So we all agree the Cavs have no chance against the Warriors right?

[lilteapot]

It's unanimous?

[shootingcomets]

Warriors will post one of the highest winning margins

[jimmy77x]

Anything can happen, but a lot of ISH idiots making bumpable threads on both sides. Will be interesting to see bran groupies disappear once again if he loses and the same for warrior fans.

[IGOTGAME]

I mean, the Warriors have a much better team. And some posters on various forums are saying that Curry is harder to guard than Jordan.

So that pretty much means its over.

[WallIn]

Anything ranging from GSW sweep to GSW in 6.

Depending on how Lebron will perform.

[kamil]

Lebron* will definitely have the help of the refs. Adam Silver will make sure of that.

#givennotearned

[HylianNightmare]

I think Cleveland can win in 6

[Ne 1]

Barring injuries, I expect the Warriors to steamroll the Cavs. But I suppose nothing is ever a forgone conclusion. The majority thought Dallas didn't have a chance against Miami in 2011 as well as the Pistons against the Lakers in 2004.

[dunksby]

They are playing LeBron's team, finals are his territory, the rest are virgins.

[MP.Trey]

Cavs in 7.

[jimmy77x]

Lebron* will definitely have the help of the refs. Adam Silver will make sure of that.

#givennotearned

Exactly, Lecuddled will have the benefit of the whistle.

[r0drig0lac]

Lebron is winning his third FMVP this year

[Hey Yo]

I've said multiple times (after it was confirmed Love was done for the season) that no East team can beat the rep. from the West.

Hopefully the Cavs can prove me wrong if they get there.

[bingo123]

Warriors will be heavily favored to win it... I dont really care who wins it but it would be a lot more entertaining if Cavs can pull it off.

[Taller than CP3]

Yes. Everyone has pretty much known the Warriors were going to be the Champs ever since the beginning. I'm just excited about Lebron going 2/6, that's what I'm looking forward to the most.

[edrick]

Exactly, Lecuddled will have the benefit of the whistle.

Harden has been the ref's favorite for the past 2 seasons. Haters can no longer use this as an excuse. When the Heat beat the Spurs in the Finals, the Heat attempted the fewest free throws in a 7 game playoff series EVER, not just the Finals, but in playoff history. They attempted 118 FTs in 7 games.

[WadeBronDonJuan]

Yes. Everyone has pretty much known the Warriors were going to be the Champs ever since the beginning. I'm just excited about Lebron going 2/6, that's what I'm looking forward to the most.

Yes, because in your water filled brain, it is better for Lebron to lose in the eastern conference finals rather than lose in the finals.

This kind of logic isn't understood by people that have critical thinking skills.

[Taller than CP3]

Yes, because in your water filled brain, it is better for Lebron to lose in the eastern conference finals rather than lose in the finals.

This kind of logic isn't understood by people that have critical thinking skills.

Kobe, Duncan, and MJ fans have the luxury of discussing their 5 and 6 rings for their legacy.

Meanwhile, you Lebron stans are stuck boasting about 6 Finals Appearances LOL.

How's that for critical thinking skills?

[Ne 1]

Kobe, Duncan, and MJ fans have the luxury of discussing their 5 and 6 rings for their legacy.

Meanwhile, you Lebron stans are stuck boasting about 6 Finals Appearances LOL.

How's that for critical thinking skills?
:oldlol:

[WadeBronDonJuan]

Kobe, Duncan, and MJ fans have the luxury of discussing their 5 and 6 rings for their legacy.

Meanwhile, you Lebron stans are stuck boasting about 6 Finals Appearances LOL.

How's that for critical thinking skills?


Who is boasting about that? Lebrons career is far from over, as well.

The first finals appearance was because Lebron was so dominant that he was able to bring those scrubs with him to the finals. That one shouldn't even count. The Miami Heats first appearance is his fault in terms of their loss. He played terrible.

The other 3 appearances, he was the best player all season and the best player on the heat. Shit happens.

We will see how this finals turns out. If he does pull it off and wins this year, you're gonna be pissed.

[UK2K]

Warriors should have been the hands down favorite to win since December.

I think Cleveland could win if Lebron was 2 or 3 years ago Lebron...

But GS has a great team assembled. They really have no weakness. They're balanced. Stacked at every position.

Great job by the front office.

[UK2K]

Harden has been the ref's favorite for the past 2 seasons. Haters can no longer use this as an excuse. When the Heat beat the Spurs in the Finals, the Heat attempted the fewest free throws in a 7 game playoff series EVER, not just the Finals, but in playoff history. They attempted 118 FTs in 7 games.
They also had zero inside presence.

That's what happens.

[RRR3]

They also had zero inside presence.

That's what happens.
um, LeBron?

[tontoz]

The Warriors were by far the best team all season and they are healthy. They have 3 good defenders (Green, Iggy, Barnes) that they can put on Lebron. I will be surprised if the Cavs make it to game 6.

[sportjames23]

Kobe, Duncan, and MJ fans have the luxury of discussing their 5 and 6 rings for their legacy.

Meanwhile, you Lebron stans are stuck boasting about 6 Finals Appearances LOL.

How's that for critical thinking skills?


Damn. :oldlol:

[kamil]

Kobe, Duncan, and MJ fans have the luxury of discussing their 5 and 6 rings for their legacy.

Meanwhile, you Lebron stans are stuck boasting about 6 Finals Appearances LOL.

How's that for critical thinking skills?

Oh snap.

[lilgodfather1]

No chance no, little chance sure. The Cavs still have the best player in the series, and if Kyrie can get healthier he can help negate Curry somewhat. It all depends on LeBron though, he has to play legendary basketball for them to win against the Warriors.

Then again, I thought they would lose to Atlanta, so hopefully i'm wrong again.

[Bernkastel]

All neutral posters want LeAsterisk to win just to see his haters go full panic mode.

[Dro]

No, we don't all agree....

[Bernkastel]

The Cavs will win in 6.

[sportjames23]

All neutral posters want LeAsterisk to win just to see his haters go full panic mode.


Ain't gonna lie--if Bron an' nem win, it would break ISH in two. The meltdown would be epic. I'd entertain thoughts of CLE winning just for the reactions. :oldlol:

[Crimsonrain777]

2/6 incoming

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Problem is Kyrie's health. If dude is healthy, there's definitely a chance.

All in all, I could see this series go 6 or 7 if the Cavs are defending and hitting their shots.

[stephanieg]

The Warriors are one of the most stacked teams of the modern era. The only chance Cleveland has if Bogut gets hurt and they miss all their three pointers.

[inclinerator]

well since people here believed games are fixed and predetermined then either side can win

[Kingwillball]

Cavs have personal to matchup and experience is one there side with lebron and other guys who have finals experience.warriors are wet behind ears and very little chance lebron lets curry and warriors show him up. He is gonna dominate in this series and will be his most satisfying championship. Cavs in 6

[BlackWhiteGreen]

I'd say the odds before the series will be close to the Mavs in 11, which tells you enough

[Kingwillball]

I'd say the odds before the series will be close to the Mavs in 11, which tells you enough

I was thinking this could be the reverse of 11 where this time lebron takes back the one he gave away as a favorite against a team who had no business winning that series but played as a team much like Cavs are right now.

[Megabox!]

All neutral posters want LeAsterisk to win just to see his haters go full panic mode.
The meltdowns and mass Kobe and MJ stan suicides will be glorious :applause:

[BlackWhiteGreen]

I was thinking this could be the reverse of 11 where this time lebron takes back the one he gave away as a favorite against a team who had no business winning that series but played as a team much like Cavs are right now.

That'll definitely be the narrative, if they win. But much like 11 - can't see past the team with the MVP.

[Springsteen]

Don't see any reason why the Warriors shouldn't win this. When they lost to the Cavs in the regular season, they had a healthy Kyrie and K-Love. Not so much now.

[sportjames23]

The meltdowns and mass Kobe and MJ stan suicides will be glorious :applause:


5/7 and 6/6 will still be >>>>> 3/6

Bron stans still would have a way to go.

[1~Gibson~1]

Warriors have no chance if Delly/Shumpert/Lebron/TT/Mozgov are playing defense like in the first 3 rounds.

[Hey Yo]

Kobe, Duncan, and MJ fans have the luxury of discussing their 5 and 6 rings for their legacy.

Meanwhile, you Lebron stans are stuck boasting about 6 Finals Appearances LOL.

How's that for critical thinking skills?
Kobe didn't become captain / leader of the Lakers until the 2004-05 season. Which means he has 2 rings.

2/5 > 2/3

[funnystuff]

5/7 and 6/6 will still be >>>>> 3/6

Bron stans still would have a way to go.
3/6 >>> 2/5

[Horde of Temujin]

Harden has been the ref's favorite for the past 2 seasons. Haters can no longer use this as an excuse. When the Heat beat the Spurs in the Finals, the Heat attempted the fewest free throws in a 7 game playoff series EVER, not just the Finals, but in playoff history. They attempted 118 FTs in 7 games.

Good point.

As a lifetime Dwhistle hater and NBA conspiracist, i was very happy with how that series was officiated.

I hate that the Heat won, but they won fairly.

[Inferno]

There's always a chance as long as LeBron shows up

[24-Inch_Chrome]

It should be a great series. I hope that Kyrie can play at 100% or close to it, he could be a big part of the entertainment factor.

[Relinquish]

Lebron is winning his third FMVP this year

Wow, this coming from a Lebron hater. :eek:

[PickernRoller]

What chance still equals 2/6? That much a chance he has.

It will be a great series no doubt.

[RedBlackAttack]

Assuming this Cavs-Hawks series continues to go the way it has so far...

This narrative is very real.

The Warriors look awesome right now... an unstoppable freight train. I'm not being facetious. That's how it appears.

It's a damn shame, because the hype in a series where a healthy Cavs team with LBJ-Kyrie-Love all at 100% against this (completely healthy, btw) GSW team would have been off the charts. If that were the case, it might be viewed as a pick'em kind of series.

The way things currently stand, the Cavs aren't really expected to see a 6th game. I listened to Zach Lowe's podcast a couple days ago and he had Windhorst on. They both agreed that it would be an absolute slaughter. That was before Golden State lit Houston on fire last night.

However, I'd be lying if I said I didn't love this narrative. Despite the injuries and everything that has happened, the Cavs are playing extremely well right now and we have the perimeter defenders to throw at Curry/Thompson... and we have LeBron James. Plus, I think our rebounding could give the Warriors the kind of fits it has given everyone else.

If Kyrie could get healthy between now and the presumptive start to that series, I think it'd be crazy to count this team out the way people are apparently doing.

As amazing as Golden State looks (and that is very real), they haven't played a team like the Cavs yet, especially if Kyrie can get back to himself. I think it would be an awesome series.

[sbw19]

Cavs win tonight, same records, streaks. I'd say it's 65/35. Then again Pistons surprised almost everyone in '04. Cavs could be this season's Pistons, without the blue-collar label.

[sd3035]

Cavs are more stacked but the difference is Curry. He's just way better than anyone on the Cavs, especially if Irving isn't 100%

[Kvnzhangyay]

Cavs are more stacked but the difference is Curry. He's just way better than anyone on the Cavs, especially if Irving isn't 100%

how are the cavs more stacked :coleman:

[Heavincent]

I'm not writing off the Cavs.

[Heavincent]

I was thinking this could be the reverse of 11 where this time lebron takes back the one he gave away as a favorite against a team who had no business winning that series but played as a team much like Cavs are right now.

Play as a team you say? Nobody does that better than Golden State.

[sd3035]

how are the cavs more stacked :coleman:

If you take Curry and Lebron out of the equation, the Cavs are far more stacked

Curry changes everything though

[illmaticone]

I wouldn't say no chance, but it is is extremely unlikely. This is the worst team LBJ is going to take into the finals since '07 (We know what happened there). The Cavs have honestly played really weak competition, and it took crazy outside shooting from LBJ's role players to beat Chicago in game 4 (a game in which Chicago would have won if they knew how to play offense.)

GSW, just like the Spurs of 2014 and the Spurs of 2007, are a team that is so far-beyond the level competition The Cavs have played this year. They have the best defense in the NBA, and have an offense that is far superior to anything out East. They have 4 guys you can throw at LeBron (Barnes, Iggy, Green, Klay), not saying they can all stop him, but they can throw different looks at him.

I will honestly be VERY surprised if this series goes past 5 games.

[ArbitraryWater]

If you take Curry and Lebron out of the equation, the Cavs are far more stacked

Curry changes everything though

http://media.giphy.com/media/4WGr6Jnd7TBte/giphy.gif

http://media.giphy.com/media/3i7zenReaUuI0/giphy.gif

http://www.picgifs.com/reaction-gifs/reaction-gifs/laughing/picgifs-laughing-0304594.gif

http://replygif.net/i/1472.gif

http://replygif.net/i/669.gif

[RedBlackAttack]

I wouldn't say no chance, but it is is extremely unlikely. This is the worst team LBJ is going to take into the finals since '07 (We know what happened there). The Cavs have honestly played really weak competition, and it took crazy outside shooting from LBJ's role players to beat Chicago in game 4 (a game in which Chicago would have won if they knew how to play offense.)

GSW, just like the Spurs of 2014 and the Spurs of 2007, are a team that is so far-beyond the level competition The Cavs have played this year. They have the best defense in the NBA, and have an offense that is far superior to anything out East. They have 4 guys you can throw at LeBron (Barnes, Iggy, Green, Klay), not saying they can all stop him, but they can throw different looks at him.

I will honestly be VERY surprised if this series goes past 5 games.
I think it is time we start calling the Cavaliers what they are ... an elite three-point shooting team. I always seem to see this caveat that if "so and so" hadn't shot so well in "that one game," things would be different. It's the same thing Hawks fans said after JR Smith's performance in Game 1. Then, Shump, Jones and Delly lit it up in Game 2.

If you take LeBron James out of the equation (he's been obviously terrible from three in the postseason), the rest of the Cavs are shooting 40% from three as a team in these playoffs. That's an elite perimeter shooting cast around the most lethal drive-and-kick player in NBA history.

That three-point shooting isn't going anywhere. No, JR Smith isn't going to hit nine threes in every game... but he doesn't have to. The Cavs are loaded with capable shooters, especially when Kyrie is healthy. Remember, he's won a Three Point Shootout title and came in 2nd this year. He's as lethal as anyone in the league not named Steph Curry.

James' horrible numbers from behind the arc are masking what has been a pretty amazing shooting performance by his teammates this postseason. Don't be fooled by the raw numbers.

[Ai2death]

No, Cavs made the Conference Finals, so they have a chance.

[Dr. Cheesesteak]

Who is boasting about that? Lebrons career is far from over, as well.

This.

Why are fgts so obsessed w/ judging a career that isn't even over? Lebron is 30? He still has 6~8 years to go. Probably another 3~5 years of being great. Ppl making 2/6 sound like that'll be what he retires at. :rolleyes:

Anyway, count me as another who thinks Cavs have a chance. Anytime you have Lebron and the appropriately-built team around him, you have a chance.

My $ is on GSW, but Cavs winning wouldn't surprise me.

[raprap]

Will be rooting for the Cavs. I cant stand Draymond Green. Fck him :rant

[Meticode]

Don't see any reason why the Warriors shouldn't win this. When they lost to the Cavs in the regular season, they had a healthy Kyrie and K-Love. Not so much now.
Like the regular season means anything. Atlanta beat Cleveland 3 out of 4 games in the regular season. :oldlol:

[SwayDizzle]

LeBlowJob is the best player in the world. I'd never count him out.

[illmaticone]

I think it is time we start calling the Cavaliers what they are ... an elite three-point shooting team. I always seem to see this caveat that if "so and so" hadn't shot so well in "that one game," things would be different. It's the same thing Hawks fans said after JR Smith's performance in Game 1. Then, Shump, Jones and Delly lit it up in Game 2.

If you take LeBron James out of the equation (he's been obviously terrible from three in the postseason), the rest of the Cavs are shooting 40% from three as a team in these playoffs. That's an elite perimeter shooting cast around the most lethal drive-and-kick player in NBA history.

That three-point shooting isn't going anywhere. No, JR Smith isn't going to hit nine threes in every game... but he doesn't have to. The Cavs are loaded with capable shooters, especially when Kyrie is healthy. Remember, he's won a Three Point Shootout title and came in 2nd this year. He's as lethal as anyone in the league not named Steph Curry.

James' horrible numbers from behind the arc are masking what has been a pretty amazing shooting performance by his teammates this postseason. Don't be fooled by the raw numbers.

This is a legitimate point. But the game I'm referencing was a combination of JR lighting it up + Chicago being offensively handicapped. JR is one of the streakiest players of all time, and Cavs fans might get to see that first-hand in the NBA finals. He's shooting way above his head and he's due for one of those 3/15 type games.

[RedBlackAttack]

Don't see any reason why the Warriors shouldn't win this. When they lost to the Cavs in the regular season, they had a healthy Kyrie and K-Love. Not so much now.
LeBron put up 42/11/5 in that game, fwiw. Styles make fights.

[Lebron23]

Anything is possible. The Cavaliers are hungry for an NBA Championship. And we should never underestimate the heart of a champion. LBJ will never go down without any fight.

[RedBlackAttack]

This is a legitimate point. But the game I'm referencing was a combination of JR lighting it up + Chicago being offensively handicapped. JR is one of the streakiest players of all time, and Cavs fans might get to see that first-hand in the NBA finals. He's shooting way above his head and he's due for one of those 3/15 type games.
He's really not shooting way above his head in these playoffs. He had made 20-of-57 (35%) from three in the playoffs prior to exploding against the Hawks in Game 1. He has already had games in the playoffs where he has shot 3-12, 3-9, 2-7, etc. from three.

He has essentially been JR Smith. The difference is, the Cavs don't strictly rely on his shooting. Because they have so many different shooters to lean on, he can be off and they can still light it up from beyond the arc. That's the difference between his situation here and what they needed from him in NY.

[illmaticone]

I understand the difference in situation, but that Game 1 vs. Atlanta and Game 4 vs. the Bulls was unreal. Especially when in Game 4 LeBron was struggling hard. The Bulls basically had them on the ropes, and JR comes in and splashes ridiculous 3's and the Bull's go into an offensive funk. That was the difference in the series and Cleveland being where they're at now. Again, players hit shots, so I can't really complain about that. My point was more centered around the fact that they've faced overrated competition. GSW is going to be a huge wake-up call for them. I will be SHOCKED if Cleveland wins this series.

[jzek]

If he (LeBron) gets his usual 25, 8, 8 they have no chance. Those kind of numbers aren't enough without Love and an injured Kyrie.

He has to average close to 40PPG, 10+ rebounds and 5+ assists in order to win in 6 or 7.

And if they win, there's NO DOUBT he'll enter the top 10 and for those who already have him in the top 10, move to the top 8 all time.

[1987_Lakers]

Golden State will be the huge favorites in that series, I think if Cleveland had more playoff experience it would greatly benefit them, Cavs have alot of guys who don't have playoff experience and LeBron was quoted earlier in the season that it bothers him a bit. The only team that has given Golden State any trouble so far was an experienced Memphis team, but the Warriors re-grouped and finished them off.

For me J.R. Smith is going to be the x-factor, if he keeps playing the way he has then Cleveland has a shot, if he stinks it up which is very likely given how inconsistent Smith has been in the past then the Warriors will finish them off fast and easy.

[PickernRoller]

Anything is possible. The Cavaliers are hungry for an NBA Championship. And we should never underestimate the heart of a champion. LBJ will never go down without any fight.

07 and 11 happened fyi.

[1987_Lakers]

He's really not shooting way above his head in these playoffs. He had made 20-of-57 (35%) from three in the playoffs prior to exploding against the Hawks in Game 1. He has already had games in the playoffs where he has shot 3-12, 3-9, 2-7, etc. from three.

He has essentially been JR Smith. The difference is, the Cavs don't strictly rely on his shooting. Because they have so many different shooters to lean on, he can be off and they can still light it up from beyond the arc. That's the difference between his situation here and what they needed from him in NY.

Who are the 3 point shooters besides Kyrie?

Shumpert is about a 35% shooter which is average
LeBron has been AWFUL from 3 this postseason
Everyone else has shot under 35% this postseason

I don't think of Cleveland as a machine when it comes to 3 point shooting, above average....yes, nothing more.

[Derka]

Id favor them, sure. Never know with Lebron teams, though.

Warriors are more healthy, have more depth, play better defense...when Curry gets hot, no one shoots it better. They haven't had many bad games these playoffs.

[sd3035]

Anything is possible. The Cavaliers are hungry for an NBA Championship. And we should never underestimate the heart of a champion. LBJ will never go down without any fight.

except for the other times he gave up in the finals

[RedBlackAttack]

Who are the 3 point shooters besides Kyrie?

Shumpert is about a 35% shooter which is average
LeBron has been AWFUL from 3 this postseason
Everyone else has shot under 35% this postseason

I don't think of Cleveland as a machine when it comes to 3 point shooting, above average....yes, nothing more.
James Jones has made some huge shots in these playoffs and can obviously be a lethal shooter. I don't know what his numbers are in these playoffs and I don't really care. Every time he takes a shot, it feels like it is going in.

So, you have an elite jumpshooter in Kyrie. A microwave in JR who can be the best shooter on the planet when he's locked in. A guy who can play the 3/4 and space the floor in Jones. Then, Shump and Delly can both knock down open shots.

Like I said, outside of LBJ, the Cavs are making 40% for their threes in these playoffs. That's actually really good.

[Lebron23]

except for the other times he gave up in the finals

He's been a good finals performer since 2012.

PS:

You are a terrible poster Simon. You are a Durant/Kobe fan, but you are rooting for the Warriors.

[Straight_Ballin]

He's been a good finals performer since 2012.

PS:

You are a terrible poster Simon. You are a Durant/Kobe fan, but you are rooting for the Warriors.

Have you ever even been to Cleveland son?

[Lebron23]

Have you ever even been to Cleveland son?


Have you ever been to Chicago son??

[Alamо]

I picked the Cavs to win the championship before he playoffs started. They have a few bumps and bruises but their defense is looking as good as ever. I feel like if any team can take out he Warriors it'll be the Cavs.



But I've changed my mind, before the playoffs I had the Cavs winning it all, now I'll say Warriors in 7.

[1987_Lakers]

James Jones has made some huge shots in these playoffs and can obviously be a lethal shooter. I don't know what his numbers are in these playoffs and I don't really care. Every time he takes a shot, it feels like it is going in.

So, you have an elite jumpshooter in Kyrie. A microwave in JR who can be the best shooter on the planet when he's locked in. A guy who can play the 3/4 and space the floor in Jones. Then, Shump and Delly can both knock down open shots.

Like I said, outside of LBJ, the Cavs are making 40% for their threes in these playoffs. That's actually really good.

K. Love played 4 games this postseason and shot 43%, but is no longer active. J. Jones only gives you around 14 MPG, LeBron has shot just under 5 threes a game and is shooting 16% you can't just ignore that.

I still think they are a good shooting team just because Irving and Smith are elite shooters who knock down alot of 3s, but the rest of the team doesn't impress me.

[Alamо]

Kobe, Duncan, and MJ fans have the luxury of discussing their 5 and 6 rings for their legacy.

Meanwhile, you Lebron stans are stuck boasting about 6 Finals Appearances LOL.

How's that for critical thinking skills?



There really aren't any Duncan fans, not in the same sense of Kobe and Lebron fans at least. Duncan fans are either just fans of the game or Spurs fans.



:rockon:

[sd3035]

He's been a good finals performer since 2012.

PS:

You are a terrible poster Simon. You are a Durant/Kobe fan, but you are rooting for the Warriors.


:roll: :roll: :roll:

I'm not that guy

[RedBlackAttack]

K. Love played 4 games this postseason and shot 43%, but is no longer active. J. Jones only gives you around 14 MPG, LeBron has shot just under 5 threes a game and is shooting 16% you can't just ignore that.

I still think they are a good shooting team just because Irving and Smith are elite shooters who knock down alot of 3s, but the rest of the team doesn't impress me.
That's all fair.

I just think it is funny when people use this "if ____" hadn't shot so well, it would be different. The Cavs really do have several guys who can fit in that blank on a nightly basis.