Cleveland Cavs (2016 NBA Champions)

[exhawg]

I get what you're saying....but the whole Cavs fanbase cried for a few weeks straight over how they had to play the big mean Celtics and Bulls. People on here cried about the Bulls before a game was even played. Now it's, "Let's go rough up their best player." When it ended Love's season, Kleenex's stock went up 20 points just from users on this site alone.

I admit I went a little overboard last night. I'm thinking more along the lines of put him on his ass a few times with good hard fouls and see if it will take him off his game. Maybe run him off some dirty screens like they were doing to Kyrie all night.

If Kyrie is out I think the Cavs are going to have to go with Smith and Shump most of the time because I don't think Delly is quick enough in this series. He had a hard time even getting the ball up the court. We just have to hope that was the only time we see bad JR in this series. If he isn't scoring 20+ a game we don't have a chance. If Kyrie is out and the Cavs have to go small either Jones, Miller, Marion, or Harris have to step up because a 6 man bench won't cut it.

 

[BuckeyeMafia]

I admit I went a little overboard last night. I'm thinking more along the lines of put him on his ass a few times with good hard fouls and see if it will take him off his game. Maybe run him off some dirty screens like they were doing to Kyrie all night.

If Kyrie is out I think the Cavs are going to have to go with Smith and Shump most of the time because I don't think Delly is quick enough in this series. He had a hard time even getting the ball up the court. We just have to hope that was the only time we see bad JR in this series. If he isn't scoring 20+ a game we don't have a chance. If Kyrie is out and the Cavs have to go small either Jones, Miller, Marion, or Harris have to step up because a 6 man bench won't cut it.

If Kyrie is out the Cavs have to play lockdown defense to win the series. They certainly can't score with Golden State, even with Irving. I think the biggest improvement we can expect from game one to game two is defensively, though. The Cavs looked lost and confused at times, and probably gave up a good 10-15 points on those possessions.

I think the Cavs would still have a chance if I didn't think LeBron already played his best game of the series. Or that they have to win four of the next six, including three in Golden State. Plus, their eight man rotation is probably going to quickly become a seven man rotation (or even six if Kyrie sits). Dellavedova is a trick or treat kind of defender, and as well as he played Teague, he was destroyed by Golden State's guards last night.

The good thing is that the Cavs were pretty evenly matched with Golden State until overtime. And this is without Love and Kyrie turning 60% into 85%. If they can turn Haywood into a Corey Brewer-type player next year, I expect they'll run through the playoffs. Even with LeBron being yet another year older. Another 3-and-D player like Shumpert would go a long way to getting them where they want to be. He doesn't have to be as good of a defender as Shumpert, obviously, and it would be nice if he could drive to the hole like Shumpert does on occasion. Drafting a backup PG is the obvious move.

Bingo. As one example, I remember thinking Draymond Green was an absolute steal to fall to the second round. He was looked at as a tweener and fell in the draft, yet I always saw a guy who had a ton of skill and could play a number of different positions. He's turned into a star. And he gets it done on the defensive end as well--as a quick example, he forced LBJ into a horrible shot at the end of regulation.

That was Iguodala defending LeBron at the end of regulation. LeBron would've run by Green on the way to the basket.

 

[UpNorth_Buckeye]

If Kyrie is out the Cavs have to play lockdown defense to win the series. They certainly can't score with Golden State, even with Irving. I think the biggest improvement we can expect from game one to game two is defensively, though. The Cavs looked lost and confused at times, and probably gave up a good 10-15 points on those possessions.

I think the Cavs would still have a chance if I didn't think LeBron already played his best game of the series. Or that they have to win four of the next six, including three in Golden State. Plus, their eight man rotation is probably going to quickly become a seven man rotation (or even six if Kyrie sits). Dellavedova is a trick or treat kind of defender, and as well as he played Teague, he was destroyed by Golden State's guards last night.

The good thing is that the Cavs were pretty evenly matched with Golden State until overtime. And this is without Love and Kyrie turning 60% into 85%. If they can turn Haywood into a Corey Brewer-type player next year, I expect they'll run through the playoffs. Even with LeBron being yet another year older. Another 3-and-D player like Shumpert would go a long way to getting them where they want to be. He doesn't have to be as good of a defender as Shumpert, obviously, and it would be nice if he could drive to the hole like Shumpert does on occasion. Drafting a backup PG is the obvious move.



That was Iguodala defending LeBron at the end of regulation. LeBron would've run by Green on the way to the basket.

Confused about the needing to win 4 of the next 6, including 3 @ Golden State. Just 1 W there is needed. Regarding next year, I think barring excessive injuries the Cavs will win it all next year. I think Lebron will still be elite for another 3 years or so. The talent will be there for a 3 peat. Honestly. And same for Golden State. Could be Boston/Lakersesque the next few years.

 

[Bucklion]

Confused about the needing to win 4 of the next 6, including 3 @ Golden State. Just 1 W there is needed. Regarding next year, I think barring excessive injuries the Cavs will win it all next year. I think Lebron will still be elite for another 3 years or so. The talent will be there for a 3 peat. Honestly. And same for Golden State. Could be Boston/Lakersesque the next few years.

I think he meant win 4 of the next 6, 3 of which are being played at Golden State

 

[cdiddy70]

Confused about the needing to win 4 of the next 6, including 3 @ Golden State. Just 1 W there is needed. Regarding next year, I think barring excessive injuries the Cavs will win it all next year. I think Lebron will still be elite for another 3 years or so. The talent will be there for a 3 peat. Honestly. And same for Golden State. Could be Boston/Lakersesque the next few years.

I'm not as convinced the Warriors are poised for an extended run.
1) It's the West.
2) They have been remarkably healthy.
3) They have benefited from other teams injuries each step of the way starting with Durrant, Drue Holiday, Beverly, Kyrie/Love.
4) I think with a solid off season there are few teams in the West that will give them a run. Namely the Clips, OKC, New Orleans, Memphis, possibly Portland.

 

[ethan]

The Cavs actually did score with GS, least I remember, it was a tie game with two shots that we missed to win it.

GSW only shot 37% from 3.
Cavs shot 29% from 3, with Lebron: 2-8, Kyrie: 2-8, and Smith: 3-10.
Its just tragic how deep they're bench is. 34-9 bench scoring.

We still need Kyrie to create offense. Without him I don't think we have much chance, offense gets too predicable cant LeIso the whole game.
Lebron needs to just stop shooting 3's. Law of averages says...figure that shot out next year.
If he can get those 8 shots to guys like Irving, Smith, and Shump someone might catch fire

Kyrie out for the finals...

 

[AuTX Buckeye]

Irving done for the series

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JUST IN: #Cavs announce Kyrie Irving has a fractured left knee cap and is out 3-4 months. #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/dZ9by4KkRe

 

[ethan]

wtf is he mr glass? LeBron james must be bruce willis

 

[UpNorth_Buckeye]

That's awful.

 

[UpNorth_Buckeye]

I'm not as convinced the Warriors are poised for an extended run.
1) It's the West.
2) They have been remarkably healthy.
3) They have benefited from other teams injuries each step of the way starting with Durrant, Drue Holiday, Beverly, Kyrie/Love.
4) I think with a solid off season there are few teams in the West that will give them a run. Namely the Clips, OKC, New Orleans, Memphis, possibly Portland.

I agree with a lot of the points, but their core is SO young. If they can keep them all, and stay healthy (I know that's one of your points, but if your stars aren't healthy it's hard to win), they have a great team. Curry is 27, Thompson 25, Green 25, and Barnes 23. That's a pretty nasty, and young, core of four guys. In fact, add in Ezeli their center. He's nothing special, but if he's your 5th best starter then you have a pretty good team. Won't do much offensively, but he doesn't have to. He'll be a good defender in the years to come. He's only 25.

 

[AuTX Buckeye]

I agree with a lot of the points, but their core is SO young. If they can keep them all, and stay healthy (I know that's one of your points, but if your stars aren't healthy it's hard to win), they have a great team. Curry is 27, Thompson 25, Green 25, and Barnes 23. That's a pretty nasty, and young, core of four guys.

their Core is so young... they haven't had to PAY anyone yet.... once that happens it wont take long to break it up...

 

[UpNorth_Buckeye]

their Core is so young... they haven't had to PAY anyone yet.... once that happens it wont take long to break it up...

Agreed, but can they last 3 years before that eventual breakup has to happen? This came up regarding the Cavs when it comes to the big 3 plus Tristen Thompson. Somehow people think it's possible due to the age of some players and therefore size of contract. Since they are so young (particularly Thompson, Green, and Barnes), they may be able to do it for a few more years. Me personally I hope Green comes to Detroit next year, but if I were him how could you pass that up?

 

[Jake]

Irving done for the series

FOX Sports Live @FOXSportsLive

Well, it was a great series for 4 quarters.

 

[BuckeyeMafia]

I may be in the minority, but I don't think Barnes or Thompson are particularly good. In fact, I think Kerr is their second best asset. Without the ball movement and offensive creativity that he brings aboard, no way do the Warriors beat Houston, LAC, or San Antonio. They have great depth and play hard, and they're certainly one of the best teams I've ever seen, but I don't think the individual parts are all that strong. If Love and Irving were healthy for this series, I think the Cavs would win in six. Maybe even five.

There are a few silver linings in Irving's injury. The main being it's not a ligament tear. The second being that game two is on Sunday and the Cavs have some time to reinvent themselves (especially on the offensive side of the ball). The isolation plays cannot work with only LeBron running them. I think they have to bring ball movement back in or we'll lose by 25 three consecutive times.

 

[UpNorth_Buckeye]

I may be in the minority, but I don't think Barnes or Thompson are particularly good. In fact, I think Kerr is their second best asset. Without the ball movement and offensive creativity that he brings aboard, no way do the Warriors beat Houston, LAC, or San Antonio. They have great depth and play hard, and they're certainly one of the best teams I've ever seen, but I don't think the individual parts are all that strong. If Love and Irving were healthy for this series, I think the Cavs would win in six. Maybe even five.

There are a few silver linings in Irving's injury. The main being it's not a ligament tear. The second being that game two is on Sunday and the Cavs have some time to reinvent themselves (especially on the offensive side of the ball). The isolation plays cannot work with only LeBron running them. I think they have to bring ball movement back in or we'll lose by 25 three consecutive times.

Disagree on Thompson. I will say though that Barnes is a little bit of projection. He's only 23.