bklein09

June 5th, 2015 at 5:45 PM ^

I actually thought that there were times in the last series where Cleveland looked better without Irving as crazy as that sounds. It forced Lebron to play like a giant PG and he's an excellent distributor. But it may not work out that way against GS.




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SalvatoreQuattro

June 5th, 2015 at 5:56 PM ^

Who picks the scoring slack to help Lebron? Magic famously lifted the Lakers to victory,  but that was without one important piece. Two is nearly insurmountable.

Magic could make up for Kareem, but if he had to lose Jamaal Wilkes as well history would have been different.  

One thing is for certain no one can blame James for not showing this time if they lose. Just simple rotten luck for the Cavs.

JT4104

June 5th, 2015 at 6:05 PM ^

Cavs still have a legit shot with LeBron on this team. He can will this team to still win.

With that said, I'm not sure Smith/Shumpert can continue the hot shooting they showed in Atlanta. I'm fully sure Delledova will be diving at someones knees in the 1st half on sunday.

JamieH

June 5th, 2015 at 8:25 PM ^

Shumpert has averaged 7.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists over his career.  He's practically the definition of a generic player.  You could grab any random guy off any bench in the league and get those kinds of numbers if you play them enough minutes.

Thompsons' career numbers are better, as he averages 10.1 pointes and 8.4 rebounds.  He's only averaging 8.4 points this year, but at least he still rebounds.



J.R. Smith can play, but usually his "playing" involves taking lots of shots that don't go in.  He's actually doing better since being traded to Cleveland, as his 3-point shooting has been up. 



If those are the guys you are telling me are James BEST options, then sheesh, this is probably the worst Finals team in NBA history.

 

 

 

MJ14

June 5th, 2015 at 9:01 PM ^

This team is much better than the 06-07 Cavs and definitely better than the 01 Sixers with Iverson. So no not even with their injuries is this the worst team to be in the finals. 

Zarniwoop

June 5th, 2015 at 6:13 PM ^

And if the Cavs lose, it will be because "Lebron can't win the big game/choked/etc..".

People forget Jordan lost every year before he got Pippen and a barely sub-all star player with quality shooters.

JOHNNAVARREISMYHERO

June 5th, 2015 at 7:02 PM ^

Every single one of their opponent's starting point guard was either out or less than 100%.  

They avoided a nightmare matchup with the Spurs as well.   The Spurs are a better version of Golden State.

Also the West was highly overrated given how these once great teams played in the playoffs.

Golden State has caught numerous breaks.

Oscar

June 5th, 2015 at 8:33 PM ^

"They avoided a nightmare matchup with the Spurs as well. The Spurs are a better version of Golden State."

The Spurs team that lost in the first round... No, the Spurs are not a better version of Golden State this year.
If I recall correctly, the past two years, Golden State lost David Lee one year, an Andrew Bogut the next year in the playoffs, so they have had their fair share of injuries in the playoffs, just not this year.

Louie C

June 5th, 2015 at 7:16 PM ^

Kind of ironic how LeBron's last trip to the finals as a Cav was basically him vs. the Spurs. Looks like he'll be hero balling it again.

xtramelanin

June 5th, 2015 at 7:48 PM ^

poor dude. poor city.  it's like every franchise cleveland ever had is the detroit lions. 

LSAClassOf2000

June 5th, 2015 at 8:32 PM ^

From what I heard, they are talking surgery and 3-4 months out (unfortunately for Cleveland now, but fortunately during the summer, I guess) for Irving, or at least that's what the Washington Post was reporting this morning. It seems like this is the sad culmination of problems he has had with that knee, but all the same, hopefully he can get through it.

bronxblue

June 5th, 2015 at 11:10 PM ^

I didn't see a way Cleveland could win even with Irving, and given what we saw yesterday I can't imagine GSW will take more than 3-4 more games to win this title.  

Michigan4Life

June 5th, 2015 at 11:25 PM ^

Cleveland didn't want to play Dalledova a significant minutes because Curry or Thompson would have their way with him guarding either of them.  Blatt had to play Kyrie 30+ minutes because he had no choice if he wants to win.

Now that Dalledova will see significant PT which means one of the Splash Bros will have a big game.