NBA Playoffs Season 2014-2015

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I know the new Trendy Thing™ to do is abhor isolation ball in favor of Spurs-esque ball movement, but there's a reason it's persisted for so long. It has it 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.

I very much agree. At some point you have to get baskets in the paint to give the defense a different look.

Seems like this is the Warriors' kryptonite as of right now. They have all the perimeter talent, but the Cavs have closed their shooting space, add to it that they were not in rhythm, that they're just not being able to score.

David Lee needs to play more in the 4th. He's their only capable inside presence.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

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.

Yeah, they had fire in the fourth, but this was classic 2014-15 Boston Celtics basketball—dig yourself a huge hole, claw back, but fall just short. Too little, too late.

I also agree with a previous comment that Green needs to shoulder a fair amount of blame. A lot of Warriors are to blame, but other than Curry, Green has been the biggest disappointment this series—his offense is nonexistent, and he's committed a lot of fouls, and hasn't really been "the next Kawhi Leonard" many people have pegged him as.

[blink]

I know the new Trendy Thing™ to do is abhor isolation ball in favor of Spurs-esque ball movement, but there's a reason it's persisted for so long. It has it 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.

I very much agree. At some point you have to get baskets in the paint to give the defense a different look.

Seems like this is the Warriors' kryptonite as of right now. They have all the perimeter talent, but the Cavs have closed their shooting space, add to it that they were not in rhythm, that they're just not being able to score.

David Lee needs to play more in the 4th. He's their only capable inside presence.

Yeah Lee seemed to be able to give Mosgov and Thompson a little different look, and he was  more aggressive going to the rim.  He was so impressive in that comeback.  Barnes, Green, Bogut have all been so worried about getting their shots rejected that they have taken the foot off the gas in getting to the rim.  The inside attack is what will eventually loosen up the crazy cavs def.  If GS can't / won't attack the rim, then they better be ready to have the cavs defenders in their shorts the rest of the series.

Mosgov and Thompson both have been playing impressive lights out D, but they have been getting away with a lot of contact too.  I think that would change if the bigs from GS would be more aggressive going to the hole.  The best way to deal with a shot blocker is take the ball right to their face.

[SparzWizard]

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.

Fellow Californians! Sadly I reside in Los Angeles. I traveled to San Francisco back in January. I missed that city! Taking the 101 would have been very scenic and could've stopped by Monterey. But too bad we took the Cowland 5...it was just too bland for 6-7 hours 

[LarBrd33]

LeBron is amazing.   Still doubt they can keep this up, but if he pulls off this upset, we're going to have to sit down and have a serious conversation about his merits as the greatest player ever.

[Adelaide Celt]

I had to go out for lunch and missed all the excitement. 

Like I said, you can never write Curry and the Warriors off. If they take game 4 they're heading back to the Oracle in a pretty good position. I still think they'll win the title when all's said and done.

[D.o.s.]

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.

10/10.

Dellavedova is playing himself into a JJ Barea-style raise, too. It won't be as large, but I doubt he gets just the QO after this series.

More David Lee is almost certainly not the answer for Golden State.

[Endless Paradise]

Also, fun, but meaningless stat: the Warriors are now 0-8 when scoring fewer than 45 points in the first half this season (playoffs included). Last two losses were Games 2 and 3 of the Finals.

More David Lee is almost certainly not the answer for Golden State.

Agreed. He's going to see more time, though. Kerr already said as much.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Also, fun, but meaningless stat: the Warriors are now 0-8 when scoring fewer than 45 points in the first half this season (playoffs included). Last two losses were Games 2 and 3 of the Finals.

More David Lee is almost certainly not the answer for Golden State.

Agreed. He's going to see more time, though. Kerr already said as much.

I disagree on David Lee.

He may not be able to defend the paint as much but with him on the floor, he's an extra guy who can score and give the Cavs defense a much different look, as evident in a couple of key plays in the 4th quarter.

Not certainly suggesting he should play a big chunk of minutes, but he should be going off the bench before Ezeli, who showed energy but pretty much nothing else. Lee can attract the defense on the paint, giving the Warriors a MUCH NEEDED space to shoot the ball. From what he did in this game, he should be the first big out of the bench. The Warriors can't score right now, and he's above all else, an offensive weapon.  He's the only big guy catching the ball well in that game, for Pete's sake.

[tarheelsxxiii]

No idea why any one would think Dellavedova is worth more than scrap. He has been physical with a young kid that can't figure himself out yet on the big stage. That makes him a commodity? I'm shocked he's in the league, he sucks horribly. Curry is killing himself, it has nothing to do with this dude. He's the bball version of Tyree, at best. 

[Adelaide Celt]

No idea why any one would think Dellavedova is worth more than scrap. He has been physical with a young kid that can't figure himself out yet on the big stage. That makes him a commodity? I'm shocked he's in the league, he sucks horribly. Curry is killing himself, it has nothing to do with this dude. He's the bball version of Tyree, at best.

lol, a 'young kid' of 27, 2.5 years older than Dellavedova with 4 more seasons of experience.

Delly isn't the only reason Curry has been struggling but to say he has nothing to do with it is total crap and a massive amount of people clearly disagree.

[SHAQATTACK]

Curry play n like the most invaluable player

Kerr has no defense

LeBron play n like MJ 

All those who  thought GS would win are going to be very disappointed .

[hpantazo]

I know the new Trendy Thing™ to do is abhor isolation ball in favor of Spurs-esque ball movement, but there's a reason it's persisted for so long. It has it 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.

I very much agree. At some point you have to get baskets in the paint to give the defense a different look.

Seems like this is the Warriors' kryptonite as of right now. They have all the perimeter talent, but the Cavs have closed their shooting space, add to it that they were not in rhythm, that they're just not being able to score.

David Lee needs to play more in the 4th. He's their only capable inside presence.

I agree. David Lee, and well, Andrew Bogut needs to be used more on offense in the post. He was a legit low post threat in the past, now he is not used at all except for setting picks on offense.

[SHAQATTACK]

Warriors going to die by the three.

[Moranis]

I know the new Trendy Thing™ to do is abhor isolation ball in favor of Spurs-esque ball movement, but there's a reason it's persisted for so long. It has it 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.

I very much agree. At some point you have to get baskets in the paint to give the defense a different look.

Seems like this is the Warriors' kryptonite as of right now. They have all the perimeter talent, but the Cavs have closed their shooting space, add to it that they were not in rhythm, that they're just not being able to score.

David Lee needs to play more in the 4th. He's their only capable inside presence.

I agree. David Lee, and well, Andrew Bogut needs to be used more on offense in the post. He was a legit low post threat in the past, now he is not used at all except for setting picks on offense.

The problem is that isn't Golden State's game.  They just don't know how to play that way.  Lee should have always been the 6th man on that team in THIS series.  He is that good offensively and the only guy on the Warriors with a legitimate post up game, something the Cavs don't defend nearly as well as the perimeter.  But again, the Warriors just don't play that way even though they should.