ElPeregrino wrote:emunney wrote:ElPeregrino wrote:The Warriors couldn't beat Cleveland without KD. What were they supposed to do, just sit back and hope that Kyrie and Love get hurt every FInals? The notion that they were unbeatable with KD is only coming out after the season. There were plenty of people who predicted other teams to win the FInals or even the WCF. Interest this season was sky high as evidenced by the Finals ratings being the highest since Jordan's Bulls.
I guess plenty of people thought the Warriors could lose in the same way plenty of people think the world is flat, or is run by a clandestine cabal of lizard men in human suits. Ask everybody a question and you'll get answers you could never dream. Doesn't infringe on reality.
I'll bring up the Vegas odds again. Vegas is a great indicator of public opinion because the books adjust their lines based on where the money comes. Last season, the Warriors were -150 preseason favorites which essentially means Vegas would make money if the Warriors won the Finals less than 60% of the time. Since betting lines are always intended to make Vegas money, it is safe to say the general public felt there was less than a 60% chance of a Warriors championship heading into last season.
Didn't Vegas just open GSW as the largest major sport favorite ever? For last year there was the 'will they fit together' question hanging over at the beginning, that question is cleared up now. I know you're talking about what people thought so Vegas odds are relevant. But If you paid attention to 538 type statistical things, they had it higher than 60%. And going into the Finals I think they had it at 92%.
All that said, if Kawhi doesn't get hurt things might get interesting. If Cavs don't blow game 3 things could get interesting, and if the Cavs would try regular season to get home court it could make it much closer. So I know GSW is a near lock barring injury, but a big addition to Cavs or SAS could at least make things competitive and get those series to more like 60/40 type scenarios instead of 85/15 like now. Something as simple as If Cavs flip Love for George and get home court.
Resident Lillard truther since 2015.