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

[PizzaSteve]

Here is how I look at it. Without Durant (I don't think he'll be back at all) the sides look pretty even, and a lot of people pick the Warriors to win, they're heavy favorites in Vegas, in fact. Although they're not better without Durant, his absence allows others to fill the gap, more ball movement, etc. It seems quite reasonable that the Warriors can still win without Durant.

Now imagine the Raptors without Leonard. Would they have a chance against the Warriors, even without Durant? No. This tells me that all the happy talk about how good the Raptors' defense is and how much talent they have around Leonard is just empty talk. The Warriors may well win without Durant. The Raptors would never win without Leonard.

The Raptors were actually pretty awesome without Kawhi this year and beat Golden State. More ball movement, etc.

True Kawhi is your KD.

Funny how successful Toronto has been, multiple consecutive 50+, 60+ win seasons and no one give Kawhi and Gasol grief for escaping the west and pushing for a trade to the top team in the East. He did even worse than what KD did, he abandoded his team that had just got beat by warriors, but made it close and forced a trade out of the West to escape them until Finals.

If the Warriors lose and Toronto signs the claw, it seems an equally snaky move to form a superteam to me.

While my opinion both players are just doing the modern NBA thing, it is actually funny how he gets such a free pass after forcing his way onto the top team. Gasol, another all star, followed. While backdoor trades, still building the best team possible by signing multiple all stars to a core of home build guys.

[inquisitive]

When Boogie is out there I guess Gasol will be on him??

[SwaggyB]

This is a bit of a stretch... I don't recall either requesting to go to the east, or a top team in the east, and definitely not the Raptors specifically. All reports for Kawhi said LA.. Hardly a place to avoid the warriors.

Funny how successful Toronto has been, multiple consecutive 50+, 60+ win seasons and no one give Kawhi and Gasol grief for escaping the west and pushing for a trade to the top team in the East. He did even worse than what KD did, he abandoded his team that had just got beat by warriors, but made it close and forced a trade out of the West to escape them until Finals.

If the Warriors lose and Toronto signs the claw, it seems an equally snaky move to form a superteam to me.

While my opinion both players are just doing the modern NBA thing, it is actually funny how he gets such a free pass after forcing his way onto the top team. Gasol, another all star, followed. While backdoor trades, still building the best team possible by signing multiple all stars to a core of home build guys.

[PizzaSteve]

This is a bit of a stretch... I don't recall either requesting to go to the east, or a top team in the east, and definitely not the Raptors specifically. All reports for Kawhi said LA.. Hardly a place to avoid the warriors.

Funny how successful Toronto has been, multiple consecutive 50+, 60+ win seasons and no one give Kawhi and Gasol grief for escaping the west and pushing for a trade to the top team in the East. He did even worse than what KD did, he abandoded his team that had just got beat by warriors, but made it close and forced a trade out of the West to escape them until Finals.

If the Warriors lose and Toronto signs the claw, it seems an equally snaky move to form a superteam to me.

While my opinion both players are just doing the modern NBA thing, it is actually funny how he gets such a free pass after forcing his way onto the top team. Gasol, another all star, followed. While backdoor trades, still building the best team possible by signing multiple all stars to a core of home build guys.

Fair enough, but we know nothing about what happended. We get propaganda and see the final deal.

[Triples333]

1) Green and Fred combined to shoot 39.2% on 8.5 attempts per game that series. In the regular season, they combined to shoot 42.4% on 10.0 attempts per game. So they actually combined to shoot worse this series than they did in the regular season.

2) This also ignores that Siakam shot 25.0% and Serge shot 10% from 3.


The best way to put it is that the Raps shot 37% from 3 that series, just like they did in the regular season.

Lol what am I dealing with right now? This will be my last response to this nonsense. That massive chasm/shift in the shooting from the first 3 games to the Final 3 games is precisely my point. When the role players shot like scrubs, they lost. When they delivered, they won. This is a very simple, benign comment to illustrate that this is ultimately what I believe to be a close Finals upcoming (very similar to Tor/Milwaukee). In a more lopsided series, you can get away with the stars of the better team dictating the outcome in double digit victories.

You made a factually wrong statement by saying that the Raptors would’ve lost if Green and VanVleet both shot at their league averages. Green and VanVleet were combined for 310-731 (.424) from 3 in the regular season. They were combined for 20-51 (.392) in the Conference Finals. But still, you said that they would’ve lost “objectively, by the numbers.” Why are you so outraged to see a reply disproving your factually wrong statement?

Again, completely wrong. The whole point was about the splits of the beginning/end of the series from VanVleet and the bench. There was nothing to debate. Stop.

[everdiso]

Lol what am I dealing with right now? This will be my last response to this nonsense. That massive chasm/shift in the shooting from the first 3 games to the Final 3 games is precisely my point. When the role players shot like scrubs, they lost. When they delivered, they won. This is a very simple, benign comment to illustrate that this is ultimately what I believe to be a close Finals upcoming (very similar to Tor/Milwaukee). In a more lopsided series, you can get away with the stars of the better team dictating the outcome in double digit victories.

You made a factually wrong statement by saying that the Raptors would’ve lost if Green and VanVleet both shot at their league averages. Green and VanVleet were combined for 310-731 (.424) from 3 in the regular season. They were combined for 20-51 (.392) in the Conference Finals. But still, you said that they would’ve lost “objectively, by the numbers.” Why are you so outraged to see a reply disproving your factually wrong statement?

Again, completely wrong. The whole point was about the splits of the beginning/end of the series from VanVleet and the bench. There was nothing to debate. Stop.

Your statement was wrong on the surface, and wrong in it's implication.

[everdiso]

Lol what am I dealing with right now? This will be my last response to this nonsense. That massive chasm/shift in the shooting from the first 3 games to the Final 3 games is precisely my point. When the role players shot like scrubs, they lost. When they delivered, they won. This is a very simple, benign comment to illustrate that this is ultimately what I believe to be a close Finals upcoming (very similar to Tor/Milwaukee). In a more lopsided series, you can get away with the stars of the better team dictating the outcome in double digit victories.

You made a factually wrong statement by saying that the Raptors would’ve lost if Green and VanVleet both shot at their league averages. Green and VanVleet were combined for 310-731 (.424) from 3 in the regular season. They were combined for 20-51 (.392) in the Conference Finals. But still, you said that they would’ve lost “objectively, by the numbers.” Why are you so outraged to see a reply disproving your factually wrong statement?

Again, completely wrong. The whole point was about the splits of the beginning/end of the series from VanVleet and the bench. There was nothing to debate. Stop.

Your statement was wrong on the surface, and wrong in it's implication.

[PhilBlackson]

Funny how successful Toronto has been, multiple consecutive 50+, 60+ win seasons and no one give Kawhi and Gasol grief for escaping the west and pushing for a trade to the top team in the East. He did even worse than what KD did, he abandoded his team that had just got beat by warriors, but made it close and forced a trade out of the West to escape them until Finals.

If the Warriors lose and Toronto signs the claw, it seems an equally snaky move to form a superteam to me.

While my opinion both players are just doing the modern NBA thing, it is actually funny how he gets such a free pass after forcing his way onto the top team. Gasol, another all star, followed. While backdoor trades, still building the best team possible by signing multiple all stars to a core of home build guys.

This can't be a serious take, please tell me it isn't and that I can laugh at myself for taking the trollbait...

1) Everyone that doesn't live under a rock knows Kawhi wanted to go to LA, not East and Gasol didn't even ask to be traded at all

2) We were never a 60+W team as you're trying to inflate in order to somehow downplay KD joining a 70+W team, it was 50+W but I know 50s doesn't sound as good when making this weak argument lol

3) the fact you go on to say this is "worse than what KD did" can only be classified as pure trolling or sheer stupidity. Not only did neither Kawhi or Gasol not join as free agents which means NO TALENT WAS TRADED OR LOST but the LEVEL of talent they joined in comparison is night and day

KD joined a team that had just been to back-to-back Finals, won a championship, had a record setting 73W season, that had a TWO TIME (and only EVER unanimous) LEAGUE MVP, with another microwave that can drop 40-50+ pts (heck 60 even) on any given night AND a former DPOY of the year and Iggy who is also one of the best defenders in the league. Remove Kawhi & Gasol and compare what they have lol it's a complete joke you even likened the two but downright embarrassing you tried to say it's worse.

Remove Kawhi & Gasol from the Raptors and TOR is lucky if they even make the Playoffs. Remove KD, you still have likely the BEST TEAM IN THE LEAGUE lol what a joke.

[djsunyc]

This is a bit of a stretch... I don't recall either requesting to go to the east, or a top team in the east, and definitely not the Raptors specifically. All reports for Kawhi said LA.. Hardly a place to avoid the warriors.

Funny how successful Toronto has been, multiple consecutive 50+, 60+ win seasons and no one give Kawhi and Gasol grief for escaping the west and pushing for a trade to the top team in the East. He did even worse than what KD did, he abandoded his team that had just got beat by warriors, but made it close and forced a trade out of the West to escape them until Finals.

If the Warriors lose and Toronto signs the claw, it seems an equally snaky move to form a superteam to me.

While my opinion both players are just doing the modern NBA thing, it is actually funny how he gets such a free pass after forcing his way onto the top team. Gasol, another all star, followed. While backdoor trades, still building the best team possible by signing multiple all stars to a core of home build guys.

Fair enough, but we know nothing about what happended. We get propaganda and see the final deal.

gasol did an interview where he told the owner of the grizz that he and conley wanted to be part of the solution in memphis. the owner said they were moving in a different direction. on trade day, he thought he was going to the charlotte hornets until the very last second when grizz dealt him to toronto.

[everdiso]

Kenny was on radio up here the other day (on Sid & Tim) and he was waxing poetic about the Warriors - he was in AWE that the warriors were 35-10 without KD in the lineup since he joined them. "THAT'S a 70 win team WITHOUT KD! that's unbelievable", he kept saying over and over again.

Tim finally mentioned that he was pretty sure that the raps had a good record without Kawhi too, but wasn't sure of the number.

Kenny says "well they were what? 18-10? 20-11? I bet you it was something like that. but definitely NOT 35-10!"

and that was the end of the interview.

what was the raps actual record without Kawhi in the lineup?

17-5.

which is exactly half a win off that incredible, unbelieable, 35-10 pace the warriors have had without KD.

[WarriorGM]

Kenny was on radio up here the other day (on Sid & Tim) and he was waxing poetic about the Warriors - he was in AWE that the warriors were 35-10 without KD in the lineup since he joined them. "THAT'S a 70 win team WITHOUT KD! that's unbelievable", he kept saying over and over again.

Tim finally mentioned that he was pretty sure that the raps had a good record without Kawhi too, but wasn't sure of the number.

Kenny says "well they were what? 18-10? 20-11? I bet you it was something like that. but definitely NOT 35-10!"

and that was the end of the interview.

what was the raps actual record without Kawhi in the lineup?

17-5.

which is exactly half a win off that incredible, unbelieable, 35-10 pace the warriors have had without KD.

You counting the games without Curry too? What's the number with Curry and without KD?

[SpreeS]

I don't see KD playing anytime soon with the way he's limping and walking slowly

Read on Twitter

That's just how a Durantula walks

Really? I hope you aren’t joking here...

[cpower]

When Boogie is out there I guess Gasol will be on him??

yeah both will be drinking beers on the bench

[xdrta+]

Here is how I look at it. Without Durant (I don't think he'll be back at all) the sides look pretty even, and a lot of people pick the Warriors to win, they're heavy favorites in Vegas, in fact. Although they're not better without Durant, his absence allows others to fill the gap, more ball movement, etc. It seems quite reasonable that the Warriors can still win without Durant.

Now imagine the Raptors without Leonard. Would they have a chance against the Warriors, even without Durant? No. This tells me that all the happy talk about how good the Raptors' defense is and how much talent they have around Leonard is just empty talk. The Warriors may well win without Durant. The Raptors would never win without Leonard.

The Raptors were actually pretty awesome without Kawhi this year and beat Golden State. More ball movement, etc.

So you're saying the Raptors without Leonard vs. the Warriors without KD would have a good chance to win the Finals? I could be wrong, but I have to think you're in the distinct minority there. In fact, you might be the only one.

[Dirk]

Funny how successful Toronto has been, multiple consecutive 50+, 60+ win seasons and no one give Kawhi and Gasol grief for escaping the west and pushing for a trade to the top team in the East. He did even worse than what KD did, he abandoded his team that had just got beat by warriors, but made it close and forced a trade out of the West to escape them until Finals.

If the Warriors lose and Toronto signs the claw, it seems an equally snaky move to form a superteam to me.

While my opinion both players are just doing the modern NBA thing, it is actually funny how he gets such a free pass after forcing his way onto the top team. Gasol, another all star, followed. While backdoor trades, still building the best team possible by signing multiple all stars to a core of home build guys.

This can't be a serious take, please tell me it isn't and that I can laugh at myself for taking the trollbait...

For reference, it's the same user who attacked someone else out of the blue in this way...

Spoiler:

You mean the one that was by complete accident?

Watch on YouTube

How TF is this a "complete accident?" He recklessly slaps Valanciunas's finger at a rapid speed. You may argue that he didn't do it on purpose (and you'd be right) but still it was a direct result of him being out of control and doing something he shouldn't have done. No bad intention =/= complete accident.

Hands getting hit when players reach for steals literally happens every game. Just because you clip video of it and have an agenda, doesnt mean squat. Thousands of games played for both players, and the NBA is an elite frat where NOONE wants others to get injured.

The fact you reach for that out of sour grapes sports hatred is so sad. It really reflects on you and your mental state, you arr over projecting. To suggest what you are suggesting, I recomment counciling and perhaps not even watching sports.

PizzaSteve, on top of the horrific personal attacks, now you decide to (at best) troll. Whether you are doing this intentionally or not, it's irrelevant. Please don't make posts that will obviously bring the topic down and ruin the forum experience for others.

[everdiso]

Watch on YouTube

jalen the only one actually putting any real analysis beyond "but man the warriors are so good" in at the moment.

[tdotrep2]

who's dirtier, jerebko or green? both these guys are walking hazards and im scared for kyle/kawhi

[clyde21]

who's dirtier, jerebko or green? both these guys are walking hazards and im scared for kyle/kawhi

Green is a lot of things but his reputation as a 'dirty player' is not based on anything more than a couple of nut jobs back 2015...

and will Jerebko even see any minutes in the finals?

[tdotrep2]

who's dirtier, jerebko or green? both these guys are walking hazards and im scared for kyle/kawhi

Green is a lot of things but his reputation as a 'dirty player' is not based on anything more than a couple of nut jobs back 2015...

and will Jerebko even see any minutes in the finals?

[everdiso]

Watch on YouTube

jalen dropping troof