I think that's a pretty big assumption. The raptors were one of the best road teams in the NBA in the season and have proven they can win games on the road in the playoffs. Not having both Klay and KD would make the Warriors a lot easier to guard. I would bet money the Raptors win the game on the road if both of those guys are out.amercer said:
You have to think that the Warriors role players will have it easier at home, and the Raptors guys won't be as good. So they probably get game 3 without Klay and KD. Then those guys come back in game 4, and it's night night for Toronto
NBA Finals
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Last: 5 yr ago by Saint Pablo
Klay Thompson saying he will play Game 3. Kerr saying 'we will see', Klay has always seemed like a super tough player who plays through most injuries, so unless they cut his leg off, I am guessing we will see him.
I'm still thinking Warriors in 6. I guess it all depends on injuries but if KD is really back for game 4 I don't see Toronto making it to game 7. I know he won't be 100% when he comes back but he'll still be good enough to make it a lot harder to defend them.
**** golden state
Pumpkinhead said:Gigemags382 said:
Whelp the Warriors played like trash and the Raptors outdid them. That was the story of this one.
Gotta Give the Warriors some credit...they are a very mentally tough team. No Durant, Lose Klay Thompson with hamstring pull for entire 4th quarter, no Kevin Looney who got knocked out with a concussion...on the road in NBA Finals...they gutted it out with lots of minutes from various bench guys including Quin Cook, Bogut, Livingston, etc.And DeMarcus Cousins actually looked pretty effective despite just second game back and probably played a hell of a lot more than Kerr was thinking (because he lost Looney).
The Warriors are the best team in the NBA without Durant and Klay. Heck, they're arguably neck and neck with the best without Durant and Curry. Adding Durant was the most lopsided free agent move in the history of American sports. And yet they cry and complain their whole way to a championship every year. **** the Warriors.
The last few years of the NBA have been pretty boring.Gigemags382 said:Pumpkinhead said:Gigemags382 said:
Whelp the Warriors played like trash and the Raptors outdid them. That was the story of this one.
Gotta Give the Warriors some credit...they are a very mentally tough team. No Durant, Lose Klay Thompson with hamstring pull for entire 4th quarter, no Kevin Looney who got knocked out with a concussion...on the road in NBA Finals...they gutted it out with lots of minutes from various bench guys including Quin Cook, Bogut, Livingston, etc.And DeMarcus Cousins actually looked pretty effective despite just second game back and probably played a hell of a lot more than Kerr was thinking (because he lost Looney).
The Warriors are the best team in the NBA without Durant and Klay. Heck, they're arguably neck and neck with the best without Durant and Curry. Adding Durant was the most lopsided free agent move in the history of American sports. And yet they cry and complain their whole way to a championship every year. **** the Warriors.
It seems like the talent level league wide is down compared to the 2000's and the 90's. There aren't as many good players to go around. Teams aren't as good. There's no parity.
I think between analytics and tanking, less teams are trying to compete than ever.
There's also the whole "teaming up" thing.
I get why people are tired of the Warriors (same way folks are tired of Bama football and the New England Patriots and so forth), but EXCEPT for Durant (will address that in a moment)...it is important to remember that they did grow that team organically.
- Warriors drafted Curry, Klay, and Draymond Green themselves (in the 2nd round).
- Warriors traded for Iguodola
- Warriors hired Steve Kerr as coach
And that resulted in an NBA champion and 73-win team...fair and square.
Now...did Durant going to GSW make them 'completely unfair'? Yes. But as we can all see, take away Durant and they are still an NBA champion level squad. They are fun to watch, they play well at both ends of the court, and they are extremely tough and resilient.
I personally enjoy watching them and have just as much respect for them as I did the 90's Bulls and the 2000's Spurs teams.
- Warriors drafted Curry, Klay, and Draymond Green themselves (in the 2nd round).
- Warriors traded for Iguodola
- Warriors hired Steve Kerr as coach
And that resulted in an NBA champion and 73-win team...fair and square.
Now...did Durant going to GSW make them 'completely unfair'? Yes. But as we can all see, take away Durant and they are still an NBA champion level squad. They are fun to watch, they play well at both ends of the court, and they are extremely tough and resilient.
I personally enjoy watching them and have just as much respect for them as I did the 90's Bulls and the 2000's Spurs teams.
The Golden State team that won in 2015, then won 73-games, and now has gone 6-1 in its past 7 playoff games without Kevin Durant...is not a 'teaming up' super team. They are a great team consisting of players that Golden State either drafted themselves (Curry, Klay, Draymond), traded for (Iggy), or signed (Cousins) to an extremely cheap deal because no other teams wanted to pay that player what he wanted.yukmonkey said:
There's also the whole "teaming up" thing.
Frankly, that is simply just being better run and coached organization than most of the other NBA teams. Not the 'teaming up' thing like what LeBron, Wade, and Bosh did in Miami.
The Warriors MINUS Durant have a lot in common with a successful organization like the 2000's San Antonio Spurs. Now, when Durant also flipped to go over there, that specifically was like the Miami Heat thing.
Pumpkinhead said:The Golden State team that won in 2015, then won 73-games, and now has gone 6-1 in its past 7 playoff games without Kevin Durant...is not a 'teaming up' super team. They are a great team consisting of players that Golden State either drafted themselves (Curry, Klay, Draymond), traded for (Iggy), or signed (Cousins) to an extremely cheap deal because no other teams wanted to pay that player what he wanted.yukmonkey said:
There's also the whole "teaming up" thing.
Frankly, that is simply just being better run and coached organization than most of the other NBA teams. Not the 'teaming up' thing like what LeBron, Wade, and Bosh did in Miami.
The Warriors MINUS Durant have a lot in common with a successful organization like the 2000's San Antonio Spurs. Now, when Durant also flipped to go over there, that specifically was like the Miami Heat thing.
I agree with you as far as how they built their team. Based on their story that you outlined, they should be a beloved Cinderella story.
Too bad they're a bunch of crybaby punks despite being a super team.
Draymond is my most hated player of the last 25 years in any sport. He's a piece of trash. It's not a far step down to Curry (throw the ball 40 feet in the air in frustration about a foul call and then act like a two year old that you get T'd up, and it happens all game every game). The rest of the team takes on the personality of those two players, including Durant.
I don't like the Patriots or Bama because I'm tired of them winning. I detest the Warriors because they're a team of piece of trash punks and I'm tired of them winning.
Agreed. I am actually fine with the Pats and really don't harbor much resentment towards Bama other than when they beat us. But the combined personalities of Kerr, Draymond, Curry, and Durant makes it hard for me to find any enjoyment whatsoever in watching GS play.
Gigemags382 said:Pumpkinhead said:Gigemags382 said:
Whelp the Warriors played like trash and the Raptors outdid them. That was the story of this one.
Gotta Give the Warriors some credit...they are a very mentally tough team. No Durant, Lose Klay Thompson with hamstring pull for entire 4th quarter, no Kevin Looney who got knocked out with a concussion...on the road in NBA Finals...they gutted it out with lots of minutes from various bench guys including Quin Cook, Bogut, Livingston, etc.And DeMarcus Cousins actually looked pretty effective despite just second game back and probably played a hell of a lot more than Kerr was thinking (because he lost Looney).
The Warriors are the best team in the NBA without Durant and Klay. Heck, they're arguably neck and neck with the best without Durant and Curry. Adding Durant was the most lopsided free agent move in the history of American sports. And yet they cry and complain their whole way to a championship every year. **** the Warriors.
Is it better to cry and complain to a championship every year or to cry and complain to an early exit in the playoffs every year like the Rockets?
That's the big difference.Gigemags382 said:Pumpkinhead said:The Golden State team that won in 2015, then won 73-games, and now has gone 6-1 in its past 7 playoff games without Kevin Durant...is not a 'teaming up' super team. They are a great team consisting of players that Golden State either drafted themselves (Curry, Klay, Draymond), traded for (Iggy), or signed (Cousins) to an extremely cheap deal because no other teams wanted to pay that player what he wanted.yukmonkey said:
There's also the whole "teaming up" thing.
Frankly, that is simply just being better run and coached organization than most of the other NBA teams. Not the 'teaming up' thing like what LeBron, Wade, and Bosh did in Miami.
The Warriors MINUS Durant have a lot in common with a successful organization like the 2000's San Antonio Spurs. Now, when Durant also flipped to go over there, that specifically was like the Miami Heat thing.
I agree with you as far as how they built their team. Based on their story that you outlined, they should be a beloved Cinderella story.
Too bad they're a bunch of crybaby punks despite being a super team.
Draymond is my most hated player of the last 25 years in any sport. He's a piece of trash. It's not a far step down to Curry (throw the ball 40 feet in the air in frustration about a foul call and then act like a two year old that you get T'd up, and it happens all game every game). The rest of the team takes on the personality of those two players, including Durant.
I don't like the Patriots or Bama because I'm tired of them winning. I detest the Warriors because they're a team of piece of trash punks and I'm tired of them winning.
The patriots, Bama, and the spurs were all classy. GSW is a bunch of cry baby prima donnas.
I admit I hated the pats around 2007-2011 tho. The randy moss trade pissed me off because NE gave up pretty much nothing.
leftcoastaggie said:Gigemags382 said:Pumpkinhead said:Gigemags382 said:
Whelp the Warriors played like trash and the Raptors outdid them. That was the story of this one.
Gotta Give the Warriors some credit...they are a very mentally tough team. No Durant, Lose Klay Thompson with hamstring pull for entire 4th quarter, no Kevin Looney who got knocked out with a concussion...on the road in NBA Finals...they gutted it out with lots of minutes from various bench guys including Quin Cook, Bogut, Livingston, etc.And DeMarcus Cousins actually looked pretty effective despite just second game back and probably played a hell of a lot more than Kerr was thinking (because he lost Looney).
The Warriors are the best team in the NBA without Durant and Klay. Heck, they're arguably neck and neck with the best without Durant and Curry. Adding Durant was the most lopsided free agent move in the history of American sports. And yet they cry and complain their whole way to a championship every year. **** the Warriors.
Is it better to cry and complain to a championship every year or to cry and complain to an early exit in the playoffs every year like the Rockets?
There's a lot of teams that cry and complain while losing. It takes a special breed of trash and unsportmanship to cry and complain while winning.
I'm a moderate Rockets fan but detest the Warriors. I'm as big of a fan of the Raptors in the finals as I was of the Rockets against the Warriors in Round 2. I really don't care if you throw crap at the Rockets. They sucked when it mattered and do every year. That doesn't change a thing about the piece of trash Warriors.
I am willing to deal with whiners on teams, coaches, fans, etc...and even listen to the defense of referees who say it's so hard to officiate with the size & speed, style etc........just up until you see **** like this virtually every night.
That's the type of trash that needs to be eradicated immediately, yet it's overlooked all the time.
That's the type of trash that needs to be eradicated immediately, yet it's overlooked all the time.
Good Ringer article of the adjustments that Kerr and the Warriors coaching staff made for and during Game 2 to help grind out the win last night.
https://www.theringer.com/nba/2019/6/3/18650472/warriors-raptors-final-game-2-steve-kerr-coaching-adjustments
The adjustments that Kevin O'Conner walks through:
1) How GSW set their high ball screens a lot higher than they had in Game 1 - close to mid-court, so as to try to exploit Toronto's overplaying with aggressive backdoor cuts.
2) Switching to Boogie - Including starting him - and rather than posting him up much down low, instead trying to take advantage of his excellent passing skills from the high post.
3) Played Draymond Green differently on defense in terms of help rotations.
This was an impressive stat mentioned from last night:
Conclusion of the article:
https://www.theringer.com/nba/2019/6/3/18650472/warriors-raptors-final-game-2-steve-kerr-coaching-adjustments
The adjustments that Kevin O'Conner walks through:
1) How GSW set their high ball screens a lot higher than they had in Game 1 - close to mid-court, so as to try to exploit Toronto's overplaying with aggressive backdoor cuts.
2) Switching to Boogie - Including starting him - and rather than posting him up much down low, instead trying to take advantage of his excellent passing skills from the high post.
3) Played Draymond Green differently on defense in terms of help rotations.
This was an impressive stat mentioned from last night:
Quote:
The Warriors logged 34 assists on 38 makesgood for the highest assist percentage in the Finals over at least the past 40 years, according to Basketball-Reference. The ball was whipping around the floor all game, thanks in large part to Cousins.
Conclusion of the article:
Quote:
Many fans, pundits, and people working in the league like to claim that the Warriors are unbeatable unless the perfect storm of circumstances happen. Game 2 was exactly the situation they're talking about. The Raptors were at home. Durant still isn't in uniform. Curry was sick and shot just 6-for-17. Iguodala hobbled in the first half; Looney suffered a left chest contusion and played only 10 minutes; Thompson got hurt in the fourth quarter; Cousins was pushed to his limit for 28 out-of-shape minutes in only his second game back from a serious quad problem. The Warriors won anyway. And now instead of staring down a daunting deficit, they head back to the Bay with the home-court edge.
Through the years, Kerr's adjustments in the postseason have been the secret sauce of the Warriors' juggernaut recipe. The players deserve most of the credit for Game 2's win, as they executed the high ball screens, Cousins played quarterback from the post, and Draymond was seemingly everywhere on defense. Facing adversity on the road with an injured team, however, Kerr and his staff proved pivotal in putting those players in positions to succeed. The coach set the Warriors up, and the Warriors followed through.
Who the hell cares about meaningless steps 70 feet from the basket?
yukmonkey said:
Who the hell cares about meaningless steps 70 feet from the basket?
The NBA thanks you for not giving a **** about actually having to play basketball in the NBA.
Do you not buckle your seatbelt until right before you get on the freeway?yukmonkey said:
Who the hell cares about meaningless steps 70 feet from the basket?
Accidents can happen in the neighborhood too ya know.
Enforce the rules all over the court. Just like you would follow the law wherever you are in that country.
There have been better examples of travelling on the way to the basket by both Kawhi and Thompson in this series. Ref's missing that travel call impacted nothing in terms of game play or watch-ability. People complaining about that particular travel call don't like the NBA anyway and shouldn't be listened to for their opinions, if not this then you would be upset for something else.
Raptors got a ton of calls last night too, and i believe out-shot the Warriors from the free-throw line. The Warriors played their butts off last night, and if you find all the terrible travels that went uncalled here, be my guest. These guys made shots all over the place. If you can't appreciate this type of offense, I don't know what to tell you. Reminds me of the 2013 (I think) Spurs.
Raptors got a ton of calls last night too, and i believe out-shot the Warriors from the free-throw line. The Warriors played their butts off last night, and if you find all the terrible travels that went uncalled here, be my guest. These guys made shots all over the place. If you can't appreciate this type of offense, I don't know what to tell you. Reminds me of the 2013 (I think) Spurs.
Refs are never going to call that, especially on a superstar. I know you are trying to prove a point, but in reality you do not want that kind of ticky-tack calls constantly. The game would be unwatchable.Grapesoda2525 said:Do you not buckle your seatbelt until right before you get on the freeway?yukmonkey said:
Who the hell cares about meaningless steps 70 feet from the basket?
Accidents can happen in the neighborhood too ya know.
Enforce the rules all over the court. Just like you would follow the law wherever you are in that country.
At the end of the day, this is a business and rules sticklers are not their target market.
I'm a Warriors fan and I gotta admit that Klay's uncalled travel the other night might be the most egregious I've ever seen.brownbrick said:
There have been better examples of travelling on the way to the basket by both Kawhi and Thompson in this series. Ref's missing that travel call impacted nothing in terms of game play or watch-ability. People complaining about that particular travel call don't like the NBA anyway and shouldn't be listened to for their opinions, if not this then you would be upset for something else.
Raptors got a ton of calls last night too, and i believe out-shot the Warriors from the free-throw line. The Warriors played their butts off last night, and if you find all the terrible travels that went uncalled here, be my guest. These guys made shots all over the place. If you can't appreciate this type of offense, I don't know what to tell you. Reminds me of the 2013 (I think) Spurs.
But I think the way the announcers talked about the call on Steph after the steal as a possible breakaway was total bs. Van Vleet pretty blatantly pushed off.
Drake hit you up on his Hotline Bling?Gigemags382 said:leftcoastaggie said:Gigemags382 said:Pumpkinhead said:Gigemags382 said:
Whelp the Warriors played like trash and the Raptors outdid them. That was the story of this one.
Gotta Give the Warriors some credit...they are a very mentally tough team. No Durant, Lose Klay Thompson with hamstring pull for entire 4th quarter, no Kevin Looney who got knocked out with a concussion...on the road in NBA Finals...they gutted it out with lots of minutes from various bench guys including Quin Cook, Bogut, Livingston, etc.And DeMarcus Cousins actually looked pretty effective despite just second game back and probably played a hell of a lot more than Kerr was thinking (because he lost Looney).
The Warriors are the best team in the NBA without Durant and Klay. Heck, they're arguably neck and neck with the best without Durant and Curry. Adding Durant was the most lopsided free agent move in the history of American sports. And yet they cry and complain their whole way to a championship every year. **** the Warriors.
Is it better to cry and complain to a championship every year or to cry and complain to an early exit in the playoffs every year like the Rockets?
There's a lot of teams that cry and complain while losing. It takes a special breed of trash and unsportmanship to cry and complain while winning.
I'm a moderate Rockets fan but detest the Warriors. I'm as big of a fan of the Raptors in the finals as I was of the Rockets against the Warriors in Round 2. I really don't care if you throw crap at the Rockets. They sucked when it mattered and do every year. That doesn't change a thing about the piece of trash Warriors.
Looney is out for the series and Klay is questionable for game 3. This series ain't over.
biobioprof said:
Looney is out for the series and Klay is questionable for game 3. This series ain't over.
You know what they always say...the game ain't over til...the league office speaks.
If nobody is criticizing your whining, cheating, being an ****, etc....then you aren't winning.
Nice work NBA on having no game tonight. Because having a series that runs till freaking Independence Day is drawing new fans.
Stanley Cup might finish first.Cy_Tolliver said:
Nice work NBA on having no game tonight. Because having a series that runs till freaking Independence Day is drawing new fans.
A few years ago the NBA finals were every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. I think a year or two ago they made it where you travel now you get 2 days off in between.
In a way that makes no sense because why is game 1 on Thursday and game 2 on Sunday for the home team. It's taking long and fully expect the Stanley Cup to finish before the NBA Finals.
In a way that makes no sense because why is game 1 on Thursday and game 2 on Sunday for the home team. It's taking long and fully expect the Stanley Cup to finish before the NBA Finals.
Durant won't play tomorrow. Hopefully Thompson doesn't either.
The new format blows. There should only be 2 days between games if there is traveling. I liked the old format of 2-3-2. Less traveling and easier to get the games in. Most people are sick of basketball by summer anyway. Get it over with please.Sports-Ag said:
A few years ago the NBA finals were every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. I think a year or two ago they made it where you travel now you get 2 days off in between.
In a way that makes no sense because why is game 1 on Thursday and game 2 on Sunday for the home team. It's taking long and fully expect the Stanley Cup to finish before the NBA Finals.
If Klay can't go, the Warriors will only have a combined 14 NBA All-star appearances, 2 NBA MVPs, and 1 NBA Finals MVP on the court. That's going to be rough.
Thompson practiced with them yesterday and were videos of him taking jumpers. Looks like he will play. Whether he is compromised or not, we'll see.
It seems unlikely that the Warriors could beat Toronto missing both Durant AND Thompson. That is probably a bridge too far. They just don't have the shooting. We saw that in the 4th quarter of Game 2 after Thompson went out. Toronto literally went to the rare 'Box and 1' defense on Curry basically daring anybody else to shoot...and Golden State scored only 3 points in the last 6 minutes of the game (that three by Iguodola...who was like 1-9 in his previous 10 three point attempts going into that shot).Gigemags382 said:
If Klay can't go, the Warriors will only have a combined 14 NBA All-star appearances, 2 NBA MVPs, and 1 NBA Finals MVP on the court. That's going to be rough.
With Thompson AND Durant...the Warriors are pretty much unbeatable.
With only one of Thompson OR Durant...the Warriors good chance of winning but it is now a dogfight.
Neither Thompson OR Durant...Toronto definitely has the advantage.
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