NBA Playoffs - Page 5

The Game · 06-17-2015, 02:23 AM

Glad Cleveland lost. Surprised they won more then 1 game after Irving went down. Is Lebron the greatest of this era, yes but 2-3 in the Finals, pretty bad.

r0nster · 06-17-2015, 07:07 AM

He is a good basketball player but still needs to learn how to give speeches since that's one of his weaknesses.

David Watts · 06-17-2015, 08:02 AM

Very entertaining finals. Would love to see that same series with a healthy Irving and a healthy Love.

CD1083 · 06-17-2015, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Watts

Very entertaining finals. Would love to see that same series with a healthy Irving and a healthy Love.

If James and Love return next season, the Cavs should be favored to win it all.

David Watts · 06-17-2015, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CD1083

If James and Love return next season, the Cavs should be favored to win it all.

I have a feeling Love is going to walk. He never seemed to quite fit in with Cleveland's style of play. That trade to get Love might end up being one of the worst ever if he walks after just one season with the Cavs.

Rizon · 06-17-2015, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CD1083

If James and Love return next season, the Cavs should be favored to win it all.

Las Vegas likes Cleveland Cavaliers as winner of 2016 Finals

RchW · 06-17-2015, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Game

Glad Cleveland lost. Surprised they won more then 1 game after Irving went down. Is Lebron the greatest of this era, yes but 2-3 in the Finals, pretty bad.

I don't get that. Is it better not to make it at all than to make it and lose? Every player and team that didn't make it to the finals was worse and has more questions to answer than Lebron and the Cavs.

CD1083 · 06-17-2015, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RchW

I don't get that. Is it better not to make it at all than to make it and lose? Every player and team that didn't make it to the finals was worse and has more questions to answer than Lebron and the Cavs.

It's a relative discussion. Of course it's better to make it and lose than sit in the gutter, but that's why we discuss Lebron.

The questions about Lebron are far more interesting to seek answers to, than those of the other teams.

swoboda · 06-17-2015, 04:10 PM

Would MJ have won if Pippen and Armstrong sat out a finals ?? Probably not IMO.
Would Magic have won missing both Worthy and Cooper? Probably not.
LeBron is the best player of his era. But frankly, not alot of fun to watch.

MBarrett · 06-17-2015, 04:36 PM

I think missing Verajau was worse for the Cavs than missing Love. I think both parties would be better off next season if he walked.

TonyJ · 06-17-2015, 05:49 PM

LOL. Lot of LeBron hot takes in here. He's won two titles, his team has now made it to five straight Finals, and he just dominated a series in which his best teammate was Tristan Thompson. Sorry, but if you think he's anything less than the best player since Jordan you're just wrong.

kenyan_cheena · 06-17-2015, 07:36 PM

It's unfortunate for the Cavs that on both occasions they made it to The Finals, Lebron had a sub-standard supporting cast. Hopefully for them they can win it next season. I won't even mind if they beat the Warriors to do it, 'cause I'm just so happy that they finally did it this year.

As a Dubs fan of 25 years, I have been thinking back a lot on the lineups they had during that time, and how they previously came close to putting a real contender together. There's only two times really. The first was in the early '90s just after the Run-TMC era ended. They traded Mitch Richmond to Sacramento for Billy Owens at the beginning of the '91-'92 season and went 55-27. They were led by Tim Hardaway (23.4 pts, 10 ast, 2 stl per game), Chris Mullin (25.6 pts, 5.6 reb, 2.1 stl), Sarunas Marciulionis (18.9 pts) and Owens (14.3 pts, 8 reb). They were the #3 seeds, but Seattle upset them in the 1st round, 3-1. Ironically, the 7th-seeded Warriors had themselves upset San Antonio in the '91 playoffs.

In '92-'93 they went a disappointing 34-48, with Hardaway, Mullin and Marciulionis missing a combined 104 games through injury. But Sprewell was drafted by them in '92, so the future looked bright, especially when they picked up Chris Webber at the '93 draft. They went 50-32 in '93-'94 with a roster that did not include Hardaway or Marciulionis as they were both injured for the entire campaign. Marciulionis was then traded during the offseason.

It was all set for '94-'95 to be the year for them, but then it all fell apart. First thing was Webber, the rookie of the year for '94, getting himself traded to Washington for Tom freaking Gugliotta, because he didn't get along with Nelly. Then more injuries during the season. Mullin only played 25 games, Gugliotta 40, and Sprewell and Hardaway missed a combined 33. They went 26-56, and that was when their window closed. They went 36-46 in '95-'96 and 30-52 in '96-'97. By then, Hardaway was gone, Mullin was 33, and Sprewell was leading the team. If everything had fallen into place for '94-'95, they would have had a starting lineup that included Mullin, Hardaway, Sprewell and Webber, but it was not to be.

The other group that could have turned into a contender was the "We Believe" lineup of the late 2000s. If you remember, they acquired Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson and went 42-40 in '06-'07, finishing the regular season with a 16-6 run to secure the #8 seed. They then shocked the Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs and could have beaten the Jazz if not for a couple of late collapses. They traded Jason Richardson to Charlotte for Brandan Wright during the '07 draft, and although they went 48-34 in '07-'08 and missed the playoffs in an historically awesome western conference, I've always felt that trading Richardson was a terrible move. He was a Warriors stalwart, and the team that finished the previous season with so much promise deserved the chance to see what they could do together for an entire season. I think that if they had kept him, they would have made the playoffs that year. It was back to mediocrity in '08-'09.

CD1083 · 06-17-2015, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyJ

LOL. Lot of LeBron hot takes in here. He's won two titles, his team has now made it to five straight Finals, and he just dominated a series in which his best teammate was Tristan Thompson. Sorry, but if you think he's anything less than the best player since Jordan you're just wrong.

He's the best player since Kobe.

TonyJ · 06-17-2015, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CD1083

He's the best player since Kobe.

That is patently absurd. Kobe was good, but also hugely overrated and the beneficiary of the Yay Points! school of evaluation. LeBron can score with Kobe but at a higher efficiency level and with better defense, rebounding, and passing.

CD1083 · 06-18-2015, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyJ

That is patently absurd. Kobe was good, but also hugely overrated and the beneficiary of the Yay Points! school of evaluation. LeBron can score with Kobe but at a higher efficiency level and with better defense, rebounding, and passing.

There is a debate about who is better and frankly I don't care. You've chosen your horse, but there are just as many others who think Kobe is better.

I was simply pointing out the fact that you skipped over Kobe to Jordan.

TonyJ · 06-18-2015, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CD1083

There is a debate about who is better and frankly I don't care. You've chosen your horse, but there are just as many others who think Kobe is better.

I was simply pointing out the fact that you skipped over Kobe to Jordan.

I skipped Kobe because there is no debate. LeBron is better and it's not even close. LeBron and Jordan is in play at this point, but there is no statistical argument for Kobe.

06-17-2015, 02:23 AM	#81
The Game Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Inside The Game Posts: 30,807	Glad Cleveland lost. Surprised they won more then 1 game after Irving went down. Is Lebron the greatest of this era, yes but 2-3 in the Finals, pretty bad. __________________ Go today don't wait for tomorrow It isn't promised, all the time you get borrowed Don't live your life for other people Don't bottle your emotions till they crack and fill a couple just sorrows Take your mind and refocus go get a paper write your goals out Throw your middle fingers to all your haters "Stay Strong"

06-17-2015, 04:10 PM	#89
swoboda All Star Starter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Guarding The Line Posts: 1,205	Would MJ have won if Pippen and Armstrong sat out a finals ?? Probably not IMO. Would Magic have won missing both Worthy and Cooper? Probably not. LeBron is the best player of his era. But frankly, not alot of fun to watch. __________________ "...If you want to look ahead to the bottom of the ninth, the Mets will be sending up Buddy Harrelson, Jerry Buchek , and Don Bosch, we'll be right back after this word from Rheingold Beer" The late great Lindsey Nelson

06-17-2015, 05:49 PM	#91
TonyJ Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Gassin' Kurds Posts: 2,019	LOL. Lot of LeBron hot takes in here. He's won two titles, his team has now made it to five straight Finals, and he just dominated a series in which his best teammate was Tristan Thompson. Sorry, but if you think he's anything less than the best player since Jordan you're just wrong. __________________ My Podcasts: Talk Democratic Dysfunction Name Two Bands with Andy and Andy

06-17-2015, 07:36 PM	#92
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 9,038	It's unfortunate for the Cavs that on both occasions they made it to The Finals, Lebron had a sub-standard supporting cast. Hopefully for them they can win it next season. I won't even mind if they beat the Warriors to do it, 'cause I'm just so happy that they finally did it this year. As a Dubs fan of 25 years, I have been thinking back a lot on the lineups they had during that time, and how they previously came close to putting a real contender together. There's only two times really. The first was in the early '90s just after the Run-TMC era ended. They traded Mitch Richmond to Sacramento for Billy Owens at the beginning of the '91-'92 season and went 55-27. They were led by Tim Hardaway (23.4 pts, 10 ast, 2 stl per game), Chris Mullin (25.6 pts, 5.6 reb, 2.1 stl), Sarunas Marciulionis (18.9 pts) and Owens (14.3 pts, 8 reb). They were the #3 seeds, but Seattle upset them in the 1st round, 3-1. Ironically, the 7th-seeded Warriors had themselves upset San Antonio in the '91 playoffs. In '92-'93 they went a disappointing 34-48, with Hardaway, Mullin and Marciulionis missing a combined 104 games through injury. But Sprewell was drafted by them in '92, so the future looked bright, especially when they picked up Chris Webber at the '93 draft. They went 50-32 in '93-'94 with a roster that did not include Hardaway or Marciulionis as they were both injured for the entire campaign. Marciulionis was then traded during the offseason. It was all set for '94-'95 to be the year for them, but then it all fell apart. First thing was Webber, the rookie of the year for '94, getting himself traded to Washington for Tom freaking Gugliotta, because he didn't get along with Nelly. Then more injuries during the season. Mullin only played 25 games, Gugliotta 40, and Sprewell and Hardaway missed a combined 33. They went 26-56, and that was when their window closed. They went 36-46 in '95-'96 and 30-52 in '96-'97. By then, Hardaway was gone, Mullin was 33, and Sprewell was leading the team. If everything had fallen into place for '94-'95, they would have had a starting lineup that included Mullin, Hardaway, Sprewell and Webber, but it was not to be. The other group that could have turned into a contender was the "We Believe" lineup of the late 2000s. If you remember, they acquired Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson and went 42-40 in '06-'07, finishing the regular season with a 16-6 run to secure the #8 seed. They then shocked the Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs and could have beaten the Jazz if not for a couple of late collapses. They traded Jason Richardson to Charlotte for Brandan Wright during the '07 draft, and although they went 48-34 in '07-'08 and missed the playoffs in an historically awesome western conference, I've always felt that trading Richardson was a terrible move. He was a Warriors stalwart, and the team that finished the previous season with so much promise deserved the chance to see what they could do together for an entire season. I think that if they had kept him, they would have made the playoffs that year. It was back to mediocrity in '08-'09. Last edited by kenyan_cheena; 06-17-2015 at 07:44 PM.

06-17-2015, 07:07 AM	#82
r0nster Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,002	He is a good basketball player but still needs to learn how to give speeches since that's one of his weaknesses.

06-17-2015, 08:02 AM	#83
David Watts Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Looking for a place called Leehofooks Posts: 8,880	Very entertaining finals. Would love to see that same series with a healthy Irving and a healthy Love.

06-17-2015, 04:36 PM	#90
MBarrett All Star Reserve Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 623	I think missing Verajau was worse for the Cavs than missing Love. I think both parties would be better off next season if he walked.