Cavs, who will they play??
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My guess is that it'll be OKC, they're too close to let it slip away at home. Durant has been pretty steady but Westbrook had a terrible game Five even though he scored well. Too many bad passes and turnovers, too many times trying to drive the lane. I bet the OKC fans will be absolutely nuts.
The only hope for the Warriors is to score early and take out the fans, then hang on like they did last game. OKC could never really catch them, I think they had the lead for about one trip down the court.
If GSC can pull out this game I guess a 2015 rematch is what we'll get. What do you think??
Al H.
The only hope for the Warriors is to score early and take out the fans, then hang on like they did last game. OKC could never really catch them, I think they had the lead for about one trip down the court.
If GSC can pull out this game I guess a 2015 rematch is what we'll get. What do you think??
Al H.
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However if the Warriors can win game 6, game 7 in Oakland will be a toss up.
The answer will be revealed later today or on Monday.
IT CAN'T BE A TRUE PLAYOFF UNLESS THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONS ARE INCLUDED
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
the Warriors trailed all night and whenever they made a run OKC would pull away again until the 4th Quarter. I think Charles Barkley called it right at half-time when he kept making reference to "HeroBall" when he talked about Durant. that spread to Westbrook in the 3rd-4th Quarters, too many drives and a seeming refusal to involve their teammates on offense. the saving grace and nail-in-the-coffin was the shooting of Thompson, the dude was incredible. I kept waiting for him to cool off but it never happened. at games end when Curry finally woke up the announcers sort of painted him as the guy who won the game. it sort of reminded me of last year's Finals X two with Durant and Westbrook playing the role of Lebron James. the Golden State talent and bench proved too much for the selfish duo.
against the Cavs it should be different since they are a more versatile Team and their bench is deeper this year. Cleveland can match Golden State from the three point line, they can play in the paint and they have Lebron. that advantage allows them to do things the Thunder can only watch on tape. I believe the difference in the end will be home court advantage with the home Team winning every game. that means GSW in seven unless they falter, a possibility since they won't be as rested as Cleveland.
the game Monday night should be a classic.
Here is a question of my own.
Who do you think that Cleveland would rather play, OKC or the Warriors?
going back at you, when the Cavs/Raptors series was tied at 2-2 who did you want to win and who do you think the Western Teams were rooting for??
I suspect that both GS and OKC would prefer playing Cleveland in the finals instead of Toronto. No disrespect to the Raptors but Cleveland is the best team in the Eastern Conference and has "King James" on the roster. Anyone with competitive fire would prefer competing against "The Best", because if you beat the best that is more satisfying and gratifying.
You do have a point about wanting home court advantage, but at least in my mind I would want to play against Cleveland and The King.
If I was on Cleveland's team I think I would prefer to see GS win the Western Conference and play for the title. I suspect that Cleveland would be very happy with a chance to have a rematch with GS and compete against the defending champs with a fully healthy roster. Beating the team that beat you last year and doing it without home court advantage would be very satisfying for Cleveland and it would allow Cleveland and its fans to get over the loss in last years finals and the two losses to GS during the 2015-2016 regular season.
If GS does win game 7 tonight against OKC to advance to the finals, that will be a major accomplishment for GS after being down 3-1 and not playing very well. I suspect that GS would be dialed in both mentally and physically for the finals. So also for Cleveland. If the finals are GS and Cleveland it is going to be extremely fun to watch.
Oracle wwill.be rocking on Thursday.
If the Cav's want to have a chance in this series Love can't shrink with the brights lights shining on the biggest stage. I think Cleveland's 3 ball shooting in general may head south for the same reason. They are rested so they have that going for them. Would love to see GS in 7.
Mark
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
tell me, why does Durant think he is a ball handler?? he was dead nuts from 15-18 feet, but instead of pulling up and dropping the shot he'd drive the lane and lose the ball. it was maddening, especially when it came off a steal or missed shot by the Warriors.
two other things that bugged me was the officiating and Marv Albert. someone needs to tell Albert that being a "homer" needs to be avoided so he can give a more objective call of the game. also, Steph Curry isn't up for adoption so he should probably back off a little. I thought the other two guys were much more balanced and still managed to heap the much deserved praise onto Curry. as for the refs, why do they "let them play" at the beginning and then blow every incidental contact when the game is on the line at the end?? I also think they blew the call with the double technical when Adams was pulled down, it reminded me of the way the NFL does things. the NBA needs to figure out a way to call things better. it's like when an elbow gets thrown under the basket and the guy who gets jacked and reacts is also hit with a technical. I just don't get it.
past all that it was the Classic I thought it would be. Curry showed up when it counted and after a cold start so did Thompson. the Warriors had a deeper bench and when they pulled Bogut off the floor I think they played better. to a point I think Green is a fine player but he has trouble with his temper and morphs into a liability, vanishing from the game while he's still on the floor. I think the most underrated GSW player in Iguodala, he always shows up and has a well rounded game. despite everything that took place last year in the finals I don't think Golden State would have won without him. he'll be a big help again this year.
Go Cavs but I think they will lose in Seven Games.
aside to Mark --- have you watched J.R. Smith and Channing Frye shoot lately?? as far as Kevin Love, he had a poor game 4 in Toronto but responded well, I don't really think the big stage frightens him.
the game last night was lost when Durant and Westbrook decided they wanted to play 2 on 5 at some point towards the end of the third quarter. it was reminiscent of game 6 and has to have Billy Donovan looking for a bottle. it was especially confusing since Durant had limited his shots early on, involved his teammates and seemed to be playing better. I think it's as the announcers called it, he needs to TRUST the other guys on his Team. I thought Adams could have helped more, he absolutely owned Bogut and scored most of his points off tip-ins. with him and Roberson under the basket there was no reason for Durant/Westbrook to drive the length of the court --- while the Warriors waited and swarmed in the key. I was almost expecting a three second violation!!!
tell me, why does Durant think he is a ball handler?? he was dead nuts from 15-18 feet, but instead of pulling up and dropping the shot he'd drive the lane and lose the ball. it was maddening, especially when it came off a steal or missed shot by the Warriors.
two other things that bugged me was the officiating and Marv Albert. someone needs to tell Albert that being a "homer" needs to be avoided so he can give a more objective call of the game. also, Steph Curry isn't up for adoption so he should probably back off a little. I thought the other two guys were much more balanced and still managed to heap the much deserved praise onto Curry. as for the refs, why do they "let them play" at the beginning and then blow every incidental contact when the game is on the line at the end?? I also think they blew the call with the double technical when Adams was pulled down, it reminded me of the way the NFL does things. the NBA needs to figure out a way to call things better. it's like when an elbow gets thrown under the basket and the guy who gets jacked and reacts is also hit with a technical. I just don't get it.
past all that it was the Classic I thought it would be. Curry showed up when it counted and after a cold start so did Thompson. the Warriors had a deeper bench and when they pulled Bogut off the floor I think they played better. to a point I think Green is a fine player but he has trouble with his temper and morphs into a liability, vanishing from the game while he's still on the floor. I think the most underrated GSW player in Iguodala, he always shows up and has a well rounded game. despite everything that took place last year in the finals I don't think Golden State would have won without him. he'll be a big help again this year.
Go Cavs but I think they will lose in Seven Games.
aside to Mark --- have you watched J.R. Smith and Channing Frye shoot lately?? as far as Kevin Love, he had a poor game 4 in Toronto but responded well, I don't really think the big stage frightens him.
Love hasn't shot on the big stage yet. Others may tighten up as well. I just don't think Cleveland can contnue their torrid team 3 point shooting in The Finals. Just a hunch.
mark
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
that's why I asked about Smith and Frye, they have been very consistent throughout.
As for GS, their most underrated guy is Livingston without a doubt. I've been a fan of his since the woebegone Clippers experience. Good to see him healthy and making large contributions. Call him my dark horse candidate for Finals MVP.
Others may tighten up as well. I just don't think Cleveland can contnue their torrid team 3 point shooting in The Finals.
that's why I asked about Smith and Frye, they have been very consistent throughout.
They have been awesome so far
mark
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
The Warriors had a very difficult time with Adams, Kanter, Ibaka and the other OKC big men. They gave the Thunder a big boost in defending the rim against GSW drives to the hoop and in both offensive and defensive rebounding.
I do not think that the Cavs roster has players comparable to Adams, Kanter and Ibaka. Mosgov played a lot in the finals last year and was very effective in the paint. He has fallen out of favor under coach Lue. The Cavs are playing more of a fast paced game with lots of movement, passing and shooting from the outside during the first three rounds of these playoffs.
It may be that both GSW and Cleveland will mimick each other with the result being that the finals are a sprint for 48 minutes with motion offense, passing, cutting, driving to the hoop with kick outs and a three point shooting bonanza.
I suspect that the league and broadcasters are pleased that the finals will be a rematch of last year with the story lines of The King vs. Curry and all that goes with it.
if I'm not mistaken, Tristan Thompson led all players with rebounds during the playoffs and though I expect some "hate" for saying it, Lebron James will pose a problem that the Warriors haven't seen yet in the playoffs. I agree with the three-point bonanza that might take place, but that comes and goes, so if one Team tries to live on that they may end up in trouble. so far Golden State has been able to succeed with three's while the Cavs have won with threes, a short game and in the paint. in that regard I think they pose a unique challenge in a seven game series.
regarding Lebron and Curry, I think it is obvious that Curry is the better long range shooter but his play during the last round was sloppy with way too many turnovers. Lebron has among his many skills the ability to find the open man with some astounding passes. his assist totals often get overlooked. it may be the best part of his game, the willingness to allow his teammates to score. on balance I think they even out, in fact I think that both Teams are really close, closer than most fans of either are willing to admit. I think last year the Warriors had a much, much better bench but this year the edge may be to the Cavs. last year it was James vs. the world and he had to play 42+ minutes every game while the Warriors were able to rest their key players. that was what won the Championship, not the individual play of any GSW starter.
it will be an interesting chess match between two Teams that can each make runs and close out quarters. realistically I can see how either or both will score over 100 points in every game. is there a statistic for combined points scored in a seven game Final??
after two good seasons, not even close and that's the trouble with sports and sports fans nowadays.