And then there were two, the Cavs and Warriors

[RF2044]

The answer is yes and no. More no than yes. The curl off the screen and let it rip...yep. Early in the shot clock...yep. But they usually get into their offense much more quickly. That's why I keep saying yeah, the W's played poorly, but I have seen them play poorly on nights when they just didn't play well. This was the Cavs making them play poorly.

#1 in Assists per game at 26.9.
#1 in shooting %
#1 in TS%
#1 in FG%

Basically...they move the ball incredibly well, they make the extra pass, and they knock down open shots. Steph opens up a lot of that with his ability as a playmaker (threat of shooting off the dribble) and the Cavs took them out of that.

44cuse

In other words, the Warriors had a historically efficient and potent offensive season. In the first two games of the finals, Cleveland has disrupted that and taken them out of their game. GS needs to get back on track if they are to win the series.

44cuse--any sense that the moment might be too big for Kerr? He doesn't seem to have any answers--yet.

 

[Cusefan0307]

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).

Jordan left the bulls in 93 and they still won 55 games while taking the Knicks to 7 games. If it wasn't for a controversial call on a Hubert Davis three point attempt they may of made the finals four years in a row, once without Jordan. That team went from 57 to 55 wins when Jordan left.

Lebron left the Cavs the last time and they went from 60 wins to the lottery. He leaves the Heat and the same thing happens. Lebron has more affect on his team than MJ did.

 

[Cusefan0307]

In other words, the Warriors had a historically efficient and potent offensive season. In the first two games of the finals, Cleveland has disrupted that and taken them out of their game. GS needs to get back on track if they are to win the series.

44cuse--any sense that the moment might be too big for Kerr? He doesn't seem to have any answers--yet.

I think Kerr is the perfect NBA coach. He has taken the best from Phil and Pop and combined it. Adjustments in playoff series happen after game 2. If Golden State doesn't do things differently tonight then I will be concerned. The biggest thing Golden State needs to do is get back to passing the ball. Way too much overdribbling, especially by Curry so far early in this series.

 

[Fireball Jr.]

Jordan left the bulls in 93 and they still won 55 games while taking the Knicks to 7 games. If it wasn't for a controversial call on a Hubert Davis three point attempt they may of made the finals four years in a row, once without Jordan. That team went from 57 to 55 wins when Jordan left.

Lebron left the Cavs the last time and they went from 60 wins to the lottery. He leaves the Heat and the same thing happens. Lebron has more affect on his team than MJ did.

LeBron has taken a lottery team -- that's what the Cavs are without Irving and Love, arguably even with them -- to the NBA finals.

 

[RF2044]

I think Kerr is the perfect NBA coach. He has taken the best from Phil and Pop and combined it. Adjustments in playoff series happen after game 2. If Golden State doesn't do things differently tonight then I will be concerned. The biggest thing Golden State needs to do is get back to passing the ball. Way too much overdribbling, especially by Curry so far early in this series.

Could be, but playoff pressure is a different animal. He's a rookie coach. So far, I've been underwhelmed with the "adjustments" he's made.

He might have apprenticed under Pop and Phil, but that doesn't make him Pop or Phil.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Could be, but playoff pressure is a different animal. He's a rookie coach. So far, I've been underwhelmed with the "adjustments" he's made.

He might have apprenticed under Pop and Phil, but that doesn't make him Pop or Phil.

Couldn't you of said the same thing about Pop last year? The Spurs lost game 2 of the Finals after barely winning game one and came back and blew out Miami three straight games. Dallas was down 2-1 when they beat Miami in 2011 with Carlisle.

The NBA is totally different than college. While college coaches will often make tons of in game adjustments, in the NBA you usually see them after games in the series. Right now the score is tied after the first quarter.

Keep in mind as bad as Golden State looked the other night, if Curry just shoots his normal percentage they win by 22.

 

[NineOneSeven]

Could be, but playoff pressure is a different animal. He's a rookie coach. So far, I've been underwhelmed with the "adjustments" he's made.

He might have apprenticed under Pop and Phil, but that doesn't make him Pop or Phil.

The adjustments won them game 1.

 

[Fireball Jr.]

Could be, but playoff pressure is a different animal. He's a rookie coach. So far, I've been underwhelmed with the "adjustments" he's made.

He might have apprenticed under Pop and Phil, but that doesn't make him Pop or Phil.

I think Blatt deserves a lot more credit than he's getting (is he getting any?). What a season, what an adventure for a rookie NBA coach, albeit a 55-year-old with beaucoup experience overseas, so far from home and his wife and three kids. Cavs (gm David Griffin's idea?) did good bringing in Tyronn Lue to be Blatt's top assistant, Lue's done a great job with the defense. He's going to be a head coach very soon, hope the Cavs can hold on to him at least another season.

 

[Knicks411]

The adjustments won them game 1.

Pretty ballsy of him to not break out the super small lineup until the last 30 or so seconds of regulation.

Kerr would have looked a lot smarter if Steph made some jumpers he normally does

 

[Fireball Jr.]

Keep in mind as bad as Golden State looked the other night, if Curry just shoots his normal percentage they win by 22.

But he didn't. If, if, if.

And, remember, the first game was there for the Cavs' taking, one more free throw made in regulation and the Cavs are up 2-0 with Kyrie possibly still in the lineup.

 

[Knicks411]

But he didn't. If, if, if.

And, remember, the first game was there for the Cavs' taking, one more free throw made in regulation and the Cavs are up 2-0 with Kyrie possibly still in the lineup.

That's true, and the Cavs did play really strong defense, particularly Delly on Steph, but if you are relying on Steph to shoot 2-15 from 3 to win (and I'm not saying that's the only way the Cavs can win, but they barely won Game 2) then you aren't gonna beat GS too much

 

[Cusefan0307]

But he didn't. If, if, if.

And, remember, the first game was there for the Cavs' taking, one more free throw made in regulation and the Cavs are up 2-0 with Kyrie possibly still in the lineup.

It won't be spoken about nationally, but you can make an argument Cleveland is better off with Kyrie and Love hurt. This puts the ball in Lebron's hands more, and their replacements are better defensive players than they are.

If Love and Kyrie play who's to say this isn't an up and down run and gun series that plays right into Golden States hands.

I know he's not a board favorite, but I 100% agree with Colin Cowherd when he says never judge a playoff series after game 2. The first two games each team is feeling out the others strategy. Cleveland doesn't have many options to change their strategy going forward, it''s up to Kerr to get more ball movement in his offense, and I think you see a focused Steph tonight. Doesn't mean Cleveland won't win, I just think Golden State will play a lot better on Offense tonight.

 

[donniesyracuse]

Couldn't you of said the same thing about Pop last year?

You want to use the word "have" in these situations. You have made this mistake multiple times and it is driving me crazy. I know this post makes me an a$shole, but I am willing to shoulder that if it saves you from looking stupid in the future.

 

[Cusefan0307]

You want to use the word "have" in these situations. You have made this mistake multiple times and it is driving me crazy. I know this post makes me an a$shole, but I am willing to shoulder that if it saves you from looking stupid in the future.

Alright I'm stupid and we are on a message board. I'll make sure my grammar is awful next time just to annoy you. Sorry I'm at work and making arguments quickly while trying to get things done. Ignore me if you want.

Here you go...

http://www.thisiswhyimbroke.com/grammar-police-badge

 

[Knicks411]

It won't be spoken about nationally, but you can make an argument Cleveland is better off with Kyrie and Love hurt. This puts the ball in Lebron's hands more, and their replacements are better defensive players than they are.

If Love and Kyrie play who's to say this isn't an up and down run and gun series that plays right into Golden States hands.

Well Kyrie played game 1 and they nearly won and they were trying to slow the temp down. The Cleveland offense is just so stagnant without both of those guys, I don't think they're going to be able to score enough to win 3 of the next 5.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Jordan left the bulls in 93 and they still won 55 games while taking the Knicks to 7 games. If it wasn't for a controversial call on a Hubert Davis three point attempt they may of made the finals four years in a row, once without Jordan. That team went from 57 to 55 wins when Jordan left.

Lebron left the Cavs the last time and they went from 60 wins to the lottery. He leaves the Heat and the same thing happens. Lebron has more affect on his team than MJ did.

Is it that, or is it that Jordan had a better organization around him?

 

[Knicks411]

You can also look at what happened in 98 after Jordan (and Pippen, and Phil, etc) left.

The 94 Bulls still had a ton of talent, the comparison don't really hold. (Also the Hubert Davis play was in the second round, Bulls still would have needed to get by the Pacers to make the finals)

 

[NineOneSeven]

But he didn't. If, if, if.

And, remember, the first game was there for the Cavs' taking, one more free throw made in regulation and the Cavs are up 2-0 with Kyrie possibly still in the lineup.

If if if.

 

[longislandcuse]

Well Kyrie played game 1 and they nearly won and they were trying to slow the temp down. The Cleveland offense is just so stagnant without both of those guys, I don't think they're going to be able to score enough to win 3 of the next 5.

They don't need to score a lot if they play this defense. I think the level of defense they are playing gets overlooked since the narrative is all about Lebron offensively. Lebron isn't the only one playing defense, they have a bunch of above average to elite level defenders on that team. It's like playing Butler but with the best player in the world leading them.

 

[RF2044]

The adjustments won them game 1.

What adjustments? Have the Cavs stop scoring in OT?

Brilliant coaching by Kerr! ; )

 

[RF2044]

Couldn't you of said the same thing about Pop last year? The Spurs lost game 2 of the Finals after barely winning game one and came back and blew out Miami three straight games. Dallas was down 2-1 when they beat Miami in 2011 with Carlisle.

The NBA is totally different than college. While college coaches will often make tons of in game adjustments, in the NBA you usually see them after games in the series. Right now the score is tied after the first quarter.

Keep in mind as bad as Golden State looked the other night, if Curry just shoots his normal percentage they win by 22.

In no universe could you have said the same thing about Pop last year--who has coached a team to multiple championships, and was an experienced vet coaching a group of experienced vets who were the league's #1 team all season long and knew what it took to get it done in the playoffs.

It isn't just about losing a game--Kerr is a rookie coach. He's been there as a player, but has never coached in the playoffs before--let alone the finals. I'm not saying that he isn't a good coach or won't be a great coach, but do I think it's a factor in how his team is playing the first two games? Yeah.

 

[MikeSU02]

What adjustments? Have the Cavs stop scoring in OT?

Brilliant coaching by Kerr! ; )

Went small ball after not doing it all game. That was a huge gamble.

Kerr is a solid coach and a very good basketball mind.

With that said, no one should be comparing him to Pop. Pop is the best coach in the league, by far.

 

[Knicks411]

They don't need to score a lot if they play this defense. I think the level of defense they are playing gets overlooked since the narrative is all about Lebron offensively. Lebron isn't the only one playing defense, they have a bunch of above average to elite level defenders on that team. It's like playing Butler but with the best player in the world leading them.

They have definitely played incredible defense, not just in the first 2 games of this series, but even in the rounds prior to that. (And Kyrie played in game 1 and made some great defensive plays)
But I don't think Golden State will continue to shoot 6-29 from 3 like they did in Game 2 and the Cavs will need a little mroe scoring to get over the hump.

 

[RF2044]

Went small ball after not doing it all game. That was a huge gamble.

Kerr is a solid coach and a very good basketball mind.

With that said, no one should be comparing him to Pop. Pop is the best coach in the league, by far.

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.

 

[MikeSU02]

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 drove that change, imo. We can agree to disagree.

Not trying to put any words into your moth re Kerr. I think everyone is on board with him being a solid coach.