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

[PhilBlackson]

Anyone calling this an easy sweep for the Warriors is not a true basketball fan. Or is just trolling out of pure salt. Let me remind you all that the 8th seeded Clippers took two games off the Warriors in the 1st round. The Warriors also havent faced a defense of this magnitude in years. Id be honestly surprised if this doesnt go 7 games with either team having a 50/50 chance of winning it.

The Rockets have far better defense at guarding the Warriors.

Who is the Raptors small ball center that can guard on the perimiter? They are going to need one to play big minutes this series.

1. Not even remotely true. Raptors have much more length overall nevermind Kawhi Leonard who easily trumps anything HOU had
2. The obvious answer is Serge Ibaka
3. Check the stats...Raps have had THE best defense out anyone this post season, yet again you're making baseless claims

[anatomicbomb]

I never thought about the swell of anti-Warriors fans cheering on the Raptors.

This is intense.

[nikster]

Warriors have more size than folks realize. Look up wing spans of Looney, Iguadala, Green. Klay is 6 7. It will be fairly close, even without KD.

Agree Gasol and kawhi's play will be key. Renting the clutch genes for a push year is paying dividends for Toronto. Good moves/good fortune. Warriors experience key, but showing some age.

Warriors energy levels available the decider IMHO.

Raps are still longer at like every position. Gasol still got a bigger wingspan 7 5" than looney 7 4"and is way taller. Siakam has 5 cm in height and wingspan on Green. Kawhii has 10 cm wingspan advantage over Igoudala. Green has a 6’10 wingspan, he’s longer than Klay.

So roughy 2 inch avg advantage on avg for the players you cherry picked. Klay has a 3 inch wingspan advantage over Lowrey. Boogie has a 1 inch advantage over Gasol. You basically make my point.

I didn’t cherry pick, I just went through them by matchup through the starting lineup. Didn’t think Boogie would be starting. And They’ve roughly got a 2 inch advantage in height and wingspan in that lineup.

[RiseOfTheEmpire]

Gs sweep. Real NBA Finals was Hou GS

Oh yeah, well it sucked. Go Raptors.

[Sprewell4Three]

People that are calling for to sweep the Raptors are obviously trolling. The Raptors have Kawhi who’s arguably the best player in the game today . The Raptors have length and defenders at each position. Raptors in 6 or 7.

[sca]

Clippers ORTG (regular season): 112.4
Clippers ORTG (vs. GSW, 1st rnd): 112.3
Difference: -0.1

Rockets ORTG (regular season): 115.5
Rockets ORTG (vs. GSW, 2nd rnd): 113.8
Difference: -1.7

TrailBlazers ORTG (regular season): 114.7
TrailBlazers ORTG (vs. GSW, WCF): 106.8
Difference: -7.9

———

Clippers DRTG (regular season): 111.5
Clippers DRTG (vs. GSW, 1st rnd): 121.9
Difference: +10.4

Rockets DRTG (regular season): 110.7
Rockets DRTG (vs. GSW, 2nd rnd): 115.7
Difference: +5.0

TrailBlazers DRTG (regular season): 110.5
TrailBlazers DRTG (vs. GSW, WCF): 116.4
Difference: +5.9

—————

Magic ORTG (regular season): 108.9
Magic ORTG (vs. TOR, 1st rnd): 96.3
Difference: -12.6

Sixers ORTG (regular season): 112.6
Sixers ORTG (vs. TOR, 2nd rnd): 105.1
Difference: -7.5

Bucks ORTG (regular season): 113.8
Bucks ORTG (vs. TOR, WCF): 107.2
Difference: -6.6

———

Magic DRTG (regular season): 108.1
Magic DRTG (vs. TOR, 1st rnd): 111.4
Difference: +3.3

Sixers DRTG (regular season): 110.0
Sixers DRTG (vs. TOR, 2nd rnd): 108.0
Difference: -2.0

Bucks DRTG (regular season): 105.2
Bucks DRTG (vs. TOR, WCF): 108.2
Difference: +3.0

—————

Totals:
GSW (WCQF): +10.5
GSW (WCSF): +6.7
GSW (WCF): +13.8
GSW (TOT): +31.0

TOR (ECQF): +15.9
TOR (ECSF): +5.5
TOR (ECF): +9.6
TOR (TOT): +31.0

I’ve come up with a strange way of comparing the play-off strength of teams. It’s probably not great, but the Warriors’ D apparently benefited from not having Kevin Durant.

[RiseOfTheEmpire]

Gsw sweep. This isn't even close, raps don't have the guards to run around chasing the splash brothers

Nah. Especially with no Durant ?

Who's not gonna guard Durant in the locker room?



Who's the little bastard who likes to dodge guarding pick and rolls and runs to the corner of the court on a switch to have nothing to do with the ball handler, like he's about to get jumped by some dark skinned brothers?



Sick of **** poutine, The Klaw is coming for some Curry chicken.

For orange and blue selfish reasons I want to see GSW win so Durant has even more incentive to leave ...but I hope Raptors give them hell, it would be an incredible run for them, especially if they have to deal with Kawhi bouncing.

[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.

Are you the same guy who predicted Bucks would sweep Raps and even while up 3-2 thought they would come back. All your posts prove to have an anti-Toronto narrative.

Let me ask you this, with Durant out at least 2 games (and possibly the series) who is GSW's second option outside of Curry?
- Don't tell me Klay, man can't take more than 4 consecutive dribbles to save his life

I never predicted the Bucks would sweep. Maybe after going 2-0 but so did everyone at that point. Pre-series: No.

The Bucks and Raptors were always a toss up. The Bucks had the better slightly team on paper. But I overestimated how great Giannis was. His lack of jump shot really killed his team.

Me choosing the Warriors here doesn't mean I'm anti anyone. They are the heavy favorites. They have the two best players in the series. And unlike the Bucks and Raptors, they have no weakness' on offense and play elite defense. They are on a whole other level from both of these teams.

[SFour]

I wonder who the Raptors put Kawhi on since KD is not playing....do they put him on Klay and shut him down, or Curry.

[MindState]

Anyone calling this an easy sweep for the Warriors is not a true basketball fan. Or is just trolling out of pure salt. Let me remind you all that the 8th seeded Clippers took two games off the Warriors in the 1st round. The Warriors also havent faced a defense of this magnitude in years. Id be honestly surprised if this doesnt go 7 games with either team having a 50/50 chance of winning it.

The Rockets have far better defense at guarding the Warriors.

Who is the Raptors small ball center that can guard on the perimiter? They are going to need one to play big minutes this series.

1. Not even remotely true. Raptors have much more length overall nevermind Kawhi Leonard who easily trumps anything HOU had
2. The obvious answer is Serge Ibaka
3. Check the stats...Raps have had THE best defense out anyone this post season, yet again you're making baseless claims

Serge Ibaka is not a small ball center. Not even close.

I never said the Raptors werent a good defensive team, but the Rockets from top to bottom have been the #1 defense against the warriors for years, and have proved it in the playoffs.

[clyde21]

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

here's a question...who has Draymond ever injured?

[MindState]

I wonder who the Raptors put Kawhi on since KD is not playing....do they put him on Klay and shut him down, or Curry.

Kawhi on one leg is not shutting anyone down, especially guards that run off of screens.

Giannis shut himself down with his inability to shoot, and it was a team defensive effort. For the most part, Kawhi has been a team defender. I cant recall many 1 on 1 defensive stops by Kawhi all playoffs. He cant carry the Raptors on offense and also exert max effort on defense. Its not going to happen.

[NiL8r87]

I wonder who the Raptors put Kawhi on since KD is not playing....do they put him on Klay and shut him down, or Curry.

Kawhi on one leg is not shutting anyone down, especially guards that run off of screens.

Giannis shut himself down with his inability to shoot, and it was a team defensive effort. For the most part, Kawhi has been a team defender. I cant recall many 1 on 1 defensive stops by Kawhi all playoffs. He cant carry the Raptors on offense and also exert max effort on defense. Its not going to happen.

Lol.

[will]

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

here's a question...who has Draymond ever injured?

The big hack on YOnas's hand this past regular season that put him out for weeks comes to mind..

[Shock Defeat]

Gs sweep. Real NBA Finals was Hou GS

houston were trash caompred to thebucks or the raptors in the regular season and the playoffs.

The bucks beat the celtics in 5. Jazz are as good if not better than the Celtics and they also won in 5. What the Bucks and Raptors did against the Pistons or Magic does not count. Then they faced one another. The only way to compare how good those teams are vs Houston is by how Toronto fares against GS, the common opponent.

[SFour]

I wonder who the Raptors put Kawhi on since KD is not playing....do they put him on Klay and shut him down, or Curry.

Kawhi on one leg is not shutting anyone down, especially guards that run off of screens.

Giannis shut himself down with his inability to shoot, and it was a team defensive effort. For the most part, Kawhi has been a team defender. I cant recall many 1 on 1 defensive stops by Kawhi all playoffs. He cant carry the Raptors on offense and also exert max effort on defense. Its not going to happen.

ok bud. look at the numbers, look at what Kawhi has done against Giannis, Ben Simmons, Khris Middleton, Aaron Gordon, Malcolm Brogdon, Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris, Eric Bledsoe https://stats.nba.com/player/202695/matchups/?Season=2018-19&SeasonType=Playoffs&Matchup=Defense&PerMode=Totals

[clyde21]

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

here's a question...who has Draymond ever injured?

The big hack on YOnas's hand this past regular season that put him out for weeks comes to mind..

You mean the one that was by complete accident?

[6ix]

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

here's a question...who has Draymond ever injured?

Draymond is going to see a lot of Ibaka. Ibaka ain’t scared of anyone.

[MindState]

I wonder who the Raptors put Kawhi on since KD is not playing....do they put him on Klay and shut him down, or Curry.

Kawhi on one leg is not shutting anyone down, especially guards that run off of screens.

Giannis shut himself down with his inability to shoot, and it was a team defensive effort. For the most part, Kawhi has been a team defender. I cant recall many 1 on 1 defensive stops by Kawhi all playoffs. He cant carry the Raptors on offense and also exert max effort on defense. Its not going to happen.

ok bud. look at the numbers, look at what Kawhi has done against Giannis, Ben Simmons, Khris Middleton, Aaron Gordon, Malcolm Brogdon, Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris, Eric Bledsoe https://stats.nba.com/player/202695/matchups/?Season=2018-19&SeasonType=Playoffs&Matchup=Defense&PerMode=Totals

Hes not the same Kawhi Leonard as in earlier rounds in the playoffs. What he was able to do last night was commendable. But he is playing through injury right now. Also, Giannis cant shoot, thats not Kawhis fault.

[SFour]

Kawhi on one leg is not shutting anyone down, especially guards that run off of screens.

Giannis shut himself down with his inability to shoot, and it was a team defensive effort. For the most part, Kawhi has been a team defender. I cant recall many 1 on 1 defensive stops by Kawhi all playoffs. He cant carry the Raptors on offense and also exert max effort on defense. Its not going to happen.

ok bud. look at the numbers, look at what Kawhi has done against Giannis, Ben Simmons, Khris Middleton, Aaron Gordon, Malcolm Brogdon, Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris, Eric Bledsoe https://stats.nba.com/player/202695/matchups/?Season=2018-19&SeasonType=Playoffs&Matchup=Defense&PerMode=Totals

Hes not the same Kawhi Leonard as in earlier rounds in the playoffs. What he was able to do last night was commendable. But he is playing through injury right now. Also, Giannis cant shoot, thats not Kawhis fault.

Kawhi is going to have 5 days off....he'll be ready to go game 1.