oh geez already i cant take anymore of this. the cavs getting torched at halftime. not looking good at all. after that inspired final raptors game where everybody pitched in, we are back to this again. korver, jr, hill where are you? ugh.

Lebron game 1’s. Nothing new here. No reason to panic.

LeBron was -32 lol.

hideous.

 

glad i walked away from it at halftime.

espn this afternoon - i’m not so sure, but lets hope that is justified:

 

Jordan Clarkson was a DNP-CD, Cedi Osman played two minutes, Rodney Hood was a -7 in 11 minutes and Dwyane Wade was at home tweeting about the game on his couch because the Cavs wanted to clear up playing time for those three guys.

D Wade didn't want to be here. He was checking Heat scores during Cavs games.

now imagine these celtics with kyrie and hayward

LeBron had 42-12-10 and they still got blown the **** out.

 

Jeff Green had 5 turnovers and was -17 in 28 minutes and went 2/5 shooting.  JR missed all 7 shots he took.  LeBron and Love had 64 points, the rest of the team had 30.

 

Celtics won the turnover battle (15-5), had more offensive rebounds (11-8), and made their free throws (17/20 vs. 10/17).  That's it.  Cavs shot a better % from the field, but the Celtics got off 12 more shots.  If you're going to get crappy Jeff Green, miss-em-all JR, and  a nearly-nonexistent George Hill you're gonna have a bad time.

now imagine these celtics with kyrie

 

Their ball movement might cease to exist?

i still say the Celtics HAVE to win game 3 if they want to win this series.  Really a must win for both teams.  The Celtics are the future, no doubt.  I cannot stand their fans and will find myself rooting for the warriors in the future when they clash in the finals.  Honestly, speaking with my family who are in orthopedic medicine...Kyrie may never be the same....he may have ongoing issues the rest of his career.  So its easy to say if they have the 2016 Kyrie they would beat the warriors, but they may never have the 2016 Kyrie.  But Boston is building a beast even without him.

 

As far as the draft...i would trade #8 and Kevin Love and frankly whatever hell else Portland wanted and try to pull Lillard and/or Mccullom.  Portland cant go anywhere with those guys.  I think they are the type of guys Lebron needs around him...shooters who can create and are consistent.  Mccullom is a NEO guy and Love is an Oregon guy so everyone wins.  They can re stock their talent because they are never getting by any of those west teams with just two guards.

 

Next year needs to be about developing Cedi and Zizic, ive seen enough of Hood and Clarkson...not sure why they are getting minutes

 

 

^ What’s the feeling in Cleveland about Lebron’s chances of staying? I think he’s all but gone at the end of this series...

Its interesting to me, because Lebron is never the guy that the media thinks they know and hence write about.  I honestly believe chasing rings is beneath him at this point....

 

Im not saying he will stay, but if he were to go to LA, he isnt chasing rings.  In fact, there isnt a team that can get past GSW in the next few years.  They are the greatest collection of talent the NBA has ever seen.  So the media keeps writing that he will chase rings...i think that is bunk.  I think Houston or Golden State are literally the only places he could go and potentially win a ring next year.

 

I think Lebron is telling the truth when he says family and impact off the court are important to him.  I think part of him wants to retire as a Cav as that is where his legacy was cemented with the win in 2016.  I wouldnt be surprised if he came out and said that more important to him that rings are to continue to transform the NBA with his style and also transform the cavs franchise into a consistently stable and strong franchise for the future.  Of course, its a double edge sword, because with lebron comes a ton of drama that makes a franchise really unstable.

 

All and all, i dont think this series will make a difference, because nobody is getting past GSW anyway.  So whether he loses in ECF or in Finals, we are faced with the discussion of him not having enough to win a title.  My gut thinks he will stay....young Lebron playing for St. V St. M will make him more happy and proud than anything at this point in his life.

now imagine these celtics with kyrie

 

Their ball movement might cease to exist?

 

 

ha yeah -- with kyrie and hayward healthy, and that is an if, they will get past gsw next year.

^That is certainly the series to expect next year and Boston probably has the best chance to get by GSW, if they can make it past Philly of course.

 

LeBron/Love/Kyrie essentially added no one in 2016 while the Warriors added the 2nd-best player on the planet.  They needed to find a way to add a Paul George (or someone of that caliber) to the big 3 to keep pace with Golden State.  They basically dumped Kyrie for some role/bench players.

 

The NBA won't be all that interesting until the big 4 in Golden State are broken up.  Durant declined his 2018-2019 option, but he'll probably just sign another one-year deal a la LeBron.  Thomspn is a UFA in 2019 and he'll want to get paid.  Green is a UFA in 2020 and he'll want to get paid (?  maybe?).  But they look like they'll win the next two titles for sure.

^ yup the cavs basically jumped the gun getting rid of kyrie and they are long term paying for it.

 

anyway, its not over yet and we do have the best player ever -- so we will keep hope alive!

yeah i know big game tonight, go cavs! but since the order was set i was thinking about the draft. the cavs have a good spot with picking 8th. i hope they get mikhal bridges, the big guy who can really play d and shoots pretty well too. that would probably be the best get at their pick. they could use the muscle. i hope they dont go for those undersized shooters like trae young or collin sexton who cant defend.

The series starts again tomorrow in Boston...hopefully with Lebron deeply entrenched in the young Celtics heads.  I don't think they are as bad off as Toronto, but the Cavs definitely have the momentum.  A game 5 win in Boston would be huge for them.

Great game last night- the only reason it got as close as it did was the turnovers.  Game five is a must win.  Go Cavs!!!

 

 

Game 5 is not must win. In fact I think Boston wil win it. They are a pretty tough group, I don’t think they will break until the pressure is at its highest.Cavs in 7

Game 5 is not must win. In fact I think Boston wil win it. They are a pretty tough group, I don’t think they will break until the pressure is at its highest. Cavs in 7

LeBron James and Kyle Korver first played against each other on November 15, 2003.

 

Here is a 22-year old Korver trying to guard an 18-year old LeBron. https://t.co/q3fU8BDwOf

 

^^I don't think the team should go into Boston (undefeated at home during the playoffs) for Game 5 without the mindset that the game is a must-win.  The pressure would be on the Cavs during Game 7 more so than on Boston.   

Of course we want them to win game 5 and we hope for that urgency. But one thing we’ve learned about Lebron since he got over the mountain in 2012 is he seems to be in control even when it looks bleak. Elimination games don’t seem to bother him.  It’s harder in the fans. When the Cavs have to win, they win

Of course we want them to win game 5 and we hope for that urgency. But one thing we’ve learned about Lebron since he got over the mountain in 2012 is he seems to be in control even when it looks bleak. Elimination games don’t seem to bother him.  It’s harder in the fans. When the Cavs have to win, they win

 

As long as we don't see him take off his jersey and walk into the locker room without saying a word....

Well, all righty then!

This has been a pretty incredible display....I'm still in shock that the Cavs pulled it off!

Don’t bet against the goat, as bad as it looks at times

ah the glorious smak being thrown around out there. gloria-ous. thanks again gloria.

 

that one incredible drive with the flagarant & goaltend sez it all.

really a bizarre game last night.  Cavs looked kinda flat, couldn't get a shot to fall entire first half...  and somehow kept it close.  Not a ton better in the second half but managed to win.  Not sure if it was incredible defense or the Celtics were a bit flat themselves.  Some analysts today suggested both teams were exhausted after playing 3 games in 5 days... 

 

I've always said the Cavs need to score a lot to win playoff games because their defense isn't great.  But last night blew that theory apart

The combined three-point shooting of both teams was absolutely abysmal, including a lot of open looks for both sides.  Definitely looked like fatigue.

 

Now ...

 

Let's Go Rockets!!*

 

*just for tonight

The combined three-point shooting of both teams was absolutely abysmal, including a lot of open looks for both sides.  Definitely looked like fatigue.

 

Now ...

 

Let's Go Rockets!!*

 

*just for tonight

 

The Houston squad saw your post and said hey Gramarye, you wanna see abysmal, watch this!

 

 

^tough for any team to match up with GSW offense - when Curry/Thompson & KD all start knocking down 3's, it changes entire flow of the game...

I honestly cannot see us going more than 5 games. You can't sustain iso ball against GSW unless you bury 45% from three off the dribble-drive.

I was just talking to one of my colleagues and we agree that it will be a success if the Cavs can stretch the series to 6 or 7 games.  I hate to be pessimistic but GS is a more complete team.

7 of 44 lol Houston

I tend to think GSW in 5, too.  We just can't repel firepower of that magnitude.

i think a determined lebron and healthy love and company are good for a win or two at best. ugh but it is truly time for the hard reality to hit. gsw are stacked beyond belief.

The only hope is if Iguodala is out for an extended time period (3+ games) in the Finals.  He was the best defender of LeBron G.S. had/has.  With Iguodala out, the Warriors basically played 6 guys in the Western Conference Finals.  Draymond also may have an ankle sprain.

 

If the Warriors are rolling their top 7 guys, it's Golden State in 5.  If Iguodala and/or Draymond are out/limited for the first couple games, then I can see it Golden State in 6.

 

That's what happens when you stack a team with 4 of the top 20 players in the NBA and 2 sure fire HOFers.  LeBron never had that, even in his best Miami days.

hard to envision a win here...positives are the cavs have no pressure and they are underdogs.  They always seem to relish the underdog role.  Last year, they were expected by many to win that finals.  Two years ago, they flourished when down 3-1.  If they can play loose, who knows.  They will essentially need to put together four games where 2 of the following have "perfect" games (Korver, Love, Hill, Smith).  If they can get two perfect performances from any two of them during a game, they will have a shot.  Thats a huge ask and unlikely.  They also need to focus on Klay and Curry.  Those guys hitting three is what kills teams.  Let Durant get his, whatever, its the barrage of threes that makes them unstoppable. 

 

Houston needs to get ripped by all national media.  They choked twice and their "MVP" choked the entire series.  People are quick to rip the cavs, but the rockets continue to choke

They will essentially need to put together four games where 2 of the following have "perfect" games (Korver, Love, Hill, Smith).  If they can get two perfect performances from any two of them during a game, they will have a shot.  Thats a huge ask and unlikely.

 

I think we need more than that.  We need LeBron and Love to show up consistently (he can't be on the "who will step up this game" list, he's the #2 guy on the team and he needs to be rock solid throughout).  Slot Green in on your list, or maybe Thompson if we can get him on the offensive glass like he used to.  And to be perfectly frank, Smith has been AWOL in almost these entire playoffs.  He'd be high on my list of people I expect to see offloaded in the offseason.

I don't know that anyone predicted the Cavs to win last year.

 

James Harden shot 24% from 3 in the Conference Finals lol, including 14 for his last 69 (20%).  MVP? HAHAHA.

 

It's still amazing to me that LeBron didn't win the '15 Finals MVP award and that he's "only" won the regular season award 4 times.  He averages 27/7/7 for HIS CAREER and has the 2nd highest PER (only slightly behind Jordan) and the league is going to give it to James Harden because he put up a bunch of shots shooting less than 45% from the field hahahahaha.

 

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jamesle01.html

 

They really give it to Steve Nash (twice!) in years when LeBron averaged 27/7.4/7.2 and 31/7/6.6.  Derrick Rose?  LOL.

 

Houston *SHOULD* have won that series, if Paul was playing I bet Cleveland would be playing the Cavs.

 

I think though you shouldn't write off the Cavs.  Obviously when KD, Thompson and Curry get going, it's like "what do you do".  But if Love is healthy to start and the other young guys for the Cavs step up their defensive intensity (you know LeBron will be All-World), then they got a great chance

https://www.sbnation.com/2018/5/29/17404814/2018-nba-finals-cleveland-cavaliers-underdogs-golden-state-warriors-vegas-is-probably-right

 

The Cavaliers opened as a 12-point underdog for Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals, putting James’ squad on the ugly end of one of the largest point spreads to ever kick off the league’s championship series.

 

For reference, those odds mean a $100 bet on the Cavaliers would net you $750 if they won the title. In order to make money off the Warriors, you’d have to plunk down $1,200 just to win $100. That price is nearly double what bettors got back from the biggest NBA Finals upset of the millennium, when the Pistons were a +400 ‘dog to beat a Lakers team with Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone, and Gary Payton. Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Ben Wallace, and Chauncey Billups came together as a team to send bettors home back in 2004.

It's been an amazing post season for the Cavs, and I sure hope they can give GS a good fight. It's incredible to me that Golden State has been able to keep their stars healthy, for the most part, through each of their playoff runs the past 4 years. I know Steph had a bit of an injury in the earlier rounds, but they've not had to overcome any sort of real obstacle to get to the finals/championship. I obviously don't wish injury on anyone, but it sure would make for a more interesting series if one of their guys would go down like Chris Paul, or Kyrie/Love from the Cavs finals a few years back.

It's been an amazing post season for the Cavs, and I sure hope they can give GS a good fight. It's incredible to me that Golden State has been able to keep their stars healthy, for the most part, through each of their playoff runs the past 4 years. I know Steph had a bit of an injury in the earlier rounds, but they've not had to overcome any sort of real obstacle to get to the finals/championship. I obviously don't wish injury on anyone, but it sure would make for a more interesting series if one of their guys would go down like Chris Paul, or Kyrie/Love from the Cavs finals a few years back.

 

And, Kawhi.

 

 

Cavs were not favorites last year, but there were definitely split opinions on who would win.  The Cavs were defending champs, had beaten GS earlier in the year.  The initial spread was GS +120 (i think round there).  not crazy odds compared to this year...+650.  Yikes. 

Are you absolutely kidding me right now?  Hill (81% FT shooter) misses what could have been the winning FT, JR Smith makes what could have been the biggest offensive rebound of his career and then does that?!

Stuff like the reversed charge call and the total inexplicable JR Smith play makes me think the NBA might really be rigged. JR is complete garbage.

Are you absolutely kidding me right now?  Hill (81% FT shooter) misses what could have been the winning FT, JR Smith makes what could have been the biggest offensive rebound of his career and then does that?!

 

Hill has been choking from the FT line all playoffs.  With that much pressure, I was just happy he made one.

Are you absolutely kidding me right now?  Hill (81% FT shooter) misses what could have been the winning FT, JR Smith makes what could have been the biggest offensive rebound of his career and then does that?!

 

Hill has been choking from the FT line all playoffs.  With that much pressure, I was just happy he made one.

 

JR thought the Cavs were winning so he was trying to dribble it out.  What a disaster.