NBA Finals

[EricaLubarsky]

I don't hate him for leaving Westbrook

I hate him for cherry picking his team to join an already champion team, making 3-5 consecutive seasons meaningless for 28 NBA teams

I also hate him because he gets a ring this year to tie Dirk. Next year maybe another and so forth. He matches Dirk in one season of coasting what it took Dirk more than a decade of hard work for. He'll also inevitably end with more rings for doing less for his team.

[j0Shi]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

If he gets at least three rings, then all of the noise means nothing.

In terms of success absolutely, but in terms of legacy I'm not sure. Dirk is top 20, you think Durant would surpass him with three rings, even more? I don't unless next year both Curry and Thomson go down and Durant still wins it.

True greats put teams over the top. You could replace Durant with 20-30 other players and the Warriors would probably still win this year. That doesn't take away anything from how great a player he is, but I think he chose titles over being considered top 30 when it's all said and done.

[mac222b]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

I still don't get the KD hate. He made the right choice leaving uncontrolled Westbrook and the not very good without him Thunder. And for people to say "oh, he wouldn't get grief if he went to any other team" is ridiculous. Why would you go to a worse team?

If he gets at least three rings, then all of the noise means nothing.

It's pretty circumstance specific in this case. He went to the all-time Winningest team, who OKC was up 3-1 on when he pulled a disappearing act in last years playoffs. He didn't go to Boston or Washington or SA or LAC. It's hard to even think of an analogy. If course they still had to play and win the games. It's his choice to go play where he wants but he shouldn't then expect not to hear any criticism. Winning with a stacked deck is less of a win

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

I still don't get the KD hate. He made the right choice leaving uncontrolled Westbrook and the not very good without him Thunder. And for people to say "oh, he wouldn't get grief if he went to any other team" is ridiculous. Why would you go to a worse team?

If he gets at least three rings, then all of the noise means nothing.

Counterpoint: Kevin Durant is a bitch.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by j0Shi

You could replace Durant with 20-30 other players and the Warriors would probably still win this year..

Disagree... You could replace Durant with a CHAIR and the Warriors would probably still win this year.


Here's the Finals MVP in action:

[Bryan_Wilson]

Originally Posted by mac222b

It's pretty circumstance specific in this case. He went to the all-time Winningest team, who OKC was up 3-1 on when he pulled a disappearing act in last years playoffs. He didn't go to Boston or Washington or SA or LAC. It's hard to even think of an analogy. If course they still had to play and win the games. It's his choice to go play where he wants but he shouldn't then expect not to hear any criticism. Winning with a stacked deck is less of a win

To me it depends on how you view Lebron and this new players creating super teams era he started. If ppl have a problem with KD winning and stacking the deck they better have the same issue with Lebron. Both the teams he assembled had 2 other all star/all nba type players on the roster. He did that to make it easier to win multiple titles. The only difference is Lebron didn't join the Celtics, the team that beat him, he joined the Heat. But back then the salary cap was waaaaaaay lower and the Celtics had no room at all to sign him. So he created his own team with his 2 friends, his 2 all star/all nba friends. All KD did was do it better, like he does 4th quarters.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by j0Shi

In terms of success absolutely, but in terms of legacy I'm not sure. Dirk is top 20, you think Durant would surpass him with three rings, even more? I don't unless next year both Curry and Thomson go down and Durant still wins it.

True greats put teams over the top. You could replace Durant with 20-30 other players and the Warriors would probably still win this year. That doesn't take away anything from how great a player he is, but I think he chose titles over being considered top 30 when it's all said and done.

While I agree they'd still be contenders you can't ignore the fact that Durant has played great. If he was coasting on 20 ppg, then I see a much stronger case for riding his way to a ring. As it is, he has more than carried his weight. And he came back from a reasonably bad injury as well.

This'll be Lebron all over again where Durant wins a few rings and then goes back to OKC or somewhere else to "prove" haters wrong.

[sefant77]

Because he said it himself....

Kevin Durant‏Verifizierter Account @KDTrey5

Now everybody wanna play for the heat and the Lakers? Let's go back to being competitive and going at these peoples!

07:09 - 16. Juli 2010

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by Bryan_Wilson

If ppl have a problem with KD winning and stacking the deck they better have the same issue with Lebron

Addendum: LeBron James is a bitch.

[mac222b]

Originally Posted by Underdog

Disagree... You could replace Durant with a CHAIR and the Warriors would probably still win this year.


Here's the Finals MVP in action:

Ying Jianlian! NBA Champion& Chair

[Melonhead]

Originally Posted by mac222b

It's pretty circumstance specific in this case. He went to the all-time Winningest team, who OKC was up 3-1 on when he pulled a disappearing act in last years playoffs. He didn't go to Boston or Washington or SA or LAC. It's hard to even think of an analogy. If course they still had to play and win the games. It's his choice to go play where he wants but he shouldn't then expect not to hear any criticism. Winning with a stacked deck is less of a win

Not to mention Draymond and co worked on him all season sweet talking him. I wouldnt say he threw the series, but how does that not seep into your subconscious and Warriors come back down 3-1. Then once Ws lose to the Cavs, Draymond is calling Durant from the parking lot. Straight up bitch azzness.

[Melonhead]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

While I agree they'd still be contenders you can't ignore the fact that Durant has played great. If he was coasting on 20 ppg, then I see a much stronger case for riding his way to a ring. As it is, he has more than carried his weight. And he came back from a reasonably bad injury as well.

This'll be Lebron all over again where Durant wins a few rings and then goes back to OKC or somewhere else to "prove" haters wrong.

I mean we're talking about the 2nd best player in the league who on the court has absolutely no pressure and no real deterrent while he's on offense. He cant be double teamed, he doesnt have to go full exertion like lebron on defense, he knows he can drop it off to 2 of the greatest all time shooters in Klay/Steph. I mean, it just makes the 2nd best player in the league look that much better. His job is that much easier.

[Bryan_Wilson]

22 ft's by a team in ONE QUARTER. Game 5 here we come.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by Bryan_Wilson

22 ft's by a team in ONE QUARTER. Game 5 here we come.

Can't have a sweep in the Finals... Bad for business.

[Melonhead]

Originally Posted by Bryan_Wilson

22 ft's by a team in ONE QUARTER. Game 5 here we come.

And yet Warriors had more FTs, and Draymond got 2 techs and wasnt thrown out.

Cavs breaking all time 3 record (24) is why they won. 3s cure all.

[Bryan_Wilson]

Originally Posted by Melonhead

And yet Warriors had more FTs, and Draymond got 2 techs and wasnt thrown out.

Cavs breaking all time 3 record (24) is why they won. 3s cure all.

I stopped watching after the 1st heh. There was no flow to the game. Reminded me of Rockets games. Watching millionaires shoot free throws is boring. So if GSW's ended up with more ft's that prolly means the rest of the game had little flow as well.

[EricaLubarsky]

Yawn

Moving on to off-season

[BPo001]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Yawn

Moving on to off-season

Yep. This shit is over. Warriors are just too talented. Good thing the draft is next week. Gives us something to talk about.

[BPo001]

JR Smith has been hitting some tough shots tonight from 3.

[GermanDunk]

From my point of view, the most exciting thing will be the ring they choose.

[GermanDunk]

Always good to see Bill Russel. A friendly man

[Underdog]

[GermanDunk]

Not many surprises at stake in sports these days. Looks all pretty much scripted. Monaco won the French League. Well

[Melonhead]

So much adversity for the golden state warriors. Much perseverance in adding the 2nd best player in the league to the 73 win warriors with the unanimous MVP.

[Underdog]

JaVale McGee, NBA Champion

[MavzMan]

Originally Posted by Underdog

JaVale McGee, NBA Champion

Don't forget Zaza.

[EricaLubarsky]

Finals game 5 had ratings of 16.0 last night. Best game 5 ratings since 1998

Austin Karp

[sefant77]

Finally i know why Durant is a bitch....his mother is an annoying attention whore too

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by MavzMan

Don't forget Zaza.

Zaza earned his ring, didn't seem worth mentioning.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Finals game 5 had ratings of 16.0 last night. Best game 5 ratings since 1998

Austin Karp

I certainly didn't contribute to that number... The season felt like it ended a couple weeks ago. Zero drama, zero surprises, zero reasons to watch.

Also, most Finals go past 5 games -- how did this stack up against other elimination games?

[spreedom]

Originally Posted by Underdog

I certainly didn't contribute to that number... The season felt like it ended a couple weeks ago. Zero drama, zero surprises, zero reasons to watch.

Also, most Finals go past 5 games -- how did this stack up against other elimination games?

I don't know this for certain, but I believe it was the highest-rated game ever that wasn't either a game 6 or 7.

[MavzMan]

Yes, the end result wasn't close, but the games were actually very entertaining to watch. This was some of the best basketball I've ever seen as far as talent goes. It was near all-star game level but with defense ... and yes, there actually was defense. But how many times have you heard the saying, "great defense but better offense"?

[sefant77]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Finals game 5 had ratings of 16.0 last night. Best game 5 ratings since 1998

Austin Karp

Next year it will be boring allready. People these days are getting reaally quick bored

[Dtownsfinest]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

I don't hate him for leaving Westbrook

I hate him for cherry picking his team to join an already champion team, making 3-5 consecutive seasons meaningless for 28 NBA teams

I also hate him because he gets a ring this year to tie Dirk. Next year maybe another and so forth. He matches Dirk in one season of coasting what it took Dirk more than a decade of hard work for. He'll also inevitably end with more rings for doing less for his team.

People keep bringing up they were 73 win team but that means nothing. The Macs had 67 wins and lost in the 1st round. Warriors had 73 wins and weren't good enough to win a ring. Durant put them over the top.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by Dtownsfinest

People keep bringing up they were 73 win team but that means nothing. The Macs had 67 wins and lost in the 1st round. Warriors had 73 wins and weren't good enough to win a ring. Durant put them over the top.

Javale put them over the top.

[BPo001]

Originally Posted by Dtownsfinest

People keep bringing up they were 73 win team but that means nothing. The Macs had 67 wins and lost in the 1st round. Warriors had 73 wins and weren't good enough to win a ring. Durant put them over the top.

They won the previous year though, so I'm not sure that Durant put them over the top either.

[MavzMan]

Originally Posted by BPo001

They won the previous year though, so I'm not sure that Durant put them over the top either.

Actually, without Durant, I don't think the Warriors win. There is a chance as that gap may have allowed Klay to shine a little more.

[BPo001]

Originally Posted by MavzMan

Actually, without Durant, I don't think the Warriors win. There is a chance as that gap may have allowed Klay to shine a little more.

There is no way of knowing, but GS was up 3-1 the previous year. Had Draymond not gotten himself suspended for game 5 they likely would have won the series.

[Bryan_Wilson]

Originally Posted by BPo001

There is no way of knowing, but GS was up 3-1 the previous year. Had Draymond not gotten himself suspended for game 5 they likely would have won the series.

Same could be said of the previous year though. GSW's were down 2-1 to a team without Kyrie and without Love. Do the warriors win that series if Cavs are healthy?

[BPo001]

Originally Posted by Bryan_Wilson

Same could be said of the previous year though. GSW's were down 2-1 to a team without Kyrie and without Love. Do the warriors win that series if Cavs are healthy?

Good point.