OT: NBA to have 2 Game 7 Conference Championships since 1979

Submitted by Occam's Razor on

This might be one of the more interesting NBA playoffs in recent memory. 

So many storylines and injuries for that matter. 

Kevin Love is out. Chris Paul should be back, and Andre Igoudala is questionable. 

Who ya'll got for the Finals? 

 

stephenrjking

May 26th, 2018 at 11:31 PM ^

I really wasn't that interested in the regular season; I viewed it as somewhat perfunctory, especially in the west.

But this has been a great playoffs so far. The second round turned out to be a dud, true, but the first round was fascinating, highlighted by fun teams like New Orleans and Philly. They weren't ready to punch with the big boys, though, and the big boys are landing haymakers. Not always in exciting games, but always compelling. 

And we've got Lebron being great every other night. The Finals will probably stink, but right now this is awesome.

Farnn

May 26th, 2018 at 11:42 PM ^

Though I'm not a big basketball fan, I can't stop being amazed at what LBJ does and how long he has been consistantly elite.   It's unbelievable the way he can just take over a game and carry a team.  I don't see how LBJ can't at least be on the same level as Jordan if not better.

One criticism I don't understand is the idea that MJ made his teammates better while LBJ makes his worse considering the assist numbers don't seem to back that up.

stephenrjking

May 26th, 2018 at 11:54 PM ^

Assist numbers aren't everything (hello, Russell Westbrook!) but I don't think there's any way to quantify a way that MJ made his teammates better that Lebron didn't. 

I tend to fall on the MJ side of the debate, but some of the arguments used by talk radio call-in-guy types have no bearing in reality. The "making teammates better" stuff is total garbage--there are few guys in the history of the game who pass better and more consistently to set up their teammates than Lebron. 

He's just a great player, full-stop. Hopefully people can enjoy it. 

WorldwideTJRob

May 27th, 2018 at 9:04 AM ^

This Westbrook slander has to stop! An assist is an assist. Whether you give it to your teammate with 18 seconds on the shot clock or 4 seconds left. ThT pass has to lead to a bucket! The notion by Cowherd and others that somehow Westbrook assist are some way less effective than say Lebron’s is asinine.

WorldwideTJRob

May 27th, 2018 at 7:08 PM ^

What talent has he alienated? Harden was traded away by management. Durant even on his burner twitter account was saying that Russ wasn’t the reason he left, yet it was the organization’s inability to get other good players around them. Melo could’ve turned down a trade to OKC but didn’t and PG still might stay. So where is all this talent running away from Russ.

phil610

May 27th, 2018 at 7:19 AM ^

You have to she smoking if you think LeBum is anywhere near as good as Jordan. He ain't even as good as Kobe. LeFraud is mostly the benefit of the most referee assistance in NBA history. He flops and flails his way to the hoop cries anytime anyone gets near him. Almost everything is called a foul and most players won't go near him cause they don't want to foul out. And he hides on defense. Jordan always guarded the opposing team's best player and shut them down. The argument is not even close. Jordan is elite talent with killer instinct and LeBum has been the worst clutch player in history. Dude is trash when the game matters. LeTurd would have zero titles if Kyrie, Wade and Ray Allen didn't save his punk was in the clutch. Never was even an argument. Woulda been 8 str8 titles if not for baseball

Jasper

May 27th, 2018 at 7:27 AM ^

Farnn, make sure you read phil610's post carefully. /s

For all: This post is a great example of what happens when someone gets their news (and views) wholly from TV.

For the record, I'd still pick Jordan over James.

jonvalk

May 27th, 2018 at 10:36 AM ^

LOL. You know they call it the "Jordan Rules" for a reason. Michael Jordan got the most referee assistance of any player in all time.

Jordan was a better pure scorer and better consistent defender, but he also had a more consistent supporting cast and a league that was nowhere as athletically gifted (save for a few standouts).

LeBron isn't Michael Jordan because the name Michael Jordan holds a mystic power over basketball. He's going to end up richer, he's got a higher basketball IQ, and as mentioned above, is WAY better at assisting his teammates.

Way to troll with the LeBum and LeTurd names, though. haha.

I Just Blue Myself

May 27th, 2018 at 1:10 PM ^

Well, Jordan came back for the 94-95 season and they didn't win the title or even make the finals, so claiming Jordan would have won 8 straight isn't based in reality and is a pointless, subjective argument anyways. 

And Kobe over the entirety of his career had consistently the one of the worst "clutch" shooting percentages in the league.

When Jordan left the Bulls after the 93 title, Pippen led the Bulls to a 55-27 record the following year, only two games worse than the previous year. When LeBron left the Cavs to go to Miami, the Cavs finished with a 19-63 record after going 61-21 the previous year. 

Your arguments are based on feelings rather than statistics and facts. 

LeBron is easily a top 5 player all time. I truly don't understand why people like you attempt to argue that "he's trash."

phil610

May 27th, 2018 at 7:25 AM ^

You have to be smoking if you think LeBum is anywhere near as good as Jordan. He ain't even as good as Kobe. LeFraud is mostly the benefit of the most referee assistance in NBA history. He flops and flails his way to the hoop cries anytime anyone gets near him. Almost everything is called a foul and most players won't go near him cause they don't want to foul out. And he hides on defense. Jordan always guarded the opposing team's best player and shut them down. The argument is not even close. Jordan is elite talent with killer instinct and LeBum has been the worst clutch player in history. Dude is trash when the game matters. LeTurd would have zero titles if Kyrie, Wade and Ray Allen didn't save his punk ass in the clutch. Never was even an argument. Woulda been 8 str8 titles if not for baseball

snarling wolverine

May 27th, 2018 at 2:43 PM ^

I can't stop being amazed at what LBJ does and how long he has been consistantly elite.

I enjoy watching him play, but I have suspected for some time that there is a non-amazing explanation for his longevity.  (Though I also don't think he's alone at this.)

Mgoczar

May 26th, 2018 at 11:32 PM ^

Not a fan of either team in WCF but if anyone who watched the game with any modicum of seriousness it was OBVIOUS refs influenced it. Tacky fouls on Houston while GSW allowed to mug. Wth. That's why I stick to CF (even then osu 2016 BS happens). Can't wait for AI to friggin be the ref.

phil610

May 27th, 2018 at 7:28 AM ^

Indeed, refs are showing a lot of love to Cleveland and Houston. Hard to watch that trash. Wish it wasn't so biased and referee aided. Golden State is by far the best team in the league when the refs aren't hating

WorldwideTJRob

May 27th, 2018 at 8:44 AM ^

Klay and Steph got hot! While Harden shrunk under pressure. We have to put the bed these conspiracy theories. The refs couldn’t help the onslaught GSW put on in the 2nd half, you get outscored 64-25 in the final 24 minutes chances are you’re going to lose.

UM Fan from Sydney

May 26th, 2018 at 11:57 PM ^

I hate that basketball has become a three-point contest. Every other shot in game six was a three. So annoying.

Michigan4Life

May 27th, 2018 at 12:08 AM ^

you don't like watching John Beilein offense because their offense is pretty much about 3 point shooting and layups.

NBA is basically all about spacing and shooting. 3s are worth far more than any other shots except wide open layups/dunks.

Bluenin

May 27th, 2018 at 12:06 AM ^

The NBA made up this year. Creating a little intrigue on the way to Cavs vs Warriors part 8. Vince McMahon would be proud of this storyline!