2013 CB Draft Finals: Minnesota(1) vs Cleveland(3)

[Roy H.]

Yeah I've pretty much stopped responding to Roy's posts regarding Monta, my team's scoring issues, and all of the other reasons why he thought I should have lost long ago. He has been the VP of the Anti-Minnesota club - which is cool and completely fine. But yeah - not everyone will agree with him or with me...it's just time to let people form their own opinions and vote and see who comes out on top.

It's an interesting strategy, not responding to a single criticism of your team no matter how legitimate.  Three posts in the entire Finals thread is a bit disappointing, but what can you do?

I disagreed with nick pretty vehemently that anybody would willingly adopt a "say nothing" strategy, but I was wrong.  It goes against the very premise of the CB Draft, which is based upon defending one's team and vigorous debate.  But, it looks like it will work out for you. Congrats on the championship.

nick has been petitioning for rules changes for next year's draft, and it looks like he's going to get them.

[ronaldo943]

Congrats to AB and air for winning the championship. (At least from what I read seems like you guys will win) You guys built a very nice team and clearly you 2 have chemistry as this is not the first time you guys have a built a very good team. (DKC)

[McHales Pits]

It's not that I was willingly choosing to not respond. Work has been crazy and I have been traveling and posting from my iPhone.

[fairweatherfan]

Good luck to both teams!  And a TP to nick for keeping this whole monstrosity running so smoothly.

[indeedproceed]

I thought the teams pretty much even.

So I devised a system.

I gave Min a off score of 18 and a defensive score of 18
I gave CLE a OFF Score of 16, a defensive score of 20

I gave each team 3 specials I used twice a piece

Min:
+6 ATK (huge game from Lebron)
+3 ATK (big game from Monta)
+4 Def (big game from Ibaka)

CLE
+3 ATk/+3 DEF (Vintage KG game, and they get -1/-1 in the next contest)
+3 ATK Big game from Ty Lawson
+1 ATK/+3 DEF 'Treat' Tony Allen

Each home game got a +2 DEF for the home team

For ATK score I rolled a d20, for def a d10

Game 1: Huge game from Lebron James, too big in fact for CLE to counter, despite a vintage game from KG. MIN

Game 2: KG looks sluggish, defense suffers, MIN wins in a landslide

Game 3: Huge game for Lebron in first away contest, but bigger game from KG, CLE impresses home crowd. CLE

Game 4: Monta Ellis brings his A game, again KG looks sluggish, the defense tries to make a good showing, but despite a big game from Ty Lawson, just can't pull through. MIN

Game 5: A defensive clinic, Serge Ibaka blocks shots without remorse, but Tony Allen is a problem, causing nearly as many turnovers and even spending some time on LeBron. The home team wins in a squeaker. CLE

Game 6: ANOTHER huge game from Monta, and it looks to be enough, but Minny's defense otherwise is sound, and Ty Lawson pours on a 30 point performance. CLE

GAME 7: Both teams came ready to play. Serge Ibaka again looks to be the stud his second round pick warranted. Tony Allen is EVERYWHERE on the court at once. Neither team can seem to find a rhythm offensively, and the most efficient offense comes from broken plays and turnovers. It heads to overtime. Cleveland finds another gear. CLE WINS! CLE WINS!

Seriously, a tie in game 7. Who says the dice don't have a flair for the dramatic?

[Lucky17]

I'm disappointed that we were using a d20 system. Not fine-tuned enough for me.

I would have preferred a 10d10 system. Get right down to the percentile level, you know?

Anyhoo, Schooner Exact is now batting 3 for 3 with me. Probably doesn't mean much if you're not within driving distance of the Cascades, but I've got to speak the truth.

[indeedproceed]

I'm disappointed that we were using a d20 system. Not fine-tuned enough for me.

I would have preferred a 10d10 system. Get right down to the percentile level, you know?

Anyhoo, Schooner Exact is now batting 3 for 3 with me. Probably doesn't mean much if you're not within driving distance of the Cascades, but I've got to speak the truth.

Haha, well Im a traditionialist. A creature of habit.

[indeedproceed]

FTR, it's Flying Dog's Raging Explitive for me. Belgian White IPA, that doesn't have a whole lot going for it besides the hops in the front, and the 7% kick.

[Lucky17]

I'm disappointed that we were using a d20 system. Not fine-tuned enough for me.

I would have preferred a 10d10 system. Get right down to the percentile level, you know?

Anyhoo, Schooner Exact is now batting 3 for 3 with me. Probably doesn't mean much if you're not within driving distance of the Cascades, but I've got to speak the truth.

Haha, well Im a traditionialist. A creature of habit.

Well, I'm sure there's a school of thought that an 8d12 system might have been just as reflective of the nuances at play in this particular scenario.

But who's got those dice on hand? d12? Please, this is America. Rebus knows what I mean.

[Lucky17]

FTR, it's Flying Dog's Raging Explitive for me. Belgian White IPA, that doesn't have a whole lot going for it besides the hops in the front, and the 7% kick.

Ironically, Schooner Exact's Porter is called Profanity Hill.

Blue language + beer = win.

[fairweatherfan]

St. Bernardus Tripel over here. 

Congrats to Minnesota on the win, and to Cleveland for the tie. 

[The Walker Wiggle]

I'm disappointed that we were using a d20 system. Not fine-tuned enough for me.

I would have preferred a 10d10 system. Get right down to the percentile level, you know?

Anyhoo, Schooner Exact is now batting 3 for 3 with me. Probably doesn't mean much if you're not within driving distance of the Cascades, but I've got to speak the truth.

Haha, well Im a traditionialist. A creature of habit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnYKVeb5v60

[indeedproceed]

I'm disappointed that we were using a d20 system. Not fine-tuned enough for me.

I would have preferred a 10d10 system. Get right down to the percentile level, you know?

Anyhoo, Schooner Exact is now batting 3 for 3 with me. Probably doesn't mean much if you're not within driving distance of the Cascades, but I've got to speak the truth.

Haha, well Im a traditionialist. A creature of habit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnYKVeb5v60

That was impressive.

[Kane3387]

Congrats minny

[KGs Knee]

Argument:  Lebron can't lose unless he's got a small forward on him who can both score and play elite defense.

Reality:  Lebron lost in the 2010 Finals, despite playing against Shawn Marion.  He also lost against Hedo Turkuglu / Rashard Lewis.

I did actually want to address this point yesterday, but got distracted.

1st, I did say that Marion was on my "longer" list back in 2010.  He was, at that point, still a good enough defenders to bother LeBron, and was hitting his 3's.  Very comparable to Kawhi Leonard of 2013.  However, Marion had Dirk, who was still an elite scorer and extremely difficult to defend.

The most important difference between LeBron 2010 and Lebron 2012 and on, however, is that he is no longer is burdened by his "choking" ways.  Prior to winning his 1st title, he seemed to crumble a bit, at times, under the pressure.  If you watch him now, particularly his mannerisms on the court, it is easy to see he fears nothing anymore.

So, my point is that using the Dallas series, or any other series prior to that, isn't necessarily a valid comparison.  I truly believe he has become a different player, primarily due to his being able to shed the proverbial monkey on his back.

You need to be that much better now.  The IRL Spurs fit the definition.  They had Kawhi Leonard, an additionally were better in many other areas (hint hint-Tony Parker).  Still, they couldn't beat Miami, although that can be attributed to Ray Allen and his dagger three.  IRL Miami (IRL Spurs too) would have outclassed any, and every, team in the CB Draft.