It's showtime -- let the (NBA) games begin!

[jordoo]

I think that the Cavs are a good team and will play with pride early on but that the Warriors will play loose with no pressure and by the end of the third quarter the Cavs will realize its not going to happen.

That said I'd like to see a game like Wednesday where it comes down to the end. It wouldn't hurt my feeling to see this thing go back to California.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I would think getting out of Utah would appeal to Hayward.

The way it works, it never super appeals to guys, and then they get there and they're surprised that they like it a lot more than they thought.

 

[OrangeDW]

Cavs take game 4 right?

Right?

Warriors by 20.

 

[NineOneSeven]

Warriors by 20.

20?!

 

[KaiserUEO]

So what do/can the Cavs do?

Cleveland Cavaliers Team Payroll | Basketball-Reference.com

And for your convenience:

View attachment 99995

They have $50M next year earmarked for Thompson, J.R., Shumpert, and Frye. That's amazing. The NBA truly is where amazing happens.

They have no draft picks in 2017. They do have their picks for 2018, but as I understand it they can't trade their 1st rounder that year because their 2017 pick is dealt to Portland and their 2019 pick is likely to go to Atlanta, unless it falls in the top 10.

and the Knicks because of Carmelo's contract...cant sign anyone????? :bang::noidea::bang::noidea::bang::noidea::bang::noidea::bang::noidea::bang:

:crazy::crazy::crazy::crazy:

Oh Lord

 

[NineOneSeven]

I think that the Cavs are a good team and will play with pride early on but that the Warriors will play loose with no pressure and by the end of the third quarter the Cavs will realize its not going to happen.

That said I'd like to see a game like Wednesday where it comes down to the end. It wouldn't hurt my feeling to see this thing go back to California.

Golden St always plays loose. Part of the reason they lost last year. Even in these finals they have had a lot of bad turnovers.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Golden St always plays loose. Part of the reason they lost last year. Even in these finals they have had a lot of bad turnovers.

It's both beautiful and really stupid basketball at the same time.

 

[OrangeDW]

20?!

I have a feeling this one gets away from them as they lose some focus(because really...they aren't beating this GS team 4 times in a row) and it snowballs in a hurry.

GS is locked in and on a mission.

 

[Knicks411]

It's both beautiful and really stupid basketball at the same time.

As someone who is just watching the games; it's great. It results in some of the most ridiculous plays you're ever going to see. And also, some of the most ridiculous plays you're ever going to see.

 

[CuseFaninVT]

As someone who is just watching the games; it's great. It results in some of the most ridiculous plays you're ever going to see. And also, some of the most ridiculous plays you're ever going to see.

That's the perfect description.

 

[jordoo]

As someone who is just watching the games; it's great. It results in some of the most ridiculous plays you're ever going to see. And also, some of the most ridiculous plays you're ever going to see.

I am laughing because it has also caused one of the most ridiculously accurate posts I have read.

 

[Cusefan0307]

The only reason people think Cleveland has a chance tonight is because of Lebron. Personally I don't think Cleveland is any better than Utah and the Warriors beat them in 4. It's over tonight.

 

[CuseFaninVT]

I am laughing because it has also caused one of the most ridiculously accurate posts I have read.

The play where I think Steph inbounded the ball, missed his intended target, ended up in KD's hands, broke Bron's ankle, dunk is a perfect example. The pass was so fundamentally bad, there should have been a steal, not a highlight for the ages.

 

[NineOneSeven]

As someone who is just watching the games; it's great. It results in some of the most ridiculous plays you're ever going to see. And also, some of the most ridiculous plays you're ever going to see.

Fastbreak for curry with Durant ahead of a defender by 2 steps at the foul line and he pulls up and nails a 3

I mean...

 

[Knicks411]

Fastbreak for curry with Durant ahead of a defender by 2 steps at the foul line and he pulls up and nails a 3

I mean...

That was pretty amazing. Takes some balls to do that.

Sure, you can argue Durant was in position for the offensive board should he miss, but still

 

[Alsacs]

The only reason people think Cleveland has a chance tonight is because of Lebron. Personally I don't think Cleveland is any better than Utah and the Warriors beat them in 4. It's over tonight.

Really?
I don't think the Jazz are better than the Celtics or Clippers healthy.

Cleveland is a bad matchup because they play like Golden State but with inferior talent.

I think Boston would matchup a lot better with Golden State than Cleveland because of Cleveland's bigs and LeBron.

They wouldn't beat Golden State but I think their perimeter players would matchup better. GS in 5 if they play Boston just because of personnel.

 

[Alsacs]

Boston would have Isaiah on Curry, Bradley on Thompson, Crowder on Durant, Horford on Green.

Would have Smart on the bench. It's just a better matchup than LeBron abusing them and Love/Thompson owning the glass.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Really?
I don't think the Jazz are better than the Celtics or Clippers healthy.

Cleveland is a bad matchup because they play like Golden State but with inferior talent.

I think Boston would matchup a lot better with Golden State than Cleveland because of Cleveland's bigs and LeBron.

They wouldn't beat Golden State but I think their perimeter players would matchup better. GS in 5 if they play Boston just because of personnel.

The analytics on NBA reference actually think Utah is better. I think Cleveland is better offensively, but Utah is clearly better defensively. Take out the Lebron factor and there's no difference IMO.

 

[CuseFaninVT]

That was pretty amazing. Takes some balls to do that.

Sure, you can argue Durant was in position for the offensive board should he miss, but still

That's a shooter's mentality. I loved that play. Especially at Cleveland. That three was deflating as hell. If they were home, I'd prefer the pass to KD for the dunk to get the crowd even more nuts. But KD doesn't rock the rim like LeBron, so the shot was the right play in that instance.

 

[Alsacs]

The analytics on NBA reference actually thing Utah is better. I think Cleveland is better offensively, but Utah is clearly better defensively. Take out the Lebron factor and there's no difference IMO.

Gobert is the best big defender by miles. He cleans up a lot. I don't think the rest of the Jazz are that great defensively.
If you took LeBron off Cleveland now I would definitely favor Utah with Hayward.

 

[Knicks411]

The analytics on NBA reference actually think Utah is better. I think Cleveland is better offensively, but Utah is clearly better defensively. Take out the Lebron factor and there's no difference IMO.

Those are relying on the regular season numbers, right? Cle def wasn't playing at max capacity during the season.

Obviously Lebron is the deciding factor though, but if Cle played Utah I'd pick Cle pretty easily

 

[Knicks411]

Gobert is the best big defender by miles. He cleans up a lot. I don't think the rest of the Jazz are that great defensively.
If you took LeBron off Cleveland now I would definitely favor Utah with Hayward.

Favors is pretty good, hill too. Gobert is obviously the anchor though

 

[Cusefan0307]

Those are relying on the regular season numbers, right? Cle def wasn't playing at max capacity during the season.

Obviously Lebron is the deciding factor though, but if Cle played Utah I'd pick Cle pretty easily

I'm not sure about that. I think it may go at least 6 games. I'm starting to think the east is hot garbage.

 

[Alsacs]

I'm not sure about that. I think it may go at least 6 games. I'm starting to think the east is hot garbage.

Utah-Boston I favor the Celtics.

The C's beat the Jazz twice this year including in Utah.

 

[Knicks411]

I'm not sure about that. I think it may go at least 6 games. I'm starting to think the east is hot garbage.

East is definitely pretty bad. I can't quibble between 5 or 6 games, but I wouldn't hesitate to pick the Cavs.