timschochet's thread - Ranking hemorrhoids (1 Viewer)

[CurlyNight]

Waaaaaaaaaaaaarrriiors!

Come out and playayay! And they did.

No room on the 'wagon. Keep walking.

It was a reference to the movie, The Warriors. :whoosh:

I understand that. But you need to stick with your 5 other favorite NBA teams and not get on this bus. Keep. It. Moving.

Being a Bay Area-lite, this bus in parked in my backyard ready to hop on it if the Spurs go out.

nip

Oh dear. What was I thinking, or should I say not thinking! No way, nip that statement!

 

[CurlyNight]

What say we let our friend Curly enjoy the great action in these playoffs however the hell she sees fit this time around?

I don't see anyone stopping her from doing anything.

Thanks TF. Appreciate your concern. Was in a lot of pain all of the sudden last night when I went off on Dr Detroit for messing with me on all the teams I love and how weird that is. I apologized in advance and do so again as my journey really starts tomorrow with this cancer nuisance because I'm sure I'll be in more foul moods once I'm in it, the way it sounds from other folks. #### cancer. But yeah, as long as I don't get bashed I'm fine.

 

[[icon]]

All ball busting aside, Cheers

 

[TobiasFunke]

What say we let our friend Curly enjoy the great action in these playoffs however the hell she sees fit this time around?

I don't see anyone stopping her from doing anything.

Thanks TF. Appreciate your concern. Was in a lot of pain all of the sudden last night when I went off on Dr Detroit for messing with me on all the teams I love and how weird that is. I apologized in advance and do so again as my journey really starts tomorrow with this cancer nuisance because I'm sure I'll be in more foul moods once I'm in it, the way it sounds from other folks. #### cancer. But yeah, as long as I don't get bashed I'm fine.

Do your thing. Looking forward to you becoming a huge Wizards fan during the 2017 playoffs

 

[CGRdrJoe]

I haven't read all the responses so this may be old news, but Delly taken to hospital after game last night for severe cramping. Anyone surprised? Man that guy was incredible last night, along with his side kick LeB!

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2491713-matthew-dellavedova-injury-updates-on-cavaliers-guards-cramps?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national

I'm pretty sure this is news to everyone in here. Thanks for sharing.

So how many Warrior wins are you away from rooting for them, again? Would Thursday do it or do you require series lead to make the switch?

Actually, 0. I can't stand them, and I've been in the Bay Area for over 20 years now. Plus the family/friends serious rivalry going on is actually fun, especially now that Cavs are ahead!

You realize that rivalry's aren't usually a bandwagon pehnom.......ah nevermind

 

[CurlyNight]

All ball busting aside, Cheers

 

[CGRdrJoe]

Waaaaaaaaaaaaarrriiors!

Come out and playayay! And they did.

No room on the 'wagon. Keep walking.

It was a reference to the movie, The Warriors. :whoosh:

I understand that. But you need to stick with your 5 other favorite NBA teams and not get on this bus. Keep. It. Moving.

Being a Bay Area-lite, this bus in parked in my backyard ready to hop on it if the Spurs go out.

nip

 

[CurlyNight]

What say we let our friend Curly enjoy the great action in these playoffs however the hell she sees fit this time around?

I don't see anyone stopping her from doing anything.

Thanks TF. Appreciate your concern. Was in a lot of pain all of the sudden last night when I went off on Dr Detroit for messing with me on all the teams I love and how weird that is. I apologized in advance and do so again as my journey really starts tomorrow with this cancer nuisance because I'm sure I'll be in more foul moods once I'm in it, the way it sounds from other folks. #### cancer. But yeah, as long as I don't get bashed I'm fine.

Do your thing. Looking forward to you becoming a huge Wizards fan during the 2017 playoffs

Well, if Wade goes there....

 

[CurlyNight]

What say we let our friend Curly enjoy the great action in these playoffs however the hell she sees fit this time around?

You know, I've started ready Curly as Curry. lol. I hope to be a warrior like him so to speak!

 

[Bucky86]

Wait, so that wasn't shtick with Curly?

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

I'd start David Lee over Green if I were Kerr or at least give Lee and Splash Bros. some run with Iggy/Barnes/Livingston/Barbosa and Bogut/Green.

David Lee can make the Cavs pay for trapping Curry. He's the only big on the roster that can catch a pass, finish inside, and make a play from the elbows. That should be Green's role but he's been terrible. Plus David Lee has the one track mind to on defense to keep Tristan Thompson off the ####### glass.

My god. How hard is it to box out that guy?

I don't think there's any doubt we're gonna see a ton of Lee in game 4. He clearly caused Cleveland problems out there and with TT on the other side the Warriors have someplace to hide his terrible defense.

I thought Kerr and Curry both seemed extremely confident in their postgame interviews for having just gone down 2-1. I think they felt like they had found the answers to the Cavs in that 4th quarter.

 

[CurlyNight]

Wait, so that wasn't shtick with Curly?

The way I root for teams and all?.......... No.

 

[MAC_32]

I'd start David Lee over Green if I were Kerr or at least give Lee and Splash Bros. some run with Iggy/Barnes/Livingston/Barbosa and Bogut/Green.

David Lee can make the Cavs pay for trapping Curry. He's the only big on the roster that can catch a pass, finish inside, and make a play from the elbows. That should be Green's role but he's been terrible. Plus David Lee has the one track mind to on defense to keep Tristan Thompson off the ####### glass.

My god. How hard is it to box out that guy?

I don't think there's any doubt we're gonna see a ton of Lee in game 4. He clearly caused Cleveland problems out there and with TT on the other side the Warriors have someplace to hide his terrible defense.

I thought Kerr and Curry both seemed extremely confident in their postgame interviews for having just gone down 2-1. I think they felt like they had found the answers to the Cavs in that 4th quarter.

I agree, but managing Lee and his inevitable foul trouble will be a challenge for Kerr though. A step slow and aggressive is a bad combination, defensively. I wouldn't fault Kerr for starting him, but I think it'd be more effective bringing him off the bench, let him play until he gets his second foul, then sit him until half and re-evaluate.

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

I'd start David Lee over Green if I were Kerr or at least give Lee and Splash Bros. some run with Iggy/Barnes/Livingston/Barbosa and Bogut/Green.

David Lee can make the Cavs pay for trapping Curry. He's the only big on the roster that can catch a pass, finish inside, and make a play from the elbows. That should be Green's role but he's been terrible. Plus David Lee has the one track mind to on defense to keep Tristan Thompson off the ####### glass.

My god. How hard is it to box out that guy?

I don't think there's any doubt we're gonna see a ton of Lee in game 4. He clearly caused Cleveland problems out there and with TT on the other side the Warriors have someplace to hide his terrible defense.I thought Kerr and Curry both seemed extremely confident in their postgame interviews for having just gone down 2-1. I think they felt like they had found the answers to the Cavs in that 4th quarter.

I agree, but managing Lee and his inevitable foul trouble will be a challenge for Kerr though. A step slow and aggressive is a bad combination, defensively. I wouldn't fault Kerr for starting him, but I think it'd be more effective bringing him off the bench, let him play until he gets his second foul, then sit him until half and re-evaluate.

I'd definitely play Lee more on Thursday but bring him off the bench. Let Green know he's probably going to play fewer minutes but in exchange he's free to play aggressively and not worry about foul trouble. Maybe even try Lee at the 5 for a couple possessions and see if a little inside-out ball through Lee at the high post can create some space outside; maybe that will help Barnes find his shot again, too.

 

[Slapdash]

Wait, so that wasn't shtick with Curly?

Weirdest schtick in here.

 

[Sammy3469]

I'd start David Lee over Green if I were Kerr or at least give Lee and Splash Bros. some run with Iggy/Barnes/Livingston/Barbosa and Bogut/Green.

David Lee can make the Cavs pay for trapping Curry. He's the only big on the roster that can catch a pass, finish inside, and make a play from the elbows. That should be Green's role but he's been terrible. Plus David Lee has the one track mind to on defense to keep Tristan Thompson off the ####### glass.

My god. How hard is it to box out that guy?

I don't think there's any doubt we're gonna see a ton of Lee in game 4. He clearly caused Cleveland problems out there and with TT on the other side the Warriors have someplace to hide his terrible defense.I thought Kerr and Curry both seemed extremely confident in their postgame interviews for having just gone down 2-1. I think they felt like they had found the answers to the Cavs in that 4th quarter.

I agree, but managing Lee and his inevitable foul trouble will be a challenge for Kerr though. A step slow and aggressive is a bad combination, defensively. I wouldn't fault Kerr for starting him, but I think it'd be more effective bringing him off the bench, let him play until he gets his second foul, then sit him until half and re-evaluate.

I'd definitely play Lee more on Thursday but bring him off the bench. Let Green know he's probably going to play fewer minutes but in exchange he's free to play aggressively and not worry about foul trouble. Maybe even try Lee at the 5 for a couple possessions and see if a little inside-out ball through Lee at the high post can create some space outside; maybe that will help Barnes find his shot again, too.

At this point I trust Blatt to come up with something to combat Lee when GS has the ball... I also think you'll see LeBron playing a ton of pick and roll play with TT/Mozgov on the other end resulting in a bunch of Lee fouls.

Lee surprised them in Game 3, that surprise is gone now.

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

I'd start David Lee over Green if I were Kerr or at least give Lee and Splash Bros. some run with Iggy/Barnes/Livingston/Barbosa and Bogut/Green.

David Lee can make the Cavs pay for trapping Curry. He's the only big on the roster that can catch a pass, finish inside, and make a play from the elbows. That should be Green's role but he's been terrible. Plus David Lee has the one track mind to on defense to keep Tristan Thompson off the ####### glass.

My god. How hard is it to box out that guy?

I don't think there's any doubt we're gonna see a ton of Lee in game 4. He clearly caused Cleveland problems out there and with TT on the other side the Warriors have someplace to hide his terrible defense.I thought Kerr and Curry both seemed extremely confident in their postgame interviews for having just gone down 2-1. I think they felt like they had found the answers to the Cavs in that 4th quarter.

I agree, but managing Lee and his inevitable foul trouble will be a challenge for Kerr though. A step slow and aggressive is a bad combination, defensively. I wouldn't fault Kerr for starting him, but I think it'd be more effective bringing him off the bench, let him play until he gets his second foul, then sit him until half and re-evaluate.

I'd definitely play Lee more on Thursday but bring him off the bench. Let Green know he's probably going to play fewer minutes but in exchange he's free to play aggressively and not worry about foul trouble. Maybe even try Lee at the 5 for a couple possessions and see if a little inside-out ball through Lee at the high post can create some space outside; maybe that will help Barnes find his shot again, too.

At this point I trust Blatt to come up with something to combat Lee when GS has the ball... I also think you'll see LeBron playing a ton of pick and roll play with TT/Mozgov on the other end resulting in a bunch of Lee fouls.

Lee surprised them in Game 3, that surprise is gone now.

Good points. CLE's offense may not be creative, but they aren't afraid to go right at a mismatch or foul magnet.

You also highlighted a difference between Poppvich and other coaches. In that situation down 20, Pop would have been reluctant to deploy a new strategy. He would have thought to use Lee with that lineup, but waited to try it out until the 2nd quarter of Game 4. Take the blowout loss, empty the bench, reduce injury risk, don't give the opponent any new information.

Maybe the Game 3 comeback was what the GSW roster needed to get fired up for Game 4 (and damn, what a historic comeback that would have been had they pulled it off), but now they are down 2-1 and tipped their hand for Game 4.

 

[Sammy3469]

I'd start David Lee over Green if I were Kerr or at least give Lee and Splash Bros. some run with Iggy/Barnes/Livingston/Barbosa and Bogut/Green.

David Lee can make the Cavs pay for trapping Curry. He's the only big on the roster that can catch a pass, finish inside, and make a play from the elbows. That should be Green's role but he's been terrible. Plus David Lee has the one track mind to on defense to keep Tristan Thompson off the ####### glass.

My god. How hard is it to box out that guy?

I don't think there's any doubt we're gonna see a ton of Lee in game 4. He clearly caused Cleveland problems out there and with TT on the other side the Warriors have someplace to hide his terrible defense.I thought Kerr and Curry both seemed extremely confident in their postgame interviews for having just gone down 2-1. I think they felt like they had found the answers to the Cavs in that 4th quarter.

I agree, but managing Lee and his inevitable foul trouble will be a challenge for Kerr though. A step slow and aggressive is a bad combination, defensively. I wouldn't fault Kerr for starting him, but I think it'd be more effective bringing him off the bench, let him play until he gets his second foul, then sit him until half and re-evaluate.

I'd definitely play Lee more on Thursday but bring him off the bench. Let Green know he's probably going to play fewer minutes but in exchange he's free to play aggressively and not worry about foul trouble. Maybe even try Lee at the 5 for a couple possessions and see if a little inside-out ball through Lee at the high post can create some space outside; maybe that will help Barnes find his shot again, too.

At this point I trust Blatt to come up with something to combat Lee when GS has the ball... I also think you'll see LeBron playing a ton of pick and roll play with TT/Mozgov on the other end resulting in a bunch of Lee fouls.

Lee surprised them in Game 3, that surprise is gone now.

Good points. CLE's offense may not be creative, but they aren't afraid to go right at a mismatch or foul magnet.

You also highlighted a difference between Poppvich and other coaches. In that situation down 20, Pop would have been reluctant to deploy a new strategy. He would have thought to use Lee with that lineup, but waited to try it out until the 2nd quarter of Game 4. Take the blowout loss, empty the bench, reduce injury risk, don't give the opponent any new information.

Maybe the Game 3 comeback was what the GSW roster needed to get fired up for Game 4 (and damn, what a historic comeback that would have been had they pulled it off), but now they are down 2-1 and tipped their hand for Game 4.

I don't completely want to right off Lee with what we've seen with some of CLE players, but there's a known book on him (he his afterall a $15 million dollar benchwarmer). I watched enough bad Knicks games to know a LeBron pick and roll with the guy Lee's guarding isn't going to end well (the vast majority of the time) for GS. They'll either get an easy layup, a TT OREB, or one of the perimeter defenders will hedge too much for an open 3. GS perimeter defenders just aren't prepared for having to do that slight hedge.

It may open things up a tad on the other end, but I have to think there are other offensive wrinkles GS can try without gutting the interior of their defense. Either they'll get an easy layup of TT will be in perfect OREB position with 2 days to prepare.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

It seems to me the media is talking a lot about all of the changes that Kerr needs to make with the lineup and that if he loses without doing so its a failure on his part. That sounds like a huge mistake to me. Run with the guys that got you 67 wins. Sure, play Lee a little more if he's playing well or whatever, but don't blow it all up in game 4 of the finals. At some point these guys that kicked ### all year have to go back to kicking ###... or, you lose.

 

[Sweet J]

Ok, I haven't really followed the Warriors that closely all season, But I enjoy watching Curry, and I remember his dad fondly. But whatever, that's not why I'm posting.

I haven't been in this thread, so I don't know if it's been addressed, but what the HELL is wrong with Bogut? I'm not a huge NBA follower, but didn't he used to be good? Like very good? The guy is lit a big hairless gorilla with hubcaps for hands. I don't get it.

 

[scoobus]

Crazy stat:

Every team that has been down 2-1 in the 2015 Playoffs have won the series.

Warriors vs MEMRockets vs LACCavs vs CHIHawks vs WASClippers vs SAS

Wasn't Brooklyn down 2-1 against Atlanta?

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Crazy stat:

Every team that has been down 2-1 in the 2015 Playoffs have won the series.

Warriors vs MEMRockets vs LACCavs vs CHIHawks vs WASClippers vs SAS

Wasn't Brooklyn down 2-1 against Atlanta?

/except that one

 

[Anarchy99]

Shtick aside...

Whats the most number of minutes a star player has averaged in the Finals while going on to win the title?

Basketball reference goes back to 85-86 and there is no way that I can see to do this exactly, but based on the methodology that I used, here are the 5 highest MPG that I can see.

Majerle (92-93) - 46.83

Barkley (92-93) - 46.16

Jordan (92-93) - 45.67

Payton (95-96) - 45.67

Shaq ( 99-00) - 45.5

Wilt averaged 47.2 minutes per game in 160 career playoff games. Five years in the playoffs he averaged 48 minutes or more (including OT). He also averaged a ton of minutes in the regular season. The year he averaged 50 ppg, he averaged 48.5 minutes a game over 80 games.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

Different era or not, averaging 45.8 minutes for an entire 14-year career is pretty insane.

 

[Jayrod]

Different era or not, averaging 45.8 minutes for an entire 14-year career is pretty insane.

He was and likely will always be the greatest freak of nature in NBA history. Shaq and LeBron are close, but Wilt was like a freaking alien out there in his day.

 

[CoolHandLukeB]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOw95bLv1dQ

Has the word ##### in it, so might not be appropriate for work, but I laughed at Bron's reaction.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

Now we know what the secret motivation LBJ mentioned after game 2 is.

 

[Bobcat10]

Can't believe she got away with the "I can't hear you, sorry" card

 

[TLEF316]

Different era or not, averaging 45.8 minutes for an entire 14-year career is pretty insane.

He was and likely will always be the greatest freak of nature in NBA history. Shaq and LeBron are close, but Wilt was like a freaking alien out there in his day.

this.

If you're comparing him to his modern day peers, the 2015 version of wilt would be like 8 feet tall and would be capable of dunking from the free throw line while doing a front flip. Plus he'd bang like 25000 women....at the same time

 

[Hoss Style]

Different era or not, averaging 45.8 minutes for an entire 14-year career is pretty insane.

He was and likely will always be the greatest freak of nature in NBA history. Shaq and LeBron are close, but Wilt was like a freaking alien out there in his day.

this.

If you're comparing him to his modern day peers, the 2015 version of wilt would be like 8 feet tall and would be capable of dunking from the free throw line while doing a front flip. Plus he'd bang like 25000 women....at the same time

And with social media these days? You KNOW we'd have a Wilt sex tape.

 

[SWC]

wilt could bench like three hundred pounds when he was fifty brohans that guy was friends with arnold shwartzenaager to back in the day bet you did not know that unless you read that one time that i said that before like three pages ago take that to the bank bromigos

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

Delly could take him

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

congrats to Cleveland for ending the sports championship drought, its over

 

[MAC_32]

congrats to Cleveland for ending the sports championship drought, its over

This is just as hilarious as when the Golden State crowd was crowing it after game one.

 

[Jack White]

Shtick aside...

Whats the most number of minutes a star player has averaged in the Finals while going on to win the title?

I didn't look it up, but I seem to recall Jordan would routinely play 42-46 minutes in playoff and Finals games.

 

[ghostguy123]

If someone wanted to learn about NBA basketball I would direct them anywhere but this thread.

 

[ghostguy123]

Still a foregone conclusion though

 

[ghostguy123]

congrats to Cleveland for ending the sports championship drought, its over

This is just as hilarious as when the Golden State crowd was crowing it after game one.

Both are idiots

 

[Britney Spears]

Kerr made a great adjustment game 4 against Memphis. I think he needs to have the balls to sit Green and give Lee the minutes. The finals stage is too big for Green right now. The biggest strength GS had over Cleveland was the depth of their bench (which was huge in game 1) but Green and Barnes have completely shriveled up in this series. Green especially has been so sad to watch given how incredible he was all year. I don't like suggesting Lee get a start but he actually played well tonight even considering he hasn't played much as of late.

Maybe Draymond & Barnes are just tired trying to slow LeBron?

David Lee doesn't play defense, so he should be immune.

 

[matuski]

Ok, I haven't really followed the Warriors that closely all season, But I enjoy watching Curry, and I remember his dad fondly. But whatever, that's not why I'm posting.

I haven't been in this thread, so I don't know if it's been addressed, but what the HELL is wrong with Bogut? I'm not a huge NBA follower, but didn't he used to be good? Like very good? The guy is lit a big hairless gorilla with hubcaps for hands. I don't get it.

Moment has looked too big for him from the start.. he manages to look nervous on defensive rebounds.

 

[Jack White]

Kerr made a great adjustment game 4 against Memphis. I think he needs to have the balls to sit Green and give Lee the minutes. The finals stage is too big for Green right now. The biggest strength GS had over Cleveland was the depth of their bench (which was huge in game 1) but Green and Barnes have completely shriveled up in this series. Green especially has been so sad to watch given how incredible he was all year. I don't like suggesting Lee get a start but he actually played well tonight even considering he hasn't played much as of late.

Maybe Draymond & Barnes are just tired trying to slow LeBron?

There could be something to that.

I know Jimmy Butler wore down and struggled offensively as the series went on.

 

[Jack White]

If someone wanted to learn about NBA basketball I would direct them anywhere but this thread.

Can't agree with that.

There's plenty of good NBA talk in here.

 

[Capella]

If someone wanted to learn about NBA basketball I would direct them anywhere but this thread.

It's usually good in the offseason and parts of the year. Playoffs becomes a Lebron troll-fest.

 

[Donkey Derp]

If someone wanted to learn about NBA basketball I would direct them anywhere but this thread.

Still a foregone conclusion though

Yeah, especially when you keep annoying everyone in this thread with that stupid post.

 

[Passenger]

As someone who has been overly critical and painfully and itritatingly obtuse about everything LeBron, I'm spent. He's the best ever. I don't want to have beers with the guy, but he's the best damn basketball player I've ever seen. I'll still take the Spurs destroying the Miami Three as the best basketball I've ever seen, but this guy has no comparison.

 

[Donkey Derp]

Kerr made a great adjustment game 4 against Memphis. I think he needs to have the balls to sit Green and give Lee the minutes. The finals stage is too big for Green right now. The biggest strength GS had over Cleveland was the depth of their bench (which was huge in game 1) but Green and Barnes have completely shriveled up in this series. Green especially has been so sad to watch given how incredible he was all year. I don't like suggesting Lee get a start but he actually played well tonight even considering he hasn't played much as of late.

Maybe Draymond & Barnes are just tired trying to slow LeBron?David Lee doesn't play defense, so he should be immune.

Quite possible. Hard to shoot even when open with dead legs. Green's shot seems to be short almost every time. He had a wide open look down 84-80 and he didn't have any confidence to shoot it. I think another one was a corner kick out from Curry that he passed to AI instead of the shot.

Lol about Lee. He would be good for offenses on both ends of the floor, that's for sure.

 

[ghostguy123]

If someone wanted to learn about NBA basketball I would direct them anywhere but this thread.

Still a foregone conclusion though

Yeah, especially when you keep annoying everyone in this thread with that stupid post.

It's a foregone conclusion that I will

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Whatever trade off CLE is making in offensive efficiency with those isos, they are making it back on the other end with better defense.

I think this hits the heart of the issue, and I'd take it a step further. Not only are the ISO sets Clev is running helpful on the defensive end, they may in fact be the most efficient sets offensively as well. I'm guessing the points per play suggest otherwise - like you point out the PNR involving Curry as the defender seemed successful (with the added bonus of forcing him to use energy on D), but does anyone really believe the Cleveland offense would be more efficient if Mozgov and James were getting more shots? I don't, even enough their eFGs are higher. I think more usage from those guys would hurt their efficiency. Which begs the question, is Clev really sacrificing offensive efficiency to slow the game down and give their players a bit of a blow to increase defensive efficiency, or are those benefits simply additional benefits of also running the most efficient and effective offensive set (ISO) given the personnel and circumstance?

Another argument for all-ISO, all-the-time:

Most of GSW's steals come off switches. GSW is great at running off live turnovers. So if you run a lot of ISO, you limit GSW's ability to switch and create chaos, you limit your own turnovers, and you limit GSW's opportunities to run and push the pace.

I'm beginning to think Blatt is a savant.

 

[MAC_32]

Whatever trade off CLE is making in offensive efficiency with those isos, they are making it back on the other end with better defense.

I think this hits the heart of the issue, and I'd take it a step further. Not only are the ISO sets Clev is running helpful on the defensive end, they may in fact be the most efficient sets offensively as well. I'm guessing the points per play suggest otherwise - like you point out the PNR involving Curry as the defender seemed successful (with the added bonus of forcing him to use energy on D), but does anyone really believe the Cleveland offense would be more efficient if Mozgov and James were getting more shots? I don't, even enough their eFGs are higher. I think more usage from those guys would hurt their efficiency. Which begs the question, is Clev really sacrificing offensive efficiency to slow the game down and give their players a bit of a blow to increase defensive efficiency, or are those benefits simply additional benefits of also running the most efficient and effective offensive set (ISO) given the personnel and circumstance?

Another argument for all-ISO, all-the-time: Most of GSW's steals come off switches. GSW is great at running off live turnovers. So if you run a lot of ISO, you limit GSW's ability to switch and create chaos, you limit your own turnovers, and you limit GSW's opportunities to run and push the pace.

I'm beginning to think Blatt is a savant.

I've been quiet about it because it's a lot of speculation on my part, but I think he is (or at least has the potential to be) a great coach, just adjusting to a completely different animal than he is accustomed to.

 

[Britney Spears]

Just so we're clear here - I think LeBron should be taking all these shots, and more.

I'm just surprised the efficiency crew is so quiet.

I'd say there's been 1-2 shots per quarter that have made me cringe and think he shouldn't have pulled the trigger. In the live discussion of the game last night, I think I described one particularly bad iso as "indulgent".

LeBron could be playing more efficiently. He's getting a pass on it because his team has two wins and an OT loss when his team was the underdog going into the series and got worse when Irving got injured.

LeBron is doing a good job finding open shooters when the offense has a lot of movement, but the team has settled for a LOT of left-side isos for LeBron and hoping he makes something happen.

Some of that might be by design. If we believe Blatt is slowplaying us, he's a genius for calling some isos, giving LeBron permission to stand there and run the shot clock down while everyone on the floor for CLE has a chance to catch their breath and get ready for the next defensive possession. Whatever trade off CLE is making in offensive efficiency with those isos, they are making it back on the other end with better defense.

I also wonder if Shumpert's injury changed their play calling on the fly. CLE has an effective program running right now by having whoever Curry is guarding pick for LeBron, and watching Curry try to defend the PnR. I really like that inverted Dean Smith set where the guards set up on the elbows, let LeBron choose which guard picks for him, and then LeBron attacks the basket or drops off a pass to an open man. But when Shumpert got hurt, CLE could not afford any more hurts, mich less any more injuries. As effective as making Curry defend the R in the PnR is, CLE couldn't afford to let their guards consistently screen bigger, stronger players and risk more hurts.

There's also an element of GSW trying to program LeBron and make him predictable. For the most part they've refused to double-team LeBron, surrendering a lot of drives to the hoop and offensive rebounds, but shutting off spotted-up three-point shooters. So GSW is baiting LeBron into a style of play he'd rather not do, but seems to be the rational choice. (there were also stretches last night where IMO Iguodala got in LeBron's head and dared LeBron to shoot jumpers over him; solid gamesmanship by Iggy there) The way to slow LeBron down is to make him predictable - that's how DAL won their title, they zone trapped LeBron in ways where they knew exactly how he would respond.

All this is true, but it does feel a bit like smoke and mirrors, and that they will need a bit more efficiency from LeBron shooting to keep this going. Feels like a matter of time before Green picks it up, or Curry/Thompson are hot at the same time. The Cavs and LeBron especially look gasses at the end of these games.

Either find a few more open buckets for teammates, or somehow eek out some better looks for himself, or they are going to start losing.