2017 NBA Finals: Warriors vs. Cavs part 3

[Dee4Three]

so if lebron gets swept again in the finals can we start bringing it up in the greatest of all the times?

The strength of the Warriors will probably be brought up in his defense, but it's not like he doesn't have help himself.

LeBron was +7 in 46 minutes.

Yes, the cherry picking.

Game 1 3rd quarter: -14 (worst on team)
Game 1 4th quarter: Even
Game 2 3rd quarter: -13 (worst on team)
Game 2 4th quarter: -5 (Worst on team)
Game 3 4th quarter: -10 (worst on team).

If Kevin Durant was shooting mid 30% from the field in the second half, it would be "Durant is choking", or "Durant isn't clutch" or "It doesn't matter what his stats look like, he is playing bad down the stretch". But, because its LeBron James, and people want him to be in that conversation, they cannot react appropriately to what is going on in the actual game, whats actually happening. It's "He's averaging a triple double', etc. His game + - was in the negative for games 1 and 2 (as a total). Any stat argument you guys bring up, I can refute it with my own. He needs Kyrie to flip out (Like he did in the 3rd quarter with 16 points) in the second half of games in order for Cleveland to have any chance of winning, because Kyrie is the teams best offensive player. LeBron made some questionable decisions (Some obviously bad) in all 3 games in the second half.

In the Mavericks series in 2011, he shot 38% in the second half of those games, he's right on that pace now. You guys say "He's pulling his weight", he is NOT in the second half of games in this series, period. In fact, he is hurting his team with his play in the second half of these games. Just like he needed to be picked up by Wade and Bosh in the key moments in Miami, he needs to be picked up by Irving and Love in Cleveland.

And for all you guys saying he's not getting enough from his role players, his team is stacked this way by his doing. He was taking shots on Twitter at CLE ownership about Tristan Thompson basically saying 'PAY THIS MAN", he wanted that deal for TT. He also endorsed Jr Smith and Iman Shumpert, he wanted them for this team.

Durant may be a chicken for going to a 73-9 team, but his game in the second half of these games speaks for itself, he has more skill than LeBron James in this series, as well as the mental edge. He's literally shooting much better in the second half of games in the series (Without the questionable decision making).

Again, none of my points above about WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED in game 3 were contested, all of that is true. Any star, even in a regular season game that has a size advantage like that on switches or just in man to man, goes at the guy until they switch up. Any star that has that size advantage (or most players for that matter), that get in the middle of the lane under the basket in a close game, regular season or playoffs, go up strong at the hoop instead of firing it out to contested or semi-contested shooters.

Stop making excuses for his poor performance in big moments in this series. He doesn't have the tools or mental edge to get the job done right now, he looks helpless on offense in the big moments, and defensively he isn't doing much either (He can't and won't guard Durant, the best players demand that they guard the best player on the opposing team, instead.. they have Shumpert, or Jefferson etc on Durant). Durant is roasting LeBron when he is on him, because LeBron has been an overrated defender his whole career.

Lets get back to real life guys.

[air gordon]

Some fair points Dee. I agree James can be playing better in the 4th quarter

I do question the standard he's being held to and if this is just selective criticism or not

Did Larry legend, Jordan, magic have to guard the opposition's best player and also setup up the offense and lead the team in scoring?

If he didn't go the basket every single time on a smaller player I don't think it's fair he should he be criticized for it

How much of the things he did right or smart get discredited due to a miss, turnover. Etc?

I won't speculate as to when a player should make his own plays And if he should be doing that in the first place

Sometimes we should have some perspective here. If Michaelangelo was alive would we criticize his painting of the Sistine chapel?

[Dee4Three]

Some fair points Dee. I agree James can be playing better in the 4th quarter

I do question the standard he's being held to and if this is just selective criticism or not

Did Larry legend, Jordan, magic have to guard the opposition's best player and also setup up the offense and lead the team in scoring?

If he didn't go the basket every single time on a smaller player I don't think it's fair he should he be criticized for it

How much of the things he did right or smart get discredited due to a miss, turnover. Etc?

I won't speculate as to when a player should make his own plays And if he should be doing that in the first place

Sometimes we should have some perspective here. If Michaelangelo was alive would we criticize his painting of the Sistine chapel?

I'm not holding him to a higher standard than another star, I am holding him to the standard of a star in general. His second half performances in all 3 games have been garbage (shooting wise), and very questionable in regards to decision making (as in, not taking advantage of obvious size advantage, kicking out when he shouldn't).

If he didn't go the basket every single time on a smaller player I don't think it's fair he should he be criticized for it

You state every time, I didn't see him actually attack Curry once, and I didn't see him go up strong in the lane hardly at all (In the second half of the games, when they needed it). He absolutely should be talked about in a negative light if he is not doing that, if he is not doing these things in the finals (Or in playoff games in general, or regular season games). Oubre knew he had a size advantage on IT, and he went straight into the post and went 7-7 on Thomas. So if Oubre knows, how does Lebron not? Or does he not have that killer instinct, that mental edge, or maybe he doesn't have enough confidence that he will score? It's tough to say. He's proving his sometimes shooter status in this series when it matters most.

Our job is to call out the obvious if someone labeled a "star" is not doing something right. Lets put it this way, I am 6'2", every single time in rec leagues that I am switched onto someone who is 6'6" or more, whether they are particularly skilled or not, the ball immediately is moved to them and the player moves into the low post to take me. That's rec league, because they know. Me being 6'2", I have had switches where someone is 5'9" or 5'10" on me, and I immediately go into the post, or use my strength and size to score by taking him off the dribble (getting him on my side). Also, if a player with his size and athleticism gets right in the paint (or under the hoop), you go up and over the defense, or you embrace contact and possibly get to the line. How many times did you see him get into the paint and kick it out to a contested/semi-contested shooter?. I'm not comparing rec league talent to NBA (clearly), I'm just talking about how obvious it is that he made many bad decisions.

My points about what would be said about Durant if he was stinking it up in the second half/clutch are completely valid, he would be getting crapped on (including in this forum). LeBron has failed his team this series when it mattered most.

[koberulz]

so if lebron gets swept again in the finals can we start bringing it up in the greatest of all the times?

The strength of the Warriors will probably be brought up in his defense, but it's not like he doesn't have help himself.

LeBron was +7 in 46 minutes.

Yes, the cherry picking.

You cannot possibly look at that stat and draw the conclusion that LeBron has plenty of help.

[Dee4Three]

so if lebron gets swept again in the finals can we start bringing it up in the greatest of all the times?

The strength of the Warriors will probably be brought up in his defense, but it's not like he doesn't have help himself.

LeBron was +7 in 46 minutes.

Yes, the cherry picking.

You cannot possibly look at that stat and draw the conclusion that LeBron has plenty of help.

Your comment has nothing to do with his decision making smack dab in the middle of the paint, or his unwillingness/incapability of taking Curry in the low post, high post, or in general, his lack of aggressiveness in general, not being able to assert himself etc. His teammates have nothing to do with any of that, his teammates are not the reason he is shooting under 40% in the second half of the games in the finals. His teammates are not the reason he had 7 turnovers in the first half of Game 1.

You are making excuses.

[NovU]

You cannot possibly look at that stat and draw the conclusion that LeBron has plenty of help.

He kinda does, just nowhere near what KD has.

KD has 73 wins team backing him up. How many games does anyone think the Cavs are capable of winning without LeBron? Note that both supposed Cavs superstars Love and Irving were perennial losers who never ever saw a minute in the playoffs until James came to a rescue. Right, LBJ's help is as good as what KD gets. Lovely argument there, lollolol.

The Warriors are just too excellent. People often forget to give them credit because too busy hating LBJ. In reality, no matter who's leading the Cavs, let that be Kobrick, Jordumb, Larry Legend, result wouldn't be far too different. The warriors are that good. Now tell me in a straight face, you didn't know this was gonna be an uphill battle for the Cavs from the very get go in terms of talent level. For fucks sake, LBJ's averaging triple double with solid efficiency yet we hafta read 10 pages of shitty essay how much a shitty player he is. Good grief, this Finals is giving me a massive cancer.

[Dee4Three]

You cannot possibly look at that stat and draw the conclusion that LeBron has plenty of help.

He kinda does, just nowhere near what KD has.

KD has 73 wins team backing him up. How many games does anyone think the Cavs are capable of winning without LeBron? Note that both supposed Cavs superstars Love and Irving were perennial losers who never ever saw a minute in the playoffs until James came to a rescue. Right, LBJ's help is as good as what KD gets. Lovely argument there, lollolol.

The Warriors are just too excellent. People often forget to give them credit because too busy hating LBJ. In reality, no matter who's leading the Cavs, let that be Kobrick, Jordumb, Larry Legend, result wouldn't be far too different. The warriors are that good. Now tell me in a straight face, you didn't know this was gonna be an uphill battle for the Cavs from the very get go in terms of talent level. For fucks sake, LBJ's averaging triple double with solid efficiency yet we hafta read 10 pages of shitty essay how much a shitty player he is. Good grief, this Finals is giving me a massive cancer.

It was never stated that Lebron had as good of a supporting cast, so you made that up to support your argument.

His play in the second half of games in this series has been garbage, with all my examples and numbers above. That's on him, and it's obvious.

You are speaking gibberish, plain nonsense.

[NovU]

I wasn't talking to you there, kid.

[Dee4Three]

I wasn't talking to you there, kid.

I am the one with the long essays, and one of the only people who is picking apart LeBron's game, so don't lie, chief.

[NovU]

Not in my universe, you're the center. There's good loads of public outcry about LBJ perhaps includes u too which I do not care, young man.

I didn't read your posts btw.

[air gordon]

Does the discussion now include 1st half stats now?

Curry is out rebounding Thompson. Pretty crazy

[Dee4Three]

I didn't read your posts btw.

That's part of the problem.

And if you are commenting on a forum thread where the debate is happening, even quoting one of the people who are right in the middle of the debate, and you attempt to make a statement, it is pretty obvious you are commenting on this conversation. It has nothing to do with me being the center of your universe, I am very thankful that I am not.

So again, don't lie. It's okay to be honest on here, it's a safe space.

[Dee4Three]

Does the discussion now include 1st half stats now?

Curry is out rebounding Thompson. Pretty crazy

Thompson is playing like absolute trash.

[NovU]

I didn't read your posts btw.

That's part of the problem.

And if you are commenting on a forum thread where the debate is happening, even quoting one of the people who are right in the middle of the debate, and you attempt to make a statement, it is pretty obvious you are commenting on this conversation. It has nothing to do with me being the center of your universe, I am very thankful that I am not.

So again, don't lie. It's okay to be honest on here, it's a safe space.

Thx but no thx. I'd like to conserve my energy these days. I'm getting way too old for this shit.

[Dee4Three]

I didn't read your posts btw.

That's part of the problem.

And if you are commenting on a forum thread where the debate is happening, even quoting one of the people who are right in the middle of the debate, and you attempt to make a statement, it is pretty obvious you are commenting on this conversation. It has nothing to do with me being the center of your universe, I am very thankful that I am not.

So again, don't lie. It's okay to be honest on here, it's a safe space.

Thx but no thx. I'd like to conserve my energy these days. I'm getting way too old for this shit.

Agreed on that, same here. So atleast we agree on something.

[air gordon]

Why is Thompson playing so poorly?! Hes the only cav big that can switch on to guards and provides good basket protection

[Dee4Three]

Why is Thompson playing so poorly?! Hes the only cav big that can switch on to guards and provides good basket protection

Durant makes a difference with his length, but he's one guy. McGee isn't playing enough to say his length is bothering him (like 5 minutes a game in the finals). I don't know. The Warriors look faster to me this finals, and more physical, so maybe that is why. Thompson doesn't look as aggressive either, almost looks like he's not into the games like he was last year.

Maybe Kardashian has him all messed up, IDK.

[NovU]

Agreed on that, same here. So atleast we agree on something.

Cmon. When I was your age, every discussion went thousand miles and beyond. There were great competitors back then with mental edge/issues like benji, shadowgrin, mandich, etc.

Let's put it this way, your era's like LBJ coasting in East while mine was like 90s Jordan going up against all that hardcore legend you're on your knee about.

[air gordon]

Lol easy. It's a snooze fest here if we don't hear about James turribleness and dee's post game success stories in rec leagues

[Dee4Three]

I have to admit, you guys are actually starting to become entertaining. Possibly even likeable.

I think I'll stick around on NLSC for awhile.

[NovU]

Likewise Dee. No hard feelings at the end of the day.



air gordon, I have a feeling the time EA gets back on their feet, madness will return.

[air gordon]

It's too early to break bread. Need more epic battles.

Youre getting soft, novu

[Lamrock]

Only three months until football season!

[Sauru]

the only realistic chance Cleveland had at winning this series was through injuries on the warriors team. otherwise the best they could hope for was winning a single game. i am just waiting for next off season to see where lebron runs off to next

The Warriors could lose an MVP player and still win the series. Cleveland couldn't win at home with Kyrie and LeBron having monster games. Game 4 will be a 20+ point blow out by halftime.

hey i never said how many injuries it would take lol. they needed durant at the very least to get injured or at least find a way to get to game 7 where kevin forgets how to play basketball.

[Andrew]

Cavs have come out firing, and hitting. Warriors look a bit flat out of the gate.