NBA Finals Game 2 Open Thread

Submitted by Magnus on

I'm surprised a thread hasn't been made yet about game two. LeBron seems like he's being a little more assertive tonight, which is important for the Cavs to be successful, I think. I know that's always been the knock on him - he passes too much - but I thought he was pretty passive in a lot of ways the other night.

I'm developing more and more of an appreciation for Harrison Barnes. He's a very good role player who just seems to do what the team needs him to do. He's not a guy who disrupts the flow of the other guys, and just does what he can.

Also, Leandro Barbosa has always been fun to watch. I just like the way that guy moves on the basketball court. He's always been quick, but he just changes gears so nicely that he catches you by surprise.

Magnus

June 5th, 2016 at 10:05 PM ^

I think that's his problem sometimes - he looks for a foul. If he would just go hard to the basket like a mini-Shaq, I think he would be fine. He runs into trouble, in my opinion, when he tries to do all kinds of fancy footwork, double-pumps, etc. I understand why smaller guys need to try all that tricky stuff, but that doesn't suit him.

ijohnb

June 6th, 2016 at 11:37 AM ^

has never developed a "go-to" game.  Jordan had the free throw line extension fade away.  Bird could abuse you on either baseline.  Kareem had the sky hook, Magic the baby hook.  Kobe could create shots at the rim from impossible angles, and was more effective at drawing fouls in this regard than any player I have ever seen - he could kill about every opposing run by creating contact and getting to the line.

Lebron has never defined the area of his game that he is going to kill you with.  He is good at everything, but not unstopptable at anything.  This, in my opinion, is what seperates him from the "true greats."  He has difficulty imposing his will because he hasn't ever clearly defined what his will is.

In reply to by ijohnb

Louie C

June 6th, 2016 at 11:39 AM ^

I think part of that is attributed to being a man among boys in his youth. He wasn't made to fine tune or develop an aspect to his game because of his athleticism.

He won't be able to drive like that for long, so he'd better start honing that turn around fade away, or that baseline jumper.

ijohnb

June 6th, 2016 at 11:46 AM ^

don't know if he will play for all that much longer to be honest with you.  He looks engaged only sporatically, it is clear that he wants out of Cleveland again.  I think he likes and wants to continue being a celebrity, but I don't know as though he looks like he plans on it being in basketball for very much longer.  He had a full blown supporting role in Trainwreck(very funny in the role BTW).  He just looks really over basketball right now IMO.

Basketball has truly been his LIFE since middle school, even more so than other high level players.  It does not look like he enjoys playing the game all that much to me anymore, like Tiger Woods in golf since about 2012.  Just going through the motions.

In reply to by ijohnb

Michigan4Life

June 6th, 2016 at 1:06 PM ^

LBJ has played NBA for 13 years and has made to the finals 7 straight times which is amazing. He's playing heavy minutes and we're already seeing signs of wear and tear.




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ijohnb

June 6th, 2016 at 1:21 PM ^

not going to call it amazing.  It was amazing that he got that Cleveland team to the finals before skipping town, but the last two teams he has been on were "super-teams" that the Lakers and Celtics began employing in the mid 2000s.  When you go out and spend a ton of money specifically to bring hand picked players to go to the Finals it should be surprise nor is it "amazing" that they have got there.  Losing what is going to be 2 out of 7 times speaks greater volumes than the number of times he got there in this regard.

In reply to by ijohnb

Michigan4Life

June 6th, 2016 at 2:34 PM ^

LBJ has made to the Finals 7 straight years and is the only player to accomplish this feat. I'm not a LBJ fan, but to dismiss it as not amazing is dumb.

It's extremely hard to get to the finals where everything has to fall right to make this possible. Winning one is also hard as well.

Magnus

June 6th, 2016 at 3:17 PM ^

If they made it in 2017...and 2018...and 2019...and 2020...and 2021...and 2022...then yeah, I'd still find it to be amazing.

And make sure that in at least one of those years, Kawhi Leonard gets injured early in the playoffs. And take Chris Paul out for one of those Finals series.

In reply to by ijohnb

Magnus

June 6th, 2016 at 3:31 PM ^

I don't think Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love are as good as Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, but fine. Let's say they are. I don't care. Any guy who is the catalyst for a team making six Finals appearances in a row is pretty amazing. And in addition to that, LeBron is the guy who makes the Cavaliers team go. They're not good without him because they're a bunch of disaparate parts with very mediocre role players.

If you don't think it's impressive, oh well.

BursleyBaitsBus

June 5th, 2016 at 10:12 PM ^

God forbid Lebron is coached by an actual coach. 

Blatt got these scrubs to 2 wins last year in the Finals against the same team. Kerr isn't even trying and he's outcoaching Lue. 

 

Shit is hilarious. 

OhioBornMauiBlue

June 5th, 2016 at 10:06 PM ^

Cleveland needs to fire their second coach of the season and just let LeBron run the team the rest of the series. Lue is absolutely clueless! Frye has played a total of seven minutes of meaningful time in the first two games and he decides to put Mozgov in?!?




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LSAClassOf2000

June 5th, 2016 at 10:22 PM ^

I might be the only one perhaps, but this is rather the series that I was hoping for - Golden State and Oklahoma City. That seems like it would have been far more entertaining, at least based on the early going of this series. If Cleveland is going to play like that in Cleveland, this might be over inside the next few days. 

ckersh74

June 5th, 2016 at 10:08 PM ^

I'm not ready to call this series yet. They haven't played in Cleveland. Weird things happen when you go on the road. But if GS gets one in Cleveland, this is going to be a short series. 

amaizenblue402

June 5th, 2016 at 10:13 PM ^

I like Livingston. Guy can get a shot off whenever he wants. Long and lanky. Very productive player.

rindyn

June 5th, 2016 at 10:17 PM ^

I knew this wasn't going to be a series because OKC was GS's best matchup.  OKC is probably killing themselves right now knowing they let a finals opportunity vs. a team they can clearly dominate, slip throught their hands.  BTW where's the dude saying how Curry can't compete with LeBron?  I didn't know LeBron was such a traveling brute until tonight.  He's all power and little finesse or poise.  If Curry can keep this level of play or close to it for most of his career he should go down as the GOAT.  Seriously, how do you beat a guy who you constantly have to defend, somethimes 30 feet from the basket?  He can easily take you to the hoop with his quickness, can hit the pull-up and has superb court vision.  He just looks 3 steps ahead of everyone at all times.

rindyn

June 5th, 2016 at 10:21 PM ^

Can anyone else not stand Iman Shumpert's hair?  It's just too long and douchey.  Really hope Draymond pulls him down by it.

rindyn

June 5th, 2016 at 10:21 PM ^

Can anyone else not stand Iman Shumpert's hair?  It's just too long and douchey.  Really hope Draymond pulls him down by it.