smith and whatshisname being underrated is just comical.

 

[BuffOrange]

Big fan of Kyrie after the other night. How many dudes blow up their kneecap & pretend they're not hurt until they think there's not a camera on them? Total antithesis of wheelchair Pierce and all the other drama queens in that league.

 

[Cusefan0307]

I'm not a huge Lebron fan, but he's better than MJ at everything besides scoring and I don't think it's really close.

 

[MikeSU02]

I'm not a huge Lebron fan, but he's better than MJ at everything besides scoring and I don't think it's really close.

MJ's defense was better, I would argue. I would actually say his defense was much better than Bron's, even at Bron's apex. Bron is great here and there, and his ability to chase down a breakaway is unparalleled, but he doesn't have the always-on ferociousness that MJ had.

With that said, I also think MJ is the GOAT. But I am happy to put Bron in the top five all time. What he does is just insane. His biggest issue, to me, is trying to be GM / coach, as well as a player.

But when you are averaging what he is averaging in this series, I'm happy to sit back and enjoy what he does. I'm rooting for GSW, but if you are a true basketball fan, I don't see how you can't appreciate and recognize just how great he is (like you are saying).

 

[Knicks411]

MJ's defense was better, I would argue. I would actually say his defense was much better than Bron's, even at Bron's apex. Bron is great here and there, and his ability to chase down a breakaway is unparalleled, but he doesn't have the always-on ferociousness that MJ had.

With that said, I also think MJ is the GOAT. But I am happy to put Bron in the top five all time. What he does is just insane. His biggest issue, to me, is trying to be GM / coach, as well as a player.

But when you are averaging what he is averaging in this series, I'm happy to sit back and enjoy what he does. I'm rooting for GSW, but if you are a true basketball fan, I don't see how you can't appreciate and recognize just how great he is (like you are saying).

I was thinking defense. Lebron is probably more of a versatile defender; he was checking Tony Parker in the finals. I also think MJ benefited from having Pippen around, Pippen is one of the great defenders of all time, and was more versatile than MJ. Not that I'm tryign to take anythign away from MJ's defense, i think maybe one on one vs the other teams 2 guard he was probably better than Lebron

 

[MikeSU02]

I was thinking defense. Lebron is probably more of a versatile defender; he was checking Tony Parker in the finals. I also think MJ benefited from having Pippen around, Pippen is one of the great defenders of all time, and was more versatile than MJ. Not that I'm tryign to take anythign away from MJ's defense, i think maybe one on one vs the other teams 2 guard he was probably better than Lebron

I'm a huge Pippen fan. I don't think he gets nearly enough credit for how good he was.

I really wish there would be a 30 for 30 about Pippen. For real NBA fans, his greatness has never truly been appreciated, imo, to the extent it deserves.

 

[Knicks411]

I'm a huge Pippen fan. I don't think he gets nearly enough credit for how good he was.

I really wish there would be a 30 for 30 about Pippen. For real NBA fans, his greatness has never truly been appreciated, imo, to the extent it deserves.

The story int he dream team book about Pippen and MJ's reaction to playing Kukoc in the 92 Olympics is really quite something

 

[moqui]

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

and they are going to win it in 6 anyway, because they have best player on the planet and enough depth to overcome those very serious losses

 

[OttoinGrotto]

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.

I don't count San Antonio as a breakthrough because they're considered an institution.

I should clarify - I don't consider anyone in the East to be a legit breakthrough candidate. Maybe the Hawks. I just don't respect the path they go through to get their title shot.

 

[Cusefan0307]

and they are going to win it in 6 anyway, because they have best player on the planet and enough depth to overcome those very serious losses

Series never start until someone makes adjustments , and I expect Kerr makes adjustments like Pop did last year and Golden State recovers to win the series. I still think Lebron is awesome, but I don't see Cleveland holding Golden State to under 100 every night, and they will need to to win.

 

[longislandcuse]

It's so the opposite of that. MJ was the man. You can still put him #1 if you want and no reasonable person will get upset. Just admit you can put LBJ on any team in the East and they'd be in the finals. Listening to this gibberish about JR Smith and whatshisname being underrated is just comical.

Disagree completely. All I hear is about how it's Lebron and a bunch of bums which is not the case at all. He's carrying them and if you read through my posts, you'll see where I said winning this Championship would open the MJ/Lebron discussion imo, but we've got people trying to say David Lee would be Cleveland's 2nd best player on here.. I don't hate on his talent, I hate on him acting like a white girl in yoga pants who's bf cheated on her about 10x a game, but the reason people hate on his game is because people go so far overboard the other way acting like it's Lebron and the garbage pail kids.

 

[Knicks411]

Lee would not be the second best player on the Cavs, but the team the cavs have right now about Lebron is not good. It's pretty terrible for a team in the finals.

If you flipped Melo and Lebron then everyone here would be saying how can you expect Melo to compete with this supporting cast.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Disagree completely. All I hear is about how it's Lebron and a bunch of bums which is not the case at all. He's carrying them and if you read through my posts, you'll see where I said winning this Championship would open the MJ/Lebron discussion imo, but we've got people trying to say David Lee would be Cleveland's 2nd best player on here.. I don't hate on his talent, I hate on him acting like a white girl in yoga pants who's bf cheated on her about 10x a game, but the reason people hate on his game is because people go so far overboard the other way acting like it's Lebron and the garbage pail kids.

Speaking of Lee, I think Kerr should give him some run. He would of given more than Speights last night, and he could at least give Thompson a different look to rebound against.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Disagree completely. All I hear is about how it's Lebron and a bunch of bums which is not the case at all. He's carrying them and if you read through my posts, you'll see where I said winning this Championship would open the MJ/Lebron discussion imo, but we've got people trying to say David Lee would be Cleveland's 2nd best player on here.. I don't hate on his talent, I hate on him acting like a white girl in yoga pants who's bf cheated on her about 10x a game, but the reason people hate on his game is because people go so far overboard the other way acting like it's Lebron and the garbage pail kids.

I fully subscribe to Lebron and bums. Every single one of his healthy teammates is crap. Every single one of them. Love too, actually.

 

[moqui]

I don't see Cleveland holding Golden State to under 100 every night, and they will need to to win.

the Cavs have now played Golden State 3 times with Lebron in the lineup and held the Warriors under 100 in regulation in every one of them - 2 of them in the most difficult road environment in the Association.

evidence usually trumps hope.

 

[MikeSU02]

the Cavs have now played Golden State 3 times with Lebron in the lineup and held the Warriors under 100 in regulation in every one of them - 2 of them in the most difficult road environment in the Association.

evidence usually trumps hope.

I would agree with you if this weren't a seven game series, but I think the Cavs success is so dependent on LeBron, that if LeBron starts running out of steam, it is going to be an unsustainable effort. Blatt is running him so hard, that I can't see him keeping it up as long as necessary.

If he does, then hats off to him, because it will arguably be the greatest performance in the history of The Finals.

One note about the scoring, the Cavs are running down the clock quite a bit. Bron, when he brings the ball up the court, is barely getting over within the 8 second limit. It's a smart play, but it also is part of the reason the score was so low. The other part though was great D by the Cavs.

I think Golden State needs to make a big decision w/r/t trying to get Steph to break through against Delladova et al (Delly did an unreal job and has done an unreal job against very good players this post season) or allowing Klay to get some more shots. If Bron had the game Steph had, Skip Bayless would pass out on live TV from excitement.

 

[RF2044]

and they are going to win it in 6 anyway, because they have best player on the planet and enough depth to overcome those very serious losses

There was similar put-a-fork-in-it bravado from Lebron fans last year when Miami won game 2 in San Antonio. How'd the rest of the series turn out?

This is far from over. Kudos to the Cavs for an excellent defensive game plan both of the games thus far that GS has not yet been able to adjust to.

 

[MikeSU02]

Speaking of Lee, I think Kerr should give him some run. He would of given more than Speights last night, and he could at least give Thompson a different look to rebound against.

Lee has really fallen off a cliff. I like Lee, but his shot is gone, he can't play any defense and he doesn't fit their offense. I understand the need to try something when your chips are down, but there is too much other talent on the team, imo, to go to Lee.

 

[Cusefan0307]

the Cavs have now played Golden State 3 times with Lebron in the lineup and held the Warriors under 100 in regulation in every one of them - 2 of them in the most difficult road environment in the Association.

evidence usually trumps hope.

I'm not hoping, I'm going off NBA finals history and I'm not putting much stock in a game with Irving and Love from February. San Antonio was an air conditioner away from being down 2-0 last year, and then blew Miami out three times. Golden State will have to be the team to adjust, and I expect they will. The good part is we will see who is right next week.

 

[Knicks411]

I still like the Warriors to win, but I'm betting Cleveland gets one of the two at home, so it'll be going at least six i guess. I think one of the next 2 Golden State knocks down some shots and wins going away though

 

[moqui]

There was similar bravado from Lebron fans last year when Miami won game 2 in San Antonio. How'd the rest of the series turn out?

This is far from over. Kudos to the Cavs for an excellent defensive game plan both of the games thus far that GS has not yet been able to adjust to.

Bravado? I called Cavs in 6 two weeks ago because right now I think they are playing better; nothing has occurred to make me change that & a split at Oracle was what I was looking for.

 

[NineOneSeven]

GSW was down 2-1 to Memphis.

Remember that?

 

[longislandcuse]

Lee would not be the second best player on the Cavs, but the team the cavs have right now about Lebron is not good. It's pretty terrible for a team in the finals.

If you flipped Melo and Lebron then everyone here would be saying how can you expect Melo to compete with this supporting cast.

True, that's why Lebron is Lebron and Melo is Melo. Melo doesn't have the ability to be Magic Johnson in a PF body. We talk about how Golden State's pieces fit together for who they have. I think Cleveland has some talent and that talent compliments Lebron. Great Defense. Great Rebounding. Three point shooters everywhere. They don't have a post up player or playmaker but Lebron can be both. Golden State is in a huge disadvantage because they can't rebound and go, they have to gang rebound and then go against Cleveland's set defense. This keeps the score low and gives Cleveland a chance. Lebron is great but the narrative about his teammates is obnoxious. This isn't the Knicks with Langston Galloway as your second best scorer and Jason Smith/Cole Aldrich beasting in the post.

 

[MikeSU02]

GSW was down 2-1 to Memphis.

Remember that?

I think GSW is going to win.

But you can't compare any other team to one that has Bron on it. Dude is averaging a 41.5 / 12 / 8.5. Those are video game numbers. Or, to put it another way, he's having arguably the greatest finals ever through two games.

 

[longislandcuse]

Anyone think Curry is battling an undisclosed inury from his fall against Memphis? His playoff numbers before and after are night and day so far.