Cavs vs. Warriors -- 2017 NBA Finals

[ajz20]

Durant won't be their first option on offense..

He replaces Barnes and he'll take from Iggy and Green. I think he'll score a LOT less next season.

When the Warriors found themselves leaning on Klay, they'll know find themselves with 3 scoring options all very high efficiency.

Other than the post, the Warriors can score in a variety of ways, now including isolation.

I think some cavs fans are talking themselves into denial of how hard it will be to beat this team in a 7 game series. It look some heroics to beat them in a 7 game serious without Durant... Lebron will be a year older and they will likely have home court again. I would like to see us add Larry Sanders if possible. The more athletic big men we can run at them the better! I am worried about both Love and Frey as a fit vs the warriors in a 7 game series, who are they going to guard? Not the best of matchups for us. Hope Irving and James are ready to play like superman again!

 

[gourimoko]

I agree that they are better offensively. My argument is that it's marginal.

Defensively, they are worse.

Offensively, if they can keep Durant at 15 FGA/G, it should work out in their favor in a big way. If he goes up to 20 FGA/G, it'll damage them. It'll be up to Kerr to manage Durant's expectations considering he is on a 1-year deal.

Defensively, Durant was an All-NBA defender. He's a long-term upgrade for them at the 3, and gives them the ability to go out and focus on a 3&D player with an exception or the vet min. All they need is a defensive wing.

As far as length; the Warriors only played Bogut limited minutes... and whatever facility he brought other than illegal screens; Durant can replace.

It's not a bad move for them, honestly.

 

[gourimoko]

I think some cavs fans are talking themselves into denial of how hard it will be to beat this team in a 7 game series. It look some heroics to beat them in a 7 game serious without Durant... Lebron will be a year older and they will likely have home court again. I would like to see us add Larry Sanders if possible. The more athletic big men we can run at them the better!

I agree completely; this forum isn't really looking at this objectively. The Cavs are in a really bad spot right now with respect to competing next off-season. Love just can't matchup against 5 guards for 40+ minutes a night.

The Warriors are the favorites to win for a very long time unless the Cavs make some moves.

We need a wing defender, and in the worst way.

Unfortunately though, I think we missed on Butler with the Rondo signing. Bulls won't trade him at this point, not unless that team collapses prior to the All-Star game.

 

[TitleTown]

And that's exactly where my mind is, too. It's not just me trying to make myself feel better, it's legit. They destroyed flexibility.

How much do you gain taking shots from a 47%/40% shooter and giving them to a 47%/40% shooter? Especially when all those shots were already good looks.

Offensively, they'll be better. Durant has a legit mid-range game and iso game, and this will help them in the playoffs when the play slows down. Also, think of all those shots that Barnes was bricking. Durant will be taking those shots now. There's no doubt that they'll be better on offense.

But will that improvement make up for what they lose in defense and rebounding? In the playoffs? I don't think it will.

 

[CalBuckeyeRob]

One of the big talents of Tristan in this lineup is that he demands no touches on offense while producing on rebounds at both ends, defense, and pick and rolls. Will GS have a 5th guy that offers that same skill?

 

[TitleTown]

The Cavaliers have no choice but to trade Kevin Love this season if we hope to compete in the Finals.

They'll run Curry/Klay/Iggy/Durant/Green. Kevin has no matchup there.. It's not his fault, it's just reality.

I'm not saying you're wrong--the Warriors will continue to be a bad matchup for KLove.

But, I think it's a bad idea to build a team just to compete with 1 other team.

 

[2 For The Brew]

Pressure will be on GSW, not us. We've all seen how Durant and Curry respond to pressure. Plus that team will be despised wherever they go.

LeBron has cemented his Cleveland legacy. Now it's time for him to take the next step. Destroy these bitches next June and LeBron's legacy is complete.

In a weird way I agree with TitleTown. It's a harder road, but now the Cavaliers and LeBron represent more than just Cleveland. I suspect most BB fans want Curry and KD crushed.

 

[gourimoko]

One of the big talents of Tristan in this lineup is that he demands no touches on offense while producing on rebounds at both ends, defense, and pick and rolls. Will GS have a 5th guy that offers that same skill?

They don't need one. Their starting lineup has 4 guys that can play the point, rebound, and score at will. Their 5th guy is a former All-Star, All-NBA player who is still one of the league's better defenders.

I also think people are underrating Durant on defense. He's a solid defender - better than Barnes when he tries.

 

[wremy]

 

[gourimoko]

I'm not saying you're wrong--the Warriors will continue to be a bad matchup for KLove.

But, I think it's a bad idea to build a team just to compete with 1 other team.

I think it'd be a bad idea to ignore our most likely matchup only to regret it later.

Unfortunately, we don't have many options or trade partners at this point.

 

[godfather]

Could not agree more with Gour. We need to trade Love. But sadly, I fear that ship has sailed.

He doesn't match up at all against this Warriors team. I thought with no Durant, it wasn't necessary to match up with them.

One, we won a title with this problem. Two, I don't think it was a sure thing they'd even get back to the finals again.

Now with Durant, we will be seeing them for 5 years straight. And that match up problem will be too much to overcome. Everything we do has to be in the mindset of them.

Anything else is flat out denial.

 

[TitleTown]

Pressure will be on GSW, not us. We've all seen how Durant and Curry respond to pressure. Plus that team will be despised wherever they go.

LeBron has cemented his Cleveland legacy. Now it's time for him to take the next step. Destroy these bitches next June and LeBron's legacy is complete.

In a weird way I agree with TitleTown. It's a harder road, but now the Cavaliers and LeBron represent more than just Cleveland. I suspect most BB fans want Curry and KD crushed.

It's actually quite refreshing to go into comment threads and see FAR MORE posts pissing on the Warriors and Durant, rather than hating on LBJ and the Cavs.

I saw numerous posts with: "Well, I guess I'm rooting for Cleveland." Every fan, deep in their hearts, respects a Cleveland fan. Now that we're massive underdogs again, millions of more fans are coming our way.

 

[TitleTown]

I think it'd be a bad idea to ignore our most likely matchup only to regret it later.

Unfortunately, we don't have many options or trade partners at this point.

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.

 

[TitleTown]

Everything we do has to be in the mindset of them.

Anything else is flat out denial.

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.

 

[davedugan43]

Anyone else expect Durant to start the season expect to roll teams like LeBron expected to in 2010?

Wouldn't be surprised if they lose a few games they shouldn't early.

I don't think they win 70 games again. Offense got better but defense got undeniably worse.

We'll still see them in June again, of course.