Series Thread: NBA Finals: Toronto Raptors vs Golden State Warriors

[DJ Fieri]

Are you for real?

2014 was pretty close to the peak for LeBron. And 2013 probably was LeBron's best season in terms of peak efficiency on both end last of the court. That was the version of LeBron Kawhi saw in the Finals. And that version was undoubtedly better than the 2018 version, at least defensively.

And while Wade had declined, I would hardly call the 2 time defending champs in Miami a "weak supporting cast".

Especially when compared to a group that had JR Smith and George Hill starting at 1 and 2.

Brain fart, my apologies.

 

[trojanfan12]

My bad, I was thinking of when he was 22. Leonard wasn't even in the League back then, LOL.

Forgot when they lost to the Spurs when he was on the Heat....

Heat fans are still trying to forget it.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Getting old.....I remember the Cavs losing to the Spurs, but not the Heat star trio losing to the Spurs.....but I do remember the Heat trio losing to the Mavs.

 

[Heatles84]

Leonard beat James when James was still a pup and had a weak supporting cast.....he hasn't faced this version of James in a ECF or NBA Finals before.

Kawhi beat Lebron when he was 30/31 and had come off two NBA titles (back-to-back) with the Heat. Lebron was the completely player in his final year in Miami that we saw in Cleveland his 4 years. He was in no way a "pup".

 

[Heatles84]

Heat fans are still trying to forget it.

Fuck off

 

[Heatles84]

Getting old.....I remember the Cavs losing to the Spurs, but not the Heat star trio losing to the Spurs.....but I do remember the Heat trio losing to the Mavs.

Do you remember Wade beating the Mavs in 06?

 

[tlance]

Kawhi beat Lebron when he was 30/31 and had come off two NBA titles (back-to-back) with the Heat. Lebron was the completely player in his final year in Miami that we saw in Cleveland his 4 years. He was in no way a "pup".

I think he was better because that version of LeBron played a lot more defense than the 2018 version.

 

[Heatles84]

I think he was better because that version of LeBron played a lot more defense than the 2018 version.

That also is true. Defense was sacrificed once he went to Cleveland. It wasn't for a long span, but Lebron was arguably the best defender I saw while with the Heat. His ability to guard any position with the efficiency he did was remarkable. If he could've kept that up his entire career, I might've made more of a case of him over Jordan. But, given Lebron's role in the offense he plays in, it's a difficult task to ask him to run the offense while also being the top defender. It's a crime that he'll never win DPOY.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Do you remember Wade beating the Mavs in 06?

Yes, he had an amazing Finals...

 

[bksballer89]

Anybody else notice Leonard during the trophy presentation?









It looked like he wanted to run and hide....great player but a weird dude.

How is he weird? Some people don't like the attention but it doesn't make them weird.

From everything I heard he is a perfectly normal guy.

 

[bksballer89]

The Warriors are such a great team. Just about flawless.

Eh, fuck it. Raptors in 6.

Raptors can win but they need Green to make his shots.

 

[DJ Fieri]

That Mavs team was such an anomaly......they had Dirk and a bunch of role players.....but no 2nd star......they were a lot like the Pistons with Billups and co.

 

[Montalban]

Hard to bet against the Warriors the way they've been playing since Durant went down, and Toronto is really not that good. They got lucky with Philly and lucky that Milwaukee panicked when up 2-0. I believe the Warriors will win. Just need to get one of the first two in Canada.

 

[Heatles84]

Raptors can win but they need Green to make his shots.

Toronto can't afford anyone in this series not showing up.

 

[Heatles84]

Hard to bet against the Warriors the way they've been playing since Durant went down, and Toronto is really not that good. They got lucky with Philly and lucky that Milwaukee panicked when up 2-0. I believe the Warriors will win. Just need to get one of the first two in Canada.

So it's merely luck on how Toronto made it to the Finals? Has nothing to do with them having the best player in the playoffs as well as the fact that Nurse has out-coached his counterparts in Philly and Milwaukee.

 

[Robotech]

LOL at Milwaukee.....wins the first 2 games and then loses 4 straight games.

And they had won 4 straight before those 2 wins in this series and they had won 10 of 11of their playoff games. What a turnaround.

 

[Robotech]

One thing is for sure, where Kawhi ends up playing next year matters at least as much as where KD does. Holy shit has he dominated the East in these playoffs. He is maybe as much a target as KD this offseason.

Kawhi is so great. It feels like his midrange will go in every time. He's also got the handles and athleticism to get any shot he wants.

 

[Heatles84]

McCaw celebrates third Finals, but Dubs fans not having it

 

[msgkings322]

Hard to bet against the Warriors the way they've been playing since Durant went down, and Toronto is really not that good. They got lucky with Philly and lucky that Milwaukee panicked when up 2-0. I believe the Warriors will win. Just need to get one of the first two in Canada.

"Panicked" LOL

Your basketball analysis is as incisive as ever, Chuck

 

[Ojb81]

I like the Raps in 7, maybe even 6.

Lol talk about prisoner of the moment. Raps in 6??! Bwahaha