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Post by SamH on May 26, 2019 9:46:06 GMT
Great work from Toronto, to get out of an 0-2 hole is tough. After all those years coming up short to LeBron, they deserve to get to the finals. This massively helps them keep Leonard too. Not bad for Nick Nurse either in his first season as head coach.
Can't see them winning it but I didn't think they'd beat the Bucks either so you never know!
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Post by connors on May 26, 2019 22:40:29 GMT
I think Raptors have a chance against GSW without KD. Despite all the media BS about them being better without KD they’re not imo. What they are possibly is easier on the eye perhaps and more joyful.
Anyway I’m taking GSW in 6 with KD back for some of it. Curry Finals MVP. KD pissed off about that and jumps ship to Knicks. Leonard leaves Raps and joins Clippers.
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Post by SamH on May 27, 2019 10:10:01 GMT
I don't think they are "better" without KD but clearly the results show they don't really need him. They won before he got there and have never struggled when he's been injured. Curry and Thompson play at a higher level and Green seems to be more productive too.
Sounds like KD is going to move on regardless, but I'd like to see Leonard stay put. What will he achieve going to the Clippers? They're not contenders even with him. If winning is the goal, why not stay with Toronto and give it another shot next season? (Assuming they lose. If they win, surely he'd return?!)
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jimw
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Post by jimw on May 27, 2019 10:49:56 GMT
Shout out to Nick Nurse. I recall having a pint with him at the TVT bar, but never thought I'd be remembering that encounter under these circumstances (I doubt he remembers me tho...).
My feeling is the Raptors are disadvantaged by having home court advantage(!). We've seen them start slowly in the previous rounds, learning how to deal with the opposition's best players, then coming on strong later on. Losing at home to GSW is not a great way to begin that process though.
Warriors in 5 with or without KD
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2019 13:27:32 GMT
Winning it in 5 means taking 2 at Raptors. That's why I'm going for a 4-2 Warriors win.
I agree with Connors about KD, they better with him, but easier on the eye without him.
This has to be a unique moment. A team has a top 3 player but doesn't really need him. Next year they'll be without him but have to play against him. Interesting times.
I've babbled on my blog if you're interested.
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jimw
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Post by jimw on May 28, 2019 8:34:57 GMT
You've hit the nail on the head: a big advantage to the Warriors of having KD on the team is...he's not on anyone else's team.
They do play a very different game with/without him: it's not him being on court, the whole dynamic changes when he's not in the rotation. Much as I love KD, it really is THE "beautiful game" when you see Steph and co. setting those double screens, the slip passes, the splits, the constant movement: it's just magical. (I'd love to see the GPS readouts of Curry's gametime)
It must be a defensive nightmare to plan to defend a team with him, only to have to change everything. Pace Pacers - they didn't know what hit them.
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Post by SamH on May 28, 2019 13:26:17 GMT
Well anyway my prediction is 4-2. ESPN's "experts" have guaranteed GS lose at least 2 games because KD is out (even though he may be back). So I'll go with that but game 6 is a home game for GS and I think that's where they'll close it out. As for the MVP, KD cant really win it if he doesn't play the whole series (unless he misses only the first game and its a loss or something). I think its probably Curry's time to be finals MVP.
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jimw
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Post by jimw on May 29, 2019 11:18:05 GMT
Anyone see Nick Nurse doing "5 good minutes" on PTI this morning? Interestingly he cited his D/G league experience of not knowing who they were playing against as helping do last-minute planning for Yes/No on KD being there.
Hmm.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2019 9:21:09 GMT
Steph Curry scored 34 points and GSW still lost
C'mon Toronto
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Post by connors on May 31, 2019 10:39:53 GMT
My takeaways from game 1 are -
No way the Raptors will consistently get those performances offensively from Gasol and Siakem.
Almost every Warrior not named Curry was sub par. Green had a very quiet triple double and played without that drive and energy that was so impressive versus Blazers.
Great defence by Raptors on pick and roll.
Relatively quiet performance from Kwahi and he was still very good so the Warriors will be concerned.
Nobody is talking about Warriors better without KD anymore.......
I’m still taking Warriors in 6.
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Post by connors on May 31, 2019 12:19:24 GMT
Per Rotoworld, there have only been six players in the history of the NBA Finals who have posted at least 30 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks and two made 3-pointers: Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant.
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Post by SamH on May 31, 2019 18:33:04 GMT
It's just one game, let's not get excited. I remember OKC winning game 1 in 2012 and look what happened to that.
The problem here was no one helped Curry. Green wasn't bad but Klay, Iggy, the bigs didn't do enough and also they had a lot of turnovers. Good to see Cousins back but it's a stretch now to class him as an all star. Not sure he'll ever get back to where he was 2 years ago.
Now's the time to get money on GS as I'm still confident they win this.
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Post by SamH on May 31, 2019 18:45:08 GMT
Is anyone else tired of Drake getting constant attention and interjecting himself into the playoffs? I'm getting bored with seeing his face all the time, he has nothing to do with it but makes himself so. It's nit exactly Spike Lee and the Pacers is it?!
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Post by samgray on May 31, 2019 21:11:57 GMT
Cousins had moments of brilliance. I’d put money on him being an all star again
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Post by youngrocks on May 31, 2019 22:24:16 GMT
This toronto team isnt easy to beat. Theyve got gems all over the court. The pick up of gasol is huge. Great bit of business. Lowry had a good spread on his stat line ans thstd without leonard dominating
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2019 6:16:16 GMT
Is anyone else tired of Drake getting constant attention and interjecting himself into the playoffs? I'm getting bored with seeing his face all the time, he has nothing to do with it but makes himself so. It's nit exactly Spike Lee and the Pacers is it?! Screenshot this Sam. We are in complete agreement daveballblog.wordpress.com/2019/05/31/my-thought-for-the-day/ |
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Post by SamH on Jun 1, 2019 10:02:26 GMT
So it seems, are lots of people commenting on the BBC article which focussed almost exclusively on him and not the game. They got quite a lot of stick for that. I did like that Nick Nurse (perhaps unintentionally) basketball kited Drake though by saying he didn't even notice the shoulder rub Drake gave him. Anyway lets stop talking about him here too - back to looking ahead to game 2 methinks!
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Post by faz on Jun 2, 2019 7:37:51 GMT
Is anyone else tired of Drake getting constant attention and interjecting himself into the playoffs? I'm getting bored with seeing his face all the time, he has nothing to do with it but makes himself so. It's nit exactly Spike Lee and the Pacers is it?! I thought Francis was long dead |
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Post by reallyoldfeenixfan on Jun 2, 2019 10:46:27 GMT
Is anyone else tired of Drake getting constant attention and interjecting himself into the playoffs? I'm getting bored with seeing his face all the time, he has nothing to do with it but makes himself so. It's nit exactly Spike Lee and the Pacers is it?! I thought Francis was long dead That'd be Sir Francis to you. |
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Post by SamH on Jun 3, 2019 22:07:13 GMT
Well game 2 was a snooze-fest wasn't it? Raptors blew a massive chance there with Curry unwell and KD still out. It was just the first 6 minutes of the 3rd quarter that cost them, but that's what happens against the Warriors, regardless of who they have out there or how fit they are - you have to play 48 minutes. Raps won 3 quarters but that 6 minute spell did for them.
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Post by connors on Jun 4, 2019 14:31:56 GMT
But what a 6 minute spell though! They were devastating in that period and caught the Raps completely cold.
Credit must be given to Kerr. Inspired decision starting Cousins who was excellent and made a big difference.
As many predicted Siakem and Gasol did not repeat their game one feats whereas the Warriors got much improved performances from Cousins, Green and Klay along with some much needed help off bench (Bogut! and Cook).
It feels like Raps must win one of next two games to have a chance. Cannot see them coming back from 3-1. Good the format is 2-2-1-1-1.
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Post by faz on Jun 4, 2019 16:34:48 GMT
The injuries will be interesting. I kind of think if Klay and KD arn’t fit it’s going north. Fascinating final!!!!
Then we have the summer to look forward to with trades and free agency.!!!
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Post by connors on Jun 6, 2019 22:02:22 GMT
Well I thought the Raps made very hard work of a seriously under manned Warriors. Much like after the G1 loss I think this is a game that the loser can take as much from as the winner.
It felt like a must win game for Raps and they one it.
It felt like it was important that the Warriors didn’t lay down. They didn’t.
If Klay comes back I’m still feeling the Warriors in 6. KD is looking less and less likely but if he does then I’d say Raps in trouble.
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Post by connors on Jun 6, 2019 22:02:50 GMT
Well I thought the Raps made very hard work of a seriously under manned Warriors. Much like after the G1 loss I think this is a game that the loser can take as much from as the winner.
It felt like a must win game for Raps and they one it.
It felt like it was important that the Warriors didn’t lay down. They didn’t.
If Klay comes back I’m still feeling the Warriors in 6. KD is looking less and less likely but if he does then I’d say Raps in trouble.
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2NFR
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Post by 2NFR on Jun 7, 2019 8:30:49 GMT
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