Series Thread: NBA Finals: Warriors vs Cavaliers

[Black Adam]

James is 3-5 in the Finals....let that sink in for a minute. And then think if he can be discussed in the same breath as MJ.

hehe, i didn't say it, buuuuut...

 

[Wamu]

James is 3-5 in the Finals....let that sink in for a minute. And then think if he can be discussed in the same breath as MJ.

When will these silly comparisons stop? There's MJ & then everyone else. LeBron is the best all around player I've watched but he's been outta the GOAT conversation for some time now.

 

[Heatles84]

Kobe Bryant was 5-2 in the Finals.....the 5 is in the right place.

To be fair, Kobe's Finals opponents collectively weren't what Lebron's were. Those first 3 (Indiana, Philly, and New Jersey) were mediocre. They shouldn't have lost to the Pistons in '04 given their talent advantage.

The latter of which they went against the newly formed Big 3 in Boston (went 1-1 against them) and faced an overrated Magic team (that benefitted from KG being out for Boston that year) where it was Dwight and a bunch of shooters.

 

[DJ]

LeBron is the best all around player I've watched but he's been outta the GOAT conversation for some time now.

Are you new here? James was being discussed as the GOAT as early as the ECF.....

 

[knowyourenemy]

Pacers may trade for him given that it's almost a given that PG13 leaves.

That could be interesting. Irving/George/LeBron would be a pretty crazy Big 3 -- and Indiana may settle for it since Love would keep them decent and they may not be able to get more than that.

 

[Black Adam]

Kobe Bryant was 5-2 in the Finals.....the 5 is in the right place.

yeah, folks are gonna have their opinions on how the finals record should fit into ones legacy, and i guess i get that to a point, but i'm ALSO guessing one LBJ would rather have Kobe's record...

 

[DJ]

To be fair, Kobe's Finals opponents collectively weren't what Lebron's were. Those first 3 (Indiana, Philly, and New Jersey) were mediocre. They shouldn't have lost to the Pistons in '04 given their talent advantage.

The latter of which they went against the newly formed Big 3 in Boston (went 1-1 against them) and faced an overrated Magic team (that benefitted from KG being out for Boston that year) where it was Dwight and a bunch of shooters.

The Lakers play in the West......they had to get to the Finals. The EC during James reign has been relatively weak.

 

[Heatles84]

Guys, I like to bag on Lebron as much as everyone. But that 3-5 record compared to Kobe's 5-2, is a bit of a stretch.

Lebron's opponents:
2007 Spurs
2011 Mavericks
2012 Thunder
2013 Spurs
2014 Spurs
2015 Warriors
2016 Warriors
2017 Warriors

Kobe's opponents:
2000 Pacers
2001 76ers
2002 Nets
2004 Pistons
2008 Celtics
2009 Magic
2010 Celtics

Now of course Kobe had to contend with the Spurs in the prime of their dynasty, but going off Finals records should be held in some context.

 

[bksballer89]

I'm torn on that 3-5 record. It's a crappy record and Lebron's overall Finals record is below .400. But the teams he faces in the Finals are nuts. The lesser talented team he's ever played against is the '11 Mavs or the '12 Thunder that were just babies that had Durant, Westbrook, Harden and Ibaka.

But that MJ ship sailed long ago for me (2011). This series however did little to distant that ship from the port in which it left.

Yeah I'm not going to destroy the guy about his record. I never thought he would be better than Jordan but I think by the end of his career, almost everyone would agree he is a top 3 player of all time.

As you said the teams he faced in the finals were nuts. The Spurs 3X & this Warriors group 3X

 

[Heatles84]

The Lakers play in the West......they had to get to the Finals. The EC during James reign has been relatively weak.

And Lebron's doing what he's supposed to be doing. Just saying that going off Finals records alone is a narrow-minded view.

 

[Heatles84]

That could be interesting. Irving/George/LeBron would be a pretty crazy Big 3 -- and Indiana may settle for it since Love would keep them decent and they may not be able to get more than that.

He'd have to sign an extensions before Cleveland pulls the trigger. But he's more athletic than Love and a better matchup with the Dubs, if he's content on being the 3rd wheel.

 

[TJL]

@ChiefsLakers67 Get that pic av size for me so I can use it, bud

 

[bksballer89]

And Lebron's doing what he's supposed to be doing. Just saying that going off Finals records alone is a narrow-minded view.

Very narrow especially when he played amazing basketball in 6 of his 8 finals appearances.

 

[Wamu]

Are you new here? James was being discussed as the GOAT as early as the ECF.....

By who, wiggy?

 

[Black Adam]

Last year the Cavs held the Warriors to 99.8 points per game.

This year, the Warriors averaged 121.6 points per game.

Looks like those who said the Cavs defense made them vulnerable and would cost them were right.

As always...time vindicates.

damn...

did you just channel your inner WiggityWack there or what...?
?

 

[Heatles84]

Yeah I'm not going to destroy the guy about his record. I never thought he would be better than Jordan but I think by the end of his career, almost everyone would agree he is a top 3 player of all time.

As you said the teams he faced in the finals were nuts. The Spurs 3X & this Warriors group 3X

He's number 4 for me behind Kareem, Magic and MJ. He gets one more title (with Finals MVP), he's up at number 2 for me.

 

[Black Adam]

@ChiefsLakers67 Get that pic av size for me so I can use it, bud

workin' on it...

 

[Heatles84]

Very narrow especially when he played amazing basketball in 6 of his 8 finals appearances.

When I'm defending Lebron, you know you have a shit reason to bash him. The 3-5 record is the same thing Skip Bayless constantly uses. Sometimes it pays to dig a bit deeper on certain things.

 

[msgkings322]

To be fair, Kobe's Finals opponents collectively weren't what Lebron's were. Those first 3 (Indiana, Philly, and New Jersey) were mediocre. They shouldn't have lost to the Pistons in '04 given their talent advantage.

The latter of which they went against the newly formed Big 3 in Boston (went 1-1 against them) and faced an overrated Magic team (that benefitted from KG being out for Boston that year) where it was Dwight and a bunch of shooters.

To be fair? leBron haters are never fair with him

 

[gordontrue]

LeBron isn't 3 - 5. He's 3 - 11.

Kobe isn't 5 - 2. He's 5 - 15.

Jordan isn't 6 - 0. He's 6 - 9.

Jerry West isn't 1 - 8. He's 1 - 13.

etc.

Whether you get to the Finals, lose in the 1st round, or don't make the playoffs, failing to win the title is still failing to win the title.