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

[B-Ball Freak]

Im concerned about Kawhi. He looked like he was 60 years old by Game 3 of the last series. Front rimming shots and had zero lift/explosion. Is this guy going to hold up over a finals series? He needs to average 35-40 a night and play 44 minutes.

You sir are delusional/trolling, whatever makes you feel confident heading into the Finals I guess

Same poster who had this nugget of wisdom:

Bunch of clowns man

[Matt800]

Juggernaut...I won't say it cuz James already did...They won the WCF in a sweep!!...In Portland, one of the toughest places in the NBA to play...I saw that weak bench last series...We shall see...Better win game 1!

Blazers aren't a WCF level team, at least not without Nurkic.....Rockets vs Warriors was the real WCF. And I agree Raptors better win game 1 since KD isn't playing...and game 2. because if/when KD comes back things will get a lot tougher.

It was still impressive, and they finished the Rockets off on the road too...Don't know how any sports fan could underestimate the Warriors at this point....

I think it's a big assumption that somehow the Blazers aren't good and everyone they beat also is not good. I think it is more likely that the Warriors have been playing like this season is a marathon while everyone else is sprinting and turned it up to play very well against the Blazers. I think the Warriors are in a league of their own.

[BBallchallenged]

Raptors were also huge underdogs against the Bucks...truth is, without KD the Warriors are in for a tough battle and that will be very evident after game 1. Kawhi is out for revenge, just remember that.

G.S. would have beaten the Bucks too...Let's not act like the Warriors are just another Eastern playoff team that you're underrated against...I know Toronto has overcome a lot...But you guys are playing the big boys now...G.S. is on a mission as well...You remember that...Game one is a must win for Toronto..MUST WIN!

Lets not act like the Warriors without KD are some juggernaut...Curry/Klay/Draymond are 1-1 in the finals without KD. Now the bench is weaker...Iggy & Livingston are older, no more Harrison Barnes or Barbosa. It's literally 3 starters and a bunch of bench players.

If KD comes back soon then yes the Raptors don't have much of a chance...but without KD I'm not scared at all. I still got Raps in 6/7, so it's not like I'm disrespecting the KD-less Warriors that much...I still got respect for Curry/Klay/Draymond.

LOL. Keep telling yourself that. Not just 3 starters. They are 3 all stars with the last 4 Finals appearances behind them. That is no accident. Barnes is probably a top 3 significant reason they lost the Finals in 2016, that's not going to hurt them without him here.

[dred926]

People saying that the blazers is equal to bucks or philly.

if anything the blazers would have problems dealing with orlando ... this season ...

its okay to give warriors the edge even without KD.. but for those who think that this will be a sweep anyone willing to take a wager on it ? paypal payment system ? if you really have the balls ..

Raptors is the best defensive team in the league... granted klay draymond and andre are great on defense .. the raptors starting 5 including their bench everyone plays defense

and i would choose the lowry kawhi siakam danny green gasol over klay draymond andre and bell ..

bench power is almost equal lets not act like looney is better than ibaka and cook is better than FVV ... livingston is not better than powell

the coach yes advantage to kerr but nick nurse is very underrated ...

[SFour]

G.S. would have beaten the Bucks too...Let's not act like the Warriors are just another Eastern playoff team that you're underrated against...I know Toronto has overcome a lot...But you guys are playing the big boys now...G.S. is on a mission as well...You remember that...Game one is a must win for Toronto..MUST WIN!

Lets not act like the Warriors without KD are some juggernaut...Curry/Klay/Draymond are 1-1 in the finals without KD. Now the bench is weaker...Iggy & Livingston are older, no more Harrison Barnes or Barbosa. It's literally 3 starters and a bunch of bench players.

If KD comes back soon then yes the Raptors don't have much of a chance...but without KD I'm not scared at all. I still got Raps in 6/7, so it's not like I'm disrespecting the KD-less Warriors that much...I still got respect for Curry/Klay/Draymond.

LOL. Keep telling yourself that. Not just 3 starters. They are 3 all stars with the last 4 Finals appearances behind them. That is no accident. Barnes is probably a top 3 significant reason they lost the Finals in 2016, that's not going to hurt them without him here.

Ya those 3 are so good that as soon as they lost to the Cavs in 2016, Draymond went into the parking lot and called KD.

[Iamtheliquor]

What a time to be alive. I think the Raps can win in 7 IF we limit GSW's transition offense, the halfcourt defense is elite, we need to continue to thrive off of it.

[niQ]

[Son Goku 25]

Unless you've been a warriors fan for a long time and bring legit arguments, foh with your salty comments. Let's be real for a bit, both teams know they are against the best and will bring it, if you think otherwise then you really don't understand. Warriors are the team to beat, until that happens they are the favorites but watching these raptors claw and fight I don't think they'll back down from a challenge. I won't even mention kd as he's a cheat code.

[California Gold]

While I think the Raptors have a shot and I've felt that way all year, seeing all the cockiness from the Toronto side is a bit disheartening. One thing to see confidence in a team to beat another, but some of this is just a bit much lol. Yikes.

[Son Goku 25]

While I think the Raptors have a shot and I've felt that way all year, seeing all the cockiness from the Toronto side is a bit disheartening. One thing to see confidence in a team to beat another, but some of this is just a bit much lol. Yikes.

Don't be fooled, some raptor posters just like to have fake confidence, it's more humor than anything. If you go on the raps board, there are all kinds of posters since we have so many lol some guys want to see team fail, some just like to have a good time and say raps in 4 but some want to stick up for their team as they are the underdogs.

I think raps fans understand warriors are likely the goat team with kd playing, they just don't want the league and fans everywhere to count them out like it'll be a sweep for the Warriors. If kd comes back or waa playing it could very well be but who knows, it's the finals and I'm grateful my team got this far like most raps fans.

[bon]

could be wrong but its possible siakam could do serious damage this series, embiid and giannis' rim protection bothered him

Seriously doubt it. Draymond will give him issues unless he starts making his 3s at a high rate

While I think the Raptors have a shot and I've felt that way all year, seeing all the cockiness from the Toronto side is a bit disheartening. One thing to see confidence in a team to beat another, but some of this is just a bit much lol. Yikes.

Confidence not cockiness

[SFour]

While I think the Raptors have a shot and I've felt that way all year, seeing all the cockiness from the Toronto side is a bit disheartening. One thing to see confidence in a team to beat another, but some of this is just a bit much lol. Yikes.

so Raptors fans are cocky for thinking their team can compete with a KD-less Warriors team....ya ok. Fans of other teams have been calling us cocky, delusional, and arrogant against the Magic, Sixers, Bucks, and now the Warriors. Most of us are Raptors homers, of course we're going to believe in our team. Do you want us to be insecure and say Warriors in 4?

If you want to see what cockiness is then read this:

Spoiler:

[Grape]

I give the Raptors 40% chance. I think Raptors go up early and when KD comes back things change. I think Warriors in 6 or 7.

If it goes 7, I feel like it’ll be some heartbreak scenario for Toronto.

[California Gold]

While I think the Raptors have a shot and I've felt that way all year, seeing all the cockiness from the Toronto side is a bit disheartening. One thing to see confidence in a team to beat another, but some of this is just a bit much lol. Yikes.

so Raptors fans are cocky for thinking their team can compete with a KD-less Warriors team....ya ok. Fans of other teams have been calling us cocky, delusional, and arrogant against the Magic, Sixers, Bucks, and now the Warriors. Most of us are Raptors homers, of course we're going to believe in our team. Do you want us to be insecure and say Warriors in 4?

If you want to see what cockiness is then read this:

Spoiler:

Ehh, I don't think we're on the same page at all. I don't think picking the Raptors to win is being cocky. It's the constant attacking of people picking the Warriors or people saying the Warriors might win this in 4 or 5 or 6 or w/e. I think Milwaukee was very overrated by Gen Board so I definitely agree with you there. The Raptors can definitely compete with the Warriors, KD or not. But it's not that crazy to claim the Warriors might dominate either considering well.. outside of the chokejob in 2016 might be the 4 time champions and the closest dynasty we've seen to the 90s Bulls and the 50/60's Celtics.

[Ugly0598]

Warriors in 4 or 5.

[PhillyPhilly]

"IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO WINS BECAUSE STATISTICALLY THE BUCKS ARE STILL THE BEST TEAM IN THE LEAGUE. SO THIS WHOLE THING SHOULD BE CALLED OFF BECAUSE IT'S MEANINGLESS"

[clyde21]

Raps in 1

[Winsome Gerbil]

I would take it as obvious that this first game is much more critical for the Raps than the Warriors. At home, with the Warriors down either 1 star or 2 -- it's almost a must win. If the Warriors are able to walt on in and steal homecourt advantage right off the bat in Game 1, then start to get their stars back for the later games...

Whatever else happens Raps almost have to win Game 1, and the only reason its only "almost" is because the Warriors were too lazy/unfocused in the regular season, and the Raps get Game 7 at home. Puts pressure on the Warriors to wrap it up in 6.

[Wasp]

Trying to take a look at what RPM thinks of the Raptors compared to the Warriors' other playoff opponents so far:

Kawhi 3.2 ---- Harden 7.4 ---- Lillard 5.0 ---- Gallinari 3.5
Lowry 4.6 ----- Paul 4.7 ------ McCollum 1.1 - Beverley 2.7
Siakam 3.7 ---- Capela 1.8 --- Aminu 1.7 ----- Shamet 0.4
Gasol 3.5 ------ Tucker 1.1 --- Harkless 0.7 --- Williams -0.1
Green 5.0 ------ Gordon 0.4 -- Kanter -1.8 ---- SGA -1.5

Fred 1.5 -------- House 1.0 ---- Curry 0.1 ------ Harrell 0.4
Ibaka -0.6 ------ RIvers -1.2 --- Collins -0.6 --- Temple -0.6
Powell -0.8 --- Shumpert -1.9 - Hood -0.6 ----- Green -3.5

Man, especially given Kawhi's huge step up, RPM really doesn't think the Warriors have faced anything close to as good a team as the Raps so far these playoffs.


and the Warriors compared to Toronto's opponents:

Curry 6.9 ------ Giannis 6.5 ---- Embiid 6.4 ---- Vucevic 5.4
Dray 3.5 ------- Lopez 4.1 ------ Butler 4.6 ----- Augustyn 1.2
Iggy 2.5 -------- Bledsoe 3.7 --- Simmons 1.8 --- Gordon 0.9
Cousins 2.5 ---- Khris 1.9 ------- Harris 1.7 ------ Ross 0.4
Klay -0.6 ------- Brogdon 1.8 --- Redick 1.2 ----- Fournier -0.8

Looney 3.4 ----- Hill 2.1 --------- Scott -2.0 ----- Birch 0.8
Livingston -2.5 - Mirotic 1.7 ---- Ennis -2.5 ----- Isaac -0.4
McKinnie -3.1 -- Ilyasova 1.6 --- Monroe -2.7 --- MCW -3.0


RPM seems pretty sure that the Raps have faced at least one team as good as the warriors. Another one not too far behind.

This a some serious attempt at self convincing.

Warriors will win this. We all know damn well that the Raptors haven't faced a team as good as the Warriors this season.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

This is true, but so is the opposite. The Warriors haven't faced a team - and more specifically, a defense - as good as the Raptors this season either.

[durden_tyler]

Looking forward to Raps winning both Games 1 and 2 so i can get better value with a Warriors bet (assumed even odds if the series begins 0-2).

GO RAPS (for now)!