Series Thread: NBA Finals: Warriors vs Cavaliers

[bksballer89]

Cavs defense was fine. Seriously. Their offense is what kept them from being competitive in game 1. (Or the Warriors defense, however you want to look at it).

It wasn't just the missed shots (Cav players not name LeBron went 8 - 28 on uncontested shots. Looking at you Korver). It was the live-ball turnovers. The Warriors feasted in transition, Durant getting open dunks, Curry hitting transition 3's.

No one on the Warriors had a good shooting game. Even with all of the easy transition points, they shot 43% from the field as a team.

Cavs half court defense is fine. Their transition defense was bad, but good transition defense against this Warriors team when you're giving up liveball turnovers is probably impossible.

Ball security & Crashing the defensive glass should be the top priorities for Game 2.

That's the scary part. Just like I expect the Cavs to play better, I'm almost certain the warriors will play a better team game on the offensive side of the ball on Sunday. They shit 42% and only had 2 players in double figures. This was like a B- game for them.....and they won by 22

 

[bksballer89]

Warriors defense also allowed 38 uncontested looks. They have lots of room to improve. This wasn't one of those games where you say they can't play any better because they can.

 

[Black Adam]

Pfft, I just can't with Shane. That's all I'm gonna say.

guy CAN be a dick when he wants to be...

 

[Black Adam]

Warriors defense also allowed 38 uncontested looks. They have lots of room to improve. This wasn't one of those games where you say they can't play any better because they can.

i kinda touched on it last night. even the Warriors know they could've played better ans even Curry admitted that after the game. in all honesty this series COULD get outta hand in a hurry...

 

[flyerhawk]

Cleveland is in for a long series if Durant plays like he did in game 1. He was the best player on the floor tonight.

I'd say they are in for a short series.

 

[gordontrue]

Here is the problem though Gordon. The Warriors didn't even play that well.

That game can be played at anytime for any team and means nothing. Did the Cavs play well?

All I'm saying is that I think people are focusing on the wrong thing if they think the Cavs defense was the problem in game 1.

I'm not saying their defense was amazing, but it was more than adequate enough to give them a chance to win the game.

The problem was the Cavs offense / the Warriors defense. Turning the ball over 20 times against an elite offense can make your defense look really bad - but the offense is the real culprit here.

 

[bksballer89]

That game can be played at anytime for any team and means nothing. Did the Cavs play well?

All I'm saying is that I think people are focusing on the wrong thing if they think the Cavs defense was the problem in game 1.

I'm not saying their defense was amazing, but it was more than adequate enough to give them a chance to win the game.

The problem was the Cavs offense / the Warriors defense. Turning the ball over 20 times against an elite offense can make your defense look really bad - but the offense is the real culprit here.

Cavs beat writers seem to disagree with you

 

[gordontrue]

That's the scary part. Just like I expect the Cavs to play better, I'm almost certain the warriors will play a better team game on the offensive side of the ball on Sunday. They shit 42% and only had 2 players in double figures. This was like a B- game for them.....and they won by 22

I agree. I think both teams will settle in and shoot better. I don't expect Klay to shoot like that throughout the series. I don't expect Korver to miss those wide open looks throughout the series. And so on.

But then there's the turnovers. The Warriors were exceptionally good in game 1 with their ball security. The Cavs were exceptionally bad. If that trend continues, it will be a short series.

 

[gordontrue]

If there is a blowout tonight the overreaction will be astronomical.

 

[bksballer89]

I agree. I think both teams will settle in and shoot better. I don't expect Klay to shoot like that throughout the series. I don't expect Korver to miss those wide open looks throughout the series. And so on.

But then there's the turnovers. The Warriors were exceptionally good in game 1 with their ball security. The Cavs were exceptionally bad. If that trend continues, it will be a short series.

I understand what you're saying but forcing turnovers is what the Warriors do. You have to give their defense some credit. They force their opponent into 15 turnovers per game in the playoffs. Also was #1 in forced turnovers in the regular season. Cleveland may not have 20 turnovers on Sunday but 13-16 is very likely IMO

 

[gordontrue]

Cavs beat writers seem to disagree with you

lol, is that supposed to make me 2nd guess my opinion? If anything it has the opposite effect.

 

[NCChiFan]

Cav's looked out of sorts on Defense. Can't recall them allowing so many dunks and layups. My guess, they fix that and make it a better series, don't think they will win, but last nights game wasn't that fun to watch in the second half.

 

[bksballer89]

lol, is that supposed to make me 2nd guess my opinion? If anything it has the opposite effect.

No but the cavs gave up 50 uncontested looks out of 106 attempts. Not sure how it is good defense when nearly half of the warriors attempts were uncontested.

 

[gordontrue]

I understand what you're saying but forcing turnovers is what the Warriors do. You have to give their defense some credit. They force their opponent into 15 turnovers per game in the playoffs. Cleveland may not have 20 turnovers on Sunday but 13-16 is very likely IMO

Absolutely, that's why I said if the trend continues, it will be a short series. That's why I said the problem was "Cavs offense / Warriors defense".

A big factor will be if the Cavs can take care of the ball against an elite, disruptive defense.

 

[bksballer89]

Absolutely, that's why I said if the trend continues, it will be a short series. That's why I said the problem was "Cavs offense / Warriors defense".

A big factor will be if the Cavs can take care of the ball against an elite, disruptive defense.

Yeah we'll see. They usually turn the ball over 13 times per game. IMO they need to try and keep their turnovers under 14.

 

[Black Adam]

meaning no disrespect, but what if the same thing happens in game 2...?

 

[gordontrue]

No but the cavs gave up 50 uncontested looks out of 106 attempts. Not sure how it is good defense when nearly half of the warriors attempts were uncontested.

Not sure where you're getting your numbers. According to nba.com stats, both teams had 17 attempts that were open (defender 4-6 feet away) and both teams had 17 attempts that were wide open (defender 6+feet away). Both teams went 10/34 on those shots.

Either way, I'd be curious to know how many of the open looks the Warriors generated in transition vs half court offense. Their transition defense was bad - but I wouldn't expect anyone to turn the ball over 20 times against the Warriors and have good transition defense. If I were Lue I wouldn't be focused on better transition defense, I'd focus on less turnovers.

 

[Black Adam]

I understand what you're saying but forcing turnovers is what the Warriors do. You have to give their defense some credit. They force their opponent into 15 turnovers per game in the playoffs. Also was #1 in forced turnovers in the regular season. Cleveland may not have 20 turnovers on Sunday but 13-16 is very likely IMO

^^^THIS^^^ right here...

and LeBron was responsible for 8 of 'em...

 

[gordontrue]

meaning no disrespect, but what if the same thing happens in game 2...?

Like last year? The overreaction will reach even greater heights.

 

[Black Adam]

Cav's looked out of sorts on Defense. Can't recall them allowing so many dunks and layups. My guess, they fix that and make it a better series, don't think they will win, but last nights game wasn't that fun to watch in the second half.

EXACTLY what i was thinking...

they got pretty much bullied in the paint...