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.

 

I keep reliving both these plays in my head.  So depressed.

Going to have nightmares about those tonight. That reversed charging call though, ugh.

There was a super annoying Warriors fan next to me....his voice, so irritating.

 

I was going to punch him right in his stupid face.

I'm officially calling that JR play, "The Rebound". 

Imagine being a 73-win team and needing to add the 2nd-best player on the planet to beat LeBron at home in OT.

JR is terrible.  His defense is bad, he gets beat off the dribble by everyone, can't defend down low and his offense production isn't enough to justify.  He's old and is slow getting up & down the court.  Last night though, was inexcusable.  Had he tapped the ball back in, like Nance had been doing all night, it's game over.  Even go back up for the shot and get fouled, it could be game over.  Anything but dribbling out the clock...

Even if he went back up for the shot and missed, and not gotten fouled, the chaos could easily have worked in our favor--LeBron might well have come up with one last tip-in.

Haven't been this shaken by a single, isolated moment in Cleveland sports since Kipnis hit a 500 ft foul ball in Game 7.

Haven't been this shaken by a single, isolated moment in Cleveland sports since Kipnis hit a 500 ft foul ball in Game 7.

 

Ernest Byner's fumble still gives me nightmares.

Haven't been this shaken by a single, isolated moment in Cleveland sports since Kipnis hit a 500 ft foul ball in Game 7.

 

'97 Game 7 still resonates.  Tony freaking Fernandez.

Ken Mauer, NBA referee: The reason for the trigger is that we had doubt as to whether or not James was in the restricted area. When over at the table, we then are allowed to determine whether or not he was in a legal guarding position. It was determined he was out of the restricted area, but he was not in a legal guarding position prior to Durant's separate shooting motion. So we had to change it to a blocking foul.

 

Are you ****ing blind??? **** these refs.

Clarkson was a no-show yesterday as well.  At least he scored and didn't have one of JR's infamous 0-7,000 games. 

I know I shouldn't keep piling on like th ... actually, F it, yes, I have no remorse.

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5794125/Hilarious-memes-mock-JR-Smith-Cavaliers-guard-mistakenly-thought-team-ahead.html

https://www.twincities.com/2013/04/17/nba-ref-ken-mauer-loses-minnesota-tax-fight/

 

Ken Mauer was convicted of tax fraud and yet the NBA thought he should still referee their games.

 

(Paging Tim Donaghy)

JR's +/- was a pathetic -22, which was by far the worst out of anyone who got minutes last night. 

JR's +/- was a pathetic -22, which was by far the worst out of anyone who got minutes last night. 

 

I think there was an issue with him being in for that final rebound anyways.

 

You know GS is going to take a timeout make or miss, so I think we should've went with height with TT, Korver, Green, Lebron, and Hill. After the timeout, we can swap Korver for JR and even Green for Nance if you want

I believe there's something like 15 40+ point games in the NBA playoffs since 1970 (something like that) by a 33+ year old.  The list is basically LeBron, who has over half of them, Jordan, and like two other guys.

 

On the bright side, the JR gaffe at the end of the game has caused everyone to forget JR's gaffe at the end of the 1st half leaving Curry wide open.

^that's part of what makes Curry so dangerous, I don't really fault JR for that shot at all.  He's so ridiculously accurate from long rage, defenders have to come out & guard him beyond the 3 point arc... which opens up the inside more for passing lanes and driving layups...

Couldn't help myself...

 

^that's part of what makes Curry so dangerous, I don't really fault JR for that shot at all.  He's so ridiculously accurate from long rage

 

What?  JR should know, with under 2 seconds left, he's got to stay with Curry to contest the last second shot.  Going for a steal that was going to result in nothing was dumb.

SMH....down 0-2.  Hopefully the rest of the Cavs join Lebron on the flight home and show up for game 3.

My feeling is the Cavs had their chance to grab a game.  Being that close to losing game one scared the warriors.  Now the Cavs have to win borh games at home.  Hopefully perkins can play a little as they need help at center.    I just think it would be cool seeing Perkins and Thompson under the basket.  That will stop Durant and Green.. Also i’d like to see Calderon come in for at least 10 minutes especially if Curry isn’t playing.

I don’t want to see JR or Hill guarding Durant or mcgee. But this is kind of the issue with the matchups with GS.. Hood looks like a lost cause. I’m not much of a fan of Clarkson against GS either.

Have to keep in mind just last series (and in the '16 Finals) Cavs went down 0-2, but man...this just feels different.  Klay a bit hobbled in Game 1 and Warriors #1 defender on LeBron out...up in the final minute of game 1 and headed home 0-2.  Seems like a gut punch to me.

 

When you have a 73-win team and upgrade your #3 position to the 2nd-best player on the planet...I mean, what is the rest of the league supposed to do?  LeBron would need an Anthony Davis/KAT to replace Love AND a Paul George type AND maybe a Devin Booker / Eric Gordon off the bench type of player to keep pace.  LeBron is averaging 35/9/9 through the playoffs which is just absurd.

 

Jordan (in addition to being a DPOY himself) played with a back-to-back DPOY and managed to duck Olajuwon in the Finals.  LeBron, meanwhile, is going up against DPOY Draymond Green and Kawhi Leonard won it twice.  LeBron needs a DPOY guy on his team plus the greatest 3-point shooter of all-time and then we can evaluate him on even footing with Jordan.

SMH....down 0-2.  Hopefully the rest of the Cavs join Lebron on the flight home and show up for game 3.

 

other than the JR gaffe and hill miss in game 1 , the role players have been doing *enough* to win.  Take away the fourth quarter last night (one out of 8 quarters), the cavs have looked more comfortable in Oracle than i have ever seen them in previous years.  Lebron will nee 40-50 per night and not 13 assists, thats just the reality of it. 

 

One thing about these guys is being down 0-2 is not an uncommon place for them, they are pretty resilient.  Im not sure why whenever the cavs lose its the end of the world and when the cavs win we are the best team ever.  These are all humans and grown men, its who can win 4 first.  Thye have to win two games at home, which they can do despite it being very hard.  Then you re-set and try to get another one in Oracle.

SMH....down 0-2.  Hopefully the rest of the Cavs join Lebron on the flight home and show up for game 3.

the role players have been doing *enough* to win.

 

The 3 main bench players (Korver, Green, Nance) went 2-11 for 9 points in Game 2.

 

I don't think you can afford to play TT and Love at the same time.  You need Jeff Green out there on Durant or Draymond, imo.  Love does an admirable job, but I'd rather have TT switching on pick and rolls instead of Love.

Let's also not forget that the Warriors had two players shoot 100% from the field yesterday and three others shoot above 50%. C'mon.

Korver has been disappointing but Love and Hill have been steady. That’s should be enough help to keep the Cavs in the game.  Again, as brilliant as Lebron was last night, he needs game 1 performances in order to win. It’s a huge ask and it’s ungrateful for fans to expect that, but heavy lies the crown

 

*korver hasn’t been as disappointing as the game plan to get him involved has. He needs a minimum of 5 plays drawn specifically for him. If that involves 3 screens to break him open, then fine. He can’t be out there doing nothing, he’s the best shooter

Love was a 41.5% 3-point shooter in the regular season and he's shooting 33% in the playoffs.  Durant, btw, has a very similar drop off in his 3-point % from regular season to the playoffs, but he's still hitting 2's at a reasonable clip.  Love is not.

 

Hill has gone from 41.5% from 3 in the regular season to 31% in the playoffs.

 

Korver is streaky as hell and hasn't broken out in the Finals (4 points in 2 games).  Probably need a double digit game from him which would open up the floor.  He's been in single digits the last five games.

Ugh, get 15 off the bench from Rodney Hood (!!! Wtf Lue??), LeBron goes for 33/10/11/2/2 and it's still not enough.

 

Almost like adding the 2nd or 3rd best player on the planet to a 73-win team make it unfair.  This is like the 2000 Lakers adding Tim Duncan.

LeBron is averaging 38/11/9 and about to get swept in the Finals.  Unreal.

102 will win a lot of games.  This was a combination of a raft of inexcusable defensive breakdowns on GSW's role players (we left the paint wide open over and over again for players that really didn't have much range beyond it), and Durant of course having the best playoff game of his career.  But yes, it hurts to miss a chance when Curry and Klay Thompson were having off nights, though it still doesn't hurt as much as Game 1.

Curry shot 1-10 from 3 and 3-16 from the field.  Didn't matter.  (Btw, kiss that Finals MVP goodbye, Steph.)

Durant will be finals MVP unless the Cavs actually pull the 4-0 run from here.

Ive said since the beginning, Lebron needs 40-50 per game to beat these guys.  Lebrons numbers the last two games have been incredible relative to any normal player, but they just need him to be superhuman.  the triple double is great, but he didnt look like the guy who could win the game last night (the guy in game 1 did).  He didnt take a 3 until the 4th, didnt get to the line until the 4th....just need that killer mentality.  Oh well, it was what most of us expected so it doesnt actually feel as bad.  The warriors are a computer game, they are unfairly built and will not lose to anyone, regardless of what team is put together, because nobody has the combination of three point shooting/star power that they do. 

 

My hope is Durant wants a new challenge and to get that stigma of gravy training off his back.  Unlikely.  I think Lebron will still stay here.  Its the dignified move.  Chasing rings at age 34 at the back of your career is very role player ish and beneath him.  I do believe he will demand the cavs to transform the team, probably move everyone that will be taken and the pick.

I don't see LeBron coming back.  Why would he sign up with this cast of characters to lose again to GS?

 

It's got to be exhausting for him.  8 straight Finals, 3 Finals wins.  That's a lot of extra games.  I have no idea where he'll end up but if it's Cleveland or the field, I'm taking the field.

There isnt a situation out there that will get him by the Warriors, to be honest.  The best option is to stay in the East, where he can at least have an opportunity.  At that point, the Cavs would need to make several trades...and they have the assets to bring in top quality players. 

I don't see LeBron coming back.  Why would he sign up with this cast of characters to lose again to GS?

 

It's got to be exhausting for him.  8 straight Finals, 3 Finals wins.  That's a lot of extra games.  I have no idea where he'll end up but if it's Cleveland or the field, I'm taking the field.

 

I don’t know if he’ll be back or not. I don’t think they even know what they have on this team. Where the hell did Rodney Hood come from last night? No team has ever traded half their team in the middle of the year. The fact they even made the playoffs when the team was assembled mid year is incredible. Plus, you have the 8th pick in a very strong draft. I also don’t see him chasing rings either. Outside of Boston or possibly Minnesota, where would he go?

I don't see LeBron coming back.  Why would he sign up with this cast of characters to lose again to GS?

 

Fair enough, but why sign up with a different cast of characters to lose again to GS?  Where would he go to beat them?  Houston?  The Lakers are said to be readying a huge bid for him, but seriously, even adding LeBron to the Lakers wouldn't get them past GS.  Heck, as things stand, Lakers + LeBron would struggle with Portland.  Of course the Lakers would bring in a supporting cast for him, as would any other team that didn't already have one.  But following that logic to its extreme could literally turn the decision into a roulette wheel.

There is a rumor of a new superteam in LAL with LBJ, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard.  The only other team i can see Lebron going to in the West would be Houston.  But i think that would be too much beard on one team.

  I don’t see him wanting to go to Milwaukee or Minnesota or Toronto.  The only place i can see him maybe going in the East for ready-made teams is Philly or Indy since they are close to AK or perhaps rebuilding the Heat again.

  I’ve heard he has a house in LA that is why i would lean towards that.  His kids are getting to the age where they are pretty active with school activities and sports.  So that will be a factor for him as well.

 

The Kawhi thing is the only thing with any legs, in my opinion.  Paul George is not the guy he was at peak Indiana...so thats not getting him anywhere.  Kawhi on his team could, they would have the two best two-way players in the game and Kawhi could guard Durant in that situtation.  The Spurs would demand a crazy ransom from LAL though.  They would clean out that cupboard.

 

Houston looks good on paper, but that wouldnt work well.  Lebron and Harden have the same game...Iso and kick out.  That would be so awkward to watch.  What, Lebron is going to stand in the corner and wait for Harden to pass to him?  No.  I think that would be a fail, plus there is nothing in Houston for Lebron.  I think Philly and LAL could be a possibility, but again, the media has gotten everyone to believe he is gone.  Chasing rings is such a poor, bad move for a guy this accomplished at this stage of his career.  Lebron is about image and thats a bad look, not from a "betrayal" standpoint, but from a desperation standpoint.  The look would be even WORSE should he go to LA and they lose early in the playoffs.  Could you imagine?  I think he will say he plans to retire here, and he will demand that the front office make some moves and he will finish building the cavs into a consistent and stable franchise. Anything else, frankly, is beneath him

The only thing keeping him here is ownership stake.

The Cavs should try to get Kawhi or Paul George or both.  They could actually use a high level PG too.

 

I think Kevin Love gets a lot of flack but he can score good he just gets lost in the game though. 

 

I think if they could land Kawhi or Paul George, a mid level true PG, and keep Kevin Love then they are in good shape, but I'm not sure if they are able to do that.

 

Maybe they can draft Trae Young or better yet Phil Sexton, then get Kawhi or George somehow.

 

I don't know how much JR Smith or the other roleplayers mean to the team as a whole. 

 

If they went with a Phil Sexton, grab one of those two guys, and keep Kevin Love, I think they could beat GS. 

 

They also would need to keep Tristan Thompson in my opinion, that dude can hoop

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-free-agency-rumors-lebron-james-and-paul-george-will-reportedly-discuss-teaming-up-on-the-lakers/

 

NBA free agency rumors: LeBron James and Paul George will reportedly discuss teaming up on the Lakers

The Warriors's "Big 4" are all 27-29 and they were underpaying ALL of them last year (compared to "market value" imo) except for this year when Curry signed his big deal.  Outside of Durant, they have their core locked up next year and Durant has a player option for $32.5m.

 

I don't think LeBron wants to "ring chase" as a role player but the Cavs have a bunch of terrible deals.  $19m next season for George Hill, $17.5m for Tristan Thompson, $14.7m for JR, $12.5m for Jordan Clarkson.  I mean, George Hill is set to make more than Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Andre Iguodala.  Iguodala will make $16m and Shaun Livingston will make $8.3m.  So not only does Golden State get better value out of their stars, they have better bench players for less money.

 

If LeBron wants to challenge GS for rings, I don't think it's in Cleveland.  I don't know if that means Philly, Boston, Houston, LA, somewhere else...but yeah, I don't know if he wants to just run through the East for a 9th straight year and take his chances that the Warriors get knocked off in the West.

^the media has been writing this stuff for the past year though.  Lebron maintains that he hasnt given it thought.  Why are we believing random media people over the actual source. By the way, that such a "cover your ass" title "will reportedly discuss teaming up". So basically the writer gets off if they dont discuss it by including "reportedly", and then also if it doesnt happen he gets an out by saying "they discussed it, but decided not to".

 

that team would be lucky to make the western conference finals

Bronny is starting at SVSM this year.  I have to believe Lebron wants to stay home and change the cast of characters.  He is in his fourth straight finals with the Cavs, so if he wants to challenge Golden State for rings, Cleveland clearly is the place to do it.  The Cavs need to pull off another huge deal to bring a Durant-level player here to even the field.

Bronny is starting at SVSM this year.  I have to believe Lebron wants to stay home and change the cast of characters.  He is in his fourth straight finals with the Cavs, so if he wants to challenge Golden State for rings, Cleveland clearly is the place to do it.  The Cavs need to pull off another huge deal to bring a Durant-level player here to even the field.

 

College pal of mine coaches a different sport at SVSM, but said Junior isn't officially enrolled yet.

 

Not like they'd turn down a legacy like that but yeah.

Bronny is starting at SVSM this year.  I have to believe Lebron wants to stay home and change the cast of characters.  He is in his fourth straight finals with the Cavs, so if he wants to challenge Golden State for rings, Cleveland clearly is the place to do it.  The Cavs need to pull off another huge deal to bring a Durant-level player here to even the field.

 

Find me a top 4 player in the world who will come to Cleveland.

 

Now, find another top 20-25 player to add.

 

That's what Cleveland is facing.  Two of the top 4 players on the planet, plus two more who are top 20/25 guys.

^for starters, we cant sign any free agents, so it would have to be done through trades.

 

The spurs have a situation like the Kyrie situation last summer.  Not many teams will blow up their orgaizations for Kawhi, who likely wouldnt resign long-term anywhere other than LAL.  So The cavs could offer the most attractive package, or the spurs will face a situation where a guy is faking an injury and not playing, while getting paid. 

 

The spurs love george hill, as he is a product of their system.  They have also expressed interest in Cedi in the past.  They play ultimate team basketball, so they dont need superstars, they need hard working Professionals.  You could probably come up with some type of package to land Kawhi, including Kevin Love, TT, etc.

 

Another target is CJ McCullom.  Cavs will need sharpshooters if they are ever going to compete.  McCullom is from NE Ohio and he would certainly come home.  The cavs have assets and a nice draft pick as well that could be attractive to Portland.  Kevin Love is from Oregon and would be a nice fit out there...thats almost a trade made in heaven.  Portland cant sit tight, McCullom and Lillard are great but they can get past anyone out west, it hasnt worked. 

 

so this is about Altman maximizing trade assets and bringing talent here more than people deciding to come here.  I think any professional in their right mind would play here for a chance to play in the finals

^You mention Love in both potential trade packages.  Problem is, there's only one Kevin Love.

 

Plus, by trading him out you lose one of your top 25ish players.

 

So LeBron, Kawhi, CJ McCollum and...Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson/draft pick?  I don't think that group is beating the Warriors.