Cavs vs. Warriors -- 2017 NBA Finals

[godfather]

Everyone said this exact same thing last year.

I'm not saying you're wrong, but I'm not sure it's this black and white. Luckily, we have until the trade deadline to consider our options with Kevin.

There are still plenty of teams who would trade for him.

We were going to trade Love if we got beat by the Warriors. Think about it, literally one play changed the outcome.

I'm not saying Love did nothing at all to help, but his impact was pretty small for a player of his talents.

I'm not saying this to dump on Love; GS was a horrible match up for him.

You can find role players that can contribute for what he gave. He wasn't even our top-4 more important players in that series for us IMO.

 

[TitleTown]

We were going to trade Love if we got beat by the Warriors. Think about it, literally one play changed the outcome.

I'm not saying Love did nothing at all to help, but his impact was pretty small for a player of his talents.

I'm not saying this to dump on Love; GS was a horrible match up for him.

You can find role players that can contribute for what he gave. He wasn't even our top-4 more important players in that series for us IMO.

IF that was true and we were going to trade Love except for that one play, then wouldn't a crass/cold blooded GM still go through with that action?

I know I would (I'm not saying that's what I want to do). If prior to game 5 you were convinced that Love had to be traded, then 1 game can't change that.

So if Griff shares your thinking, odds are we've been working the phones for Love all offseason. Right?

Now that Durant and many of the big FAs are off the board, something might happen...right? This would also answer many of us who are scratching our heads about the team not matching Delly.

 

[gourimoko]

I totally agree with you. It's just...I'd hate to build a team to beat the Warriors, only to lose to someone else because of the matchup.

With Kevin Love, we are balanced and have so many options for how we can structure our rotations. Without him, our only options are LBJ at the 4 + ???.

I love LBJ at the 4, but LBJ doesn't like LBJ at the 4.

Gotta think about this in terms of roles and matchups. Whether we like it or not, the Warriors have fully embraced position-less basketball. Draymond Green and Iggy who often play "the 5" aren't centers. They're both small forwards, and both players can play the 1-5 depending upon the matchup.

Cavs need a player like Jimmy Butler.... We're just 2 days too late.

 

[godfather]

I'm not in favor of trading Love for garbage, make no mistake. I want a star that fits better for him.

But I fear that ship has sailed, and we're going to have to ride it out with this squad for now at least.

 

[gourimoko]

IF that was true and we were going to trade Love except for that one play, then wouldn't a crass/cold blooded GM still go through with that action?

I know I would (I'm not saying that's what I want to do). If prior to game 5 you were convinced that Love had to be traded, then 1 game can't change that.

So if Griff shares your thinking, odds are we've been working the phones for Love all offseason. Right?

Now that Durant and many of the big FAs are off the board, something might happen...right? This would also answer many of us who are scratching our heads about the team not matching Delly.

The team really should match Delly at this point, but likely won't.

Cavs aren't in a position to do a major upgrade until the deadline.

However, the Cavs could potentially try to get a Love for Cousins deal.. but I just don't see that happening prior to the deadline.

 

[TitleTown]

Gotta think about this in terms of roles and matchups. Whether we like it or not, the Warriors have fully embraced position-less basketball. Draymond Green and Iggy who often play "the 5" aren't centers. They're both small forwards, and both players can play the 1-5 depending upon the matchup.

Cavs need a player like Jimmy Butler.... We're just 2 days too late.

If there was a deal available to get Jimmy Butler, the Cavs would have done it in a heartbeat--regardless of the Durant move.

I can't see how this changes anything from a front office decision making perspective. Everyone and their mother would trade Love for Butler. That's a no-brainer.

 

[godfather]

IF that was true and we were going to trade Love except for that one play, then wouldn't a crass/cold blooded GM still go through with that action?

I know I would (I'm not saying that's what I want to do). If prior to game 5 you were convinced that Love had to be traded, then 1 game can't change that.

So if Griff shares your thinking, odds are we've been working the phones for Love all offseason. Right?

Now that Durant and many of the big FAs are off the board, something might happen...right? This would also answer many of us who are scratching our heads about the team not matching Delly.

That's true. I think that Griffin wanted to ride it out since we won it all.

I don't think he closed the books on trading Love for good. Even Windy said they'd listen to offers, so skepticism still existed even though we won it all.

But now, that GS clearly is better, we almost got to be in the mindset as if we lost.

Remember, LeBron is 31. We can't just sit and be idle while his greatest days won't last forever.

 

[JSS2306]

Thank Kevin Durant for dismantling a championship contender to the point where the Thunder now have to think about restructuring Westbrook's contract or possibly trade him?

No thanks. KD had a chance to advance his team to the finals and pretty much choked it away against the team he is now joining.

If I'm going to be less than pleased with LeBron leaving a team with nobody around him, then I'm damn sure not pleased with KD leaving a championship contending team to join the team he failed to put away.

It might be the best move for Durant but that's where it ends. I can't think of a subplot where this makes him look good.

 

[godfather]

The team really should match Delly at this point, but likely won't.

Cavs aren't in a position to do a major upgrade until the deadline.

However, the Cavs could potentially try to get a Love for Cousins deal.. but I just don't see that happening prior to the deadline.

Thank God we won it all. I'll never take what we did for granted. We did it THE REAL WAY. The hard way. You fake wannabe man Durant.

 

[cavsfever]

Pretty even teams on paper. Laughable that Vegas has the Warriors as such a heavy favorite.

Lebron, Irving, Love vs Durant, Curry, Green is a wash.

TT, Smith, Shump vs thompson, iguodala, livingston seems close as well. Already have frye & mo as capable role players.

At worst it looks even and hard not to give the edge to Lebron in that case.

Unfortunately Love vs Green is not a wash.

Hate to be the negative guy, but I just looked at Durant's stats and now I'm depressed again. He's 27 years old, 7 feet tall, and scores 28 PPG on basically 50/40/90 shooting. He's joining a 28 year old who scores 30 PPG on 50/45/90 shooting, a 26 year old who scores 22 PPG on 47/40/90 shooting and can defend multiple positions, and another 26 year old do-everything player who is the best candidate since Oscar Robertson or early Lebron James to average a triple double for a season, and BTW also shoots 38% from 3. The 2015 NBA Finals MVP will be coming off the bench. They have four guys (Green, Iggy, Thompson and Durant) who are plus defenders, with two of them at all-defensive team level.

This won't be easy.

 

[Rick Astley]

Last year, every damn thread in Cavs Talk became a Warriors thread. Now that Durant has gone to GSW, I suspect it will be just as bad this summer and next year.

Just as bad? No.... No! I'm already having PTSD from remembering people bringing up the Warrior on every thread. Love had a bad game? WARRIORS! Kyrie underperforming? WARRIORS! LeBron ISO? WARRIORS! Lue MikeBrowning a timeout? WARFUCKINGRIORS! You bet your sweaty balls it's going to be more horrifying this year!

I bet the poop thread is the only thread with no Warriors lovefest in it. Even senior members are guilty of this. Fuck the Warriors. They're gonna get schooled again next Finals match up. Your doubts are fueling the Cavs right now. They're going to feast on that.

 

[daytripper]

Crazy idea but the Cavs could match Delly and then package him and Love at the trade deadline. Yeah I know Delly is likely gone but just having him on a somewhat affordable contract could open more trade options for them at the deadline. I really like what Love brings to the table against every other team but hope they keep every option open in terms of upgrades for this GSW team they will likely meet in the Finals. Can't let any asset walk out the door.

 

[Jscc]

Crazy idea but the Cavs could match Delly and then package him and Love at the trade deadline. Yeah I know Delly is likely gone but just having him on a somewhat affordable contract could open more trade options for them at the deadline. I really like what Love brings to the table against every other team but hope they keep every option open in terms of upgrades for this GSW team they will likely meet in the Finals. Can't let any asset walk out the door.

Delly's a RFA. Can't trade him until next off-season.

 

[JFT]

Unfortunately Love vs Green is not a wash.

Hate to be the negative guy, but I just looked at Durant's stats and now I'm depressed again. He's 27 years old, 7 feet tall, and scores 28 PPG on basically 50/40/90 shooting. He's joining a 28 year old who scores 30 PPG on 50/45/90 shooting, a 26 year old who scores 22 PPG on 47/40/90 shooting and can defend multiple positions, and another 26 year old do-everything player who is the best candidate since Oscar Robertson or early Lebron James to average a triple double for a season, and BTW also shoots 38% from 3. The 2015 NBA Finals MVP will be coming off the bench. They have four guys (Green, Iggy, Thompson and Durant) who are plus defenders, with two of them at all-defensive team level.

This won't be easy.

I've seen this come up before. Durant is not 7' tall.

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[DrunkenBuckeye]

GS will be tough but I like our chances. We have Irving and James.

When stars come together they rarely win the first year. We do not have enough shots to go around for James, Irving and Love. It will be hard for them to get chemistry. That is one of the reasons I have felt Love doesn't fit. James and Irving should be taking more shots. They are two of the most gifted offensive players in the league. How is Curry going to handle not being the best player on his team and taking less shots? Will Thompson be happy and in a rhythm being the 3rd or 4th option? I agree on paper they are amazing on offense. Will they have better stats than last year? Is a Durant 2pt or 3pt shot better than a Thompson 3pt shot? Who protects the rim against James and Irving?

All the stupid rumors, pressure and spotlight just went to the Bay. If they don't win it all it will tarnish all their career achievements. Will they handle that pressure as well as James?

I agree we need to add a few pieces. I hope they don't steal all the top ring chasing vets.