The 2017 NBA Finals

Warriors should win this one but I thought the same last year when they were up 3-1. Who knows had Green not been suspended but a long series will keep the fans watching.  That's why it's going 7. 

We'll see if the NBA does what they do. The way the Warriors defend, and the way the Cavs don't, this shouldn't be a series. But you know... you just know... they'll get Green in foul trouble, or they'll call the game in a way that allows the Cavs some sort of physics advantage. 

Pisses me off that this is what we waited all season for. Super teams suck... and I sure hope the Bucks buck the trend. I hope...

I agree that super teams suck and I personally think it is bad for the league in the long run.  You have to find a way to keep the fans watching and having the same two teams every year isn't the way. Casual fans like me will just find something else to watch.

Super teams suck except if it was the Bucks. Right boys?

Say what you want. The GSW are very fun to watch. I like them. Much more than Cleveland who would be a .500 team at best without L Bron Hubbard. 

I'm curious if the NBA saw viewership decline this year due to a regular and post season that served as an exhibition for 27 teams, and a warm up for the other 2.  If it did and it caused ad revenue to decline, owners may be forced to figure out a way to increase parity.  

In the meantime, I really enjoy watching the Warriors play.  Except when Draymond gets dirty.  That's getting old.  

It's funny, in 2015, rooted for the Warriors as they were one of the most fun teams I had ever seen and they helped get me get more interested in the NBA again.  In 2016, I rooted for the Cavs mostly because I wanted the city of Cleveland to finally win something.  In 2017, I am back to rooting for the Warriors, but not quite as much as 2015.  I really do like Durant though and I hope he gets his ring.

I agree with the sentiment though that now this is the 3rd year of these teams, it has gotten at least slightly stale with the one exception being that now Durant is part of the mix.

A GSW sweep might be just what the league needs.

Brainwashed Boris posted:

Super teams suck except if it was the Bucks. Right boys?

I'd watch... of course i would. But we all know that's not happening. 

I also think the term "Super Team" needs a definition. The NBA is filled with teams that acquired good players to complete a championship team. But those team didn't involve the best or second best player joining a stacked team chasing a ring.

That's what the Warriors are. I honestly believe that if GS doesn't sign Durant, and he stays in OKC, they're still here. Maybe not as dominant, but they'd still be right here. The Lebron Miami Heat were. The Shaq Lakers early 2000s were. These teams just lured the top player and won rings. The Warriors equally as bad and disgusting as the way the Heat did it. 

The Cavs might not be the same construct as a Super Team, but they are one because of who they acquired and how. James came home to Cleveland but also demanded ownership go deep into tax penalty as a condition of his return. He's holding the whole franchise hostage these days. And when they lose, he'll tell ownership to do more or he'll leave again. Paul George anyone? Who cares if they'll be $75M over the cap. Not his problem. 

I would not like it if the Bucks signed Durant this off season. But I'd also watch them all the way to Larry OB...

You could make a case that it's OKCs fault that Durant is where he is given the fact they let Harden walk because they didn't want to pay him and KD had already endured several years in OKC without a title.   That being said, if he wins a title in GS who will care?  He wins one in OKC he's a hero.  

Its the same issue I had with LeBron heading to Miami; he took the easy way out.  Doesn't make him a bad guy but he could have stuck it out and didn't only to return later to have the NBA I mean the Cavs hand him a title. 

It's hard to blame Golden State for signing Durant.  Free market and all of that.

Meanwhile, the deconstruction of OKC may even be unprecedented.  Harden, Ibaka, Durant.  Unreal.

Klay Thompson has been a small mess this postseason for GS. His shooting % is well off from previous playoff appearances. He doesn't look assertive. He's been passing out of looks he normally nails in his sleep. KD has taken him out of his normal rhythm more than any other starter. It hasn't mattered against Portland, Utah, or SA. It might against Cleveland. 

But if Klay gets it rolling this could be lights out fast. 

Thompson's play definitely could decide this series. If he does get rolling, there is nothing Cleveland can do about it. Lebron can't guard everyone...

It's the Lebron versus KD show right now... Curry gets hacked and can't get a call, Lebron gets breathed on he's on the line. 

James has 8 FTS already...

How many layups and open looks have the Warriors missed... and they're still up 8.  

Klay continues to look passive and shoot poorly on open looks. Only reason this game is close. 

If Klay continues to struggle this series I expect GS to trade him. He needs a change of scenery and GS will be ok giving it to him. 

He'd sure be a great addition to the Bucks...

Won't be like they are sick of each other. Klay just can't figure out how and when he figures into the offense. And it's in his head now. The beauty of Curry is that he figured out how he thrives with Durant. It took Durants injury for it to happen but they've been a machine since KD came back. 

Klay has to go someplace where he knows he's the scoring option so he can just catch and shoot. He's never struggled creating his shot. He hasn't struggled creating his shot with Durant. He's just struggled with if he's the best option when he catches the ball. 

They have some decisions to make- Curry is a FA, and Durant has a player option. They're up against the cap in that they will be in luxury tax if they give them both max deals, which they'll be looking for. Thompson's $17M will look awfully enticing to move to try to keep the two main cogs in place. 

But you're dead right about Thompson- he's standing on the other end of the floor while Durant and Curry work P&R and he can't find any flow in that role. He's used to cutting off screens and moving without the ball on set plays. Then in transition he used to be the guy to look for- that's now Durant. 

Game 1 in the books... that was a arm bar game. Good initial battle but a submission in the end. 

Curry and Durant aren't going anywhere. Durant loves playing on the west coast. GS will let Klay go find a new home. No hard feelings. GS will probably work with Klay to find the right fit. Probably in the east. Klay will average 25-26 and shoot 41% from three again and be fine. GS will find a new Klay. They want it to be McCaw but he's probably not the guy. 

Oh yeah. Cleveland can't play defense. 

It's an interesting thing... Thompson might really toss a monkey wrench into the FA summer.

I think it depends on if Boston signs Heyward like they are rumored to. If they do, they won't pursue a trade for Thompson. But if he signs somewhere else? Boston could use him on both ends of the floor. Boston has a top pick to dangle- they'd want more than Thompson probably, but there is a possible suitor.

Of course the Bucks could use him as a replacement for Snell's. In that scenario, Parker comes off the bench, and the Bucks perimeter defense becomes really, really good. If Monroe opts out, the $$$ is there- but what would the Bucks have to offer in return? I don't think the Bucks have assets to deal that the Bucks would be willing to part with. Middleton for Thompson? I don't think GS is interested in that deal.

The Clippers come to mind- Reddick is out, Paul and Griffin both have players options... but GS isn't going to trade in the division.

Toronto could be a suitor- do they have anything to deal? If Indiana loses Paul George he won't be interested in going there. Would Philly be of interest with their young talent? 3 way deal with Washington involving Beale?

It'll spice things up if he becomes available, that's for sure...

I could see Boston as a landing spot for Klay. I'll add this. Klay's struggles on offense isn't having an effect on his defense. His defense has been great. Pros pro. 

I think Portland has to figure in this as a team involved trade talks as well... they have 2 MAX Gs in Lillard and McCollum, and Crabbe and Turner both make +$17M. That's about $87M in Gs on their roster. That's insane. Turner is 28 and has 3 years left on his deal and about $54M.

They have to find a way to get rid of that G surplus and get some versatile size.

Klays defense is tremendous. Tremendous I tell you. 

Cavs were 1-12 vs. Klay. Then Klay starts the transition O. Mike Brown talked about how much Klay meant even though he isn't scoring. 

Klay had a couple shots go down the cylinder & rattle out. If those go down in game 2, Cleveland gets blown out again. BADLY.

Klay is/was my dark horse pick for finals MVP. He won't get it with defense & steals alone but the team/teammates know/s his value to a championship. 

Oh FYI.. Klay & Draymond were what.... a combined 3/16 from the floor? Don't expect that to continue. 

Agreed- he's been incredible defensively. But you can sense that he's kinda resigned to the role of defender. He's passing up shots now- that NEVER happened in past years. 

You look at the cap situation in GS- they have like 4 dudes under contract for next year. Curry as a max guy is coming- but what are they going to do with the rest? Igoudala and Livingston are replaceable, but every time a team sacrifices depth to keep top players it hurts them. Will Igoudala get $11M from someone else? Probably. Livingston might be a guy who will take a discount to stay there. 

Pachulia and McGee are replaceable, but there will be a step down from Pachulia- he's an incredibly smart player. West won't be back- he's ring chasing. 

Will Durant even stay? That's not a guarantee either...

Durant and Curry will stay put. Livingston will likely stay. Iguodala will likely be going elsewhere. Pachulia and McGee average 22 minutes total each game between them. Very replaceable. 

And keep this in mind. GS will open their brand new $1 billion waterfront arena in SF a couple blocks down the street from the SF Giants park in two years. 100% paid for with private funding. 580,000 sq foot state of the art arena with an incredible practice facility next door. 

They may lose a piece or two but the list of free agents willing to make a little less to play with Curry and Durant in a brand new downtown SF arena is going to be a long one. 

No way they get rid of Curry. He's been the face of the franchise for 4-5 years now.

Durant will probably stay too. He's doing a lot in the Oakland community with the kids. He's really a great person. Some of the guys might want to stick around to see how long they can keep winning - hometown discount - sacrifice a little scratch for wins. 

Guess we'll find out. in a few months

Durant has already said he's not leaving. Within the last week he said he'd take less than max to stay and to help keep others. This core group is going to be together for a while. I still think Klay will be playing in the east next year. 

Klay is a different animal. Cool as a cucumber. I don't think Klay wants to "be the man" somewhere else. 

Just look at Instagram with Klay & Zaza. When Zaza pokes fun at Klay because he outscored Klay 7-6 in 1 game & called it "history", that's some funny stuff. He might find it rough to develop that kind of rapport in another city.

Remember when Jordy said..."How much money do you need?" I think Klay is just like that. 

Guess we'll find out where everyone's priorities lie once the finals are over. 

Well, the consensus is that the Cavs can slow it down and grind out a possible win. But I don't think it's that simple- the Warriors are the best half court defense in basketball. Pachulia/McGee outplayed Thompson in game one. Steps Curry was getting o-boards. 

The game one jitters are gone. The Warriors start making the open looks they had in game 1, it's another blowout. 

Kinda the same feel as the first game. Cavs grinding it out to stay close, but still down 6 and the Warriors with another 40 point quarter. 

Uh oh... Thompson starting to warm up. 

Warriors way to careless with the ball tonight. Can't turn it over 13 times in a half. 

And as sloppy as the Warriors have been at times, they build a 15-20 point lead anyway. Barring an injury, I didn't not see what the CAvs can do. 

With KD dropping 3's & Curry hitting 35 foot bombs. Klay gets his stroke back. Unbeatable. 

Cavs threw everything they had to try and steal this game. GS had 20 turnovers. Green got into foul trouble early. LeBron has a triple double  

Warriors win by 19. 

Cavs have no answer for this team. 

We talked about it after game 1.

If Klay gets his shot back, what are they going to do? Get blown out AGAIN.

You're right. Cavs have no answer right now. 

W's held serve. Let's see what happens in Game 3. Cleveland still has a chance. They need the W's to get cold & the Cavs need to be smoking hot. 

I just don't think it's possible for the Cavs to win 4 out of the next 5. Game 3 Wednesday. 

It's like watching an old Royce Gracie fight... early on, patient, back and forth... then it all ends the same way. You look up, and they're tapping out. Another arm bar game...

Obviously a big difference this year in LeBron having to guard Durant instead of Harrison Barnes.  

I don't see how Cleveland wins more than a game or two at most in this series but all we have to do is look at last year to remind us it is possible.