Tag Archives: Cavs

NBA Finals: It’s Over

LeBron's joyful weeping made the Dubs loss less painful. A huge weight is lifted off this man's shoulders.

LeBron’s joyful weeping made the Dubs loss less painful. A huge weight is lifted off this man’s shoulders.

That was a great finish. Unfortunately for me, the wrong team won. But both teams came out and for the first time in these Finals, we had a close game. I remember the moment I knew the Warriors just didn’t have it. When LeBron chased down Andre Iguodola’s lay-up, I texted a friend of mine, “that’s game.” The score was still tied but you could see the writing on the wall. A few minutes later, LeBron was crying on the floor, celebrating the Cavs’ first NBA championship. How did the Cavs take down the 73-9 juggernaut, here are what I think are key elements to the Cavs historic comeback: Continue reading →

NBA Finals: How LeBron Gained Control of the Finals

20593077-mmmainLeBron is amazing to watch. Even when he’s killing my team I can’t help but marvel at how good a basketball player he is. His shooting is better, his passes are on point, and his defense is intimidating. But it’s how smart he is, how aware, that sets him apart from his peers. Continue reading →

NBA Finals: Your Finals MVP is LeBron James

2016-NBA-Finals-678x381At this point in the NBA Finals, it should be obvious: LeBron James is the MVP. Steph Curry was the best player during the regular season but a locked-in LeBron James is still the most dominant force in the NBA. The Cavs have an uphill climb to win their first title but even if they come up short (but count a LeBron-led team out at your peril) LeBron should be declared the MVP. He should have been MVP last year and he should be even more so this year. Last year is said and done but let’s build the argument for this year: Continue reading →

NBA Finals: Thoughts from Game 5

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 13: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates with teammate Kyrie Irving #2 after defeating the Golden State Warriors in Game 5 of the 2016 NBA Finals with a score of 112 to 97 at ORACLE Arena on June 13, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The head was right, the heart was wrong. The Cavs, riding two of the most exhilarating Finals performances in NBA history from LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, stole the game and the celebration from Oracle Arena last night. However, if I’m the Warriors, I don’t start panicking. They are still up 3-2 and have won convincingly in Cleveland as recently as last Friday. Also, as poorly as they played, they were still down only six points with an opportunity to win late in the fourth. Here are some observations from game 5 and what they mean for game 6. Continue reading →

NBA Finals: The Dubs without Day Day

hi-res-871d88404497c8e1b3c9897fc6be55d0_crop_northYesterday the NBA announced that it had upgraded Draymond Green’s non-foul against Draymond Green to a Flagrant 1. That led to a hilarious day on Twitter with people talking about “hurt feelings” and “taking the high road” culminating it what may have been the most hilarious tweet of the day from NBA First Lady, Ayesha Curry:

“High Road. invisible bridge used to step over said person when open floor is available left to right.”

My only comment is that the high road is usually taken without declaration. I’m pretty sure that by letting people know that you’re traversing said road, you immediately get booted off by high road patrol and land on either the mid-level or low road… Continue reading →

NBA Finals: Closeout Time

LeBronDraymondGame 4 went about as expected. The score belies how close the game was. However, that’s the thing with the Warriors – you can’t let them stay close. They either get blown out or they win. If you thought their 38.6 clutch rating in the regular season was insane, try wrapping your head around a 49.3 rating in the playoffs (For those who don’t know, a 49.3 rating means that the Warriors would outscore a team by 49.3 points if they played at that level for 100 possessions, the average amount of possessions in an NBA game). They just don’t lose close games. The Cavs did not play a particularly terrible game, in fact, during the quarter where the flow shifted, they held the Dubs to 36% shooting (giving up 6 threes to the Splash Bros will do that to you…). But to beat the Warriors, you have to play great for 48 minutes. And sometimes, even that’s not enough. Now the Cavs face a closeout game in Oakland – where the Warriors have lost only once during the playoffs and three times during the entire season to this point. What do they need to clean up to get a win? Continue reading →

NBA Finals: Thoughts after Game 3

2016.06.09 Finals Game 3

That’s just nuts right there… he dunked that.

The Cavs turned in a dominant performance and throttled the Warriors to the tune of a 30-point victory in Cleveland last night. As good as the Warriors have been, it’s incredible to think that the Warriors are 2-6 in game 3s during the Kerr era. They lost Game 3s to the: Grizzlies, Rockets, Cavs (twice), Blazers, and the Thunder. They have now lost five straight game 3s. This is all to say that as a Warriors fan I am not too concerned. The problems in last night’s game are easily fixed by stronger rotations (Kerr… DEATH LINEUP) and even more so, better effort and execution. Much will be talked about the scoring efforts of the Cavs but the more interesting adjustments happened on the defensive side of the ball. Here are some quick thoughts on how the Cavs put the hurt on the Warriors: Continue reading →

NBA Finals: Preview and Predictions

20160531_finalspreview_760We’re finally here. The NBA Finals. Two number one seeds. The NBA got its wish – a rematch of the 2015 Finals. LeBron and his fully healthy Cavs against the 73-9 juggernaut, the Warriors. If the Cavs win, they ruin the Warriors bid for the greatest team of all time while also making the argument that, if healthy, they would have won last year. If the Warriors win, they can quiet all the naysayers who doubted their 2015 run as a product of fortunate health circumstances, not their play. Let’s jump in and see how both teams made it this far. Continue reading →