NBA Playoffs Season 2014-2015

[PhoSita]

If the Cavs win the title, it'd be a fluke victory (no disrespect to the Cavs, though). It would not be a demonstration on needing a top lottery pick to build around. If anything, it'd just be a referendum on either not relying too heavily on perimeter shots for your offense and/or needing Finals experience to win a title.

Yep, but this was the team that was supposed to break the age-old notion that jump shooting teams can't win. Even if they do win it still, they've shown in these last three games how unreliable it is to rely on the three point shot as much as they do.

Yeah it kind of reinforces the old 'the game slows down in the playoffs' and 'def. wins championships'...The cavs have managed to play at their pace (deliberate) for most of the series, and it has helped them get the most out of their big guys.

I think GS can win the series as a jump shooting team, they just need to be a bit more patient and not let the Cavs off the hook defensively by jacking up the 1st shot they see 3 seconds into the possession.

Yeah, from here on out, the Warriors need to look for the first available shot in the paint first and THEN look for the three, if it's there.

Can they fundamentally change the way they approach the game, though?  That's asking a lot, mid-series.

[knuckleballer]

Seeing how Cleveland is playing, I have definitely gained respect for how well the Celtics played them.

[Who]

LeBron James = 3 games played = 142 minutes played. Played 142 out of 149 minutes. 47.5mpg.

123 points scored = 41 points per game
36 rebounds = 12 rebounds per game
25 assists = 8.3 assists per game
3 blocks, 5 steals

[Yoki_IsTheName]

All I can say is that I am thankful to be a Celtics fan and not a Warriors fan.

As invested as I feel at times in these games as I am watching them, I can step away from them and not be upset the rest of the week until the next game rolls around.  With the Celtics, even when I try not to be invested, I inevitably am.  With teams from other parts of the country, it's kind of the opposite.

Pulling for the Warriors for the folks out here (living just an hour south of the bay, currently), and I'd hate to see LeBron win a title with no help against a great, balanced, organically constructed team of likable guys, but it wouldn't ruin my year.

Which part of the Bay?

I'm living down near Monterey.  Closest part of the bay area to me is either San Jose or Santa Cruz, depending on whether you think SC counts.

Oh. Nice. I'm from San Fran. You're about an hour or so train ride from us. Nice to know that I have neighbors in the forums.

[Roy H.]

LeBron James = 3 games played = 142 minutes played. Played 142 out of 149 minutes. 47.5mpg.

123 points scored = 41 points per game
36 rebounds = 12 rebounds per game
25 assists = 8.3 assists per game
3 blocks, 5 steals

I don't care how much his efficiency has suffered, those numbers are just unreal to me.

[SCeltic34]

If the Cavs win the title, it'd be a fluke victory (no disrespect to the Cavs, though). It would not be a demonstration on needing a top lottery pick to build around. If anything, it'd just be a referendum on either not relying too heavily on perimeter shots for your offense and/or needing Finals experience to win a title.

Yep, but this was the team that was supposed to break the age-old notion that jump shooting teams can't win. Even if they do win it still, they've shown in these last three games how unreliable it is to rely on the three point shot as much as they do.

Yeah it kind of reinforces the old 'the game slows down in the playoffs' and 'def. wins championships'...The cavs have managed to play at their pace (deliberate) for most of the series, and it has helped them get the most out of their big guys.

I think GS can win the series as a jump shooting team, they just need to be a bit more patient and not let the Cavs off the hook defensively by jacking up the 1st shot they see 3 seconds into the possession.

Well said.  Dat LeBron iso ball really slows things down.  Doesn't help that his decision making is absolutely incredible.

I like Klay and I know he had a good game 2 all things considered, but his shot selection is highly suspect.

[PhoSita]

All I can say is that I am thankful to be a Celtics fan and not a Warriors fan.

As invested as I feel at times in these games as I am watching them, I can step away from them and not be upset the rest of the week until the next game rolls around.  With the Celtics, even when I try not to be invested, I inevitably am.  With teams from other parts of the country, it's kind of the opposite.

Pulling for the Warriors for the folks out here (living just an hour south of the bay, currently), and I'd hate to see LeBron win a title with no help against a great, balanced, organically constructed team of likable guys, but it wouldn't ruin my year.

Which part of the Bay?

I'm living down near Monterey.  Closest part of the bay area to me is either San Jose or Santa Cruz, depending on whether you think SC counts.

Nice, I used to live in Marina, and Monterey for two years.

Wow.  I'm living in Marina.  Huh.  Funny.

[PhoSita]

LeBron James = 3 games played = 142 minutes played. Played 142 out of 149 minutes. 47.5mpg.

123 points scored = 41 points per game
36 rebounds = 12 rebounds per game
25 assists = 8.3 assists per game
3 blocks, 5 steals

I don't care how much his efficiency has suffered, those numbers are just unreal to me.

One of the greatest series performances ever, so far.  Incredible.

[SCeltic34]

All I can say is that I am thankful to be a Celtics fan and not a Warriors fan.

As invested as I feel at times in these games as I am watching them, I can step away from them and not be upset the rest of the week until the next game rolls around.  With the Celtics, even when I try not to be invested, I inevitably am.  With teams from other parts of the country, it's kind of the opposite.

Pulling for the Warriors for the folks out here (living just an hour south of the bay, currently), and I'd hate to see LeBron win a title with no help against a great, balanced, organically constructed team of likable guys, but it wouldn't ruin my year.

Which part of the Bay?

I'm living down near Monterey.  Closest part of the bay area to me is either San Jose or Santa Cruz, depending on whether you think SC counts.

Oh. Nice. I'm from San Fran. You're about an hour or so train ride from us. Nice to know that I have neighbors in the forums.

Cool.  Got C's fan representing in Northern Cali! I moved from Boston to Alameda about a year ago, and apparently dodged one of the worst winters in Boston history.  I could drive to Oracle Arena in less than 15 minutes.  The Bay Area is awesome.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

LeBron James = 3 games played = 142 minutes played. Played 142 out of 149 minutes. 47.5mpg.

123 points scored = 41 points per game
36 rebounds = 12 rebounds per game
25 assists = 8.3 assists per game
3 blocks, 5 steals

I don't care how much his efficiency has suffered, those numbers are just unreal to me.

Yep. That's borderline Jordan-esque. There's going to be big boost in the GOAT conversations if LeBron leads this team to a title.

[blink]

LeBron James = 3 games played = 142 minutes played. Played 142 out of 149 minutes. 47.5mpg.

123 points scored = 41 points per game
36 rebounds = 12 rebounds per game
25 assists = 8.3 assists per game
3 blocks, 5 steals

I don't care how much his efficiency has suffered, those numbers are just unreal to me.

yeah I admit I keep thinking that Lebron can't keep it up the whole series, then the next game he just does the same thing.   he is a machine.

The only thing I can think is for GS to switch up their def a bit, don't give him the same look everytime.  When he gets to initiate their sets and has room to operate all you can do is pick your poison, which is anyone but lebron.  I would try alternating some possessions of trapping him, and then not trapping him, try to at least make him think about what type of D he is seeing.  Maybe try a zone for a couple of possessions.  Make the mental game harder for him than just reacting to shoot, drive, or pass.

I know, it isn't going to work, whatever...lol

[blink]

All I can say is that I am thankful to be a Celtics fan and not a Warriors fan.

As invested as I feel at times in these games as I am watching them, I can step away from them and not be upset the rest of the week until the next game rolls around.  With the Celtics, even when I try not to be invested, I inevitably am.  With teams from other parts of the country, it's kind of the opposite.

Pulling for the Warriors for the folks out here (living just an hour south of the bay, currently), and I'd hate to see LeBron win a title with no help against a great, balanced, organically constructed team of likable guys, but it wouldn't ruin my year.

Which part of the Bay?

I'm living down near Monterey.  Closest part of the bay area to me is either San Jose or Santa Cruz, depending on whether you think SC counts.

Nice, I used to live in Marina, and Monterey for two years.

Wow.  I'm living in Marina.  Huh.  Funny.

Yeah i was living in Marina for a while when I was working at CSU Monterey Bay a number of years ago...Marina is kind of an odd area.  Nice close access to the bay though.  Small world!

[MBunge]

I know this is easy for me to say sitting at the comfort of my computer, but there were a lot of coaching failures on Kerr's part this game.

- Leaving Harrison Barnes in way too long, especially in the 3rd quarter.
- Putting Ezeli on James Jones to end the 2nd quarter, which turned out to be a fatal mistake.
- Not giving either Speights or David Lee more playing time during this game or even if games 1 and 2.  They need the floor spacing they provide.
- Taking out Barbosa when that unit was clicking in the 4th quarter.  Questionable, but should have left him in.

The Warriors are capable of playing so much better than this.  I don't think I've been this disappointed in a particular team in a long time.

You left out the biggest problem, Kerr's inability to light a fire under his team.  The Warriors don't need Xs and Os.  There are clearly the more talented team.  They need some emotional leadership.

Mike

Can't say I disagree, but some of those mistakes really cost Golden State.  Also, at some point the players need to realize that they're losing game 3 in the NBA FINALS and need to light a fire up under themselves.

I disagree on "lighting the fire". If that 4th quarter wasn't lighting a fire then I don't know what else is. They fell short, but to come back within 1 from 17 down, score 36 in a quarter, when everyone on that gym thought they have been contained all game long, against LeBron James, to me is lighting fire from wherever it is they're trying to ignite it from.

Where was that in the first half?  Heck, where's it been for about 9 of the 12 quarters played so far?

Mike

[Endless Paradise]

I know the new Trendy Thing™ to do is to abhor isolation ball in favor of Spurs-esque ball movement, but there's a reason it's persisted for so long: it has its merits. The best teams are able to play in a variety of styles so as to counter whatever is thrown their way. The Spurs redefined the modern NBA with their incredible Finals performance, but pretty much no one remembers that they got to the Finals by eliminating the Thunder in Game 6 overtime by repeatedly feeding Duncan in the post and letting him go to work.

[MBunge]

LeBron James = 3 games played = 142 minutes played. Played 142 out of 149 minutes. 47.5mpg.

123 points scored = 41 points per game
36 rebounds = 12 rebounds per game
25 assists = 8.3 assists per game
3 blocks, 5 steals

The effort and the leadership and the command has been incredible.  LeBron's actual production, given his dominance of the ball, has been "merely" great.  He had a series against Orlando where he put up superhuman numbers in a 4-1 loss.

Mike