The 2017 NBA Finals Thread

[SirStefan32]

You would rather LeBron lose rather than watching entertaining basketball?

I'm no LeBron fan but I will hate watching basketball if I already knew before every season that the Warriors are gonna win the Finals for at least the next 5 years in a row.

I will take watching competitive and entertaining basketball over hating LeBron.

I was very entertained watching both games so far.

 

[Russ Smith]

Why would he? Westbrook is still there and Durant hates him. This is the easiest Durant has ever had it in his basketball career: three other all-stars, one of whom is 2-time MVP, great coach, great bench, great FO, and he gets to live in San Francisco as opposed to Oklahoma City. Dude has it made right now.

I don't think he hates Westbrook I think he just realized the team was never going to play the way he wanted to play as long as Westbrook was there because he's too ball dominant. Westbrook had an insanely great year this year, but you can't win a title with one guy being that ball dominant and I think Durant just wanted to play on a team that moved the ball. Everyone thought Westbrook was going to leave, I suspect when Durant realized that might not happen, and he was able to go first, he jumped at it. I think they liked each other I think he just realized he had to move. It's like leaving a job you love because you know you'll never get promoted beyond a certain level by the boss you get along with because the boss is in your way.

 

[Russ Smith]

It's just 2 games but IMO the key last night was Klay finally shot well after a slump. 130+ points with all those turnovers was incredible but it's because Klay was on again. Look at all the wide open misses from Iggy and Draymond, that's because when Klay is on too you have to give something up.

I don't expect a sweep but if Klay is finally out of his slump, the Warriors are going to be tough to beat.

I think dynasty stuff is too early, remember they still have to retain that bench and guys like West, Iggy and Livingston are not getting any younger.

 

[Mainstreet]

I used to like the Warriors but signing Durant just soured me. It just seems like cheating. Just like Miami years ago

I'm bored with the situation as well. It's hard to be enthused watching the same old teams play for the championship.

I'm ready for another American Basketball Association type league that can provide parity. I think the NBA is aware of this hence their focus on the development of the D-League.

 

[Mainstreet]

I don't think Lebron is the only player who can stop the Warriors. There are a number of a teams who could step up and be more competitive but the Warriors just added Durant, it will take a little while until other contenders make necessary adjustments. Hopefully the Celtics are able to add a player that helps them contend with the Cavs more next season and another team in the East rises up. The Spurs could challenge the Warriors, if healthy, and if they can manage to sign Chris Paul that could make for a great series. Houston also could add a piece or two to be more competitive.

Please no Spurs though.

 

[Finito]

Why do people blame Russ? The problem with that OKC team was DURANT who would come up short in big games. Russ was the one fighting for everything and Durant would always shy away from the big moment.

They blew a 3-1 lead last year they should of easily ran over Golden State. The fact he left to go play for GS should let you know all you need to know about KD he doesn't want to be the man

 

[Ronin]

Chris Tye‏Verified account@TVTye 54m54 minutes ago
Top rated TV markets for game two @Cavs & @Warriors (ratings up 12% vs. '16) @wkyc Cleveland San Francisco/Oakland Columbus Miami Memphis

 

[3rdside]

Why do people blame Russ? The problem with that OKC team was DURANT who would come up short in big games. Russ was the one fighting for everything and Durant would always shy away from the big moment.

They blew a 3-1 lead last year they should of easily ran over Golden State. The fact he left to go play for GS should let you know all you need to know about KD he doesn't want to be the man

I was under the impression that when the going got tough late in games Westbrook just put his head down and became a one man show, and Durant got sick of just getting tossed scraps when Westbrook couldn't score himself.

I'd get sick of that pretty quickly as well.

And Durant even said he didn't want to be the man, he wanted to be part of a team, not an extra in a one man show...which is also why I was so against Westbrook for MVP - mega stats at the expense of teammates and therefore team W's?

Vile.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I was under the impression that when the going got tough late in games Westbrook just put his head down and became a one man show, and Durant got sick of just getting tossed scraps when Westbrook couldn't score himself.

I'd get sick of that pretty quickly as well.

And Durant even said he didn't want to be the man, he wanted to be part of a team, not an extra in a one man show...which is also why I was so against Westbrook for MVP - mega stats at the expense of teammates and therefore team W's?

Vile.

Expense of wins? That team would've been worse than the Suns without Westbrook last year. No harden. No Durant. No ibaka. Playoffs. Westbrook.

It's possible that his game might not jibe with winning the biggest stage (though they did have golden state on the ropes last year, so I don't know if that argument holds water), but you can't accurately state his style is at the expense of wins. That's ridiculous.

 

[3rdside]

That wasn't entirely clear but I don't mean across the whole season, I mean in two or three games where I was also under the impression he passed up open shots in order to get his assist numbers up....sacrificing team wins for personal statistical gain in other words.

 

[Ronin]

Micah Adams‏Verified account@MicahAdams13 2m2 minutes ago
Don't think LeBron got tired in Game 2? 1st half: 5 drives, 8 plays transition, 16 pts paint 2nd half: 0 drives, 3 plays trans, 4 pts paint

 

[sunsfan88]

I was very entertained watching both games so far.

I thought people are only entertained if the games are competitive unless the team doing blowing out is your favorite team.

 

[Ronin]

NBA.com/Stats @nbastats

Per @EliasSports KD's 33p/3r/6a/5b/3s are the most of those levels in a playoff game since the NBA began tracking steals and blocks in '73.

 

[Dback Jon]

Watching LBJ lose is rather satisfying. I hope GSW can sweep them, extend Durant, and keep that team together until LBJ retires.

So you don't want the Suns or any other team to have a chance until what, 2030?

 

[Matt L]

I kind of hope Cleveland picks up Igoudala as a free agent this summer.

I also hope Boston trades their top pick to Indiana for Paul George so they can challenge the Lebrons in the East next year.

 

[sunsfan88]

I kind of hope Cleveland picks up Igoudala as a free agent this summer.

I also hope Boston trades their top pick to Indiana for Paul George so they can challenge the Lebrons in the East next year.

Cleveland doesn't have the cap space to pick up Igoudala.

They wasted whatever they had remaining on worthless players like JR Smith and Tristian Thompson.

 

[Bert]

Ah this is great. I love when Lebaby shows us who he really is by skipping post game pressers after losses. #LeSalty #certifiedLebronHater

 

[Finito]

That wasn't entirely clear but I don't mean across the whole season, I mean in two or three games where I was also under the impression he passed up open shots in order to get his assist numbers up....sacrificing team wins for personal statistical gain in other words.

Dude you have no idea what your talking about. You understand OKC was 32-9 when Westbrook got a triple double last year. They NEEDED him to do everything and when he did they won so please explain to me how him getting triple doubles hurt his team, again 32-9.

Like it was brought up OKC blew a 3-1 lead against GS last year and it was Durant that came up small

 

[Matt L]

Durant looked like the best guy on the floor last night. If the league hit reset and there was a draft where all players were available, Durant would be picked before Westbrook.

 

[SirStefan32]

So you don't want the Suns or any other team to have a chance until what, 2030?

I am pretty sure everyone on that roster will be retired by 2030. I'd say 2020/2021, or 2021/2022 is more accurate. The Suns aren't gonna be competing at that level for at least 3-4 years (and that's a very generous best-case scenario.) By that time, Crybaby James will be retired or at least no longer relevant.

 

[SirStefan32]

Durant looked like the best guy on the floor last night. If the league hit reset and there was a draft where all players were available, Durant would be picked before Westbrook.

No doubt. Durant is a better player than Westbrook, and I am a Westbrook fan.

 

[elindholm]

Durant looked like the best guy on the floor last night. If the league hit reset and there was a draft where all players were available, Durant would be picked before Westbrook.

I don't know about that. Durant could look like the best player on the floor precisely because he wasn't. The Cavaliers were too focused on Curry and Durant was taking advantage. Durant didn't suddenly get better by joining the Warriors; he just gets easier chances because he's on a stronger team.

Westbrook is the opposing team's #1 priority for every second he's on the floor. Even so, he took a supporting case of D-leaguers to 47 wins.

Who goes first in a re-draft depends on who's doing the picking. A terrible team would be better off with Westbrook, but a team that's already good -- for example, the Celtics, fortunate holders of the current #1 pick -- would probably prefer Durant.

 

[SirStefan32]

I don't know about that. Durant could look like the best player on the floor precisely because he wasn't. The Cavaliers were too focused on Curry and Durant was taking advantage. Durant didn't suddenly get better by joining the Warriors; he just gets easier chances because he's on a stronger team.

Westbrook is the opposing team's #1 priority for every second he's on the floor. Even so, he took a supporting case of D-leaguers to 47 wins.

Who goes first in a re-draft depends on who's doing the picking. A terrible team would be better off with Westbrook, but a team that's already good -- for example, the Celtics, fortunate holders of the current #1 pick -- would probably prefer Durant.

This could be a fun exercise that may deserve it's own thread, but I'll pose the question here.
If you were starting a brand new team, and you had to pick one player to start with, who do you pick?

My list would probably start with Leonard, followed by Durant, and probably Curry. Passing on James due to age, and probably picking Westbrook, KAT, or Anthony Davis if I don't have a top three pick.

 

[Finito]

Are we factoring in age or just take them right now today. I think every GM in the NBA would take Lebron 1.

This is in the moment hype. Durant looks really good because they can't focus on him. Take Durant off GS put him on the Cavs and put Lebron on GS. Are we still saying how great Durant is? Lebron is by far better.

Anyways

Lebron
Kawai
Greek Freak
Durant
Anthony Davis

That's the order I go.

 

[elindholm]

This could be a fun exercise that may deserve it's own thread, but I'll pose the question here.
If you were starting a brand new team, and you had to pick one player to start with, who do you pick?

It depends on a lot of things. What are my team's other resources? Do we have the finances to compete for a title? What's the marketing strategy for the fan base?

The Thunder would not trade Westbrook for Durant straight up right now. Their fans adore Westbrook, and he's a heck of a lot more fun to watch. It's possible that Westbrook's weaknesses mean he can never be a top player on a championship team -- I don't think I believe that, but let's stipulate it for the sake of argument -- but the Thunder may not need to be contenders to be successful.

If the Suns were forced at gunpoint to trade Booker for either player, they'd probably be better off with Durant, because he'd do a better job in the "veteran mentor" role for whatever young talent they'd have left, and he also provides better flexibility in terms of future drafting or free agent targeting.