NBA Finals 2016-2017 thread

[KGs Knee]

For those curious,

The ratings are still the 3rd highest ever.

This is all the league cares about. The money is pouring in. We're in sort of a golden age for the NBA right now.

[celticsclay]

For those curious,

The ratings are still the 3rd highest ever.

This is all the league cares about. The money is pouring in. We're in sort of a golden age for the NBA right now.

I wouldn't be so quick to call it a golden age. The previously infallible NFL and NBA are going through the same challenges right now. People have so many more entertainment options than they used to. 10-15 years ago it was renting a movie, watching what was on tv live or watching sports. Now people can watch any movie that ever came out and a level of television that previously didn't exist on hulu, netflix and amazon on a 50 inch plasma tv with surround sound. That is a lot more competition for eye balls during people's downtime. The NBA has done a good job capturing some of this with streaming services, the NBA app and efforts in stadiums to improve the viewing experience.

That being said there are probably more fan bases than ever that feel so hopeless right now. If you are in orlando why are you going to give your limited free time to watch a team play 80 times that if everything breaks right you have 1 player that is as good as 4 players on the Warriors. I honestly do think the NBA is at a real risk of losing fans that will be hard to win back right now. The NBA needs to find a way to get the fan bases engaged in places like Sacramento, Phoenix, Orlando, Brooklyn, Minnesota etc. Right now not only are those teams bad, which has always been the case, but now it is hard to imagine their young players ever all developing to reach the star levels of these superteams.

[Fireworks_Boom!]

Why not talk about this game?

[Who]

Love the aggressiveness of LeBron early.

Driving to get to the basket. Not to kickout for 3 pointers.

[Who]

Kyrie Irving overdribbling. Trying to do everything by himself.

[hpantazo]

The Cavs have yet to show any ability to defend GS. Unless they do that, this series is over quick

[apc]

Kyrie Irving overdribbling. Trying to do everything by himself.

That's his game...

[hpantazo]

Kyrie Irving overdribbling. Trying to do everything by himself.

That's his game...

Good point

[SCeltic34]

Kyrie Irving overdribbling. Trying to do everything by himself.

Yup.  He's single-handedly stagnating the Cavs offense.

[jpotter33]

This Cavs D is pretty pitiful, but this Warriors defense is pretty stifling, too.

[jpotter33]

There are probably a half dozen or so changes that need to occur with these ridiculous calls. Players are simply taking advantage of loopholes in the officiating to get easy free throws like that.

[Who]

I hate these "talk to former ref" to discuss call. Boring!

[CelticSince83]

I hate these "talk to former ref" to discuss call. Boring!

They should have Tim Donaghy call in to explain how some of these calls might impact the line for game 3. 

[More Banners]

Amazed at the former all stars coming off the benches. Iggy, RJ, Williams...

Nobody else even has a chance.

[SCeltic34]

I can't be the only person who thinks that Korver shouldn't be in the game when LeBron isn't out there.  The current unit doesn't move the ball well enough to overcome Korver's defensive liabilities.  LeBron is the only one who can consistently make GS pay for any mistakes made on Korver.