Can't compare the Cavs cake walk to finals same way as Clippers in playoffs.
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Can't compare the Cavs cake walk to finals same way as Clippers in playoffs.
Fair points, but I have a few things I don't really agree with.Quote:
Originally Posted by KBHoleN1
Firstly, my initial post was pointing out that reddick was worst then Smith (now) because of a performance regression that occured this season. You refuted that by pointing out that he was quite a bit more productive then Smith was this year while also highlighting that reddick was still a productive player. My post about reddick in the playoffs was simply to point out that the skill erosion was very much real and he struggled big-time in a situation where he could have been impactful in the same role as Smith, but wasn't. He was a huge negative for the clips and maybe the biggest reason they lost to a less talented group (debateable) in utah. I could have also argued my point by pointing out that reddick scored less points on more shots this regular season and was a lot less efficient, but I used the postseason stats to compare the two players because I felt it was more glaring. I wasn't trying to specifically argue using the playoffs.
Secondly, I agree that reddick is in a different situation on the clippers then Smith is on the cavs, aka Smith probably sees more open shots with the cavs surrounded by LeBron and other formidable shooters, but let's not pretend reddick doesn't get open shots surrounded by Chris Paul the point god and Deandre Jordan. Also, I'll concede that Utah is essentially the worst matchup offensively for a spot up shooter because of their suffocating defense and ability to guard the 3 point line, but I won't concede that it would have affected reddick as much last year. Last year Reddick was a huge factor in the success of the clippers while Blake was out and there were many people clamoring for a Blake trade because of how well the clippers played without him. Many stats guys i read estimated that the clips were better off with blake on the bench because of the impressive results. Reddick being highlighted in the offense a bit more and the clips running plays for him was opening the floor up for Paul and Deandre to work their pick n roll magic instead of having Blake clog the paint up with his still developing post and iso game. That never really happened this year despite running the same plays for him and him getting just as many open shots. At times he did well, but overwhelmingly he was a dud this season and his struggles were highlighted in the playoffs in a bad matchup. I'll admit reddick could bounce back next season and prove he is a better player then Smith, but he's 32 years old and to me it looked like he hit a wall towards the end of the season. So ya, I just don't really agree with the notion that Blake being healthy would have created a better situation for Reddick, and without being much better then Smith offensively, I would rather the defensively competent Smith.
Disclaimer: I might be letting Smith off the hook because of his injury, but I would point to that for him starting the postseason slowly and coming along as of late. He's been pretty bad in this golden State series tbh.
Go look at his game logs and tell me the end of the regular season wasn't the best ball he played all year. He was averaging more points per game and shooting higher percentages across the board (53% from 3 his last 7 games). You have this opinion of him based off of the playoff series and now you're expanding your argument to include vague feelings and hunches without providing any proof. Why do you think he hit a wall? Because he had a bad playoff series. Utah is a bad matchup. His regular season games were so-so against Utah, and his playoff games were bad. I think he's a better shooter and more valuable than JR Smith, especially on a team like the Cavs.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spencer 555
Can't argue any of that dude. Kudos for digging up those game logs and making my opinion seem foolish. Honestly didn't base my opinion on a hunch though, more on podcasts suggesting reddick wasn't the same player as he was last year (toward the end of the year) and then witnessing it first hand against Utah. That being said, I never claimed Smith was a better shooter then reddick, just that I would prefer the defense smith provides and that the value reddick provides on offense isn't enough (unless he's shooting the lights out consistently) to make up for that.
Why are Cavs fans such awful people?
shame they're not gonna get swept
Cavs shooting better from 3 than they are from 2. Everything that didn't fall in games 1-3 is going in now.
First Warriors game I watched this year, I won't watch the next one. My bad for cursing it.
Missed the game what did they do?Quote:
Originally Posted by KBHoleN1
They were up 3-0 last year. Did you curse them then, too?Quote:
Originally Posted by Hulky
You must be a wizard.
If they come back now the NBA is scripted.
Some guy sitting court side got kicked out. Not sure if he said something specific, or tried to enter the court, or what. During one stoppage on play to review a foul. It was really chippy, and the fans were booing most everything. I kept noticing some big sweaty d-bag sitting front row under the basket who would jump out of his seat to holler at the Warriors if they missed a shot or turned it over. The look on his face reminded me of the Yankees fan who interfered with that fly ball in an O's (?) game and then kept waving his arms mocking the outfielder who he interfered with. Fans in general seem to think they're important enough to argue with athletes over their performance and it kind of ticks me off.Quote:
Originally Posted by Serge
Well, they wouldn't have a job without the fans. /sQuote:
Originally Posted by KBHoleN1
True, but that doesn't mean some fans aren't annoying entitled idiots lol
For as amazing as LeBron is an how he changes the entire game the second he steps on the court, other players aren't going to be all-star caliber players just because of him. See: his first cavs team. You could argue that he didn't know what he does now or wasn't the player he is now but I still think it's moot. If X player is a role player, chosen to be a role player, and was not asked intentionally to play a bigger part other than their given role, then there's absolutely no reason to assume in a vacuum that if they start next to LeBron they're higher than a replacement level basketball player. This is proven by how productive they aren't even when they share the court with LeBron in their limited fashion.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Professor
I agree there sano, but I mean LeBron + a bunch of scrubs has made the finals before and imo the depth on the team around him without love and Irving is better then say Anderson varejao and zidronas ilgauskas lol.
Yes but the talent in the east compared to his run with his first cavs team compared to now is much lower. If the first LeBron Cavs played in this year's east theyd get rolled up
Ya that's true. God that east was so shit. Basketball in general was in such bad shape back then imo. Maybe it's just me but were pretty spoiled with all the elite talent in the game right now.
Mo Williams 2009.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sanosuke
And obviously that's just one instance, but while he may not make them "all star" level, he still makes them good enough to compete that it's more than debatable that he can carry a team to the Finals. Not saying he will, but it's not an outlandish claim. Which is incredible in itself.
I'd also like to add Tristan Thompson to that list. Put him on virtually any other team and he doesn't get the big extension Cleveland gave him.
I've never seen a basketball player take as many bullets in a game as LeBron does. Ow, he shot me. Oh, right in the back. Aaah, I'm dying!
If Durant gets a ring like this we should make his birthday National Punkbitch Day.
Remember kids, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
Someone get this man some tissues.
WARRIORS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fuck this is amazing. Dynasty in the making if they can keep the core 4 around.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Serge
Cry yourself to sleep bitch! Durant didn't want to join the washed up Wizards. Sorry. qqQuote:
Originally Posted by Serge
Every great NBA dynasty has had that pivotal moment where upon realizing that their initial strategy of praying all four teams they face in the playoffs have all-star level players out due to injury isn't going to work every year they pray that the second best player in the league is a big enough bitch with zero competitive spirit that he'll sign with them in free agency hoping for an easy ring. Textbook.
Also, I remember that moment in Michael Jordan's career when frustrated about losing to the Bad Boy Pistons he signed with them in free agency the next year.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on LeBron's Decision and the super-team he formed so he could return to Cleveland.Quote:
Originally Posted by Serge
I think it's hypocritical for any Cleveland fans or LeBron fans to criticize Durant for leaving OKC when James did the same thing much more obnoxiously joining the Heat and then rejoining the Cavs. LeBron is the champion of the if-you-can't-beat-them-join-them mentality.
I do think he's still the best player in the NBA, though.
just read that the entire team unanimously voted to skip visiting Trump
so they won twice in like 2 days
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlBAtb3sxPo
This is pretty sick from years ago, but kind hard to root against guys like that.
LBJ is more the founder of it haha. I also would be interested to see the Cavs team if they kept Wiggins instead of trading for Love. They'd have the money to have a 4th stud then too.Quote:
Originally Posted by manonfire101
The difference is that the Heat weren't a super team without LeBron. He is what made that team a super team. He also didn't blow a 3-1 lead in the ECF against the Heat just months before going there. I wasn't happy about the move when it happened but it wasn't a punk move.
The Warriors were already the best team before Durant. Y'all and Durant must watch the Karate Kid and wonder why Daniel doesn't join the Cobra Kai dojo.
My opinion: LeBron is just as big a bitch as Durant, but ultimately is the king and the best player we've seen since Jordan and Durant is gonna go down in history as a loser to me. I love the warriors other then Durant though. Draymond and curry are fucking awesome lol.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Serge
It's okay to be jealous. Whine a little more and maybe Durant will hear you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Serge
Whelp... There goes one of the most exciting seasons of all time. Surprise surprise, the best team of last year that added the 2nd best player won the championship. We had a total of 4/14 entertaining series that didn't matter. Can't wait for next year where we will be sure to be just as top heavy. So exciting.
Also 100% agreement w/ Serge. Maybe KD can earn a title one day.
Who wants to see Curry and KD sign in Philly this year? Pair them with Simmons and Embiid
I'd rather just see KD w/ Philly and pretend 16-17 and 17-18 never happened. I disliked the Warriors prior to this year, but at least I had respect for their ability to draft and develop a team. Bringing Durant in just seems cowardly to me... both on the warriors collectively and on Durant especially.
Durant earned his just as much as LeBron... Let's see. James plays with 2 allstars in Love and Kyrie. He hand picked his teammates and made ownership overpay his friends. He hand picked his coach. The Cavs have the highest payroll in the NBA. The Cavs play in the East so they get a free pass to the finals every season. And on top of that he still needed a bogus Draymond Green suspension and favorable officiating to get a ring last season. I don't like what Durant did either, but acting like LeBron somehow earned his and Durant did not is a joke.
GSW this season are possibly the greatest team ever. Lebron is the greatest player alive.