ECF: | (1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs (2) Toronto Raptors | CLE 2-1

[ppedro123]

Right now the Cavs have the best player in LeBron but if he can be kept to the season average" LeBron" frankly Cleveland isn't scary.

Oh God, haha.

[Hero]

I'd argue Jordan took more abuse going to the rim in the 80s than LeBron has in his career. Granted, it's largely due to the rule changes but that doesn't particularly matter in this discussion.

His 'Jordan Rules' series alone against the Pistons backs this argument.

Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk

Please.LeBron has to deal with a very physical game and on top of it the refs don't call it fair with him. Of course he is going to do what he has to. Every smart player embellishes contact these days.

[Vlade Divac]

Pretty funny that Raptors fans are calling the refs out for being bias in favour of the Cavs and some of their fans denying it when in a lot of Warriors threads this year and last years Finals a lot of their talk was how the refs were always in the Warriors pockets and the Cavs didn't get a benefit.

Are you sure these were Raptors fan? Frankly I do not know any Raps fan who would be fan of Cleveland (Miami and NYK for that matter too).

[XxIronChainzxX]

Pretty funny that Raptors fans are calling the refs out for being bias in favour of the Cavs and some of their fans denying it when in a lot of Warriors threads this year and last years Finals a lot of their talk was how the refs were always in the Warriors pockets and the Cavs didn't get a benefit.

Are you sure these were Raptors fan? Frankly I do not know any Raps fan who would be fan of Cleveland (Miami and NYK for that matter too).

I think you're misreading the post - it's just the usual "it's hypocritical when fans complain about not getting calls and also complain about other fans complaining about not getting calls."

[Jadoogar]

if you were to rank the 5 best players on each of these ECF teams it would look something like this:

1.Lebron
2.Valanciunas
3.Lowry
4.Derozan
5.Irving
6.Love
7/8.Carroll/Smith
9/10.Biyombo/Thompson

not sure why people think the talent disparity between the two teams is so big.

Lol what universe are you living in?

[Geddy]

Only Raptors fans could go on crying about the refs this long when THEY WON, dear lord get over it, they were bad both ways and you won, it did not cost TOR the game in game 3. TOR had a good game, CLE played poor, it's 2-1, get over it already.

yeah, they also complained forever after game 7 against the heat. there's something wrong with the mentality of most torontonians. They seem to really enjoy the narrative that they are overlooked or snubbed or somehow treated unfairly.

I honestly think it has to do with our local Raptors commentators and how they are probably some of the biggest homers as far as team commentators go. For the past few seasons it has been their schtick to complain about calls or missed calls on every single play. If a Raptors player misses a shot, Matt Devlin will say something like "there was contact, no call" or if a Raptors player commits a foul they will whine about how that's just a "play on" situation. Of course fans keep hearing this and believe that there is some kind of bias against the Raptors and then start micro-analyzing every play in slow motion to find foul calls.

As soon as I started watching the broadcast last night I noticed that the commentators were bitching about refs right off the bat in the first quarter. I'm glad I switched to the ESPN feed shortly after as it made for a much more enjoyable watching. I'm guessing if Raptors fans started watching other feeds for Raptors games they wouldn't be complaining about ref conspiracies so much.

[Vee-Rex]

Did someone say the calls we're as bad as LAL and Sac???

Lolol. No wonder why some Heat fans keep trying to trash Raps fans.

[Vlade Divac]

Only Raptors fans could go on crying about the refs this long when THEY WON, dear lord get over it, they were bad both ways and you won, it did not cost TOR the game in game 3. TOR had a good game, CLE played poor, it's 2-1, get over it already.

yeah, they also complained forever after game 7 against the heat. there's something wrong with the mentality of most torontonians. They seem to really enjoy the narrative that they are overlooked or snubbed or somehow treated unfairly.

I honestly think it has to do with our local Raptors commentators and how they are probably some of the biggest homers as far as team commentators go. For the past few seasons it has been their schtick to complain about calls or missed calls on every single play. If a Raptors player misses a shot, Matt Devlin will say something like "there was contact, no call" or if a Raptors player commits a foul they will whine about how that's just a "play on" situation. Of course fans keep hearing this and believe that there is some kind of bias against the Raptors and then start micro-analyzing every play in slow motion to find foul calls.

As soon as I started watching the broadcast last night I noticed that the commentators were bitching about refs right off the bat in the first quarter. I'm glad I switched to the ESPN feed shortly after as it made for a much more enjoyable watching. I'm guessing if Raptors fans started watching other feeds for Raptors games they wouldn't be complaining about ref conspiracies so much.

In one aspect you are 100% right. Raptors TV crew is as bad as you can get. But not because of their homerism but generally they are just bad.

On the other hand, I ABSOLUTELY disagree that they are biggest homers!!! I do watch A LOT of local broadcasts of different teams. I am convinced that in terms of homerism Raps TV crews rank very high on list of not so biased commentators, if there is any in NBA. I mean, come on, have you ever listen Boston, Cleveland, Lakers, Huston, Charlotte, Miami, name it. They might have more insightful comments, but in terms of homerism they beat Raps crews any day.

[NinjaBro]

Only Raptors fans could go on crying about the refs this long when THEY WON, dear lord get over it, they were bad both ways and you won, it did not cost TOR the game in game 3. TOR had a good game, CLE played poor, it's 2-1, get over it already.

yeah, they also complained forever after game 7 against the heat. there's something wrong with the mentality of most torontonians. They seem to really enjoy the narrative that they are overlooked or snubbed or somehow treated unfairly.

I honestly think it has to do with our local Raptors commentators and how they are probably some of the biggest homers as far as team commentators go. For the past few seasons it has been their schtick to complain about calls or missed calls on every single play. If a Raptors player misses a shot, Matt Devlin will say something like "there was contact, no call" or if a Raptors player commits a foul they will whine about how that's just a "play on" situation. Of course fans keep hearing this and believe that there is some kind of bias against the Raptors and then start micro-analyzing every play in slow motion to find foul calls.

As soon as I started watching the broadcast last night I noticed that the commentators were bitching about refs right off the bat in the first quarter. I'm glad I switched to the ESPN feed shortly after as it made for a much more enjoyable watching. I'm guessing if Raptors fans started watching other feeds for Raptors games they wouldn't be complaining about ref conspiracies so much.

You would have a point except for the fact that on the ESPN broadcast JVG and company called out all the bad calls the refs were making against the Raptors all game long. More so than any raptor games I've seen from our "homer" announcers . Those 2 phantom fouls on Lowry early in the game changed the complexion of the game as the raps had to take Lowry out. It could've went really badly but the raps were able to overcome that. I thought the ESPN crew was rather fair and called it like they saw it and went to the replays to back it up instead of running away from it.

At the end of the day, superstar calls are bad overall for the league. I can't for the life of me get members of my family to watch the NBA. They think it's corrupt as hell. We're all basketball fans here so we put up more than your average casual viewer. Imagine the viewer who watches games and bets on it, I can't imagine how frustrating it is for them. Hence why I would never bet on NBA games. The refs have so much influence on the outcome of the game. One or two bad calls can sink a team. Bad officiating needs to be called out and we should make our voices heard. Good things happen when enough people speak up. Hopefully the NBA will one day add call challenges by the coaches and do something about the constant flopping done by EVERY team in the NBA.
Don't know why so many of you are so salty about it just because it's happening to the Raptors. Bad officiating hurts everyone.

[JustLucky]

I mean casters should be hommers imo..

They are entertainers play to your crowd. I never understood the forum bashing on homer commentators. I LIKE THOSE PEOPLE

I found myself getting bored of the espn/abc casts and switching back to the regular raptor channels. They were fine a nice change of pace but kind of generic and unexciting to what im used too.

There is nothing wrong with being a hommer just know you are one and act rationally most of the time =]

[Obi-One]

Cavs in 5

[gom]

Congratulations to the Raptors for arriving to the Eastern Conference Finals. Defense was very good last night. Keep it up!

[TheDavinciCHODE]

Doesn't Lebron realize that flopping is hurting his image and brand.

Yeah flopping is killing his billion dollar shoe deal, film career, multiple-MVP winning, two-time champion, all-time great, one of the richest athletes on Earth career.

Lebron could pee all over puppies while bricking free throws in game 7 and blowing his nose on an elderly AIDS patient in the front row and still be fine.

[Bourne85]

I chalk that game up to a lucky win for the the Raps.

I mean Derozan shooting over 50%? That is more rare than throwing a no hitter.

Biyombo had his one lil fluke game. All the Cavs were off. What was it 4-28 or some nonsense like that?

First ECF game at home for the Raps.

I expect Cavs to win tomorrow in convincing fashion. And wrap this "series" up in 5.

[Latrell]

Only Raptors fans could go on crying about the refs this long when THEY WON, dear lord get over it, they were bad both ways and you won, it did not cost TOR the game in game 3. TOR had a good game, CLE played poor, it's 2-1, get over it already.

yeah, they also complained forever after game 7 against the heat. there's something wrong with the mentality of most torontonians. They seem to really enjoy the narrative that they are overlooked or snubbed or somehow treated unfairly.

I honestly think it has to do with our local Raptors commentators and how they are probably some of the biggest homers as far as team commentators go. For the past few seasons it has been their schtick to complain about calls or missed calls on every single play. If a Raptors player misses a shot, Matt Devlin will say something like "there was contact, no call" or if a Raptors player commits a foul they will whine about how that's just a "play on" situation. Of course fans keep hearing this and believe that there is some kind of bias against the Raptors and then start micro-analyzing every play in slow motion to find foul calls.

As soon as I started watching the broadcast last night I noticed that the commentators were bitching about refs right off the bat in the first quarter. I'm glad I switched to the ESPN feed shortly after as it made for a much more enjoyable watching. I'm guessing if Raptors fans started watching other feeds for Raptors games they wouldn't be complaining about ref conspiracies so much.

Most local broadcast crews are homers. Only reason this is an issue is because most people in Canada are still subjected to Matt and Leo . I don't **** understand why they can't just simulcast the ESPN feed and tell Matt and Leo to take an early vacation.

[Latrell]

Only Raptors fans could go on crying about the refs this long when THEY WON, dear lord get over it, they were bad both ways and you won, it did not cost TOR the game in game 3. TOR had a good game, CLE played poor, it's 2-1, get over it already.

yeah, they also complained forever after game 7 against the heat. there's something wrong with the mentality of most torontonians. They seem to really enjoy the narrative that they are overlooked or snubbed or somehow treated unfairly.

I honestly think it has to do with our local Raptors commentators and how they are probably some of the biggest homers as far as team commentators go. For the past few seasons it has been their schtick to complain about calls or missed calls on every single play. If a Raptors player misses a shot, Matt Devlin will say something like "there was contact, no call" or if a Raptors player commits a foul they will whine about how that's just a "play on" situation. Of course fans keep hearing this and believe that there is some kind of bias against the Raptors and then start micro-analyzing every play in slow motion to find foul calls.

As soon as I started watching the broadcast last night I noticed that the commentators were bitching about refs right off the bat in the first quarter. I'm glad I switched to the ESPN feed shortly after as it made for a much more enjoyable watching. I'm guessing if Raptors fans started watching other feeds for Raptors games they wouldn't be complaining about ref conspiracies so much.

Breen/JVG/Jackson were criticizing LeBron's flopping just as much as Matt and Leo last night. I know you're a LeBron super fan but 99% of the world could see his blatant flops.

[7 Footer]

Yeah it was. Just start fining the stars and get it out of the game.

It is hard for officials though. The lebron one was 100% a flop but ones where a player takes a charge and doesnt brace himself so he falls straight back are fine by me.

What is a fine going to do? You think LeBron gives a crap about 5k? 10k? That's cup holder change to him.

Not a big financial hit but more the embarrassment of officially being labeled a flopper i think is a decent deterrent.

but we all know that rule doesn't apply to superstars. On so many occasions Superstars have flopped but not a single fine was handed out. The Nba made a rule but don't even implement it properly.

[nbafan341]

Hmm I dont know why a lot of people are saying Kyrie and Love wont play this bad.
Just because they've not shot the ball that poorly all playoffs does not mean they were just off. The raptors defence has been great, and putting joseph on irving really helped. I always thought joseph was our best defender. TO be fair doe, there were some open shots from irving where peopel were late on rotation and irving still missed em. Maybe he'll make a few more next time, but you got to give the raptors defence credit. Casey made great adjustments, demar played an efficient game, and casey even called out the refs. Whether you wanna acknowledge it or not, despite how poorly the raptors played the first 2 games, there was an extensive favour of the whistle and neglect for the cavs and raps respectively. They wouldnt have gotten hammered that bad despite lowry playing like crap for the first two games.

Toronto gets zero respect. People were counting them out from the 1st round, not being able to beat indiana.
People were saying they were going to get swept by the heat.
Peopel were upset that the wade vs lebron series never happened.
people were saying lebron and his team would sweep the raptors.

Listen, if you win 56 games and miss two key players for most of the season ( valancuinas and carroll) and you manage to have a top 4 record in the NBA, a winning record against the west, a winning record against all the top 4 teams in the league collectively ( CLEV/GS/SA/OKC) you must be good.

People need to give the raptors some acknowledgement man, their team deserves it, theyve earned the respect. Keep in mind, the raptors were the only team to hand the cavs a loss in the post season thus far without arguably their BEST ( valancuinas) player.

[rcfc1]

This should be a suspension. That's just bush league.

Oh no, what will the Cavs do with Dahntay Jones out of the game!?

It's not about that. It's about the principle. If they want to pull another gimmick like this, sending in a thug, then they can lose two players. Given that Delly was never suspended last year though...

[7 Footer]

Yeah it was. Just start fining the stars and get it out of the game.

It is hard for officials though. The lebron one was 100% a flop but ones where a player takes a charge and doesnt brace himself so he falls straight back are fine by me.

What is a fine going to do? You think LeBron gives a crap about 5k? 10k? That's cup holder change to him.

I always thought fines should be a % of player salary to make it fair.

It should just be a Technical foul straight up. I mean, a player can flop on a crucial play and end up winning the game, he'll pay the fine but got the W. Happened so many times in the playoffs where every possession is critical. A fine after the game doesn't really do much if that player flopped and helped his team win. Straight up Technical foul right then and there, make it impact the game. 5k, 10k...these guys wipe the butts with that.