Series Thread: Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Finals Thread

[Across The Field]

You're making stuff up.
I always said James was the best player.
I said give the Cavs all the credit for what they've done.
But, I've always said championship or bust.

IMO, nothing's changed.

Right... and in the mindset of Cavs players, nothing has changed either. Why are you trying to act as if it has?

 

[gordontrue]

What did he say?

I'm guessing bk is reacting to the ESPN headline: "Motivated LeBron, Cavs: People Writing Us Off".

If you actually ready the story you'll find the full quote, see hockey's post above... where he said they were motivated but never said it was because of people writing them off.


One step, further, and watch the actual interview instead of going off of ESPN's sensational story... and you see that the reporter is actually the one that siad people were writing them off. LeBron said he didn't even know that cause he wasn't paying attention, but it was fine.

 

[Across The Field]

Saw a stat where it said in the playoffs that the cavs score as much when kyrie is in or out of the game

108 w/ Kyrie vs. 107 w/o Kyrie. They shoot way better from 3 with him out but score less in the paint.

Needless to say, they still have talent on the wings without him in.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Right... and in the mindset of Cavs players, nothing has changed either. Why are you trying to act as if it has?

I never did.
Must be confusing me with someone else.

 

[Across The Field]

I never did.
Must be confusing me with someone else.

"Heat fan/player mentality was ALWAYS championship or bust.
No excuses.

If yours is different, fine with me."

Nope, not confusing you with anyone. Unless that wasn't you that said that.

 

[trojanfan12]

Am I the only one who find it funny that LeBron and the Cavs need people counting them out to be motivated for the freaking finals? That was a dumb comment by James. It is the NBA FINALS. YOU SHOULD NOT NEED ANY MOTIVATION

Meh, I don't see anything wrong with this. That's what the underdog always says. It's the "no one believes in us, but the guys in this locker room" mindset that they always try to tap into.

I love a good Lebron bashing as much as anyone, but this is a stretch.

 

[Flauge]

Meh, I don't see anything wrong with this. That's what the underdog always says. It's the "no one believes in us, but the guys in this locker room" mindset that they always try to tap into.

I love a good Lebron bashing as much as anyone, but this is a stretch.

I agree. This is just par for the course in sports. It's ridiculous banter either way. Like somehow LeBron is in the gym after taking 500 shots about to walk off... then he remember Steven A Smith and Papi said he has no chance on the air last Friday. He turns back around and takes 500 more. Winning the ring was just some motivation, proving Steven A Smith and 70 something year old Cuban from Miami wrong is a completely different level.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

"Heat fan/player mentality was ALWAYS championship or bust.
No excuses.

If yours is different, fine with me."

Nope, not confusing you with anyone. Unless that wasn't you that said that.

You and others have been on here continuously bringing up injuries, underdog, next year, etc

That isn't championship or bust ,it's excuses and moral victories.

I'm sure the players think they can win, but will more than mention the injuries when they don't.

 

[Flauge]

Honestly Turnup, I highly doubt even the Cavs really believe they can win at this point. They would never say this even to each other. But losing Kyrie and Love are just huge blows. I honestly feel bad for real Cleveland fans. But screw it.. LeBron left Miami high and dry. So I hope he never sees another title (unless of course he comes back to Miami, at which point all this will be forgiven).

 

[bksballer89]

To be fair to Cleveland without Love and Kyrie it would be ridiculous to call their season a bust if they lose this series.

I would have never called any Miami season a bust with the big 3 if we were defeated in the finals without Bosh or Wade

 

[purguy12]

Well tonight we will find out if Cavs have any thing left.

 

[bksballer89]

Well tonight we will find out if Cavs have any thing left.

They will play well but I don't think they win. I expect better games from JR, Shump, and Tristan.

Still sticking by my Warriors in 5 prediction

 

[True Lakers Fan]

I haven't seen anything where Lebron said he was motivated by the ones writing the Cavaliers off to be motivated. If Basketballer has seen that statement anywhere in print, I would like to see the link and post for myself.

That being said, however of course everyone is writing them off. They are missing two critical players needed in the biggest way. They are short handed and have already lost one gam with irving having played most of it. It would be a huge miracle for the Cavaliers to win this series, but they do have another year to get better and win and I am one to say that it's a title or bust next year.

 

[Shanemansj13]

I dont know what to expect. The few players they have to step up or they fall apart.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Honestly Turnup, I highly doubt even the Cavs really believe they can win at this point. They would never say this even to each other. But losing Kyrie and Love are just huge blows. I honestly feel bad for real Cleveland fans. But screw it.. LeBron left Miami high and dry. So I hope he never sees another title (unless of course he comes back to Miami, at which point all this will be forgiven).

I personally hope nor think that he would even consider coming back here.
I do think next summer will be very interesting if the Cavs are still ringless and the players he's banking on don't stay healthy.

 

[Logicallylethal]

I think you can see an obvious difference between posters who have experienced multiple championships and posters who haven't on this thread just from reading the back and forth banter

It's harsh, but the reality of it is any time you assemble a team with Lebron it's championship or bust.

The season as a whole is not by any stretch a complete failure. There's a lot to be optimistic about for Cleveland fans...but it certainly is a "lost season"

Lebron will be 31 soon. His window is shrinking. And unfortunately, the Cavs future will go as far as Lebron's career goes. Once Lebron is done I envision Cleveland being in an absolute terrible position. The team is trying to win now and they're going to try to mortgage draft picks and assets to acquire all the pieces needed to win the championship.

...if they don't?

Then it's probably back to the cellar. This isn't a franchise like LA where you know big free agents will eventually come. Cleveland is going to have to rebuild through good drafting and finding gems/the right players in free agency.

My honest opinion...I think Lebron has enough greatness in him for at least one more championship. But if they fail, then future looks real bleak and there won't be much to show for it besides memory of some playoff runs.

And to some that is a memory worth cherishing...but to others the only thing that matters is a championship. Different mind sets from different posters.

 

[bksballer89]

Considering the injuries I would consider this season more as a lost season in Lebron's prime more than a bust

 

[Flauge]

Lost season... bust... call it what you want. Same result. A season of LeBron's prime and no championship. I agree with BK on "lost season" over "bust" because unlike 2011, there are legit injury concerns here. I do not believe any player in NBA history could take the Cavs as presently assembled around LeBron and beat the Warriors.

Like a previous poster said.. he is 30. Next year 31. You fail then, the decline will start. 32, 33..34. Trust me it goes quick. If Love bolts for greener pastures. Kyrie hasn't exactly been the picture of health. This team when healthy is really really good. Maybe the best in the league. But if they don't win a title they will be remember as no better than the 90s Knicks.

 

[bksballer89]

The East is getting better also. I expect Indy to be a top 3 team next year with Paul George back and i expect Miami to be a top 5 team as long as they re-sign Wade and Dragic. The Bulls may have finally found the offensive coach to push them over the top. There is no guarantee that Cleveland makes the finals next year again

 

[Across The Field]

I never did.
Must be confusing me with someone else.

"Heat fan/player mentality was ALWAYS championship or bust.
No excuses.

If yours is different, fine with me."

Nope, not confusing you with anyone. Une

You and others have been on here continuously bringing up injuries, underdog, next year, etc

That isn't championship or bust ,it's excuses and moral victories.

I'm sure the players think they can win, but will more than mention the injuries when they don't.

I haven't said a thing about being underdogs or about next year, but you're being incredibly ignorant by not acknowledging how much more challenging things have been for them than for basically everyone else for losing the talent they have. Not talking about moral victories, regardless of the outcome it was still an absolutely outstanding season they should be proud of. Still, losing 3 of your best players isn't an excuse; it's a fact. You never dealt with that as a Heat fan so your input is pretty irrelevant.