Surprised by the Raptors but nice to see them show they deserve to be there - better effort than the Heat could have given - and that crowd was awesome
Horrendous coaching by Lue. Good intensity on defense and nice to see Lowry and Derozian (spelling I have not idea how to spell his name) get hot.
That Biyambo block on LeBron which they called a foul on was pretty impressive - I thought it was not a foul but whatever
quote:Originally posted by DoubleD:
Patespo, step away from the edge of the roof.
Surprisingly for a Cleveland fan, I haven't stepped even close to the edge. I give a ton of credit to Toronto for stepping up these last two games, especially Lowery, who I thought was soft.
Cleveland is falling too much in love with the 3s, they need more post up play from Love and Lebron. IF Cleveland loses tomorrow, count me worried then.
On another note, apparently you can kick a dude in the nuts and get away with it. As long as rulings like these continue, the NBA will have a credibility problem and the conspiracy nuts will have ammo for their arguments.
Prior to the game, Lebron said he had a game plan for himself for game 4, and afterwards in the post-game interview a reporter said that the game plan didn't seem drastically different from the previous game. He asked Lebron if he played the way he wanted to.
Lebron's answer:
"I think I played to the game plan I wanted to play, both offensively and defensively. For me, I gave everything I had in the 46 minutes that I played. Both offensively and defensively I felt great. I tried to get my guys involved, get myself involved, but my individual game plan was pretty good."
Perhaps I'm inferring meaning here when there is none, but I thought the last sentence was telling - the use of the words "tried" and "individual".
Lebron's answer:
"I think I played to the game plan I wanted to play, both offensively and defensively. For me, I gave everything I had in the 46 minutes that I played. Both offensively and defensively I felt great. I tried to get my guys involved, get myself involved, but my individual game plan was pretty good."
Perhaps I'm inferring meaning here when there is none, but I thought the last sentence was telling - the use of the words "tried" and "individual".
I don't think a healthy Love would have helped them last year. Talk about an overrated player. Make the open shot dude! I don't see any defensive presence either.
quote:Originally posted by TPEwinedrinker:
air canada center is also one of the loudest arenas in nba.
And one of the quietest in the NHL...
quote:Originally posted by JDWest:quote:Originally posted by TPEwinedrinker:
air canada center is also one of the loudest arenas in nba.
And one of the quietest in the NHL...
Truth
quote:Originally posted by sunnylea57:quote:Originally posted by JDWest:quote:Originally posted by TPEwinedrinker:
air canada center is also one of the loudest arenas in nba.
And one of the quietest in the NHL...
Truth
What's the NHL?? I've seen that thread but not sure its meaning.
It's the league with actual team play and sacrifice. Derek Rose hasn't heard of it either.
quote:Originally posted by billhike:
It's the league with actual team play and sacrifice. Derek Rose hasn't heard of it either.
There was a time I think I'd heard of the NBA but I can't seem to ever find anything NBA on the schedule of events at the Amalie Arena in Tampa....so I do wonder if said NBA exists anymore. I mean a real league wouldn't fail to put a team in the 2nd largest metropolitan area of the 3rd largest state would they?
Hmm, there's another much bigger league that hasn't had a team in the second largest metro in the country since 1994.
quote:Originally posted by vinole:
Hmm, there's another much bigger league that hasn't had a team in the second largest metro in the country since 1994.
Lol
quote:Originally posted by vinole:
Hmm, there's another much bigger league that hasn't had a team in the second largest metro in the country since 1994.
While true, that market has only itself to blame for that as it historically had 1 and for a brief time had 2...and I guess one day might have 2 again.
Then again, I'm glad I'm not a resident of Orlando or Miami as they were dumb enough to fund the cost of 2 arenas each to support their NBA franchises since the original arenas (which were practically identical) were outdated the day they opened.
quote:Originally posted by CSM:quote:Originally posted by bfw:quote:Originally posted by CSM:quote:Originally posted by bfw
So if one game is a fluke...then what is two in a row?
A trend?
Bfw
Coming on here to gloat after the fact when you refused to put your money where your mouth was before the game is more than a little ridiculous and is entirely disingenuous. Your team won a game no one expected them to (even you otherwise you would have take TPE's bet), which was even more impressive given the officiating. Maybe just be happy about that.
Sorry...I don't bet anonymous sports authorities on the internet.
Btw, it was your ridiculous statement that started this all!
Bfw
Of course that's it. It was because of anonymity and the internet, not because you didn't have any faith in your team and wanted to wait for the result to make your opinion known
My statement was not ridiculous. Turns out it was wrong, but that doesn't make it ridiculous. If you saw something (and you clearly didn't given your actions/your inaction) that gave you the impression the Raptors had a hope after games 1 and 2, you must have been clairvoyant because there was nothing indicating anything but a Cleveland sweep.
Anybody who watches sports knows that nearly anything can happen at any time.
When you make a black and white statement with regards to a sports outcome, you're being ridiculous.
It did not even matter if the Raps won or not.
Your statement right of the bat was ridiculous.
Bfw
Cleveland is the far superior team but some things have conspired to make this a more interesting series as well as Toronto taking advantage of some flaws Cleveland was able to hide in RD 1 & 2 against far inferior opponents. Cleveland was red hot and has cooled off. Lowry was cold and has heated up. I don't think the opponent had anything to do with either of them. Simple regression to the mean.
Cavs aren't a very good defensive team, especially Irving and Love. Go read Zach Lowe's latest article. Irving is getting abused. So is Love. Cleveland has no rim protection. This was going to be a problem at some point against a decent offense.
Cavs aren't a very good defensive team, especially Irving and Love. Go read Zach Lowe's latest article. Irving is getting abused. So is Love. Cleveland has no rim protection. This was going to be a problem at some point against a decent offense.
quote:Originally posted by jburman82:
Cleveland is the far superior team but some things have conspired to make this a more interesting series as well as Toronto taking advantage of some flaws Cleveland was able to hide in RD 1 & 2 against far inferior opponents. Cleveland was red hot and has cooled off. Lowry was cold and has heated up. I don't think the opponent had anything to do with either of them. Simple regression to the mean.
Cavs aren't a very good defensive team, especially Irving and Love. Go read Zach Lowe's latest article. Irving is getting abused. So is Love. Cleveland has no rim protection. This was going to be a problem at some point against a decent offense.
Watching Lowry blow by Irving and Smith was awesome
quote:Originally posted by Jcocktosten:quote:Originally posted by jburman82:
Cleveland is the far superior team but some things have conspired to make this a more interesting series as well as Toronto taking advantage of some flaws Cleveland was able to hide in RD 1 & 2 against far inferior opponents. Cleveland was red hot and has cooled off. Lowry was cold and has heated up. I don't think the opponent had anything to do with either of them. Simple regression to the mean.
Cavs aren't a very good defensive team, especially Irving and Love. Go read Zach Lowe's latest article. Irving is getting abused. So is Love. Cleveland has no rim protection. This was going to be a problem at some point against a decent offense.
Watching Lowry blow by Irving and Smith was awesome
Why? You didn't get enough of him doing it to the Heat
quote:Originally posted by patespo1:quote:Originally posted by Jcocktosten:quote:Originally posted by jburman82:
Cleveland is the far superior team but some things have conspired to make this a more interesting series as well as Toronto taking advantage of some flaws Cleveland was able to hide in RD 1 & 2 against far inferior opponents. Cleveland was red hot and has cooled off. Lowry was cold and has heated up. I don't think the opponent had anything to do with either of them. Simple regression to the mean.
Cavs aren't a very good defensive team, especially Irving and Love. Go read Zach Lowe's latest article. Irving is getting abused. So is Love. Cleveland has no rim protection. This was going to be a problem at some point against a decent offense.
Watching Lowry blow by Irving and Smith was awesome
Why? You didn't get enough of him doing it to the Heat
Don't be a hater because your pretender team is getting exposed by this super awesome Toronto team.
quote:Originally posted by bfw:quote:Originally posted by CSM:quote:Originally posted by bfw:quote:Originally posted by CSM:quote:Originally posted by bfw
So if one game is a fluke...then what is two in a row?
A trend?
Bfw
Coming on here to gloat after the fact when you refused to put your money where your mouth was before the game is more than a little ridiculous and is entirely disingenuous. Your team won a game no one expected them to (even you otherwise you would have take TPE's bet), which was even more impressive given the officiating. Maybe just be happy about that.
Sorry...I don't bet anonymous sports authorities on the internet.
Btw, it was your ridiculous statement that started this all!
Bfw
Of course that's it. It was because of anonymity and the internet, not because you didn't have any faith in your team and wanted to wait for the result to make your opinion known
My statement was not ridiculous. Turns out it was wrong, but that doesn't make it ridiculous. If you saw something (and you clearly didn't given your actions/your inaction) that gave you the impression the Raptors had a hope after games 1 and 2, you must have been clairvoyant because there was nothing indicating anything but a Cleveland sweep.
Anybody who watches sports knows that nearly anything can happen at any time.
When you make a black and white statement with regards to a sports outcome, you're being ridiculous.
It did not even matter if the Raps won or not.
Your statement right of the bat was ridiculous.
Bfw
And when you never offer a definitive prediction and only operate with the benefit of hindsight, you're never wrong, but you're also being wishy-washy at best and have given up any the right to gloat about a result over those that did.
Russell Westbrook: What a disruptive, athletic, aggressive player! Does he ever slow down? Unbelievable energy!
quote:Originally posted by gigabit:
Russell Westbrook: What a disruptive, athletic, aggressive player! Does he ever slow down? Unbelievable energy!
When on, he cannot be stopped. When off, he can destroy his own team. He has been on for the good for OKC and bad for the W's.
I wish the W's were winning but you have to hand it to OKC and Billy D - although I still hate the owners of that team
quote:Originally posted by Jcocktosten:quote:Originally posted by gigabit:
Russell Westbrook: What a disruptive, athletic, aggressive player! Does he ever slow down? Unbelievable energy!
When on, he cannot be stopped. When off, he can destroy his own team. He has been on for the good for OKC and bad for the W's.
I wish the W's were winning but you have to hand it to OKC and Billy D - although I still hate the owners of that team
IF OKC wins this series, and IF Cleveland gets by Toronto, I think the Westbrook - Kyrie matchup is a nightmare for Cleveland. No way Kyrie can check him, he can only hope to outscore him. I think Lebron can neutralize KD to some extent, but Westbrook scare the sh*t out of me.
quote:Originally posted by patespo1:
I think the Westbrook - Kyrie matchup is a nightmare for Cleveland.
And Curry-Klay will be a cakewalk?
quote:Originally posted by DoubleD:quote:Originally posted by patespo1:
I think the Westbrook - Kyrie matchup is a nightmare for Cleveland.
And Curry-Klay will be a cakewalk?
They are a tremendous back court, but neither are the athletic freak that Westbrook is. That's what scares me, I don't know if Kyrie can stay in front of Westbrook
Masterful coaching by Billy D. I have seen it before, getting the team to buy into a total defensive plan. The plan to play physical against Curry is working although I realize you need the athletes to execute it.
quote:Originally posted by scbeerman:
Masterful coaching by Billy D. I have seen it before, getting the team to buy into a total defensive plan. The plan to play physical against Curry is working although I realize you need the athletes to execute it.
And officials that don't ever give a call to curry. The warriors are playing 8 on 5. Make no mistake, the thunder are playing amazingly, but warriors are not getting a damn call, while Westbrook gets the whistle every time someone breathes on him. Warriors have won this year in spite of officiating giving the opponent a extra 5-6 calls a game... Finally catching up to them with a team on equal footing. But the officiating has been utterly atrocious
Curry can always kick someone to even it out...
Whatever your opinion of the officials, OKC has Curry taking shots out of his comfort zone and committing turnovers that result in fast break points for OKC. That is coaching to your talent.
quote:Originally posted by billhike:
Curry can always kick someone to even it out...
Up the Raps. #gravy
Sigh.
Wow. I'm waking up about the time the games are ending. I'm shocked the Warriors are down 3-1.
Did I miss a serious injury or anything?
Did I miss a serious injury or anything?
quote:Originally posted by wine+art:
Wow. I'm waking up about the time the games are ending. I'm shocked the Warriors are down 3-1.
Did I miss a serious injury or anything?
Nope - although Curry is clearly hurt and not himself - Thunder playing amazing - Westbrook awesome. Donovan outcoaching Kerr dramatically.
And according to TPE - poor officiating
Is that true or is the Thunder and especially Westbrook just hot right now while the Warriors are a little off? I thought the narrative most of the year was that Donovan has been a disappointment. Now all of a sudden figured it out? I'm not buying that. I'm guessing the real answer is somewhere in the middle between those 2.quote:Originally posted by Jcocktosten:
Donovan outcoaching Kerr dramatically.
If Im not mistaken OKC gave GSW their toughest games this year. I think its the unique length and quickness that makes OKC a very tough matchup for GSW.
Hats off to the Cavs for bringing their A game the past 2 games.
Kudos to the Cleveland fans at Quicken Loans who graciously bought me beers at game 5 to drown my sorrows.
Looking forward to a competitive finals.
Bfw
Kudos to the Cleveland fans at Quicken Loans who graciously bought me beers at game 5 to drown my sorrows.
Looking forward to a competitive finals.
Bfw
That was some game. As a Cleveland fan, both teams look tough. GS plays like a Swiss watch and OKC plays like a Tasmanian devil.
One of the all time great playoffs performances by Klay. What a frickin game. I still can't believe it. I can't wait for game 7!
quote:Originally posted by TPEwinedrinker:
One of the all time great playoffs performances by Klay. What a frickin game. I still can't believe it. I can't wait for game 7!
Klay was incredible and single-handedly kept his team in it until Curry and others stepped up. I always enjoy watching Iguodala play, too.
I've been going back and forth on which team I'd like Cleveland to face in the finals. But full-strength GS seems like the better story. Also, I'm not declaring an opinion on who the better player is between Curry and Westbrook, but I think Kyrie would have more ability to guard Curry. OTOH, Cleveland would have home court against OKC, and even though he's 2 inches shorter, I think LeBron is well equipped to Handle Durant, and Durant would have a problem guarding LeBron.
Gut check win by Golden State. They challenged Durant on every shot and their aggressive defense set the tone. Their patience allowed their stars to get hot at the right time.
Sounds like I'm missing a great series.
Looking forward to the finals.
Looking forward to the finals.