2019 NBA Finals Thread, Part 1 | Golden State Warriors vs Toronto Raptors

[Optms]

I'll just say GS is certainly not a lock to win it without KD and truly laughable that anyone picks a sweep.

For those of you that haven't caught on yet with Simmons, Butler, Giannis, Middleton...whoever you run your offense through, Kawhi turns that off and forces someone else to ignite that team, good luck doing that consistently an entire series. It's why this will be at best a tough fought series for GS and at worst will have the NBA world stunned when they realize what happened.

Its the other way around.

The Raptors haven't encountered a flawless offensive star (Curry) or a flawless offensive scheme which is virtually impossible to shut down due to the precision of ball movement, player movement, screens, and shot accuracy from all over the court. Dubs have faced elite D of this magnitude in years past. So the Raptors aren't going to throw anything at them that they haven't seen before. The Raptors are the untested ones here.

It should be noted that while everyone is riding high on the win last night, the reality is that outside of Kawhi, the Raptors still don't have a legitimate second option and altogether are huge unknowns heading into the series (Nurse included), it would not shock me to see the W's finish this off in 5. And while the "Dubs in 5" may not be the popular choice now, it will surprise no one if that outcomes comes to fruition.

[PhilBlackson]

I'll just say GS is certainly not a lock to win it without KD and truly laughable that anyone picks a sweep.

For those of you that haven't caught on yet with Simmons, Butler, Giannis, Middleton...whoever you run your offense through, Kawhi turns that off and forces someone else to ignite that team, good luck doing that consistently an entire series. It's why this will be at best a tough fought series for GS and at worst will have the NBA world stunned when they realize what happened.

Its the other way around.

The Raptors haven't encountered a flawless offensive star (Curry) or a flawless offensive scheme which is virtually impossible to shut down due to the precision of ball movement, player movement, screens, and shot accuracy from all over the court. Dubs have faced elite D of this magnitude in years past. So the Raptors aren't going to throw anything at them that they haven't seen before. The Raptors are the untested ones here.

Untested lol ok, we'll see...

[xdrta+]

All I know is that Warriors aren't beating the Raptors in a 7 game series without KD. That Portland series has everyone overrating them just a bit....just like how the Bucks dominated the Pistons and Celtics & everyone assumed that they would do the same to the Raptors....that **** isn't impressive.

According to many on RGM, the Warriors have been overrated for years, none of their titles are legit, and they're about to meet their demise every June. Then they luck out, somehow. It would be disappointing if it weren't the same conversation this year.

[Red Shoelace]

Warriors in 4. Series is done before it starts. Curry and Klay gonna kill the Raptors zone.

Why would we play zone against GSW? We have an adaptable coach who gameplans vs opponent. We also have the best playoff defense your team has faced in the last 5 years.

Here we go again Raptors fam.

[Baski]

Most important thing will be if Draymond injures anyone on the Raptors. If he doesn't then we have a shot. But I think there is a high likelihood that he intentionally hammers on Lowry's injured left hand the same way he did when Jonas came back from being injured by him. smashed straight at it with intent to injure again. they better wrap lowry's hand in metal.

Yup. This is very possible. Green isn't above anything if it means he might win. I'd look for it if the Warriors are down and look vulnerable

[duppyy]

Have to watch out for donkey kicks.

Don't know how this series will turn out, head says warriors but heart says raps. We were considered underdogs in 2 of the 3 playoff series and won. Lets hope this won't be any different.

[SFour]

All I know is that Warriors aren't beating the Raptors in a 7 game series without KD. That Portland series has everyone overrating them just a bit....just like how the Bucks dominated the Pistons and Celtics & everyone assumed that they would do the same to the Raptors....that **** isn't impressive.

According to many on RGM, the Warriors have been overrated for years, none of their titles are legit, and they're about to meet their demise every June. Then they luck out, somehow. It would be disappointing if it weren't the same conversation this year.

They're still the team to beat year after year...but if you think the Warriors are sweeping this series without KD, then yes I believe that they're being overrated in that regard, just because they looked amazing versus the Blazers...also lets not forget Blazers had three 17 point leads against them.

[igorbianch]

GSW is being overrated after that Portlant series.

They played 6 games against Houston, all of them were extremely close.

Theyre still the favourites but no reason to believe theyre going to destroy the Raptors.

[Tha King]

The Raptors match up fairly well defensively against the Durant-less Warriors. Curry, and to a lesser extent Klay, will get theirs but the Raptors have high quality defenders to throw at them and the rest of the Warriors are not as threatening offensively (shooting or in isolation) as what the Raptors played against the last two rounds.

This should be a great series if Durant doesn't play.

[MindState]

The Raptors match up fairly well defensively against the Durant-less Warriors. Curry, and to a lesser extent Klay, will get theirs but the Raptors have high quality defenders to throw at them and the rest of the Warriors are not as threatening offensively (shooting or in isolation) as what the Raptors played against the last two rounds.

This should be a great series if Durant doesn't play.

The Bucks and Sixers were completey inept offensively. Watching the games they resembled a high school team on that end of the floor. Zero game plan.

[tradejosehesux]

Not calling anyone out itt, but not sure why some are saying Warriors in 4 or 5. Clips and Rockets took them to 6, Portland was their easiest matchup.

[MindState]

Not calling anyone out itt, but not sure why some are saying Warriors in 4 or 5. Clips and Rockets took them to 6, Portland was their easiest matchup.

Rockets were the second best team in the league. Their entire gameplan and roster was constructed to challenge the warriors as well. It was expected to be a long series.

[XxIronChainzxX]

With that being said

I’m going to believe in kawhi
I’m going to believe in the underdog story
I’m going to believe in The Raptors

Raptors in 7, they win it on the Road like the Cavaliers did

Join the club of shocking the world

Raptors have home court.

Wow how the f

So kawhi has HCA

Raptors have the head to head tiebreaker because they won 2-0 in the RS and I think they won 1 or 2 more games overall. This will be the first time GSW doesn’t have HCA.

[AK47MVP]

Rockets were the second best team in the league.

[MindState]

The key to beating the warriors is by slowing down the pace, and ISOing Curry or their weakest defender every single time down the court. You also need elite defense and grab/hold their guards. You wont have the energy to play this type of defense if you also play fast on offense.

Raptors must switch everything on D, and have Kawhi ISO curry every time down the court. They need to slow the pace way down and make it a grindy game.

[XxIronChainzxX]

With that being said

I’m going to believe in kawhi
I’m going to believe in the underdog story
I’m going to believe in The Raptors

Raptors in 7, they win it on the Road like the Cavaliers did

Join the club of shocking the world

Raptors have home court.

So did the bucks

[will]

Warriors in 4. Series is done before it starts. Curry and Klay gonna kill the Raptors zone.

Why would we play zone against GSW? We have an adaptable coach who gameplans vs opponent. We also have the best playoff defense your team has faced in the last 5 years.

Here we go again Raptors fam.

Talk that talk, Red Shoelace!

[PhilBlackson]

Not calling anyone out itt, but not sure why some are saying Warriors in 4 or 5. Clips and Rockets took them to 6, Portland was their easiest matchup.

Rockets were the second best team in the league. Their entire gameplan and roster was constructed to challenge the warriors as well. It was expected to be a long series.

Rockets weren't by any metric/stat the 2nd best team (not even top 3), this is baseless claim made off a reputation from the previous season and while the narrative is their roster was constructed to do so, I believe it's a falsehood when a) they don't have the overall length to defend the Warriors B) their superstar has a tendency to shrink in big moments not rise to them

[Vampirate]

I'll just say GS is certainly not a lock to win it without KD and truly laughable that anyone picks a sweep.

For those of you that haven't caught on yet with Simmons, Butler, Giannis, Middleton...whoever you run your offense through, Kawhi turns that off and forces someone else to ignite that team, good luck doing that consistently an entire series. It's why this will be at best a tough fought series for GS and at worst will have the NBA world stunned when they realize what happened.

Its the other way around.

The Raptors haven't encountered a flawless offensive star (Curry) or a flawless offensive scheme which is virtually impossible to shut down due to the precision of ball movement, player movement, screens, and shot accuracy from all over the court. Dubs have faced elite D of this magnitude in years past. So the Raptors aren't going to throw anything at them that they haven't seen before. The Raptors are the untested ones here.

It should be noted that while everyone is riding high on the win last night, the reality is that outside of Kawhi, the Raptors still don't have a legitimate second option and altogether are huge unknowns heading into the series (Nurse included), it would not shock me to see the W's finish this off in 5. And while the "Dubs in 5" may not be the popular choice now, it will surprise no one if that outcomes comes to fruition.

Curry isn't a perfect offensive star, I do think he can be contained (his weakness is his height imo)

Anyways I have Dubs in 5, but I had the Bucks in 5 last series and that didn't happen so who knows.

I do believe the Raptors represent the toughest challenge to score against as I would at least have to put them on the Rockets level in terms of defense.

Overall I look at it like this.

If the Raptors get swept, they are just a better version of Portland overall.

Win 1 game and they are above Portland but below the Clippers and Rockets who managed to win 2 games.

If the Raptors win 2 they are on Equal Ground with the Rockets and Clippers.

If the Raptors win 2 against both a KD less and the Warriors with KD they are above the Rockets as the Rockets didn't beat the Warriors without KD.

Win 3 and it's the best opponent the Warriors have faced in the playoffs.

Win 4 and they are the Champions.

[everdiso]

I'll just say GS is certainly not a lock to win it without KD and truly laughable that anyone picks a sweep.

For those of you that haven't caught on yet with Simmons, Butler, Giannis, Middleton...whoever you run your offense through, Kawhi turns that off and forces someone else to ignite that team, good luck doing that consistently an entire series. It's why this will be at best a tough fought series for GS and at worst will have the NBA world stunned when they realize what happened.

Its the other way around.

The Raptors haven't encountered a flawless offensive star (Curry) or a flawless offensive scheme which is virtually impossible to shut down due to the precision of ball movement, player movement, screens, and shot accuracy from all over the court. Dubs have faced elite D of this magnitude in years past. So the Raptors aren't going to throw anything at them that they haven't seen before. The Raptors are the untested ones here.

It should be noted that while everyone is riding high on the win last night, the reality is that outside of Kawhi, the Raptors still don't have a legitimate second option and altogether are huge unknowns heading into the series (Nurse included), it would not shock me to see the W's finish this off in 5. And while the "Dubs in 5" may not be the popular choice now, it will surprise no one if that outcomes comes to fruition.

Kawhi REGS 26.6ppg, 28.2per36, 60.6ts% / PLYF 31.2ppg, 29.0per36, 62.3ts%
Curry REGS 27.3ppg, 29.1per36, 64.1ts% / PLYF 27.3ppg, 26.4per36, 63.0ts%

Siakam REGS 16.9ppg, 19.1per36, 62.8ts% / PLYF 18.7ppg, 18.6per36, 53.3ts%
Klay REGS 21.5ppg, 22.8per36, 57.1ts% / PLYF 19.1ppg, 17.4per36, 53.3ts%

Lowry REGS 14.2ppg, 15.1per36, 56.2ts% / PLYF 14.7ppg, 14.1per36, 58.6ts%
Dray REGS 7.4ppg, 8.5per36, 52.6ts% / PLYF 13.6ppg, 13.0per36, 56.8ts%

not really sure the warriors have the edge when it comes to their 2nd scoring option, tbh.