NFT: NBA Playoffs thread

for after the series atleast lol.

have to do with Lebrons stats? All I am going by is what the two players did. We all know that Lebron has played well enough that with some help, they win the title. Lebron's not the problem, obviously.

But all we hear is how Lebron is doing things we havent seen before, when in fact - Jordan's 93 finals were better. Sure Jordan had more help. But Lebron's shooting, lets face it, has been a huge problem. Jordan shot 17% better from the floor. If Jordan shot less than 40% like Lebron has, maybe Phoenix beats the Bulls? Remember the Bulls won all 4 games by single digits...

have nothing offensively that the other team has to even somewhat worry about besides LeBron, it's going to lead to inefficient games. And he hasn't gotten a call the entire series going to the basket. He should be shooting a lot more free throws than he has.

LBJ? Are we serious?

In comment 12331027 MookGiants said:

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have nothing offensively that the other team has to even somewhat worry about besides LeBron, it's going to lead to inefficient games. And he hasn't gotten a call the entire series going to the basket. He should be shooting a lot more free throws than he has.

Lebron has missed a TON of shots this series that he should have made. For the first 3 games, they didnt double him, and he still shot poorly.

And for every call they missed on Lebron driving, they probably have missed 2x the amount he has gotten away with leading with his forearm drving to the basket, and clearing out with his shoulder in the post.

In comment 12331028 Ash_3 said:

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LBJ? Are we serious?

Yes, we are talking about Lebron's stats. Not Delly. Delly doesnt miss the shots that Lebron takes the last time I checked.

LeBron would be getting easier shots if he had a legitimate secondary ball-handler? You don't see how that would impact his stats?

LeBron shooting has been a problem in this entire playoff run and ultimately his inconsistent shooting is the reason why he will never be known as the hands down GOAT like he could've been. But what makes him special is the all-around game. Not only is he the team's only offensive option, he's the best defender on the team and dominating the boards. There has never been a one-man wrecking crew like LeBron.

In comment 12331037 Osi Osi Osi OyOyOy said:

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LeBron would be getting easier shots if he had a legitimate secondary ball-handler? You don't see how that would impact his stats? LeBron shooting has been a problem in this entire playoff run and ultimately his inconsistent shooting is the reason why he will never be known as the hands down GOAT like he could've been. But what makes him special is the all-around game. Not only is he the team's only offensive option, he's the best defender on the team and dominating the boards. There has never been a one-man wrecking crew like LeBron.

Couple things Ill disagree with:

1. He has gotten easy shots and a ton of shots around the basket that he has missed. Even mook commented on his left handed hook shot in the lane has been a problem. And lets not forget he wasnt doubled for the majority of this series either. And, I think Jordan had a lot of attention offensively. He was a pretty good player if I recall.

2. Lebrons defense this series hasnt been bad, but not of what we are accustomed too. Lets face it, if he had to defend like he has had to in years past, he would not be walking anymore. He is getting his break on defense to conserve whatever energy he can. How many times has he guarded Rose, durant, parker, etc in key games? He hasnt guarded Curry once. And I am not saying there isnt anything wrong with that. But he isnt playing all-world defense this series.

In comment 12331037 Osi Osi Osi OyOyOy said:

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LeBron would be getting easier shots if he had a legitimate secondary ball-handler? You don't see how that would impact his stats? LeBron shooting has been a problem in this entire playoff run and ultimately his inconsistent shooting is the reason why he will never be known as the hands down GOAT like he could've been. But what makes him special is the all-around game. Not only is he the team's only offensive option, he's the best defender on the team and dominating the boards. There has never been a one-man wrecking crew like LeBron.

his individual defense has been invisible--- he guards the garbage guy and when they switch he has been a non factor.

his defensive rebounding has been awesome but lets not act like he has had any remote defensive impact. hes gotten caught lazy on no help as well. why? because he has to carry them entirely on offense.

LeBron is literally the focal point on both ends on basically every single possession. It's about as close to 1 on 5 as you'll ever see in an NBA Final.

The entire offense has to run through him every time down the court. He has to initiate each possession. Every rebound he doesn't get, he has to be the guy who gets the ball on the outlet. Every defensive possession, he's got to guard a lethal shooter.

Obviously when a guy is the best in the world, you expect him to shoulder a very heavy load.. but what he's got on his plate in this series is basically other worldly.

If you flipped Curry and LeBron, the Cavaliers don't see a 5th game in this series. Zero chance.

his good but not great D and a lot of LeBron's misses near the rim could just be due to the fatigue of an unprecedented workload for a Finals participant.

Forget Pippen. If LeBron had Horace Grant instead of Tristan Thompson, the Cavs probably win this series in 5 or 6. The supporting casts were night and day.

What Jordan did in '93 was insane. Maybe the best performance ever. But comparing their stats like it's some apples to apples comparison is just pointless. Jordan was asked to be the the "scorer/killer" and he did it at the highest level we've seen in the Finals that year. LeBron is asked to be the "everything".

Hopefully JR Smith shows up for all 48 tonight. He's the guy that really needs to step up and give LeBron help.

...because it's a GOAT debate.. but I think LeBron is more Magic than Michael.

In comment 12331052 arcarsenal said:

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LeBron is literally the focal point on both ends on basically every single possession. It's about as close to 1 on 5 as you'll ever see in an NBA Final. The entire offense has to run through him every time down the court. He has to initiate each possession. Every rebound he doesn't get, he has to be the guy who gets the ball on the outlet. Every defensive possession, he's got to guard a lethal shooter. Obviously when a guy is the best in the world, you expect him to shoulder a very heavy load.. but what he's got on his plate in this series is basically other worldly. If you flipped Curry and LeBron, the Cavaliers don't see a 5th game in this series. Zero chance.

Arc, you are off with his defensive presence. He has guarded Curry/Klay maybe 1% of the series. He has guarded Iggy and Barnes the whole series and jsut sat in the lane daring them to shoot.

In comment 12331053 Osi Osi Osi OyOyOy said:

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his good but not great D and a lot of LeBron's misses near the rim could just be due to the fatigue of an unprecedented workload for a Finals participant. Forget Pippen. If LeBron had Horace Grant instead of Tristan Thompson, the Cavs probably win this series in 5 or 6. The supporting casts were night and day. What Jordan did in '93 was insane. Maybe the best performance ever. But comparing their stats like it's some apples to apples comparison is just pointless. Jordan was asked to be the the "scorer/killer" and he did it at the highest level we've seen in the Finals that year. LeBron is asked to be the "everything". Hopefully JR Smith shows up for all 48 tonight. He's the guy that really needs to step up and give LeBron help.

I cant sit here and say what Jordan did defensively in the 93 finals, cause honestly I dont remember. But I think it would be hard pressed to say Lebron was a better defender because he hasnt defended. Jordan had the likes of Majerle and KJ in the backcourt. So if I were too assume, he had to chase Majerle around, which was no small feat.

didn't have to be the entire team on offense and play insane minutes, they would be putting him on Curry or Thompson at the end of games, like they have against other teams top players in the past and he's been very successful doing it. He's an excellent defender, but with how awful they are offensively right now they would be out of their minds to have him chasing Curry and Thompson around. And he still has to exert a lot more energy defensively than Curry does, who stands there with his thumb up his ass against a scrub like Delavadova.

In comment 12331068 MookGiants said:

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didn't have to be the entire team on offense and play insane minutes, they would be putting him on Curry or Thompson at the end of games, like they have against other teams top players in the past and he's been very successful doing it. He's an excellent defender, but with how awful they are offensively right now they would be out of their minds to have him chasing Curry and Thompson around. And he still has to exert a lot more energy defensively than Curry does, who stands there with his thumb up his ass against a scrub like Delavadova.

I dont think anyone is disagreeing with it. But what I am sayying is that he hasnt had the defensive impact that he has had in years past because they need to save him for offense.

And let us all agree this national anthem singer totally kicked ass. Good for her.

a national anthem that wasn't a complete abortion. Loved it.

Looks exactly like John Connor's sidekick from Terminator 2.

I mean being what 9, 10? And blind? Just unreal. Just awesome.

why is Scott Foster in this game. Most crooked official ever.

is shooting like 25% from the field in this series. What a dreadful offensive player

That was actually a bad charge call in GS's favor.

2 for 15 in this series. And at least 4 of those 15 shots have been layups.

but that was called a foul on LeBron in game 5, where he went straight up with one arm and the other pushed I believe green in the stomach/chest. Same thing happened there

LeBron has gone to his left hand to shoot even layups he's struggled in this series, odd

is going to shoot like this you can just hand GS the trophy right now.

with the terrible officiating. Not like it's an important game or anything though. No big deal, NBA.

talk strategy during those timeouts. It's always cliche bullshit about staying focused or whatever.

The crazy thing about Lebron is how arguably the best two players he's been paired with, Bosh and Love have been markedly less effective with him. I'll leave Wade out with all of the injuries. And then he makes a bunch of next tier players like Mike Miller, Varajeo, Ilgauskas, and Mozgov look much better.

I will always contend James' career would be on par with Jordan, Magic and Russel if he played under a great coach. Skill and talent he's on par, but he's never turned in a dynasty type run like those guys and I blame that on bad coaching. He's never played in a system that exploited guys on the roster top to bottom.

In comment 12331142 bceagle05 said:

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talk strategy during those timeouts. It's always cliche bullshit about staying focused or whatever.

That's all they ever show of the coaches on TV. You don't honestly think he's not ever talking strategy, do you? The teams arent going to allow them to show that

He was holding Curry after Barbosa's screen.

Until barbosa'S screen.

with no Klay.

is Cleveland posting up Shumpert? He can't finish anything. If he's not standing still with a wide open three, he has absolutely zero offensive skill

an NBA player who simply can't hit a layup? And they don't go in and out, he just bricks them routinely

that's a joke that the ref called that

He somehow glanced at the box score and said, "Shit, we better call Cleveland on something just so it looks more even!"

getting whatever he wants without Iggy in the game. Green cant defend him.

lebron got away with slapping Livingston on the forearm.

21-4 free throw disparity? Scott Foster in the game? Seems about right.

That kid can contribute on a top team.

but all these fouls are likely to do the Warriors in as the game develops. The Cavs aren't going to keep coughing the ball up and clanking shots at the line.

they might keep coughing the ball up. But those fouls ain't stopping.

and Ezeli picked up those fouls quickly in the 2nd, you knew it was going to be a Cleveland quarter.

why Klay makes so many stupid fouls. If Kerr plays him early in the 2nd half, he better not commit that 4th until later in the period.

In comment 12331197 Osi Osi Osi OyOyOy said:

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why Klay makes so many stupid fouls. If Kerr plays him early in the 2nd half, he better not commit that 4th until later in the period.

He's just not been particularly present for much of the series.

hasnt gotten help this game. Thompson and Mozgov have killed it.

tell me again how good he is. Worthless offensive player.

on a call that didnt need to be made. Thompson got that reboudn no problem.

POS player. Look for him to take another cheap shot on someone so he can help the Cavs.

In comment 12331211 dep026 said:

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on a call that didnt need to be made. Thompson got that reboudn no problem.

So they should ignore the foul even though the ref was blowing his whistle at basically the same exact time as he grabs it?

A foul is a foul. You don't ignore it because it's going to be a guys 4th