2016 NBA Champions:Cleveland Cavaliers

[stereoxide]

Not calling a clear foul then calling a technical on Kerr? Refs really want this series to go the distance.

[Andrew]

Strange calls both ways today. I guess the rules have now become more like guidelines.

Strong finish to the first half for the Cavs, but I'm not sure a five point cushion is going to be enough for the inevitable Warriors run. Curry's not exactly taking over the game any more than LeBron is, but he's already knocking down shots he was missing in Game 3. I still feel like this one is going to slip away from the Cavs, one way or another.

[atlwarrior]

Yeah the warriors are in a comfortable position

[Sauru]

i would say that the fans of both teams will complain about this one and they are both right. the refs have been shit going both ways

[Andrew]

Absolutely. Can't believe they gave the Warriors possession when Iggy clearly threw it out of bounds right in front of the referee. Lot of contact at both ends that each team can be rightfully miffed about, too.

[Andrew]

Cavs have lost this one, surely.

[Sauru]

that 3 just ended this series

[Sauru]

honest question. did kyrie irving forget that he is the point guard?

[Andrew]

I think the Cavs forgot that there's 48 minutes in a game.

Summing up Cleveland's second half in the most sportscaster-y way, courtesy of Family Guy.

phpBB [video]

[Andrew]

Not that it really matters, I suppose, but the stats padding at the end when the game was well-decided is something I always find to be particularly ugly. I mean, was there money on Curry scoring 40 points or something? Just dribble it out, those fouls are purely stat padding and delaying the inevitable.

[stereoxide]

Cavs prolonging the game scoring two point baskets then giving two freethrows to the Splash Bros. At least we got a competitive game for the most part of this game.

[atlwarrior]

Lebron padded stats as well. That 25 pts 11 rebs & 9 asts is not a true representation of how he really played. He looked as bad as he did in that Dallas series. Pure shit. Love was still making the same defensive mistakes he always does but Lue insisted on keeping him out there. There was even a stretch where he played center? What the hell are you doing get Thompson and Jefferson back out there? When he put them back in, it was already too late. As for Kyrie, he was the only thing poppin in Cleveland tonight in a Cavalier uniform. The Warriors played pretty much as good as you can play on the road. They kept the game close and never fell too far behind & stuck with it. They kept executing their offense and shots started falling. Damn near a perfect game. AND WE SAW A RARE SIGHTING FROM THE MVP!!! WELCOME BACK CURRY!

[air gordon]

Who the heck was calling the plays for Cleveland during the 12-0 run GSW was on? Iso play/perimeter shot one after the other

Cavs are cowards for passing up 3's in the final minute.

Greatness/legacy. Whatever you call it. Poor 4th qtr for James

[zz21]

#freekyrie #LetKyrieBeGreat

#ClevelandWillNotWinASportingEventInMyLifetime

[NovU]

I wanted to play 'I hate to say but I told you' card but Sauru probably will go KG mad and insult cancer patients. Damn... I need to keep him sane so I wont for the time being.





Why do people think Irving is the solution. He is part of the problem. He always has been overrated even well before LBJ's comeback to the city. Kid is fun to watch but that dont mean he's good. I told you this.

[Sauru]

irving has played like shit in these finals. its like he thinks he can win it all by himself. point guard is supposed to drive the offense, not stall it

[big-shot-ROB]

If Warriors win game 5, who ddo u think shoul be the MVP?

[Sauru]

good question. it seems like it could be anyones trophy still. i would say if steph plays big in game 5 he will be named the mvp though

[big-shot-ROB]

That's the main problem. The only players that have been consisten have been Barnes, Iggy and Livingston, but their numbers are not enough for an MVP. Curry didn't appear until Game 4 (In Game 1 and 3 he was disastrous). Game 5 is going to be the clue for who goes home with the award.

[Andrew]

I'd agree that a big game from Curry in Game 5 will probably wrap up Finals MVP, but it'll be one of the weaker Finals MVP performances overall. Aside from that, I'd have to say Draymond Green.

[CT4]

LOL the biggest fight now is for the finals MVP.This year in finals there hasn't been that one player.My guess is Curry.But Livingston has impressed me,won't be the MVP but I like how he is playing in Finals.

[air gordon]

I wanted to play 'I hate to say but I told you' card...Why do people think Irving is the solution. He is part of the problem

irving has played like shit in these finals. its like he thinks he can win it all by himself. point guard is supposed to drive the offense, not stall it

the cavs should have won this game

i am beginning to think Lue and ljames are the problem. Irving isn't a PG. he's a scorer and he's been doing that efficiently in the last 2 games. he's even playing some defense. james is hesitant. he gets into the lane with single coverage and he still passes out. he can play that bully ball card anytime he wants but he doesn't.

Strange calls both ways today. I guess the rules have now become more like guidelines..

isn't this 90's style of play your preference?

Finals MVP...it'll be one of the weaker Finals MVP performances overall...I'd have to say Draymond Green.

agreed with green as the mvp. weak? nahh.

[ThePointForward]

So... The Return vol 2.0?

[Sauru]

so once the cavs lose does lebron bolt or make them trade everyone away and re tool. i mean he pretty much hand picked this team, including the coach, so if he just bails it really makes him look like shit

[Andrew]

isn't this 90's style of play your preference?

90s style of play? What, missing layups left and right, shooting under 40% in the paint, and launching 60+ threes? Not exactly.

I have no problems with the physicality, but the officiating was oftentimes inconsistent, illogical, or just downright wrong. It didn't decide the game, but the officials looked pretty incompetent, and that's certainly not to my preference.

agreed with green as the mvp. weak? nahh.

Perhaps weak is too strong of a word (ironically), but I don't think his performance has been particularly impressive. He now leads the team in scoring after that 38 point game (a number that was inflated by the stats padding at the end), and is averaging five rebounds and 4.8 assists, but he's also averaging 4.5 turnovers, hasn't shot the ball particularly well (especially by his standards) for most of the series, and hasn't really played MVP basketball for three out of the four games. If not for the play of guys like Green, Livingston, and Iguodala, the series could well be tied 2-2, or even 3-1 in the Cavs' favour. He hasn't looked like himself for 75% of the series so far.

Compare it to the great performances we've seen in past NBA Finals series, and I don't think it's nearly as impressive. Assuming he has a fine game in Game 5, I think he's got a legitimate case to be the MVP of this series. However, three very lacklustre performances and two good ones, including two games where another player put the team on their back, is not a particularly strong Finals MVP performance. Extremely weak, or completely undeserving? I probably wouldn't go that far, depending on what happens in Game 5, but like I said, it would be one of the weaker Finals MVP performances overall, compared to what others have done.