2017 NBA Finals: Warriors vs. Cavs part 3

[air gordon]

ok ok back to the nba finals please, you old ladies!

man i hope it isn't like this until thursday

[[Q]]

So the warriors are 2 or 3 to 1 favorites. I think it should be a little closer than that right? Or did GS just dominate them in the regular season?

[Andrew]

They were 1-1 in the regular season, with Kyrie hitting the game-winner for a 109-108 victory in the first game, and the Warriors winning 126-91 in the second. Admittedly Love only played 16 minutes in that loss, J.R. Smith was out, and neither LeBron nor Kyrie had a great night shooting the ball. The Warriors have also swept their way through to the Finals with the largest average margin of victory, so it makes sense that they're favoured.

[NovU]

This series is about the BEST PLAYER ever vs BEST TEAM ever, period. If you can't see this as a fact, you obviously don't have PhD in ball science as I do.

Enjoy~

[volsey]

BEST PLAYER ever

LOL

BEST TEAM ever

LOL

How the fuck is the team with the highest player salary, defending champs, and current best player in the league so popularly viewed as the underdog?

[Sauru]

BEST PLAYER ever

LOL

BEST TEAM ever

LOL

How the fuck is the team with the highest player salary, defending champs, and current best player in the league so popularly viewed as the underdog?

KD

[Brave Sir Rubin]

The "The NBA is a sad joke" option was tempting though. I'm gonna make sure to stream these finals instead of watching them on TV in order to not give the NBA the ratings. This is bullshit and I want real fucking basketball.

I normally don't go for the joke options - even though I really like Lamrock's work in that regard - but on this occasion, that's what I cast my vote for. Obviously not everyone shares the same opinion and more power to anyone who's really enjoyed this season and Playoffs, but I've definitely felt disconnected and disillusioned with the NBA this year, so a bit of a snarky grumbling by way of that poll option felt cathartic.

A part of me accounts it to just getting old. Hell, I was like 12 and could barely speak English when I first started posting on these forums. At the same time though, I really do believe that this season and these playoffs have been complete garbage. By this point, even an amazing Cavs/Warriors series couldn't save it for me. A big part of me just wants a Warriors sweep and for this to just end. It's a sad era we live in, where only superteams can ever compete for a championship. Maybe Spurs with Paul could add another team to the field... but that's still not nearly enough.

[Andrew]

A part of me accounts it to just getting old. Hell, I was like 12 and could barely speak English when I first started posting on these forums. At the same time though, I really do believe that this season and these playoffs have been complete garbage. By this point, even an amazing Cavs/Warriors series couldn't save it for me. A big part of me just wants a Warriors sweep and for this to just end. It's a sad era we live in, where only superteams can ever compete for a championship. Maybe Spurs with Paul could add another team to the field... but that's still not nearly enough.

It's possible. I think most of us do get more critical as we get older, having more experience and points of reference to make comparisons and critiques. I definitely don't think it's just that, though. It's not like I haven't enjoyed anything since the 90s; I thought 2011 in particular was a classic season, and right up until the past couple of years or so, I was pretty much enjoying the season from start to finish. I'm feeling a bit disenchanted with the league right now and I do think there are valid criticisms we can make without being "haters", but that's not to say things can't change and or that I won't be able to rekindle my former enthusiasm and enjoyment. Not every season can be better than the last, so it is what it is. I know there are others who feel differently and that's fine too.

I'm going to tune into the Finals, and hopefully I enjoy it a little more than expected, given that I'm not exactly fond of either team. If not...well, you can't please everyone, and sometimes you're going to be in the contingent that's disappointed, be it sports, a TV show, a film, or video game. In that event, there's always next year, always another avenue to find enjoyment.

[Andrew]

Getting back to the Finals themselves...predictions for Game 1?

I feel the Warriors are going to make a statement, and open with a big win. Durant and Curry go off, Thompson struggles, Green flirts with a triple-double.

[air gordon]

I wouldn't put a bet on this game due to so much time off between the games

A well rested ljames should go off

I think one of Jefferson or shumpert has a good game.

[I Hate Mondays]

24 - 2 run for the Warriors in game 1. Jefferson puts his money were his mouth is. Warriors play with the reserves 6 minutes before the end of the game.

[[Q]]

I hope shumpert sticks his foot under kd on a jump shot and give em a taste of their own medicine

[air gordon]

If the Cavs win this series, how far up the echelon of all time greats does this push up James?!

That would be 2 times his team has defeated the nba's historically best team record wise in a 3 year span

[Lamrock]

Even though I think the Cavs will win the series, I too think the Warriors win big in game 1. Just a gut feeling.

[[Q]]

Even though I think the Cavs will win the series, I too think the Warriors win big in game 1. Just a gut feeling.

OR they spent too much time off and will come out flat.

If the Cavs win this series, how far up the echelon of all time greats does this push up James?!

That would be 2 times his team has defeated the nba's historically best team record wise in a 3 year span

Personally it would solidify him as one of the best of all time if not the best... too close to call, but most people would have the same arguments against it

[Andrew]

I'd say he's already top ten. I could see it solidifying him top five in popular opinion, if not higher. You've already got a lot of people ranking him #1, but I personally wouldn't put him ahead of MJ, Magic, Bird, Russell, Kareem, Wilt, or Big O.

[Sauru]

If the Cavs win this series, how far up the echelon of all time greats does this push up James?!

That would be 2 times his team has defeated the nba's historically best team record wise in a 3 year span

to me this would depend on how well james played and/or how bad the warriors played. i am still waiting for curry to show up in the finals. the warriors have made 3 in a row now but this might be currys first

[air gordon]

It's under the assumption James continues to play at his current pace. I don't think the cavs win with him not playing at a high level

Take out game 2 from the 2015 finals, Curry was outstanding

[NovU]

Prediction for game 1:

win by the Warriors by 10 to 15 points.

Green will rise and shine.

[Sauru]

It's under the assumption James continues to play at his current pace. I don't think the cavs win with him not playing at a high level

Take out game 2 from the 2015 finals, Curry was outstanding

at the end of the day most people will rank him top 5, younger people number 1

[Andrew]

Getting back to the Finals themselves...predictions for Game 1?

I feel the Warriors are going to make a statement, and open with a big win. Durant and Curry go off, Thompson struggles, Green flirts with a triple-double.

Durant's shaping up to have a huge game; Curry's a few threes away from really putting on a show. Thompson has mostly stunk, but Green hasn't been much of a factor. And of course, close game.

Still time for a couple more predictions to fall into place, though.

[Andrew]

Getting back to the Finals themselves...predictions for Game 1?

I feel the Warriors are going to make a statement, and open with a big win. Durant and Curry go off, Thompson struggles, Green flirts with a triple-double.

Durant's shaping up to have a huge game; Curry's a few threes away from really putting on a show. Thompson has mostly stunk, but Green hasn't been much of a factor. And of course, close game.

Still time for a couple more predictions to fall into place, though.

Everything but the Green prediction.

[[Q]]

ouch

[NovU]

Durant is on route to become a 3rd best small forward? Did anyone catch commentator saying it? What is your thoughts on this?

The Warriors are now 13-0 for the postseason. Incredible, especially for a team that possess no one from 1st All NBA team.

[Andrew]

They did win 67 games and have players who have made several All-NBA First Teams in the past, though. Competition was a bit stiff there, with some of the individual performances this season.

I caught that comment about Durant. I'd have to agree he's climbing the ranks at the small forward position.