The 2017 NBA Finals Thread

[AzStevenCal]

Not even close to being the same considering that a) Barkley was 34 when that happened and clearly not the same player and b) that Suns team was FINISHED after a 41-41 season and c) The Rockets had just gotten their asses swept in the 2nd round of the playoffs.

KD was in his prime... playing for a team that was up 3-1 in the WCF against GS... who not only had the best record of all time but lost in Game 7 of the Finals.

Sorry Steve... but the devil is in the details on that rather lazy comparison.

And you'd be right if I had been trying to say they were the same thing. I can't think of an example where someone did exactly what Durant did but that's irrelevant.

We've rarely or perhaps never seen this kind of opportunity before where a great team had the room to add another great player so obviously any example is going to fall apart. Not to mention the league didn't always have free agency and even when it allowed movement, it was very controlled and limited until the Bird Exception came into being.

You and many others believe for some strange reason that great players are selling out if they do the same things that would be expected of lesser players. If any other player had turned down a great offer to play for a championship contender you would all be punking him for not wanting to win a championship. What kind of fool thinks, I want to go somewhere that has a chance to win it all but not a very good one? He made his decision, it requires arrogance beyond belief to insist you know why he made that call.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

And that's what you had this year. Houston certainly thought they had a chance, a slim one perhaps, but a chance nonetheless. The Spurs did too. It doesn't matter if sometime during the playoffs it became obvious that only two teams were really contenders, that also happens each year (eventually).

You could've gotten the Rockets at 40-1 to win the NBA title in early February . Maybe you could say the Spurs had a shot but nobody past them.

As for the idea they are in dire straits, the league set regular attendance ratings again this season. Local ratings went down some but you're making it into something it wasn't, it was a very good year for the NBA. The average dropped a little for the major partners but that was due to a substantial increase in the number of nationally televised game. NBA TV viewership more than held its own in comparison to the other sports league, each of whom have seen a live viewership decline due to streaming.

Anyway, the league is in great shape and will likely continue to prosper at least until the next TV deal. It's a very safe bet that the next contract will be significantly less than this one which will smash the happy alliance that currently exists between the league and the players union. Each side gave up on key issues solely because the money just talked so loudly no one else could hear a thing. When ESPN's next offer is a whisper, then, perhaps, a lack of championship parity might actually mean something.

Of course the NBA and it's owners/players are set right now financially, all their media contracts are locked in. If it's a 1-2 team league for the foreseeable future and the dips continue when the league sends out feelers (I guarantee someone there audits what their contracts would be every year if they went to open market) and get back less than great results that's when people will start making moves. Hell, Silver has already come out publicly and said KD going to the Warriors is bad for league.

The league crapped the bed by allowing the cap spike. It's well within their province to attempt to clean up that mess.

 

[AzStevenCal]

You could've gotten the Rockets at 40-1 to win the NBA title in early February . Maybe you could say the Spurs had a shot but nobody past them.

From whom? They would have been something like 12-1 in February. Heck they started the season at 35-1 and that was when they were considered to be a one and done at best.

 

[Cheesebeef]

And you'd be right if I had been trying to say they were the same thing.

Give me a break Steve. You just posted that comparison because it wasn't the same thing? Good grief man.

I can't think of an example where someone did exactly what Durant did but that's irrelevant.

Then why did you just post what you thought was an example? I mean, for what reason other than showing Barkley did the same thing would you post about going to Houston?

We've rarely or perhaps never seen this kind of opportunity before where a great team had the room to add another great player so obviously any example is going to fall apart. Not to mention the league didn't always have free agency and even when it allowed movement, it was very controlled and limited until the Bird Exception came into being.

You and many others believe for some strange reason that great players are selling out if they do the same things that would be expected of lesser players. If any other player had turned down a great offer to play for a championship contender you would all be punking him for not wanting to win a championship. What kind of fool thinks, I want to go somewhere that has a chance to win it all but not a very good one? He made his decision, it requires arrogance beyond belief to insist you know why he made that call.

arrogance beyond belief? stop taking people questioning you so freaking personal Steve. It's become a nasty habit of yours. I mean, you're response is Spicer-esque up there. You responded to someone else's post with an example of Barkley doing what KD was bashed for. Then when someone pointed out they weren't close to being the same, you respond that you never made the comparison and then throw out a personal attack. Classy.

 

[Ronin]

ESPN Stats & Info‏Verified account@ESPNStatsInfo 58s58 seconds ago
The @warriors tied the NBA Finals record for fewest turnovers in a game last night. That and more from @EliasSports: http://es.pn/2rz7Oy6

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[AzStevenCal]

arrogance beyond belief?

I'm not trying to start something Cheese, I honestly don't know how else to describe it. To me, anyone that INSISTS they know why another person made a decision? To me, that's arrogance, incredible arrogance.

Having an opinion on the subject, that's what we're all here for. But shouting down others when they offer possible reasons to the contrary because you absolutely know for sure why it went down? That's arrogance. And having that pointed out and then crying that someone is now making a "personal attack"? I don't know what that is.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I'm not trying to start something Cheese, I honestly don't know how else to describe it. To me, anyone that INSISTS they know why another person made a decision? To me, that's arrogance, incredible arrogance.

Having an opinion on the subject, that's what we're all here for. But shouting down others when they offer possible reasons to the contrary because you absolutely know for sure why it went down? That's arrogance. And having that pointed out and then crying that someone is now making a "personal attack"? I don't know what that is.

So, first I'm arrogant beyond belief... and now I'm crying about it.

Keep on telling yourself you're not trying to start a fight here Steve. Denial ain't just a river in Egypt.

 

[AzStevenCal]

So, first I'm arrogant beyond belief... and now I'm crying about it.

Keep on telling yourself you're not trying to start a fight here Steve. Denial ain't just a river in Egypt.

Yeah, you must be right cheese. This board doesn't need any more drama so you have a nice day.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Yeah, you must be right cheese. This board doesn't need any more drama so you have a nice day.

Will do!

 

[Ronin]

NBA TV‏Verified account@NBATV 35s35 seconds ago
Kevin Love’s 21 rebounds are the most in a Game 1 of the #NBAFinals since Larry Bird had 21 vs. HOU in 1981.

 

[Finito]

I hope you understand it better now.

No not reall. Honestly i wasnt surprised it was a a blowout. Lebron almost always loses game1.

 

[AzStevenCal]

No not reall. Honestly i wasnt surprised it was a a blowout. Lebron almost always loses game1.

Yeah, I think GS will win this series and may even win it easily but the first game tells us very little. The Warriors won the first 2 games last year by almost 50 points and we all know how that series ended.

 

[pokerface]

It would be like Barkley going to the Bulls after losing to them in 93'.

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Yeah I get what you're saying but when players contracts are up they have to go somewhere.

Plus Barkley chased a title going to the Rockets.

 

[Hoop Head]

KD to the Warriors was something that was talked about a lot last season, during the season and before they met in the conference finals. That's why I don't get why so many people are in the "He left for the team that beat him" argument.

 

[GatorAZ]

KD to the Warriors was something that was talked about a lot last season, during the season and before they met in the conference finals. That's why I don't get why so many people are in the "He left for the team that beat him" argument.

It was talked about like there was a 5% chance of actually happening. Going to the Wizards was talked about as more of a possibility.

Imagine Nash signing with the Spurs after losing in 2007 or something. Weak.

 

[Ronin]

NBA.com @NBAcom
.@KDTrey5's 6 dunks in Game 1 were most in a Finals game since @SHAQ in 2004 (7 dunks, Game 4 vs. Pistons)

 

[Ronin]

NBA.com @NBAcom
.@warriors are eighth team to win G1 of #NBAFinals by 20+ 5 of previous 7 -- LAL '09, CHI '92, BOS '65 & '61, ROC '51 -- won title

 

[Hoop Head]

The Cavs have always been a team that has struggled turning a profit, which is one of the reasons Lebron left before. He wasn't happy with Gilbert saying the team was losing money and he wouldn't spend more. They have the highest payroll in the league again this year and it seems like teams Lebron is on are often in the top 3 in payroll every year. They supposedly lost over $40 million last year and are on pace to lose more this year.

http://cavsnation.com/cavs-have-done-a-lot-of-winning-but-perhaps-more-spending/

 

[sunsfan88]

The Cavs have always been a team that has struggled turning a profit, which is one of the reasons Lebron left before. He wasn't happy with Griffin saying the team was losing money and he wouldn't spend more. They have the highest payroll in the league again this year and it seems like teams Lebron is on are often in the top 3 in payroll every year. They supposedly lost over $40 million last year and are on pace to lose more this year.

http://cavsnation.com/cavs-have-done-a-lot-of-winning-but-perhaps-more-spending/

I don't think Griffin was even with the Cavs during LeBron's first tenure, he was with us.

 

[Hoop Head]

I don't think Griffin was even with the Cavs during LeBron's first tenure, he was with us.

My mistake, I meant Dan Gilbert, the Cavs owner.

 

[Ronin]

Paul Garcia‏@PaulGarciaNBA 33s33 seconds ago
The Warriors are a 9-point favorite tonight for Game 2.

 

[mojorizen7]

It'll be football season by the time we get an NBA champion.

 

[Ronin]

Kerr is back coaching again.

 

[Finito]

The Cavs have always been a team that has struggled turning a profit, which is one of the reasons Lebron left before. He wasn't happy with Gilbert saying the team was losing money and he wouldn't spend more. They have the highest payroll in the league again this year and it seems like teams Lebron is on are often in the top 3 in payroll every year. They supposedly lost over $40 million last year and are on pace to lose more this year.

http://cavsnation.com/cavs-have-done-a-lot-of-winning-but-perhaps-more-spending/

The heat lost money every year the big 3 was together

 

[Ronin]

RealGM‏Verified account@RealGM 13m13 minutes ago
Steve Kerr Returns For Game 2, Expects To Coach For Remainder Of Finals: http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/246142/Steve-Kerr-Returns-For-Game-2…