NBA Finals 2017 - Cavs vs. Warriors

Cavs need to bench JR, give Love a lil more love, and Lebron needs to stop shooting threes. He's a monster down low.

Repost of what I said before

The GS offense will EAT CLE defense alive. The addition of KD is the reason why.

H. Barnes, while good, is no KD. His shot didn't fall last year and the Cav's left him alone once he hit that 3p line. KD is going to have to be defended by either Lebron or KLove because of his size and speed. Frye and Thompson are too slow and Shumpert and Jefferson are too small. Let's just assume it's LBJ because it always has been.

That means Steph will have to be covered by Kyrie (yikes), JR (who is surprisingly decent this year at D), Shumpert (better on Klay IMO given size) or Thompson. We can cross Thompson off that list, he'll have to cover Dray or Javale, leaving Kyrie, JR and Shumpert. Shumpert won't start, so it'll be either Kyrie or JR covering Steph to start. My guess is JR as he is better than Kyrie at D. They'll also want to keep Kyrie fresh for offense and chasing Curry around the court is sure to tire him out.

That leaves Klay to be covered by Kyrie or Shumpert. Shumpert doesn't start (and likely won't) so it means Kyrie on Klay. Klay has the size advantage here so there will need to be assistance if Klay tries to post him up.

Then there is Draymond to still worry about. Assuming LBJ is on KD, that leaves Love or Thompson. This isn't a bad match-up, but Dray is much more physical than Klove and can stretch the floor as well. That means Klove can't come over to help protect Kyrie when Klay drives or posts up.

That leaves Thompson on Javale which won't really matter because Javale is a rim guy, not a mid-range shooter. But because he is a 7 foot rim guy, Thompson can't afford to leave him alone. He needs to body him up and not let him get easy buckets from oops.

With KD, Steph, Klay, and Dray on the floor, they can run the perimeter like the Celtics did and cause switches that will be optimal match ups for O and bad for CLE D. CLE can't sag off on GS on the 3pt line like they can with the Cs, they have to play up close. But Steph, Klay, KD, and Dray can all create their own shots. Only Al and sometimes AB can with the Cs when IT isn't playing.

This means the CLE D will have to be prepared for switches and communicate well. We've seen they can't do that, and frankly haven't all season. This isn't something they'll be able to switch on and off, it takes a full season to become good at.

My guess? You'll see a lot of pick and rolls, screens, etc. to create separation for shooters and we all know what GS can do when left open. CLE will have to counteract this by playing REALLY tight man to man, but that is really tiring for an entire game. It also leaves them susceptible to quick cuts to the basket because the CLE D will be watching the ball in case the defender gets beaten on the perimeter and the GS player drives to the basket as they slide over to help. It also leaves them open to perimeter shots as well.

All in all, it is a VERY unfavorable match up and we haven't even gotten to the bench.

Livingston will have to be covered by Shumpert. He is too long for Deron Williams and too fast for Jefferson.

Iggy will have to be covered by Jefferson, Shumpert is covering Livingston and Kyle Korver isn't athletic enough.

David West will command either Korver or Frye. I believe Korver is more likely as someone will have to cover Zaza.

As a result, Zaza will likely be covered by Frye given the size match up.

This is only 4 players, meaning there will likely be 1 of the starting 4 big names on the court as well. And the thing is, it can be any single one given the versatility of those players. Every single one can play at least 2 positions, in the case of KD and Dray, almost all 5.

I'm guessing a 5 game series. 4-1 GS. Cleveland wins 1 at home, GS wins the rest. (I'd change this to 4-0 now, given how dominant KD has been)

It's the Warriors series all the way. Seems like no way they can lose 4 games to anyone.

Warriors offense showed no holes last night other than turnovers. If they can hold onto the ball and complete their passes, it'll be GS all the way. The Cavs can't keep up in a shootout.

It was even for the first 2.5 quarters until LBJ had to sit and then GS ran with it - he's not only their power scorer but also their playmaker, and he can't do everything always. For example, Love's monster game was a result of LBJ's masterful vision and playmaking - without LBJ on the floor, the supporting players weren't putting it together.

Lol no one cares about basketball. The nba is a shitshiw and the biggest embarreassment in professional sports

how bout KD with that DAGGER. hell of a game to watch. i thought cleveland would be able to pull it out, but gsw really geared up in the last few minutes. series is looking pretty bleak for cleveland now....but thats what was said last year too

conchetlerhow bout KD with that DAGGER. hell of a game to watch. i thought cleveland would be able to pull it out, but gsw really geared up in the last few minutes. series is looking pretty bleak for cleveland now....but thats what was said last year too

For most of the game, i was convinced the warriors would win, then for about 6 mins of game time i was like damn, cavs might win. Then the warriors did a classic warriors move and went 11-0 in the last 2ish minutes. KD wants that ring and hes showing it, hes like lebron 4 years ago, KD hasnt even come close to peaking yet.

Wow what a finish. Cavs really kept it close and then I actually thought they would pull through for a win. Shouldn't have second guessed the Warriors ability to put the hammer down.

eheathFor most of the game, i was convinced the warriors would win, then for about 6 mins of game time i was like damn, cavs might win. Then the warriors did a classic warriors move and went 11-0 in the last 2ish minutes. KD wants that ring and hes showing it, hes like lebron 4 years ago, KD hasnt even come close to peaking yet.

I agree. Now that KD doesn't have to carry an entire team on his back he can just point and shoot. Turns out he's pretty damn efficient when he's got 3 other all stars to play off of

If the cavs were more consistent they would have easily won

milk_manIf the cavs were more consistent they would have easily won

And if they were deeper. Kyrie and Lebron were dominant, but both played 44-45 minutes; where was everyone else?

milk_manIf the cavs were more consistent they would have easily won

No.

They wouldn't have.

They don't match up well nor do they have the depth. We've seen how LBJ drops off (from his lofty standards) in the 4th because too much is asked of him.

They'll probably win tonight, but that's it.

.MASSHOLE.No.

They wouldn't have.

They don't match up well nor do they have the depth. We've seen how LBJ drops off (from his lofty standards) in the 4th because too much is asked of him.

They'll probably win tonight, but that's it.

If they couldn't win the hyped up first home game why would they win tonight?

It will be hard to win two in a row on the road but I still will not be surprised if the Warriors sweep.

milk_manIf they couldn't win the hyped up first home game why would they win tonight?

Two games, on the road, against LBJ?

He is going to play like the best player in the world tonight. I don't expect KLove to repeat his poor performance from last game either. Kyrie has gotten better as the series has progressed too.

.MASSHOLE.Two games, on the road, against LBJ?

He is going to play like the best player in the world tonight. I don't expect KLove to repeat his poor performance from last game either. Kyrie has gotten better as the series has progressed too.

You're probably right. But a lot of people do think that Golden State can pull it off (picture), including myself. Super pumped for the game! Wouldn't mind the cavs winning, I would love to watch some more basketball

basketball is so boring now..

Super team vs lebron

GS is going to finish the sweep tonight.

JAHpowSuper team vs lebron

GS is going to finish the sweep tonight.

Lol what happened.

Fuck GSW, KD, Steph and anyone who isn't from there who cheers for them.

SkierGuyNickLol what happened.

Fuck GSW, KD, Steph and anyone who isn't from there who cheers for them.

A team in an embarrassing and desperate situation at home won a game. The pace they set isn't sustainable. They won't be able to continue like that

i used to not like Lebron but after seeing what the warriors have turned into the past couple years, i've grown to like him because i just hate the warriors so much. KD is a bitch, as are steph thompson and green

SkierGuyNickLol what happened.

Fuck GSW, KD, Steph and anyone who isn't from there who cheers for them.

As an original Big 3 Celtics fan, I love seeing Lebron lose. Don't care who it is against, how it happens, or what stage, I just love it.

But the Cav's shooting % isn't sustainable, and anyone who follows both teams knows that GS is mortal on the road, and Cavs are incredible at home.

stinky_petei used to not like Lebron but after seeing what the warriors have turned into the past couple years, i've grown to like him because i just hate the warriors so much. KD is a bitch, as are steph thompson and green

Can you elaborate? I agree on Green obviously... but the others, why?

milk_manCan you elaborate? I agree on Green obviously... but the others, why?

ok to be fair my reasoning isn't amazing, but yeah green is for obvious reasons

KD i think has been a dick since he left OKC, yeah he's an amazing player but i feel like he used to be more chill but now he just complains a ton and talks tons of heat and is just an all around ass

thompson i just hate because his face pisses me off

steph, mostly i just hate him because he's so good, and he also just milks the refs

stinky_petesteph, mostly i just hate him because he's so good, and he also just milks the refs

Devil's advocate: why don't you hate Lebron for the same reasons?

stinky_peteok to be fair my reasoning isn't amazing, but yeah green is for obvious reasons

KD i think has been a dick since he left OKC, yeah he's an amazing player but i feel like he used to be more chill but now he just complains a ton and talks tons of heat and is just an all around ass

thompson i just hate because his face pisses me off

steph, mostly i just hate him because he's so good, and he also just milks the refs

I don't think your right their. I believe GS is paying KD less the OKC did, therefore he moved for his love of basket ball insteaad of the money, and hes a dam good player noone can deny that.

mirozDevil's advocate: why don't you hate Lebron for the same reasons?

oh no i definitely did hate lebrun for a while but my hate for steph was stronger so now i like lebron because the cavs really are the only team that have a chance of beating the warriors

stinky_peteoh no i definitely did hate lebrun for a while but my hate for steph was stronger so now i like lebron because the cavs really are the only team that have a chance of beating the warriors

Pete you are just too stinky..


Go warriors

stinky_peteoh no i definitely did hate lebrun for a while but my hate for steph was stronger so now i like lebron because the cavs really are the only team that have a chance of beating the warriors

That's stupid and I think you missed my point. Lebron flops all the time and is a walking travel, but never gets called for it, yet you dislike SC because you think he plays the refs?

benharrington_I don't think your right their. I believe GS is paying KD less the OKC did, therefore he moved for his love of basket ball insteaad of the money, and hes a dam good player noone can deny that.

This was a struggle to read

Warriors in 5

mirozThat's stupid and I think you missed my point. Lebron flops all the time and is a walking travel, but never gets called for it, yet you dislike SC because you think he plays the refs?

yeah. i know lebron does the same thing but i just hate steph for it. i know my logic is stupid but who gives a shit, go Cavs!

Ok now what next sports bandwagon can I hop on since MN isn't going to get me anywhere?

If only the Cavs were good

andrewskimaineIf only the Cavs were good

Wut