timschochet's thread - Ranking hemorrhoids (1 Viewer)

[ghostguy123]

Foregone conclusion

 

[Instinctive]

The Warriors will come back with a vengeance. They usually do after a loss.

By far the worst game Curry has played in a long while. Delly was a factor, but Curry isn't going to shoot 5/23 very often.

True.

But Curry also seemed to have a tough time getting open. It's not like he blew a ton of open looks. He looked best when he drove. Maybe it's just me, but he settled for a ton of contested deep shots, when usually he drives in the paint and sets stuff up or opens up the threes that way. Not what happened tonight. Between that and no less than 3 terrible early shot clock shots from Klay, GSW had pretty poor shot selection tonight.

 

[MAC_32]

I've been down on Blatt, but he has to get a little credit for the Cavs playing as well as they have so far in this series, especially defensively, right?

Absolutely no excuse for not playing Mozgov for the entire 4th and OT. Just heard that Cavs didn't score a point in the paint after the 3rd quarter. Geez, I wonder why. He's the 2nd best player on the Cavs. You have to get him out there to help Lebron out on offense.

Im sure if LeBron wants him out there then he'd be out there.

 

[ghostguy123]

Curry will be better every game the rest of the way, but Clay wont keep doing that.

Either way its a foregone conclusion

 

[No. 16]

The Warriors will come back with a vengeance. They usually do after a loss.

By far the worst game Curry has played in a long while. Delly was a factor, but Curry isn't going to shoot 5/23 very often.

True.But Curry also seemed to have a tough time getting open. It's not like he blew a ton of open looks. He looked best when he drove. Maybe it's just me, but he settled for a ton of contested deep shots, when usually he drives in the paint and sets stuff up or opens up the threes that way. Not what happened tonight. Between that and no less than 3 terrible early shot clock shots from Klay, GSW had pretty poor shot selection tonight.

I agree. He should have driven it more once it was clear his shot wasn't falling, but at the same time it's that confidence in his shot that makes him special.

The Warriors offense as a whole was off tonight and really most of game 1. Not enough ball movement.

Draymond needs to step it up. He's important as the secondary playmaker because Curry is drawing so much attention.

Reminds me a lot of the Memphis series. Warriors will respond. Can't wait until Tuesday.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Perhaps the odds will move enough to make me throw a couple bills on GSW.

Please do. Just so the Cavs can win this.

You want my action?

 

[Slapdash]

The Warriors will come back with a vengeance. They usually do after a loss.

By far the worst game Curry has played in a long while. Delly was a factor, but Curry isn't going to shoot 5/23 very often.

True.But Curry also seemed to have a tough time getting open. It's not like he blew a ton of open looks. He looked best when he drove. Maybe it's just me, but he settled for a ton of contested deep shots, when usually he drives in the paint and sets stuff up or opens up the threes that way. Not what happened tonight. Between that and no less than 3 terrible early shot clock shots from Klay, GSW had pretty poor shot selection tonight.

I agree. He should have driven it more once it was clear his shot wasn't falling, but at the same time it's that confidence in his shot that makes him special.

The Warriors offense as a whole was off tonight and really most of game 1. Not enough ball movement.

Draymond needs to step it up. He's important as the secondary playmaker because Curry is drawing so much attention.

Reminds me a lot of the Memphis series. Warriors will respond. Can't wait until Tuesday.

Cleveland is playing some pretty good D out there too.

 

[Instinctive]

The Warriors will come back with a vengeance. They usually do after a loss.

By far the worst game Curry has played in a long while. Delly was a factor, but Curry isn't going to shoot 5/23 very often.

True.But Curry also seemed to have a tough time getting open. It's not like he blew a ton of open looks. He looked best when he drove. Maybe it's just me, but he settled for a ton of contested deep shots, when usually he drives in the paint and sets stuff up or opens up the threes that way. Not what happened tonight. Between that and no less than 3 terrible early shot clock shots from Klay, GSW had pretty poor shot selection tonight.

I agree. He should have driven it more once it was clear his shot wasn't falling, but at the same time it's that confidence in his shot that makes him special.The Warriors offense as a whole was off tonight and really most of game 1. Not enough ball movement.

Draymond needs to step it up. He's important as the secondary playmaker because Curry is drawing so much attention.

Reminds me a lot of the Memphis series. Warriors will respond. Can't wait until Tuesday.

Cleveland is playing some pretty good D out there too.

This second game they did a great job of executing Zach Lowe's strategy. How many times did they just double curry when Green set the pick and just challenge Green to make the play? Enough that he threw it away at least 3 times when he had four on three.

The Cavs basically did exactly what Lowe said he would do. Double Steph, stick to Klay, and make Green throw the right pss or hit a midrange floater.

 

[Abraham]

That was only the 4th loss at home for the Warriors this season right?

Yes. Two in the regular season and then one to Memphis earlier in the playoffs.

 

[thecatch]

Curry will be better every game the rest of the way, but Clay wont keep doing that.

Either way its a foregone conclusion

I haven't checked but you can probably still get good odds on Cleveland.

 

[Raider Nation]

https://twitter.com/mashall5/status/607750955476652032/video/1

 

[ShamrockPride]

https://twitter.com/mashall5/status/607750955476652032/video/1

I'd like to counter with...NSFW (N-word)

 

[Short Corner]

LeBron only active player to ever get hair transplants?

Rick Barry

Man, his is horrible. You'd think with all his money he'd call Bono or Brady's guy.

All his money? How much were they paying in the 70's?

 

[Short Corner]

I've been down on Blatt, but he has to get a little credit for the Cavs playing as well as they have so far in this series, especially defensively, right?

He has been denying Curry after baskets with the inbounders defender which has been killing GSW's pace of play and had them forcing shots when they actually do get to push the ball up the floor.

 

[Britney Spears]

LeBron only active player to ever get hair transplants?

1. I think they glued some "hair" on Deron Williams forehead.

2. We had that great Carlos Boozer spray hair incident.

 

[Britney Spears]

Lebron elbowing Iggy in the groin is a foul on Iggy. Huh.

LeBron is the king of that garbage. He's been hard for me to watch for years, you even breath on the guy and it is a foul. Jordan might have averaged 50+ a night with those "rules".

I don't think you have really watched LeBron...he probably gets hit on his drives more than anyone without a call.

Happened just a little while ago. Because of his size and fighting through it, he does not always get the call.

And don't give me the Jordan stuff...best ever...but he got every single call.

Jordan/refs from the mid 90s would have had about 4500 free throws tonight if he was in LeBrons shoes.

On that last play of regulation, they would have waited to see if the shot went in, and then called a shooting foul on the defense after seeing the shot rim out.Or... called the foul on Iguodala, but wait to blow the whistle until the shot went up to call a "continuation" shooting foul.

No doubt. The game is better, but less theatrics.

 

[Jayrod]

Perhaps the odds will move enough to make me throw a couple bills on GSW.

Please do. Just so the Cavs can win this.

You want my action?

No, just your jinx.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Quick fact #1: No team starting Dellavedova has ever lost a game in the NBA finals.

Quick fact #2: Cavs are 5-0 in the playoffs when Delly plays more than 20 minutes

Quick fact #3: Dellavedova >>> Kobe and it isn't close.

 

[SWC]

Quick fact #1: No team starting Dellavedova has ever lost a game in the NBA finals.

Quick fact #2: Cavs are 5-0 in the playoffs when Delly plays more than 20 minutes

Quick fact #3: Dellavedova >>> Kobe and it isn't close.

in there primes maybe you could make an argument that kobe should have been in jail and delly the tornado from down under dova should not have been so i guess that people will debate that forever brohans

 

[TobiasFunke]

Curry will be better every game the rest of the way, but Clay wont keep doing that.

Either way its a foregone conclusion

I haven't checked but you can probably still get good odds on Cleveland.

Odds are about what they were just before the series started, Cleveland right around +200 or maybe a little lower. Opened much higher, got bet down even lower than that, then returned to around that number before Game 1.

I played Cleveland last night, but mostly because Cleveland's numbers on lineups without Irving were so good the number just seemed too high. Still love the Warriors at those kind of prices. I don't understand why people are saying that Curry's inevitable bounceback will be balanced out because Klay Thompson won't play like that again. Klay Thompson is really good. There's nothing particularly special about him going 14-28 and 4-12 from 3 in an overtime game. It's definitely a good game for him, but his number for the series so far are still below average. They're due to get a lot more from their backcourt duo than they got in the first two games. I think the Warriors' bigger concern is that Bogut is getting destroyed by Mozgov.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Lebron elbowing Iggy in the groin is a foul on Iggy. Huh.

LeBron is the king of that garbage. He's been hard for me to watch for years, you even breath on the guy and it is a foul. Jordan might have averaged 50+ a night with those "rules".

I love that these were posted last night, in the midst of LeBron getting absolutely robbed on three huge blown calls late (final drive of regulation, Iguodala arm chop in OT, Draymond Green takedown on the jump ball). Mind-boggling. Some people just see what they want to see, I guess.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Quick fact #1: No team starting Dellavedova has ever lost a game in the NBA finals.

Quick fact #2: Cavs are 5-0 in the playoffs when Delly plays more than 20 minutes

Quick fact #3: Dellavedova >>> Kobe and it isn't close.

These facts check out.

 

[No. 16]

Curry will be better every game the rest of the way, but Clay wont keep doing that.

Either way its a foregone conclusion

I haven't checked but you can probably still get good odds on Cleveland.

Odds are about what they were just before the series started, Cleveland right around +200 or maybe a little lower. Opened much higher, got bet down even lower than that, then returned to around that number before Game 1.

I played Cleveland last night, but mostly because Cleveland's numbers on lineups without Irving were so good the number just seemed too high. Still love the Warriors at those kind of prices. I don't understand why people are saying that Curry's inevitable bounceback will be balanced out because Klay Thompson won't play like that again. Klay Thompson is really good. There's nothing particularly special about him going 14-28 and 4-12 from 3 in an overtime game. It's definitely a good game for him, but his number for the series so far are still below average. They're due to get a lot more from their backcourt duo than they got in the first two games. I think the Warriors' bigger concern is that Bogut is getting destroyed by Mozgov.

Mozgov is just as strong as Bogut with way more mobility.

Draymond (offense) and Bogut's (defense) lackluster play have been big factors in this series that I was not expecting. Those two have been steady all season, but have been unreliable the past two games.

 

[Sammy3469]

LeBron on this current team is the best inefficient player ever...sorry Kobe.

GS has to figure out how to get the ball in Curry's hands earlier in the possession and how to attack the switch on the pick and roll better. The two are intertwined since they are starting the possession later in the shot clock they can't pass the ball around as much after the switch. So if they solve the first problem, the second probably solves itself.

Blatt deserves a ton of credit for the way that defense has been playing. His (or LeBron's) only brain fart last night was keeping Thompson on the court that second possession where they fouled him during the Warriors run at the end of the game.

I won't be shocked if LeBron ends up shooting 30+ FTs tomorrow. His due for a game where they just call everything on GS.

 

[CurlyNight]

The Cavs had to win game 2 but I'm thinking maybe Warriors had too as well.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Whose Steph's daddy? Dell or Delly?

Cliff

 

[Synthesizer]

From Deadspin....

James’s 39-16-11 is all the more remarkable considering how, for the final few minutes of regulation and just about all of overtime, the referees gave the Warriors free rein to grab, slap, hack, hold, and otherwise maul LeBron. The NBA’s traditions of superstar calls and late-game whistle-swallowing directly clashed, and this time the latter won out. It was left for James to keep driving, keep getting fouled, and keep getting no relief.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Game 3 is a pk in Vegas.

Even before yesterday, there were few words to describe how much I hate Mo Speights as a player.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Lebron elbowing Iggy in the groin is a foul on Iggy. Huh.

LeBron is the king of that garbage. He's been hard for me to watch for years, you even breath on the guy and it is a foul. Jordan might have averaged 50+ a night with those "rules".

I love that these were posted last night, in the midst of LeBron getting absolutely robbed on three huge blown calls late (final drive of regulation, Iguodala arm chop in OT, Draymond Green takedown on the jump ball). Mind-boggling. Some people just see what they want to see, I guess.

I agree that the whistles didn't go LeBron's way last night, but let's be honest about those three "robberies".

1) Drive at the end of regulation was a no call, as it should have been. There was contact early (before he jumped as he drove past Iggy) but it didn't inhibit LeBron's drive and the rest was just good D. You don't call that at the end of the game.

2) Iggy's arm chop was clearly a foul, just as LeBron's 4 step waltz before the the chop was a travel. The correct result from that sequence was GSW ball.

3) Draymond didn't take LeBron down on that jump ball. JVG and Mark Jackson had a narrative already drawn up, and didn't let what actually happened dissuade themselves from repeating their nonsense. Watch it again - because the real surprise here is why LBJ, generally one of the more brilliant players in the NBA, makes a stupid, stupid mistake that all of us were taught in grade school. Catching a jump ball should NEVER happen. https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/video/controversy-jump-ball-044516785.html

 

[TobiasFunke]

Lebron elbowing Iggy in the groin is a foul on Iggy. Huh.

LeBron is the king of that garbage. He's been hard for me to watch for years, you even breath on the guy and it is a foul. Jordan might have averaged 50+ a night with those "rules".

I love that these were posted last night, in the midst of LeBron getting absolutely robbed on three huge blown calls late (final drive of regulation, Iguodala arm chop in OT, Draymond Green takedown on the jump ball). Mind-boggling. Some people just see what they want to see, I guess.

I agree that the whistles didn't go LeBron's way last night, but let's be honest about those three "robberies".

1) Drive at the end of regulation was a no call, as it should have been. There was contact early (before he jumped as he drove past Iggy) but it didn't inhibit LeBron's drive and the rest was just good D. You don't call that at the end of the game.

2) Iggy's arm chop was clearly a foul, just as LeBron's 4 step waltz before the the chop was a travel. The correct result from that sequence was GSW ball.

3) Draymond didn't take LeBron down on that jump ball. JVG and Mark Jackson had a narrative already drawn up, and didn't let what actually happened dissuade themselves from repeating their nonsense. Watch it again - because the real surprise here is why LBJ, generally one of the more brilliant players in the NBA, makes a stupid, stupid mistake that all of us were taught in grade school. Catching a jump ball should NEVER happen. https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/video/controversy-jump-ball-044516785.html

1. There were multiple hard fouls, both at the initiation of the drive and on the shot attempt. Those were not ordinary end of game bumps. And even if they were, not calling them would contradict the nonsense argument about LeBron getting all the calls. Also, if "doesn't inhibit his drive" is the standard for foul calls then LeBron would never get a call unless you brought a weapon on the floor. The fact that he's built like a freight train doesn't mean you get to foul him.

2. Yes, he probably traveled. Travels don't get called all the time, though, and you can't play the "well they blew the call earlier so they got the right result" with something like that. There are moving screens by the Warriors on virtually every possession, most of which go uncalled. Does that mean that every time they miss a foul call on a Warriors shot attempt it's OK because they reached a just result based on the earlier infraction?

3. I watched it again. Green clearly grabs LeBron on the right shoulder with his left arm and prevents him from jumping for the tip, which is why the ball falls into LeBron's hands instead of being tipped. You can see it on the second replay on your link. I'm not sure what you're looking it, but it's clear as day.

 

[Insein]

How is it even possible that two different people on Earth think the refs favored the Cavs in that game?

 

[tom22406]

Lebron/Curry shoot 15-58 combined has to be a record for worst shooting performances by two superstars in a finals,no?

 

[tommyGunZ]

Lebron elbowing Iggy in the groin is a foul on Iggy. Huh.

LeBron is the king of that garbage. He's been hard for me to watch for years, you even breath on the guy and it is a foul. Jordan might have averaged 50+ a night with those "rules".

I love that these were posted last night, in the midst of LeBron getting absolutely robbed on three huge blown calls late (final drive of regulation, Iguodala arm chop in OT, Draymond Green takedown on the jump ball). Mind-boggling. Some people just see what they want to see, I guess.

I agree that the whistles didn't go LeBron's way last night, but let's be honest about those three "robberies".1) Drive at the end of regulation was a no call, as it should have been. There was contact early (before he jumped as he drove past Iggy) but it didn't inhibit LeBron's drive and the rest was just good D. You don't call that at the end of the game.

2) Iggy's arm chop was clearly a foul, just as LeBron's 4 step waltz before the the chop was a travel. The correct result from that sequence was GSW ball.

3) Draymond didn't take LeBron down on that jump ball. JVG and Mark Jackson had a narrative already drawn up, and didn't let what actually happened dissuade themselves from repeating their nonsense. Watch it again - because the real surprise here is why LBJ, generally one of the more brilliant players in the NBA, makes a stupid, stupid mistake that all of us were taught in grade school. Catching a jump ball should NEVER happen. https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/video/controversy-jump-ball-044516785.html

1. There were multiple hard fouls, both at the initiation of the drive and on the shot attempt. Those were not ordinary end of game bumps. And even if they were, not calling them would contradict the nonsense argument about LeBron getting all the calls. Also, if "doesn't inhibit his drive" is the standard for foul calls then LeBron would never get a call unless you brought a weapon on the floor. The fact that he's built like a freight train doesn't mean you get to foul him.

2. Yes, he probably traveled. Travels don't get called all the time, though, and you can't play the "well they blew the call earlier so they got the right result" with something like that. There are moving screens by the Warriors on virtually every possession, most of which go uncalled. Does that mean that every time they miss a foul call on a Warriors shot attempt it's OK because they reached a just result based on the earlier infraction?

3. I watched it again. Green clearly grabs LeBron on the right shoulder with his left arm and prevents him from jumping for the tip, which is why the ball falls into LeBron's hands instead of being tipped. You can see it on the second replay on your link. I'm not sure what you're looking it, but it's clear as day.

1) Who is making the argument that LeBron got all the calls? Maybe you're switching between boards and confusing this thread with another. He certainly didn't get the superstar whistles we're generally accustomed to superstars getting, but the no calls were certainly not as egregious as folks are making them out to be.2) Agree that from a technical standpoint, once the travel was not called the play should be called on merit, and Iggy's arm chop was clearly a foul. But from a fans perspective, those two blown calls happening in sequence really even themselves out, especially since had the play been officiated correctly, the travel proceeded the chop. Had the sequence been reversed (chop before the travel), then the whining would have merit.

3) have no idea how anyone can watch that play and label it a "Draymond takedown". It's the perfect example of the power of suggestion. Green's left hand does make contact with LeBron's shoulder, likely due to LeBron jumping into Green as they go up. If there is any violation here (before the LeBron catching the ball), it's LeBron jumping into Green. But of course that doesn't fit the "takedown" narrative that JVG and Jackson started before the jump ball even took place.

 

[mr fancypants]

I'll give Dellevadova this, he's gritty.

He plays basketball like Edelman plays football.

#gymrat #tough

Most every time he took the floor in college he was obviously the best player on the floor. Fun to watch.

Loyola Marymount just doesn't have the players it used to.

He went to St. Mary's.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

From Deadspin....

James’s 39-16-11 is all the more remarkable considering how, for the final few minutes of regulation and just about all of overtime, the referees gave the Warriors free rein to grab, slap, hack, hold, and otherwise maul LeBron. The NBA’s traditions of superstar calls and late-game whistle-swallowing directly clashed, and this time the latter won out. It was left for James to keep driving, keep getting fouled, and keep getting no relief.

The Warriors should be very concerned that this is the narrative from last night going back to Cleveland.

ETA: at least it's the narrative everywhere east of the Sierra Nevadas.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Lebron elbowing Iggy in the groin is a foul on Iggy. Huh.

LeBron is the king of that garbage. He's been hard for me to watch for years, you even breath on the guy and it is a foul. Jordan might have averaged 50+ a night with those "rules".

I love that these were posted last night, in the midst of LeBron getting absolutely robbed on three huge blown calls late (final drive of regulation, Iguodala arm chop in OT, Draymond Green takedown on the jump ball). Mind-boggling. Some people just see what they want to see, I guess.

I agree that the whistles didn't go LeBron's way last night, but let's be honest about those three "robberies".1) Drive at the end of regulation was a no call, as it should have been. There was contact early (before he jumped as he drove past Iggy) but it didn't inhibit LeBron's drive and the rest was just good D. You don't call that at the end of the game.

2) Iggy's arm chop was clearly a foul, just as LeBron's 4 step waltz before the the chop was a travel. The correct result from that sequence was GSW ball.

3) Draymond didn't take LeBron down on that jump ball. JVG and Mark Jackson had a narrative already drawn up, and didn't let what actually happened dissuade themselves from repeating their nonsense. Watch it again - because the real surprise here is why LBJ, generally one of the more brilliant players in the NBA, makes a stupid, stupid mistake that all of us were taught in grade school. Catching a jump ball should NEVER happen. https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/video/controversy-jump-ball-044516785.html

1. There were multiple hard fouls, both at the initiation of the drive and on the shot attempt. Those were not ordinary end of game bumps. And even if they were, not calling them would contradict the nonsense argument about LeBron getting all the calls. Also, if "doesn't inhibit his drive" is the standard for foul calls then LeBron would never get a call unless you brought a weapon on the floor. The fact that he's built like a freight train doesn't mean you get to foul him.

2. Yes, he probably traveled. Travels don't get called all the time, though, and you can't play the "well they blew the call earlier so they got the right result" with something like that. There are moving screens by the Warriors on virtually every possession, most of which go uncalled. Does that mean that every time they miss a foul call on a Warriors shot attempt it's OK because they reached a just result based on the earlier infraction?

3. I watched it again. Green clearly grabs LeBron on the right shoulder with his left arm and prevents him from jumping for the tip, which is why the ball falls into LeBron's hands instead of being tipped. You can see it on the second replay on your link. I'm not sure what you're looking it, but it's clear as day.

1) Who is making the argument that LeBron got all the calls? Maybe you're switching between boards and confusing this thread with another. He certainly didn't get the superstar whistles we're generally accustomed to superstars getting, but the no calls were certainly not as egregious as folks are making them out to be.2) Agree that from a technical standpoint, once the travel was not called the play should be called on merit, and Iggy's arm chop was clearly a foul. But from a fans perspective, those two blown calls happening in sequence really even themselves out, especially since had the play been officiated correctly, the travel proceeded the chop. Had the sequence been reversed (chop before the travel), then the whining would have merit.

3) have no idea how anyone can watch that play and label it a "Draymond takedown". It's the perfect example of the power of suggestion. Green's left hand does make contact with LeBron's shoulder, likely due to LeBron jumping into Green as they go up. If there is any violation here (before the LeBron catching the ball), it's LeBron jumping into Green. But of course that doesn't fit the "takedown" narrative that JVG and Jackson started before the jump ball even took place.

1. The two people to whom I was replying in this very conversation were making that argument. You don't even need to scroll up, it's right there in the post.

2. Sure, I guess. But travels, like moving screens, get missed all the time. Most people would say the far more unusual to see a blown call on a blatant arm hack on a shot attempt than a missed travel at the top of the drive. Its very rare to not get a call on a foul like that no matter who is shooting.

3. Takedown is a little strong, but Green clearly pulled him down on his shoulder to keep him from reaching the peak of his jump.

 

[Insein]

Lebron/Curry shoot 15-58 combined has to be a record for worst shooting performances by two superstars in a finals,no?

Closest I saw was game 4 92. Jordan and Clyde combined for 20-48. But it was still 53 pts.

 

[Jack White]

How many fewer pages would this thread be if all posts about officiating were removed?

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

1) some people just see what they want to see. There's an argument for calling a foul on Iggy on the floor, but once LeBron jumped, there's a remarkable lack of contact for all the arms flailing around. LeBron did an amazing job avoiding contact and getting a shot off. If he'd hit it, years from now we'd all be taking about that time LeBron weaved through a triple-team to hit a lefty scoop shot off the glass to win a Finals game.

2) no question LeBron was fouled by Iggy. No question LeBron traveled twice before going up for the shot. Refs wanted play to continue, weak argument that traveling wasn't called because he didn't gain an advantage from it, but that was standard issue whistle-swallowing. Right result from end of play was GSW ball and no points for CLE.

3) LeBron jumped into Green, anticipating the contact from Green JVG and Jax were talking about. Ref should have whistled before throwing the ball up as both guys were jostling each other so much the ref couldn't get into the circle - if it had been a hockey faceoff, the ref would have kicked both guys out and given two wings a shot at the draw. As the play played out, the right result happened - should have been GSW ball.

 

[Sammy3469]

From Deadspin....

James’s 39-16-11 is all the more remarkable considering how, for the final few minutes of regulation and just about all of overtime, the referees gave the Warriors free rein to grab, slap, hack, hold, and otherwise maul LeBron. The NBA’s traditions of superstar calls and late-game whistle-swallowing directly clashed, and this time the latter won out. It was left for James to keep driving, keep getting fouled, and keep getting no relief.

The Warriors should be very concerned that this is the narrative from last night going back to Cleveland.

ETA: at least it's the narrative everywhere east of the Sierra Nevadas.

Which is why I wouldn't be surprised if LeBron shot an absolute BOATLOAD of FTs tomorrow and really got GS into serious foul trouble.

One of the next two games in CLE will be like that.

 

[Anarchy99]

I haven't seen enough GS games to have an informed opinion, but it seemed in Game 2 the Warriors had at least 15 possessions where there was one pass into the front court or someone dribbled across half court and immediately chucked up a three. There were no other teammates on offense yet, and all those missed threes turned into easy rebounds for the 3 or 4 Cleveland players that were back on defense.

The games where I watched GS this year, they may have ended up taking a lot of three point shots, but they came after working the ball around, looking to penetrate or consider two pointers, and then hitting a guy wide open for a catch and shoot uncontested three. Last night they seemed like they were happy to settle for the first quasi open shot they could get, even if there was no one underneath to rebound. Lots of quick shots and short possessions did way more harm than good.

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

I haven't seen enough GS games to have an informed opinion, but it seemed in Game 2 the Warriors had at least 15 possessions where there was one pass into the front court or someone dribbled across half court and immediately chucked up a three. There were no other teammates on offense yet, and all those missed threes turned into easy rebounds for the 3 or 4 Cleveland players that were back on defense.

The games where I watched GS this year, they may have ended up taking a lot of three point shots, but they came after working the ball around, looking to penetrate or consider two pointers, and then hitting a guy wide open for a catch and shoot uncontested three. Last night they seemed like they were happy to settle for the first quasi open shot they could get, even if there was no one underneath to rebound. Lots of quick shots and short possessions did way more harm than good.

GSW likes to run and shoot open threes in transition. CLE did an excellent job slowing GSW's running game. In particular, GSW normally is good at setting up quickly after an opponent's make and getting an open look. CLE did a really good job shadowing Curry after makes, preventing him from getting a clean run upcourt to set up the equalizer. They didn't put it all in one guy, either - there were several plays where the inbounder's man denied Curry just long enough to let CLE get the other three back and kill an open look.

When a running team can't run, they get impatient. And that's when the jacked early threes started happening. When those go in, the crowd goes nuts. When they don't go in, it's an easy rebound for the defense.

 

[Niles Standish]

Lebron elbowing Iggy in the groin is a foul on Iggy. Huh.

LeBron is the king of that garbage. He's been hard for me to watch for years, you even breath on the guy and it is a foul. Jordan might have averaged 50+ a night with those "rules".

I don't think you have really watched LeBron...he probably gets hit on his drives more than anyone without a call.

Happened just a little while ago. Because of his size and fighting through it, he does not always get the call.

And don't give me the Jordan stuff...best ever...but he got every single call.

Jordan/refs from the mid 90s would have had about 4500 free throws tonight if he was in LeBrons shoes.

Jordan 11FTA/36 minutes. 2.4 Fouls/36 minutes.

LeBron 7.8 FTA/36 minutes. 1.7 Fouls/36 minutes.

Rose colored glasses aside they both got all the calls. And if you were watching in the 90s people were making the exact same arguments against Jordan.

 

[Short Corner]

Lebron elbowing Iggy in the groin is a foul on Iggy. Huh.

LeBron is the king of that garbage. He's been hard for me to watch for years, you even breath on the guy and it is a foul. Jordan might have averaged 50+ a night with those "rules".

I love that these were posted last night, in the midst of LeBron getting absolutely robbed on three huge blown calls late (final drive of regulation, Iguodala arm chop in OT, Draymond Green takedown on the jump ball). Mind-boggling. Some people just see what they want to see, I guess.

I agree that the whistles didn't go LeBron's way last night, but let's be honest about those three "robberies".1) Drive at the end of regulation was a no call, as it should have been. There was contact early (before he jumped as he drove past Iggy) but it didn't inhibit LeBron's drive and the rest was just good D. You don't call that at the end of the game.

2) Iggy's arm chop was clearly a foul, just as LeBron's 4 step waltz before the the chop was a travel. The correct result from that sequence was GSW ball.

3) Draymond didn't take LeBron down on that jump ball. JVG and Mark Jackson had a narrative already drawn up, and didn't let what actually happened dissuade themselves from repeating their nonsense. Watch it again - because the real surprise here is why LBJ, generally one of the more brilliant players in the NBA, makes a stupid, stupid mistake that all of us were taught in grade school. Catching a jump ball should NEVER happen. https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/video/controversy-jump-ball-044516785.html

1. There were multiple hard fouls, both at the initiation of the drive and on the shot attempt. Those were not ordinary end of game bumps. And even if they were, not calling them would contradict the nonsense argument about LeBron getting all the calls. Also, if "doesn't inhibit his drive" is the standard for foul calls then LeBron would never get a call unless you brought a weapon on the floor. The fact that he's built like a freight train doesn't mean you get to foul him.

2. Yes, he probably traveled. Travels don't get called all the time, though, and you can't play the "well they blew the call earlier so they got the right result" with something like that. There are moving screens by the Warriors on virtually every possession, most of which go uncalled. Does that mean that every time they miss a foul call on a Warriors shot attempt it's OK because they reached a just result based on the earlier infraction?

3. I watched it again. Green clearly grabs LeBron on the right shoulder with his left arm and prevents him from jumping for the tip, which is why the ball falls into LeBron's hands instead of being tipped. You can see it on the second replay on your link. I'm not sure what you're looking it, but it's clear as day.

3) have no idea how anyone can watch that play and label it a "Draymond takedown". It's the perfect example of the power of suggestion. Green's left hand does make contact with LeBron's shoulder, likely due to LeBron jumping into Green as they go up. If there is any violation here (before the LeBron catching the ball), it's LeBron jumping into Green. But of course that doesn't fit the "takedown" narrative that JVG and Jackson started before the jump ball even took place.

Lebron violated before the shoulder grab by going over the line. It's not really even close.

 

[ArbyMelt]

some pretty amazing defensive numbers w/ no Irving or Love

https://twitter.com/SedanoESPN/status/607941038624391168

after last nights game:

https://twitter.com/wfnyjacob/status/607684761943994369

 

[TobiasFunke]

Kind of lost in the shuffle with the incredibly intense conclusion to the game- that was Cleveland's first ever Finals win. The Cavs were swept in their only other appearance. Hope our resident Cavs fans are enjoying it. Next up- a home win.

 

[tommyGunZ]

I'll say this, if LBJ somehow pulls this off, it's the greatest individual performance in team sports in my viewing lifetime (1980 forward).

 

[Donkey Derp]

some pretty amazing defensive numbers w/ no Irving or Love

https://twitter.com/SedanoESPN/status/607941038624391168

after last nights game:

https://twitter.com/wfnyjacob/status/607684761943994369

Is there really any merit to that stat? It equates to less than seven full games. Stat says they give up 108pts per 48 min with Irving, but only gave up 98 in regulation game 1 with Irving playing the majority of it.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

I'll say this, if LBJ somehow pulls this off, it's the greatest individual performance in team sports in my viewing lifetime (1980 forward).

I think I'm on board here, no Irving, no Love, it will be in the conversation at least.

I'm actually watching every minute of NBA Finals playoff basketball again, it's been a long time since I cared enough or enjoyed it enough to do that. It's one of the best series ever so far IMO.

And Dellavedova - wow. I love that kind of basketball.

 

[Zigg]

Lebron/Curry shoot 15-58 combined has to be a record for worst shooting performances by two superstars in a finals,no?

Closest I saw was game 4 92. Jordan and Clyde combined for 20-48. But it was still 53 pts.

I'm positive Jordan never shot below 90% in a playoff game, so I assume Jordan went 18/20, and Clyde was 2/28.