So, per usual, the spinning wheel of WTF? has pointed the arrow at Draymond Green. This should make Oracle a madhouse like no other with vitriol spewing at LeBron The SteepleChaser. How 'bout a little more bench for ya Cleveland? 3's coming down like Bay Area raindrops. D-d-d-done.
Originally posted by: travis t So, per usual, the spinning wheel of WTF? has pointed the arrow at Draymond Green. This should make Oracle a madhouse like no other with vitriol spewing at LeBron The SteepleChaser. How 'bout a little more bench for ya Cleveland? 3's coming down like Bay Area raindrops. D-d-d-done.
The NBA doesn't want a 5 game series that ends on a Monday so they had to put a thumb on the scale.
LBJ is a big crybaby. He complains about everything to the refs. He baited Green into this one. I hope GSW beat them worst than any game they've played so far.
I'm not sure there's another player in the NBA who plays as hard and hates to lose as much as Draymond Green does. The guy's motor is unparalleled and that's undeniable. But let's keep it real -- he's bordering on cancerous because his emotions are inexorable. It was only a matter of time before his deficiency adversely affected the entire team. Voilà!
There's something to be said for ballers who keep it on an even keel. Like Steph Curry. Or Klay Thompson. Or Kawhi Leonard. Or heck, even a lesser talent like Harrison Barnes. I bet that quartet could play for a decade and not cumulatively rack up the number of techs and flagrants DG has this season alone.
This series was over. Those guys were getting sized up for rings again. Now G5 is in jeopardy. If they go back to Cleveland for G6, we could very easily be looking at a winner-take-all G7 where anything can happen.
In other words, it was the ultimate act of selfishness and sheer stupidity on Draymond's part. He knows he has been walking on thin ice for weeks now. So for him be grappling with LeBron James -- in a game that had already been decided, mind you -- just goes to show what a detriment he can potentially be. It's a sad state of affairs, but I guess it actually required someone getting in his ear and letting him know that his presence for G5 is infinitely more important than proving to LBJ that he will not be shown up.
Tomorrow night is lose-lose for DG. He's going to feel the sting either way. If the Warriors go down, he could potentially be a culprit for the ages. If they win, his teammates will be celebrating a championship inside Oracle without him. If neither of those scenarios force him to scale it back, nothing ever will.
Sigh. The saddest state of affairs should have the former NBA players cupping their mouths to suppress laughter. This league used to be nasty. LOL.
GS will do just fine without him. Their athleticism and speed should finish this thing off. They will rally around their fallen comrade and quite likely wear mock junk necklaces to the parade.
Emotions are a part of sports both on and off the field of battle. The end of game 4 saw James get frustrated and he acted out by getting physical with Green first and Curry second.
Does anyone suspect that James' actions were intentionally calculated and executed in an attempt to cause Green and/or Curry to respond and retaliate? I would like to think no, but who knows. Throwing Green to the floor and then walking over him when he could have easily walked to the side of him does cause one to think about whether he deliberately set out to goad Green. The loss of game 4 and playing game 5 in Oakland would not be favorable to Cleveland. If Green is required to sit out game 5 that would maybe improve Cleveland's chance to stave off elimination. This will be the subject of much water cooler discussion.
Sigh. The saddest state of affairs should have the former NBA players cupping their mouths to suppress laughter. This league used to be nasty. LOL.
I read ya, travesty. Fluidity can be difficult to digest at times.
But it's what it's.
Why allow an 0-2 Uncle Charlie heading toward the edge to rest in the subjective hands of an umpire? Why not acknowledge, adapt and adjust for the sake of the team?
Emotions are a part of sports both on and off the field of battle. The end of game 4 saw James get frustrated and he acted out by getting physical with Green first and Curry second.
Does anyone suspect that James' actions were intentionally calculated and executed in an attempt to cause Green and/or Curry to respond and retaliate? I would like to think no, but who knows. Throwing Green to the floor and then walking over him when he could have easily walked to the side of him does cause one to think about whether he deliberately set out to goad Green. The loss of game 4 and playing game 5 in Oakland would not be favorable to Cleveland. If Green is required to sit out game 5 that would maybe improve Cleveland's chance to stave off elimination. This will be the subject of much water cooler discussion.
Stepping over someone isn't a foul. Kicking/slapping someone in the groin is. I think the NBA has gone soft too, but even back in the past when the playoffs were physical, a nut-slap would have started a fight
Sigh. The saddest state of affairs should have the former NBA players cupping their mouths to suppress laughter. This league used to be nasty. LOL.
I read ya, travesty. Fluidity can be difficult to digest at times.
But it's what it's.
Why allow an 0-2 Uncle Charlie heading toward the edge to rest in the subjective hands of an umpire? Why not acknowledge, adapt and adjust for the sake of the team?
When you can learn how to acknowledge, adapt and adjust your ability to handle adrenal rushes and the most primitive psychological urges, please let me know. For the sake of the team.
In all candidness, I would need to think that Green actually contained himself pretty well under the circumstances and crotchety behavior. Anger is an energy.
The LEAGUE needs to decide what constitutes a game of basketball.
If LBJ has been given a technical foul for his taunting Green does that mean that the Warriors will be at the free throw line to start the game and LBJ will now start the game with one foul?
In game 4 GS made more 3's than 2's. Game 5: 14 for 42 from 3. GS relies so much on 3's, they are often lost without them. I still think GS will win the series though, they already have H-O-R-S- on Cleveland.
Well now, Mr.galaxy27 man, I hate to say you told me so.
You told me so.
Nah. I understood what you were saying from the outset. Trust me, at times the rules & officiating drive me absolutely batty as well, and I far from agree with everything that goes on out on the court. But when you're on the brink of expulsion while your team is simultaneously on the brink of a championship, I just think you have to do whatever it takes to keep your nose clean, regardless of who's right and who's wrong.
Draymond is a punk at times, but he's oh so integral. You can't replicate his defensive presence and willingness to battle until he dies. To that point, suffice to say the Warriors sorely missed him last night. Couple his absence with Bogut going down and it's as if someone erected a superhighway to the basket for LBJ, Kyrie and Co.
But enough of the finger-pointing. The Cavs' dynamic duo was otherworldly last night. Was a real treat to watch them go off. Love or hate LeBron all you want, but no one can knock him this morning. Dude was scary good in every single facet of his game. And Kyrie Irving showed why he'll one day (probably sooner rather than later) be anointed the best point guard in the league. You can't help but love the future of that kid.
I have a really funny feeling about this series now. I personally would be scared to death if I were a GSW fan. But I picked the Dubs in 7 and they have proven their resilience time and again, so I'm not going to allow myself to be a prisoner of the moment.
The longer they go, the more fun to watch. No doubt. I look forward to G6, but wish we didn't need to witness the passing of seasons before each contest. The Adam Silver legacy is already eating itself.
I look forward to Green's return to the lineup. They'll miss Bogut. Irving has taken this series for himself above his own All-World teammate and the 2-time league MVP. Proving, I suppose, that they could have used his presence last year at this time.
If Varejao perpetuates one more flopsy move and gets free throws, I will reconsider my dark horse MVP choice as well.
How 'bout Shaun's poster dunk, though, huh? How 'bout it!!!!! ;-)
The first half reminded me of Rocky movies where the 2 boxers faced each other going toe to toe trading punches with no defense. Both teams were scoring at will, matching each other shot for shot. Tied at 61 each.
The second half was thrilling for fans of both teams. Cleveland fans were on pins and needles hoping that Cleveland would not surrender the 4-6 point lead it had. When Cleveland pulled away and got up by 13 late in the 4th Cleveland fans must have finally taken a breath. GSW fans on the other hand were on pins and needles hoping that the Warriors would keep the score close until late in the 4th at which time they hoped the Warriors would flip the switch, play lock down defense, go on a run, tie the game and win it in the end. Did not happen and when Cleveland went up by 13 late, game over and get on the plane for Game 6.
James and Irving were steller offensively. James in particular and Cleveland as a team played very good defense. GSW shot poorly, had too many turnovers and could not get to the rim. Even if Green played, I do not think it would have mattered. The loss of Bogut is a big negative for GSW.
I expect GSW to play much better in Game 6, though I expect a winner take all Game 7 in Oakland will happen.
---------------I had been on a self-imposed protest of the series due to the officiating in the first two games and hadn't watched more than 2-3 minutes since then, only stopping as I walked through the room where family/friends were watching. it's amazing what can get done in a few hours otherwise spent in front of the tube!! last night I got sucked in and watched. I had been PM'ing with Sanction off of highlights and the news, posted below is a PM I sent Kevin this morning that I decided to post here.
also, I had originally figured, like many others, that it would be GSW in seven, than the last two games took place. my girlfriend was reminding me this morning that "You can't have a MIRACLE without C-L-E so Sunday should be fun.
I caved in and watched last night and can sum things up in one word.....................domination.
if you watched the same game that I did you will probably acknowledge my earlier rants about the officiating. I caught myself a few times shouting at the TV as much about the obvious no-calls as the calls that seemed incidental, there seems no clear margin or interpretation that we as fans can observe. I think the refs tried early on to gain control of things, by the end of the first half I think both Teams had 2-3 players from their starting line-ups in foul trouble with three.
the one that really stands out is Kevin Love's third, the contact seemed non-existent but so it goes.
we watched the post game coaches room and Steve Kerr said some fascinating things, chief among them being that he didn't think the "MVP" should have been whistled at the end, as though he should be given a different standard for contact. how ridiculous. on the other side of that all you have to do is watch some of the pawing at Lebron when he sets a post-up, but I digress. also, one of the post game guys pointed out that there is precedent in the finals for a suspension with a player throwing his mouthpiece. that shouldn't be expected but Curry really showed a lack of class when he did that and refused to leave the court. to my way of thinking he has been "outplayed" by two Cavs and at least one player on his own Team.
when will the MVP show up, will it be Sunday??
another point(if you were watching the same game as me) is that the Warriors are a very one-dimensional Team, they seem to rely almost totally on long range threes to the point where they avoid anything inside the arc and almost need to be invited into the lane. Cleveland, on the other hand, can attack from the entire court with multiple players, three's, two's and down the lane. that aspect of the game gave them an advantage. I think GSW was hindered some and missed Bogut. this is the beauty of a seven game series and the pre-game announcers summed it up well, at this point there are no surprises and it all comes down to execution. the Cavs executed well on defense, in transition and on offense. the Warriors seemed so tight that if they had farted they could have whistled Dixie!!
when was the last time you saw a Team run the alley-oop on the Warrior so many times?? Lebron would drive the lane and suck everyone towards him, Tristan Thompson would move towards the rim and raise his right arm and the rest is history. the play that was sheer ecstasy was the over-the-head-behind-the-back pass from JR Smith to Lebron coming down the key. how do you think about that, how do you execute that and how do you defend it?? for all the HATE directed towards Lebron James how do critics not admit to themselves his greatness?? he should be Finals MVP even if the Cavs lose, his numbers are consistently staggering going back to the Finals last year. how can that be denied??
one last point --- when he blocked that attempted lay-up by Curry in the fourth quarter and the camera showed him running his mouth, he was responding to all the taunts he gets where he's call "boy" among other things. he reportedly told Curry "This is a man's game!" which is classic.
Cleveland was outstanding for the second game in a row. James showed why he is The King. He was magnificent. He is the MVP of the series so far and would get my vote even if his team loses game 7.
GSW does rely too much on the 3. When it does not fall GSW many times responds by attacking the basket. They did not do that much in game 5 and did so more in game 6 with some effectiveness. GSW did come back from a horrible 1st quarter to pull within 7 points in the 4th quarter. I thought GSW would turn on the switch, clamp down on defense and win in the end. HOW WRONG I WAS TO THINK THAT!!!!!!
Cleveland played great down the stretch and ran away with the game. Hats off to them as we now head to game 7. I was hoping the series would go 7. Got my wish. Cleveland has taken control of the series and is out playing GSW in every phase of the game. The play of James and Irving stands out. Will be interesting to see how game 7 plays out. Cleveland will show up ready to play. I wonder which GSW team will show up. Hopefully not the one who showed up in games 3, 5 and 6. Every game has seen double digit wins. I hope game 7 is decided on a last second shot.
Regarding the officiating, it has been terrible for both teams. The call of a foul on Love on Klay Thompson should never have been made. Many such phantom calls are being called while other times during the game players get hammered and knocked to the ground with no call being made.
I am glad keets watched last night and yelled at his TV. I wonder if he will watch game 7?
there seems no clear margin or interpretation that we as fans can observe
this is what sticks out to me.
a good example is the fifth foul on Curry when he reached in. in the replay it appeared clean or with minimal contact, but prior to that as Irving was coming down there was plenty of contact and no call. I'm left thinking that, absent the loose ball the refs would have allowed play to continue. once there was a strip they whistled the ongoing contact. it is just hard to know what is what sometimes. another one that makes me crazy is when a shooter has his hand brushed once the ball is already gone. I could understand the call if the ball is still in contact with the shooter or if he's actually hit, but brushing a hand just seems so inconsequential.
hey, am I the only one glad to see Vara-flop not be able to get away with anything in that game??
There are some incorrect foul calls (or non-calls) in every game, but it almost never affects the outcome. Cleveland was going to win game 6 either way. Lebron showed why he is clearly the best player in the league, still.
Game 7 could be very different though. GS is so tough at home, and what happened in the last game doesn't always mean much in the finals. The biggest question might be, is Iguodala going to be able to play? I know he stayed in game 6, but he was a liability out there limping around. James destroyed him. If he is on James in game 7 and not at 100%, watch out for another Lebron-a-thon.
the trouble for the Warriors is the same thing that becomes the trouble for Teams in any long series, and not just in basketball. right now the Cavs are playing better than them, winning three of four, exploiting their weaknesses and taking advantage of injuries that happen over a long season.
Clearly, LeBron has established himself as the class of the league in this series. He has been nothing but business. My impression of him has been altered, and win or lose Sunday, he should be named MVP.
Tristan Thompson owns the paint now.
If Iguodala continues to wither, GS is definitely in deep doo-doo......however, remind yourselves that they are the only team in the league that CAN depend on a lightning streak of 3s to win games and that is what will get them there if at all.
I doubt any of us could imagine the intrigue which now accompanies the last game of the season. Hopefully, it will be close to the finish. Please let the refs have just one good day.
I agree with most said here about James, but I do remember a very bad call on Curry where James clearly shoved curry away with his arm. Should have been a charge on James, but Curry was called. Also James grabbed and manhandled Curry a couple of times ans was not called. I think all of these added up and caused Curry to lose it at the end.
when you consider what Iguodala did last year it's surprising he hasn't done more in this series. he certainly looked the part in games 1-2 so I wonder if he may have injured himself back a few games? he looked to really be in pain last night, especially on that layup that he missed in the fourth quarter. when he came down and started back up court I thought for sure he'd beg out because he looked to be in agony. his defense last year and three point shooting was marvelous. if he is unable to play any meaningful minutes on Sunday it'll absolutely shift things to the Warriors bench.
------game seven has some questions --- do Klay Thompson and Lebron impose their wills on offense, Thompson with three's and drives, Lebron with whatever he wants to do??? does Curry finally show up as an MVP??? will the Warriors figure out a way to move Tristan Thompson off the board?? will Kyrie Irving be allowed to move/drive/shoot however he chooses to?? how many minutes will Kevin Love play?? if Iguodala is unable to play what will guys like Livingston and Mo Buckets be able to do??
With the Cavs. dominating performance in G6 they have sure set their fans up for the heights of euphoria with a win Sunday or for the depths of despair with a loss. The fans were left with that much positive emotion after G6.
Successful transactions:Tookybandit. "Everyone is equal, some are more equal than others".
When there was about two minutes left in the game I was in the kitchen with the ol' lady and I told her it was a shame that one of the Teams had to lose, the game was that good. Draymond Green was hot in the first half and then Irving sort of took over down the stretch. man, I still can't believe the Cavs came back and beat the Warriors. did it really happen!!??!!
Congrat's Keets!!!! Well earned. That block OMG!!!!!!
Enjoy, I'm thrilled for the city of Cleveland
mark
Walker Proof Digital Album 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......
I wonder how many hoops fans will sincerely believe that the 2015-2016 Warriors were not very good because they could not score 5 more points tonight?
So how will this Warriors team be viewed since it did not win the title?
As a trivia question.
Or the team that could not win just one of three straight games, including two at home, to seal the deal.
But the reality is that after time, no one really remembers the runner-up.
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
Kevin, we finally got a game that wasn't a runaway and we ALMOST got the dream ending we talked about --- time running out and either LBJ or Curry coming down court with a chance to win the game!!! when it was under two minutes and tied at 89 I really thought that was gonna happen. when you consider the ability of either Team to score it's staggering that the last five minutes of a Game 7 to decide the Championship was almost scoreless!!! the first time I really believed we'd win was when Irving sank that Curry-esque three pointer, an ironic twist that after living on those shots the Warriors would be done in by one.
It has been said that the true measure of a Champion isn't how you win but how you lose. after watching the Game 6 meltdown by the Warriors and then last night's game I would say that they stood up well. they were dejected of course, but all the post game coverage I saw was of a Team that fought hard, accepted a bitter defeat with grace, congratulated the new Champions and talked of what they need to do going forward. they really displayed grace and humility. I was especially impressed with Dramond Green congratulating Lebron and then Steph Curry's time at the mic with the reporters --- that had to be tough but he swallowed his ego and talked honestly. having been on the losing side as a fan for so, so long I hope the Warriors management doesn't panic and think they need to make drastic changes.
"That which doesn't kill me only serves to make me stronger." I wish I knew who said that first.
I remember what it was like last season for long suffering Warrior fans to finally see their team win a title after a 40 year drought. It was very up lifting for the fans and the SF Bay Area. Then as an encore this year's Warriors team had an even better season (until last night) to the further delight of the fans of the team.
Transfer all that joy to Cleveland now. The fans in Cleveland will enjoy this title even more than Bay Area fans did last year because of the 51 season title drought in all sports endured by Cleveland.
I wonder how many hoops fans will sincerely believe that the 2015-2016 Warriors were not very good because they could not score 5 more points tonight?
So how will this Warriors team be viewed since it did not win the title?
It hasn't changed for me.....the Warriers are a great 3-pt shooting team, the best of all time. But one of the best teams of all time? No. Their championship last year had most of the best team in the West in the other side of the bracket, then they played Cleveland without 2 of their best players (and it still took them 6 games to win). A championship no doubt, but that doesn't put them up with the all-time great teams.
Then this year, they looked down and out vs OKC, certainly didn't dominate them, then blew a 3-1 lead against Lebron, and a team that was good, but not great themselves. They didn't look great defensively, rebounding, and their main star for the most part got stuffed. GS doesn't have the resume of a great team. If they bounce in the future and dominate in the playoffs (not the regular season), that could change.
Really, I think they made a big mistake putting so much effort into going for 73 regular seasons wins. The team looked different in the playoffs, obviously the injury to Curry, but just worn-down in general. They lived and died by the 3.
Anyone else find it mildly interesting that after all the cowing about floppers, there was LeBron in the final seconds, rolling in agony while his entire squad rushed to his aide, and within a minute or two he was at the line trying to seal the deal?
That was a brutal fall. But, I sense that in a game still undecided and close enough to lose, he immediately went to that place of "Flagrant 2, maybe 2 shots AND the ball, game absolutely over!"
I think it was his previously injured elbow which he plays with under wraps, and he probably nailed his funny bone. at first I thought he'd broken his wrist. to suggest it was a "flop" and he magically recovered is sort of insulting.
No insult intended. My intention was to imply his intelligence due to the past exhibitions of Varejao, amongst others. I also believed he'd damaged his wrist or elbow. But, I truly believe he was trying to WIN the game.
Originally posted by: SanctionII I wonder how many hoops fans will sincerely believe that the 2015-2016 Warriors were not very good because they could not score 5 more points tonight?
So how will this Warriors team be viewed since it did not win the title?
They will probably be viewed the same as that Pat's team that won every game in the season and lost the SB to the Giants.
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you'll never be able to outrun a bad diet
So, per usual, the spinning wheel of WTF? has pointed the arrow at Draymond Green. This should make Oracle a madhouse like no other with vitriol spewing at LeBron The SteepleChaser. How 'bout a little more bench for ya Cleveland? 3's coming down like Bay Area raindrops. D-d-d-done.
The NBA doesn't want a 5 game series that ends on a Monday so they had to put a thumb on the scale.
Lafayette Grading Set
There's something to be said for ballers who keep it on an even keel. Like Steph Curry. Or Klay Thompson. Or Kawhi Leonard. Or heck, even a lesser talent like Harrison Barnes. I bet that quartet could play for a decade and not cumulatively rack up the number of techs and flagrants DG has this season alone.
This series was over. Those guys were getting sized up for rings again. Now G5 is in jeopardy. If they go back to Cleveland for G6, we could very easily be looking at a winner-take-all G7 where anything can happen.
In other words, it was the ultimate act of selfishness and sheer stupidity on Draymond's part. He knows he has been walking on thin ice for weeks now. So for him be grappling with LeBron James -- in a game that had already been decided, mind you -- just goes to show what a detriment he can potentially be. It's a sad state of affairs, but I guess it actually required someone getting in his ear and letting him know that his presence for G5 is infinitely more important than proving to LBJ that he will not be shown up.
Tomorrow night is lose-lose for DG. He's going to feel the sting either way. If the Warriors go down, he could potentially be a culprit for the ages. If they win, his teammates will be celebrating a championship inside Oracle without him. If neither of those scenarios force him to scale it back, nothing ever will.
you'll never be able to outrun a bad diet
GS will do just fine without him. Their athleticism and speed should finish this thing off. They will rally around their fallen comrade and quite likely wear mock junk necklaces to the parade.
Does anyone suspect that James' actions were intentionally calculated and executed in an attempt to cause Green and/or Curry to respond and retaliate? I would like to think no, but who knows. Throwing Green to the floor and then walking over him when he could have easily walked to the side of him does cause one to think about whether he deliberately set out to goad Green. The loss of game 4 and playing game 5 in Oakland would not be favorable to Cleveland. If Green is required to sit out game 5 that would maybe improve Cleveland's chance to stave off elimination. This will be the subject of much water cooler discussion.
Sigh. The saddest state of affairs should have the former NBA players cupping their mouths to suppress laughter. This league used to be nasty. LOL.
I read ya, travesty. Fluidity can be difficult to digest at times.
But it's what it's.
Why allow an 0-2 Uncle Charlie heading toward the edge to rest in the subjective hands of an umpire? Why not acknowledge, adapt and adjust for the sake of the team?
you'll never be able to outrun a bad diet
Emotions are a part of sports both on and off the field of battle. The end of game 4 saw James get frustrated and he acted out by getting physical with Green first and Curry second.
Does anyone suspect that James' actions were intentionally calculated and executed in an attempt to cause Green and/or Curry to respond and retaliate? I would like to think no, but who knows. Throwing Green to the floor and then walking over him when he could have easily walked to the side of him does cause one to think about whether he deliberately set out to goad Green. The loss of game 4 and playing game 5 in Oakland would not be favorable to Cleveland. If Green is required to sit out game 5 that would maybe improve Cleveland's chance to stave off elimination. This will be the subject of much water cooler discussion.
Stepping over someone isn't a foul. Kicking/slapping someone in the groin is. I think the NBA has gone soft too, but even back in the past when the playoffs were physical, a nut-slap would have started a fight
Sigh. The saddest state of affairs should have the former NBA players cupping their mouths to suppress laughter. This league used to be nasty. LOL.
I read ya, travesty. Fluidity can be difficult to digest at times.
But it's what it's.
Why allow an 0-2 Uncle Charlie heading toward the edge to rest in the subjective hands of an umpire? Why not acknowledge, adapt and adjust for the sake of the team?
When you can learn how to acknowledge, adapt and adjust your ability to handle adrenal rushes and the most primitive psychological urges, please let me know. For the sake of the team.
In all candidness, I would need to think that Green actually contained himself pretty well under the circumstances and crotchety behavior. Anger is an energy.
The LEAGUE needs to decide what constitutes a game of basketball.
Lafayette Grading Set
You told me so.
Well now, Mr.galaxy27 man, I hate to say you told me so.
You told me so.
Nah. I understood what you were saying from the outset. Trust me, at times the rules & officiating drive me absolutely batty as well, and I far from agree with everything that goes on out on the court. But when you're on the brink of expulsion while your team is simultaneously on the brink of a championship, I just think you have to do whatever it takes to keep your nose clean, regardless of who's right and who's wrong.
Draymond is a punk at times, but he's oh so integral. You can't replicate his defensive presence and willingness to battle until he dies. To that point, suffice to say the Warriors sorely missed him last night. Couple his absence with Bogut going down and it's as if someone erected a superhighway to the basket for LBJ, Kyrie and Co.
But enough of the finger-pointing. The Cavs' dynamic duo was otherworldly last night. Was a real treat to watch them go off. Love or hate LeBron all you want, but no one can knock him this morning. Dude was scary good in every single facet of his game. And Kyrie Irving showed why he'll one day (probably sooner rather than later) be anointed the best point guard in the league. You can't help but love the future of that kid.
I have a really funny feeling about this series now. I personally would be scared to death if I were a GSW fan. But I picked the Dubs in 7 and they have proven their resilience time and again, so I'm not going to allow myself to be a prisoner of the moment.
you'll never be able to outrun a bad diet
I look forward to Green's return to the lineup. They'll miss Bogut. Irving has taken this series for himself above his own All-World teammate and the 2-time league MVP. Proving, I suppose, that they could have used his presence last year at this time.
If Varejao perpetuates one more flopsy move and gets free throws, I will reconsider my dark horse MVP choice as well.
How 'bout Shaun's poster dunk, though, huh? How 'bout it!!!!! ;-)
The first half reminded me of Rocky movies where the 2 boxers faced each other going toe to toe trading punches with no defense. Both teams were scoring at will, matching each other shot for shot. Tied at 61 each.
The second half was thrilling for fans of both teams. Cleveland fans were on pins and needles hoping that Cleveland would not surrender the 4-6 point lead it had. When Cleveland pulled away and got up by 13 late in the 4th Cleveland fans must have finally taken a breath. GSW fans on the other hand were on pins and needles hoping that the Warriors would keep the score close until late in the 4th at which time they hoped the Warriors would flip the switch, play lock down defense, go on a run, tie the game and win it in the end. Did not happen and when Cleveland went up by 13 late, game over and get on the plane for Game 6.
James and Irving were steller offensively. James in particular and Cleveland as a team played very good defense. GSW shot poorly, had too many turnovers and could not get to the rim. Even if Green played, I do not think it would have mattered. The loss of Bogut is a big negative for GSW.
I expect GSW to play much better in Game 6, though I expect a winner take all Game 7 in Oakland will happen.
Congrats to the Cavs on a great win last night.
also, I had originally figured, like many others, that it would be GSW in seven, than the last two games took place. my girlfriend was reminding me this morning that "You can't have a MIRACLE without C-L-E so Sunday should be fun.
I caved in and watched last night and can sum things up in one word.....................domination.
if you watched the same game that I did you will probably acknowledge my earlier rants about the officiating. I caught myself a few times shouting at the TV as much about the obvious no-calls as the calls that seemed incidental, there seems no clear margin or interpretation that we as fans can observe. I think the refs tried early on to gain control of things, by the end of the first half I think both Teams had 2-3 players from their starting line-ups in foul trouble with three.
the one that really stands out is Kevin Love's third, the contact seemed non-existent but so it goes.
we watched the post game coaches room and Steve Kerr said some fascinating things, chief among them being that he didn't think the "MVP" should have been whistled at the end, as though he should be given a different standard for contact. how ridiculous. on the other side of that all you have to do is watch some of the pawing at Lebron when he sets a post-up, but I digress. also, one of the post game guys pointed out that there is precedent in the finals for a suspension with a player throwing his mouthpiece. that shouldn't be expected but Curry really showed a lack of class when he did that and refused to leave the court. to my way of thinking he has been "outplayed" by two Cavs and at least one player on his own Team.
when will the MVP show up, will it be Sunday??
another point(if you were watching the same game as me) is that the Warriors are a very one-dimensional Team, they seem to rely almost totally on long range threes to the point where they avoid anything inside the arc and almost need to be invited into the lane. Cleveland, on the other hand, can attack from the entire court with multiple players, three's, two's and down the lane. that aspect of the game gave them an advantage. I think GSW was hindered some and missed Bogut. this is the beauty of a seven game series and the pre-game announcers summed it up well, at this point there are no surprises and it all comes down to execution. the Cavs executed well on defense, in transition and on offense. the Warriors seemed so tight that if they had farted they could have whistled Dixie!!
when was the last time you saw a Team run the alley-oop on the Warrior so many times?? Lebron would drive the lane and suck everyone towards him, Tristan Thompson would move towards the rim and raise his right arm and the rest is history. the play that was sheer ecstasy was the over-the-head-behind-the-back pass from JR Smith to Lebron coming down the key. how do you think about that, how do you execute that and how do you defend it?? for all the HATE directed towards Lebron James how do critics not admit to themselves his greatness?? he should be Finals MVP even if the Cavs lose, his numbers are consistently staggering going back to the Finals last year. how can that be denied??
one last point --- when he blocked that attempted lay-up by Curry in the fourth quarter and the camera showed him running his mouth, he was responding to all the taunts he gets where he's call "boy" among other things. he reportedly told Curry "This is a man's game!" which is classic.
GSW does rely too much on the 3. When it does not fall GSW many times responds by attacking the basket. They did not do that much in game 5 and did so more in game 6 with some effectiveness. GSW did come back from a horrible 1st quarter to pull within 7 points in the 4th quarter. I thought GSW would turn on the switch, clamp down on defense and win in the end. HOW WRONG I WAS TO THINK THAT!!!!!!
Cleveland played great down the stretch and ran away with the game. Hats off to them as we now head to game 7. I was hoping the series would go 7. Got my wish. Cleveland has taken control of the series and is out playing GSW in every phase of the game. The play of James and Irving stands out. Will be interesting to see how game 7 plays out. Cleveland will show up ready to play. I wonder which GSW team will show up. Hopefully not the one who showed up in games 3, 5 and 6. Every game has seen double digit wins. I hope game 7 is decided on a last second shot.
Regarding the officiating, it has been terrible for both teams. The call of a foul on Love on Klay Thompson should never have been made. Many such phantom calls are being called while other times during the game players get hammered and knocked to the ground with no call being made.
I am glad keets watched last night and yelled at his TV. I wonder if he will watch game 7?
this is what sticks out to me.
a good example is the fifth foul on Curry when he reached in. in the replay it appeared clean or with minimal contact, but prior to that as Irving was coming down there was plenty of contact and no call. I'm left thinking that, absent the loose ball the refs would have allowed play to continue. once there was a strip they whistled the ongoing contact. it is just hard to know what is what sometimes. another one that makes me crazy is when a shooter has his hand brushed once the ball is already gone. I could understand the call if the ball is still in contact with the shooter or if he's actually hit, but brushing a hand just seems so inconsequential.
hey, am I the only one glad to see Vara-flop not be able to get away with anything in that game??
Game 7 could be very different though. GS is so tough at home, and what happened in the last game doesn't always mean much in the finals. The biggest question might be, is Iguodala going to be able to play? I know he stayed in game 6, but he was a liability out there limping around. James destroyed him. If he is on James in game 7 and not at 100%, watch out for another Lebron-a-thon.
Tristan Thompson owns the paint now.
If Iguodala continues to wither, GS is definitely in deep doo-doo......however, remind yourselves that they are the only team in the league that CAN depend on a lightning streak of 3s to win games and that is what will get them there if at all.
I doubt any of us could imagine the intrigue which now accompanies the last game of the season. Hopefully, it will be close to the finish. Please let the refs have just one good day.
------game seven has some questions --- do Klay Thompson and Lebron impose their wills on offense, Thompson with three's and drives, Lebron with whatever he wants to do??? does Curry finally show up as an MVP??? will the Warriors figure out a way to move Tristan Thompson off the board?? will Kyrie Irving be allowed to move/drive/shoot however he chooses to?? how many minutes will Kevin Love play?? if Iguodala is unable to play what will guys like Livingston and Mo Buckets be able to do??
Lafayette Grading Set
When there was about two minutes left in the game I was in the kitchen with the ol' lady and I told her it was a shame that one of the Teams had to lose, the game was that good. Draymond Green was hot in the first half and then Irving sort of took over down the stretch. man, I still can't believe the Cavs came back and beat the Warriors. did it really happen!!??!!
Enjoy, I'm thrilled for the city of Cleveland
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......
I'm happy for Cleveland also! Great game....great year in the NBA!
Glad you watched, keets!
you'll never be able to outrun a bad diet
How about a rematch next year to break the 1-1 tie?
So how will this Warriors team be viewed since it did not win the title?
I wonder how many hoops fans will sincerely believe that the 2015-2016 Warriors were not very good because they could not score 5 more points tonight?
So how will this Warriors team be viewed since it did not win the title?
As a trivia question.
Or the team that could not win just one of three straight games, including two at home, to seal the deal.
But the reality is that after time, no one really remembers the runner-up.
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
It has been said that the true measure of a Champion isn't how you win but how you lose. after watching the Game 6 meltdown by the Warriors and then last night's game I would say that they stood up well. they were dejected of course, but all the post game coverage I saw was of a Team that fought hard, accepted a bitter defeat with grace, congratulated the new Champions and talked of what they need to do going forward. they really displayed grace and humility. I was especially impressed with Dramond Green congratulating Lebron and then Steph Curry's time at the mic with the reporters --- that had to be tough but he swallowed his ego and talked honestly. having been on the losing side as a fan for so, so long I hope the Warriors management doesn't panic and think they need to make drastic changes.
"That which doesn't kill me only serves to make me stronger." I wish I knew who said that first.
Transfer all that joy to Cleveland now. The fans in Cleveland will enjoy this title even more than Bay Area fans did last year because of the 51 season title drought in all sports endured by Cleveland.
I wonder how many hoops fans will sincerely believe that the 2015-2016 Warriors were not very good because they could not score 5 more points tonight?
So how will this Warriors team be viewed since it did not win the title?
It hasn't changed for me.....the Warriers are a great 3-pt shooting team, the best of all time. But one of the best teams of all time? No. Their championship last year had most of the best team in the West in the other side of the bracket, then they played Cleveland without 2 of their best players (and it still took them 6 games to win). A championship no doubt, but that doesn't put them up with the all-time great teams.
Then this year, they looked down and out vs OKC, certainly didn't dominate them, then blew a 3-1 lead against Lebron, and a team that was good, but not great themselves. They didn't look great defensively, rebounding, and their main star for the most part got stuffed. GS doesn't have the resume of a great team. If they bounce in the future and dominate in the playoffs (not the regular season), that could change.
Really, I think they made a big mistake putting so much effort into going for 73 regular seasons wins. The team looked different in the playoffs, obviously the injury to Curry, but just worn-down in general. They lived and died by the 3.
That was a brutal fall. But, I sense that in a game still undecided and close enough to lose, he immediately went to that place of "Flagrant 2, maybe 2 shots AND the ball, game absolutely over!"
And who could blame him?
I wonder how many hoops fans will sincerely believe that the 2015-2016 Warriors were not very good because they could not score 5 more points tonight?
So how will this Warriors team be viewed since it did not win the title?
They will probably be viewed the same as that Pat's team that won every game in the season and lost the SB to the Giants.