2016 NBA Champions:Cleveland Cavaliers

[Andrew]

It does feel wrong to award the Finals MVP to someone on the losing team, which is funny given the very first winner was in fact on the runner-up. To that end, you could say that the award was actually established under the idea that it was the trophy for the top performer in the series, regardless of the overall outcome, but it's only happened that one time. I guess it'd be a bit awkward to have someone from the losing team stick around to receive the award while the champions are celebrating and being presented with the Larry O'Brien trophy, but if they truly did have the best performance in the series, it wouldn't be inappropriate.

LeBron's leading both teams in every major statistical category, while no one player on the Warriors has stood out with an "MVP performance" in each of their wins. They'll probably just default to Curry or Green if/when the Warriors win, but there's a strong argument to give it to LeBron even in the event of a Cavs' loss.

Speaking of which...despite all the talk of the Warriors being rattled and the Cavs having momentum, I'm going to pick the Warriors to win Game 7 in a blowout. It's the way the series has gone, and even if we see another huge performance by LeBron and Kyrie, I think Cleveland's other key players will falter on the road. Conversely, I expect the role players for the Warriors to be on their game at home, and if the Splash Brothers have it locked in as well, it's probably over by halftime. Gotta give credit to the Cavaliers for fighting back, but it's too much to overcome, too tall an order. Warriors in 7 by around 20.

[Sauru]

the problem with the mvp award is its not really based on who is the MVP. lebron caught a lot of shit when he brought it up but he was right to do so. what it really means is the best player on one of the best teams (regular season) or best player on the winning team (finals). it is also given out sometimes like the oscar is. if a player has never won it before and is in the running they might just get it and they dont want to give it to the same person every single year.

there is no doubt at all that lebron james means the most to his teams success right now. anyone who argues that point is blind.

[NovU]

That was LBJ whining. His point was non arguable but timing and track record suggest it was a shot at Curry. There has been going on a foul friction between Warriors guys and LBJ for awhile now. Curry said the Cavs suck after beating them in the finals and he danced on the cavs court after winning there. Green also is notorious LBJ hater since young age. Warriors have zero respect for Lequeen and she's a mad bruh.

[Sauru]

sounds like you belong on the warriors team then

also if you dont have some level of respect for lebron james you are not a basketball fan at all.

[NovU]

I dont belong to neither. I have no side in this finals, little feelings invested. Has it ever come to ur mind you are the one with much bias here and resorting to ad-hominem attack?

BTW that is quite the similar argument I used when he was with the Heat. It's kinda vague tho. What level of respect? Am I supposed to follow his bandwagon wherever it takes me and root for him with you and other apologists?

Who here isnt aware of LBJ's capability as a basketball player. We've lived through peak of his game together and it's cool to see him still going hard at it in high gear. He's equal to Jordan, almost, in my book.



My prediction for game 7 is same as Andrew's. Easy win for the Warriors. But absence of Bogut seems to have left door open a bit for the Cavs.

[Sauru]

"What level of respect? Am I supposed to follow his bandwagon wherever it takes me and root for him with you and other apologists?"


you do not need to root for a player or even like him to respect him.

[Andrew]

the problem with the mvp award is its not really based on who is the MVP. lebron caught a lot of shit when he brought it up but he was right to do so. what it really means is the best player on one of the best teams (regular season) or best player on the winning team (finals). it is also given out sometimes like the oscar is. if a player has never won it before and is in the running they might just get it and they dont want to give it to the same person every single year.

there is no doubt at all that lebron james means the most to his teams success right now. anyone who argues that point is blind.

The timing of his comments did make them sound a little like sour grapes, but it was a valid point nevertheless. I've always seen the Most Valuable Player award as more of a "Player of the Year" award (or "Player of the Game"/"Player of the Series", when it comes to the All-Star and Finals MVPs respectively), which leaves a little wiggle room to either recognise the player whose performance stands out above all others, or a player who has had a career year leading his team to an impressive record.

I'd say that the Oscar comparison is quite apt. Taking the analogy a step further, unlike actors who may be referred to as a multi-time Academy Award nominee, there isn't a lot of explicit recognition of NBA players who are consistently finishing in the top 3-5 for MVP voting year in and year out, though I suppose All-NBA selections basically serve the same purpose.

[koberulz]

LeBron's impact is a tad larger than Jones', to be fair.

Still, there's way too much credit/blame being given to individuals for team results in general (see also: this MVP discussion). It's just an amusingly blatant example.

[Sauru]

it seems the cavs game plan is to leave green open the entire game. seems to be working out great so far

[Andrew]

Definitely some hyperbole involved there, but LeBron is a driving force in his teams making all those appearances, and he had a huge impact in the Cavs going from the lottery to two wins shy of a championship last season. A lot of the time there's exaggeration and oversimplification, but he does deserve a lot of credit for that nevertheless.

It's not looking like he'll be able to lead them to the unlikely upset, though. Cavs are going cold, Warriors starting to heat up, and they're up by seven at the half. Cavs needed that second quarter cushion to have a chance, and they didn't have the hot start to get one. Warriors will be up by 20 by the end of the third.

Meanwhile...

[NovU]

No joke. This game 7 so far has been a VERY VERY EXCITING GAME.

Love, Irving, James, all coming out to play finally.

Edit. Is lbj starting to choke again?

[iamSamke]

4AM here fyi, but this is absolutely best NBA game this season.
Let's go Cavs

[NovU]

WOW U KNOW I DONT TYPE IN CAPS USUALLY BUT THIS WAS THE BEST GAME IN VERY LOONG TIME

Props to the Cavs. Not sure how they overcame demoralizing first 2 losses of the finals but that set the stage for an epic game 7. EPIC

[Sauru]

holy shit

[formx]

LeBron almost died for Cleveland. What a hero.

[benji]

Gotta think they try to move Curry, Klay and Green before those contracts become a serious problem now. It's one thing if you're actually winning games with those guys.

Maybe for Rose and Melo. Dwight too?

[PeacemanNOT]

Well I got the outcome right... not so much the amount of games.

I'm glad the Cavaliers won the championship, as good as the Warriors have been this season and how much they deserved another championship they have been so cocky all season and have annoyed the hell out of me.

I can't wait to see Stephen A and Skip's reaction to this.... fucking awesome.

[PeacemanNOT]

phpBB [video]

Skip to the end of this video. The outcome and the way it ended is very close to what actually happened.

[atlwarrior]

WOW U KNOW I DONT TYPE IN CAPS USUALLY BUT THIS WAS THE BEST GAME IN VERY LOONG TIME

Props to the Cavs. Not sure how they overcame demoralizing first 2 losses of the finals but that set the stage for an epic game 7. EPIC

stfu you dickrider! LeBron doesn't want your compliments. How does his ass taste? Now go wash your mouth out. lol

[Phil89]

Congrats Cleveland. That was an epic fightback from 3-1 down.

[benji]

[benji]

Do you think the Warriors now regret not firing Kerr for Luke Walton mid-season like the Cavs did to save their season?

[JaoSming]

Code: Select all

04:39 [GSW 89-89]   K Thompson Driving Layup Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Green (9 AST)
04:06   Curry 3pt Shot: Missed
03:22   K Thompson Turnaround Fadeaway shot: Missed
02:50   Iguodala 3pt Shot: Missed
02:13   Green 3pt Shot: Missed
01:50   Iguodala Layup Shot: Missed Block: James (3 BLK)
01:14   Curry 3pt Shot: Missed
00:30.7 Curry 3pt Shot: Missed
00:01.8 Curry 3pt Shot: Missed
00:00.5 Speights 3pt Shot: Missed

[benji]

[Andrew]

Truly an epic finish. It's kinda funny to see the tide turn from "LeBron is 2-5, what a loser" to "Is LeBron the greatest of all-time?" To the question, I'd say no, but he's one of them, and that was an all-time great performance.

I'm also calling the 2016 Warriors vs 1996 Bulls, and Curry vs Jordan debates.