The Lebron Thread (2015-16 Pt. 3)

JLei · Post #741 » by **JLei** » Thu Jun 2, 2016 7:16 pm

Split-Split-Warriors...

Don't know how the Cavs lose at home in game 6 but I think they do. If it comes back 3-2 Cavs they win the series in 6.

Expecting the Warriors to get their asses handed to them one of the first 2 home games. Some of the lineups Kerr will run in the feeling out stage will get absolutely massacred by the Cavs. They must kill any Speights and Varejao minutes.

PCProductions · Post #742 » by **PCProductions** » Thu Jun 2, 2016 9:13 pm

I wonder what kind of impact Tristan will have this series. He was useless against Toronto, but Golden State might have a problem with his athleticism when we wheel out Varejao, Speights, etc. Even Bogut hasn't been consistent on the defensive glass. I could see him being a matchup problem.

therealbig3 · Post #743 » by **therealbig3** » Thu Jun 2, 2016 9:17 pm

Watching LeBron highlights from last year against GS, and yeah, his lack of a jumper made things tougher than it could have been, but he also wasn't working with a lot of room to operate. Kyrie and Love will definitely make things a lot easier for him offensively.

But I'm sorry, I'm just not a Kyrie believer. Even though the box score says he's playing great, I just don't think he's a positive impact player. I think he stagnates the offense a lot with overdribbling, poor vision, and overshooting, and he gives back a lot on defense. Hopefully, he proves me wrong and we see a great series.

MisterHibachi · Post #744 » by **MisterHibachi** » Thu Jun 2, 2016 10:22 pm

JLei wrote:
MisterHibachi wrote:I think the Warriors' best shot is to win it in 6, and I think they do it.

Even with game 7 on the road, I wouldn't bet against LeBron in a game 7. He's the greatest game 7 player of all time. If it goes 7, I think Cleveland takes it on the road.

Lol What??

When has he ever won a game 7 on the road? And what team loses game 7 at home?

I get what your are saying (Lebron is an animal in elimination games) and yet it still is completely ridiculously wrong haha

Lol I won't defend that statement because its just gut feel type of thing. Yeah, the home team is heavily favoured to win a game 7 but I really think the Cavs would win a game 7 at the Oracle. And yeah I know this sounds crazy lol

MisterHibachi · Post #745 » by **MisterHibachi** » Thu Jun 2, 2016 10:23 pm

Really hoping there's no cramp situation this year.

MisterHibachi · Post #746 » by **MisterHibachi** » Thu Jun 2, 2016 10:29 pm

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=15901710

ceiling raiser · Post #747 » by **ceiling raiser** » Thu Jun 2, 2016 10:29 pm

Is there any chance Cleveland tries to play at a super slow pace again? Minimizing possessions is a high variance strategy, maybe it pays off, even if they have more talent than last year (though OKC succeeded by playing even faster than GS).

yoyoboy wrote:Like it or not, LeBron's "legacy" will either be a lot worse or a lot better a couple weeks from now, depending on the outcome of this series. Unfortunately, narratives fabricated by casual fans dominate how players are largely remembered.

Sad but true. I prefer GS's team and how they run their offense (Steph and Klay making crazy contested threes is fun to watch, but I love when the team is running like a well-oiled machine), but Cleveland winning would be great.

Casuals are hammering LeBron for the last two finals losses in what seem like unwinnable series, on top of 07 and 09. It's not likely, but if he were to beat a 73 win team playing which at a high level, in the Finals, would shift the narrative on him a ton.

JulesWinnfield · Post #748 » by **JulesWinnfield** » Thu Jun 2, 2016 11:11 pm

MisterHibachi wrote:Really hoping there's no cramp situation this year.

Luckily that has only occurred in exceedingly hot environments. Miami on a hot day in the 2012 finals, and of course when the air conditioning broke in San Antonio on a very hot day. It's only 70 degrees in Oakland right now, and Cleveland doesn't figure to approach that type of Miami/SA weather either

dreamshake · Post #749 » by **dreamshake** » Thu Jun 2, 2016 11:14 pm

LeBron's usual mentality is to get teammates (lately Love specifically) going early and let his own scoring come later. If the Warriors start Barnes here, I would be tempted to have LeBron look to attack right away since I expect Iggy to guard him most of the game. A quick scoring burst from LBJ drives and post-ups could help them get off to a good start and quiet the crowd. When Iggy subs in, start feeding Love. Probably won't happen but that's what I would try if I were Lue.

Dupp · Post #750 » by **Dupp** » Thu Jun 2, 2016 11:52 pm

PCProductions wrote:I wonder what kind of impact Tristan will have this series. He was useless against Toronto, but Golden State might have a problem with his athleticism when we wheel out Varejao, Speights, etc. Even Bogut hasn't been consistent on the defensive glass. I could see him being a matchup problem.

That was really TTs first bad playoff series. Bismack was a terrible matchup and just out worked him.
Thompson has to absolutely murder the offensive glass in this series. He is so important.

kayess · Post #751 » by **kayess** » Fri Jun 3, 2016 12:35 am

therealbig3 wrote:Watching LeBron highlights from last year against GS, and yeah, his lack of a jumper made things tougher than it could have been, but he also wasn't working with a lot of room to operate. Kyrie and Love will definitely make things a lot easier for him offensively.

But I'm sorry, I'm just not a Kyrie believer. Even though the box score says he's playing great, I just don't think he's a positive impact player. I think he stagnates the offense a lot with overdribbling, poor vision, and overshooting, and he gives back a lot on defense. Hopefully, he proves me wrong and we see a great series.

Yeah, I think that's close to a consensus here (on Kyrie).

Although he did show flashes in game 6... Seriously, him being able to find a rolling LeBron on even 5-6 PNRs a game is so **** HUGE. You lose the iso bull he pulls, and gives them an almost guaranteed look at the rim (~70% FG) or LeBron passing to an open shooter to beat the help (let's say ~40% FG).

His shooting in isolation will be super important when the Cavs can't buy a bucket and they're walling off the paint because LeBron Ames continues to make an appearance. But aside from that - he'll have to play the defensive series of his **** life too against Steph to not get eaten alive.

toodles23 · Post #752 » by **toodles23** » Fri Jun 3, 2016 1:10 am

Predictions for this series?

JLei · Post #753 » by **JLei** » Fri Jun 3, 2016 1:14 am

Love on Bogut. Warriors pick and roll him first 2 possessions.

Cavs choosing to Blitz with Love both times.

Lebron kills the Iso post with more spacing.

JLei · Post #754 » by **JLei** » Fri Jun 3, 2016 1:15 am

Making Bogut make plays on the catch is a good strategy. Even though he did get that lay up.

JLei · Post #755 » by **JLei** » Fri Jun 3, 2016 1:17 am

Warriors attacking with Barnes on the smaller guys.

Like the strategy of forcing the other dudes to beat you.

JLei · Post #756 » by **JLei** » Fri Jun 3, 2016 1:19 am

Tristan can't back up on that jab step. Force him baseline with your hand up. Do not let him shoot.

toodles23 · Post #757 » by **toodles23** » Fri Jun 3, 2016 1:21 am

Cavs D just looks awful. Hard to imagine them shoring that up at all without giving up too much on the offensive end.

The good news is that Lebron looks really quick today.

MisterHibachi · Post #758 » by **MisterHibachi** » Fri Jun 3, 2016 1:22 am

Scary start.

JLei · Post #759 » by **JLei** » Fri Jun 3, 2016 1:26 am

Barnes going to have a tough series. Bron is like the one dude he can't stop in the post. Barnes is hella strong but Bron is fast and strong. And Love can post too.

Basileus777 · Post #760 » by **Basileus777** » Fri Jun 3, 2016 1:29 am

LeBron is looking great, but Cleveland's defense has been awful. And it's tough to see how their starting lineup can defend this team.