of playoff ball I have watched I do not see how Toronto wins more than 1 game in this series.
They have the best player (arguably since Curry has been on fire), they have defenders and seasoned vets in Lowry, Green, and Gasol. And their bench is much better. Powell and Van Fleet have stepped up.
Toronto desperately need Siakam to be the unsung hero. If he plays at an all star level, it’s anyones series.
of playoff ball I have watched I do not see how Toronto wins more than 1 game in this series.
They have the best player (arguably since Curry has been on fire), they have defenders and seasoned vets in Lowry, Green, and Gasol. And their bench is much better. Powell and Van Fleet have stepped up.
Toronto desperately need Siakam to be the unsung hero. If he plays at an all star level, it’s anyones series.
Well put. This is a tough matchup for Golden State in my opinion, their bench isn't that deep to begin with.
My questions are - will Kawhi finally get consistent support every game and how much did the rest benefit Golden State.
When Kawhi and Siakam locked in defensively last series, they had the Bucks lost offensively. If they can play that type of defense this is going to be a good series.
I can see Steph making Lowry revert back to pre-2019 playoffs Kyle Lowry... invisible. Klay has a big advantage regardless of who's out there and he needs to play consistently well the entire series.
For the Raps to win, Kawhi obviously has to be great, but so does the Siakam/Ibaka/Gasol trio.
TOR at least has a chance. But Kawhi needs to be amazing. And the supporting cast needs to continue to step up. Van Vleet should continue to get burn over Green, green stinks. Lowry or Siakim have to have a big game to support Kawhi.
For GSW to win they just need their players to play ok and they win. Thats what makes them so hard.
Gasol, Siakam, Kawhi, Green, Lowry... that’s a fantastic defensive lineup with very good defenders at every position.
That on top of making Draymond really work on defense could really make Dray into a less impactful player this series. Siakam will really be important offensively for Toronto for this reason.
Toronto is the better team without Durant imo. Kawhi is amazing but that’s a really good supporting cast he has next to him.
This is Curry’s moment though, we’ll see if he delivers. Because they will lose if he doesn’t play like the legendary player that he is.
I can see Steph making Lowry revert back to pre-2019 playoffs Kyle Lowry... invisible. Klay has a big advantage regardless of who's out there and he needs to play consistently well the entire series.
For the Raps to win, Kawhi obviously has to be great, but so does the Siakam/Ibaka/Gasol trio.
Lowry has had his poor moments but the whole “Playoff Lowry” meme is overdone imo. DeRozan was the one who turned into complete shit whenever the playoffs rolled around.
But yea, Curry could wreck him and he’ll need to for GS to win without KD imo.
One of these days he’s going to challenge Kobe’s 81, you never know when he’s going to get hotter than the sun. But he’s been meh these playoffs.
So pissed @ this growing narrative that Thompson got screwed not making an All NBA team. It's based on the regular season & Klay was meh for long parts of this season.
is going to be one I can tune in & tune out until the 4th when it's either A) Raps are leading, but Dubs comeback seems inevitable or B) Dubs up & Dubs win is all but a lock.
I have no rooting interest in this series. Definitely felt like Toronto got the heavy bulk of the 50/50 calls though. Imagine that will even out.
I wouldn't count on 50/50 calls evening out when the Warriors are involved. But I also don't think we'll see the Raptors shooting at that clip in most of the remaining games. Some if those shots reminded me of the Matthew Delladova blindfolded prayers from game 3 in 2015.
they played the double / trap / ball denial game really well (as opposed to POR who for 2 games thought it's fine just leaving Curry wide open at the arc)
Should be an interesting series if this game is any indication. Still I doubt GSW goes an entire game w/o a real hot streak from Klay or Steph. And as a team 43% & 38% is on the low end for them. Also doubt Siakim has another game quite like that, esp in GS - tho that was an awesome performance. Nice to see Green make a few, guy loves the final
Great game, great that the odds didn't reflect the game they played
If Siakam and Gasol are going to score as many points in a game Â
Like Steve Kerr said postgame, the Warriors' transition defense was awful. They kept running down the floor and guys were just standing there picking up no one or the absolute wrong person.
I know Draymond is too scared to shoot, but he's going to have to because he's wide open and on some possessions, that's as good as it gets.
Trying to say they are better without KD are on fucking drugs.
Yeah they went 73-9 without him, but this is a different team. Draymond isn't as good as he once was. Either are Iggy & Livingston. Their bench was much deeper that year.
If KD doesn't make it back then the Raptors have a good shot to win this IMO.
Yes I know Siakim isn't going to go for 32 every game, but he's a very bad matchup for the Warriors. Also Kawhi/Lowry most likely aren't going to shoot a combined 30% from the field either.
Trying to say they are better without KD are on fucking drugs.
Yeah they went 73-9 without him, but this is a different team. Draymond isn't as good as he once was. Either are Iggy & Livingston. Their bench was much deeper that year.
If KD doesn't make it back then the Raptors have a good shot to win this IMO.
Yes I know Siakim isn't going to go for 32 every game, but he's a very bad matchup for the Warriors. Also Kawhi/Lowry most likely aren't going to shoot a combined 30% from the field either.
Draymond has been stellar this postseason, he lost 25 pounds towards the end of the regular season and it showed. But aside from driving the ball he cannot score. Misses too many open jump shots. Iggy and Livingston are slowing down. Both are hurt as well, with Iggy looking like he tweaked something last night.
Golden State sold their soul for the deadly starting five. When you do that, you run the risk of 1-2 injuries crippling the team. They have nothing behind Curry and Klay and the Raptors know it. I'm watching last night and i'm looking at the Warriors, they don't have the shooting to make the Raptors pay for doubling the ball out of Stephs hands.
Golden State has had unbelievable injury luck the last couple of years. Playing Cleveland without Kyrie and then Love getting hurt, being down to Houston but Paul pulling the hammy.
Iguodala is hurt, Cousins is out of shape coming back from a serious injury, we don't know if Durant is coming back (if he does, whats the rust looking like)
Leonard, Lowry, Siakam, Gasol, Siakam, Green, Van Fleet and even Norman Powell....
Warriors are in trouble. It'll be a series, but i'm leaning Toronto now.
Trying to say they are better without KD are on fucking drugs.
Yeah, I think that's ridiculous as well. Fortunately I'm not hearing much of it from the Warriors fans I'm surrounded by. I AM hearing that without Durant, some of the elusive magic and entertainment of the pre-Durant Warriors seasons has been restored. And that is something I can agree with.
- Best player (Kawhi... maybe Curry it’s very close)
- better defensive personnel
- better bench
They’re better if Durant isn’t playing, it’s that simple. The East is GOOD up top. The Celtics “could” be great, the Sixers are Dominant with a healthy Embiid + a full squad, the Bucks have Giannis and significant depth. Rockets with a kinda in his prime CP3 had the only chance out West imo.
For Kawhi to own all that is just legendary. Special talent right there. And now the entire team lead by Lowry/Gasol/Siakam is ready to roll against a weaker D than the Sixers.
GS was legendary when Bogut/Iggy was a super combo. Without that “base” to Dray/Curry’s/Klay, they aren’t an all-time team. Durant has absolutely helped them
They have the best player (arguably since Curry has been on fire), they have defenders and seasoned vets in Lowry, Green, and Gasol. And their bench is much better. Powell and Van Fleet have stepped up.
Toronto desperately need Siakam to be the unsung hero. If he plays at an all star level, it’s anyones series.
Big key is that Gasol has been called for three moving screens already. Wonder if Kerr quietly made a stink about it after last game since he did it almost every possession.
Fortunately for the Warriors, their bench god-awfulled their way to 25 much-needed points despite arguably their best overall bench guy (Looney) exiting with an injury.
Players I’ve ever seen. He was in for two defensive possessions and gives up a and 1 by giving up baseline and then bites on a Danny green head fake for 3.
Figures to be all hands on deck for the Dubs in Game 4. Must win.
If both Dursnt and Thompson return and are healthy enough to be effective, I like the Warriors chances to win 3 of the next 4 games. Even as depleted as they are, the Raptors needed some game 1-esque ass pull shots to thwart Warrior runs.
Figures to be all hands on deck for the Dubs in Game 4. Must win.
I'm honestly not sure either make it back for Game 4. Durant isn't even on the sidelines watching the game. Seems very odd that a guy whose 2 days away from playing isn't even on his team's sideline.
As we saw with Odell his rookie year hamstring injuries are very tricky. He missed a bunch of time with a hamstring injury and Klay has to make it back in less then 5 days? Not sure about that either.
As we saw with Odell his rookie year hamstring injuries are very tricky. He missed a bunch of time with a hamstring injury and Klay has to make it back in less then 5 days? Not sure about that either.
I'm wary about him coming back healthy enough to be effective, but in the other hand, from a durability standpoint Klay is to Odell as Eli Manning is to Sam Bradford.
Excitement here in Toronto is growing. Raptors are two wins away from their first championship. Leonard reportedly bought a house recently in the city fuelling speculation he will stay.
felt just like one spot the size of a dime was pulled. Took about 10 days to feel back to normal and immediately pulled it again. Took about three months in total.
Raps D has been phenomenal. I thought the Bucks might have this type of effect, but even then didn't think GSW would go this cold. Nor did I appreciate the weakness of their bench
Lowry has come to play. His playoff numbers may not be what a guy paid to be #2 or #3 should look like. But he is such a scrapper, so many deflections, tips to the right man, that late shot fake he made b4 passing to Gasol for a wide open 3 was perfect (Gasol missed, but still)
The Raps 2ndary players stepped up a round or 2 ago, but kept it going in spite of finals pressure (esp for a 1st franchise appearance). VanVleet's kid's timing was huge!
Well if KD returns who knows, but man I never thought 3-1 w/ the Raps basically being right there if not leading large chunks each game (if not coming back from double digit deficits when they did)
Good stuff. Kawhi has all but cemented legendary status. What a beast
I would be stunned if his mind isn't already made up.
You guys are freaking yourselves out. nygiants16 flip flops each week sometimes each day, one day it's he thinks irving and durant are definitely coming, the next he knows the knicks are going to strike out.
In the past GS opponents were the ones getting injured Â
One year it was Spurs leonard going down in the playoffs against GS . Then I think Irving went down with GS playing the Cavs. All the while GS was injury free. Injuries impact series
Of course it sure helps when you make your foul shots 23/24 and don't turn the rock over. Toronto is playing flawless
I would be stunned if his mind isn't already made up.
You guys are freaking yourselves out. nygiants16 flip flops each week sometimes each day, one day it's he thinks irving and durant are definitely coming, the next he knows the knicks are going to strike out.
+1. I don't know that his mind is made up or that he won't change if it is. But the daily rumor mill isn't relevant. Aside from being clickbait or typical media nonsense, you can play this stuff in any direction:
KD plays
W: he stays. Or maybe they still show SC & KT more love, leaves
L: the team / fans realize they need him and change the overall attitude that he's disliked, stays
KD doesn't play
W: it's definitely SC & KT's team. Gone
L: Fans / franchise sell out to keep him - stays. Or they're pissed he didn't play while KT & Looney did? Out
We can do this all day, without the talking heads' daily BS! Even ignoring office locations & friends opinions and other rumors like that...
Klay looked better than anyone could've imagined Â
and Looney came back when no one expected it and actually played well. Unfortunately, no one else on the team helped out. As good as Curry was in game 3, he erased that with a lackluster performance on both ends of the floor in game 4. Igoudala and Livingston look like they both retired already. Quinn Cook couldn't have made a shot alone in the gym versus a folding chair. Draymond is useless from more than 8 feet out.
Kawhi played like a superstar and the other rotation players are all playing with tremendous confidence and chemistry.
"We're hoping he can play Game 5 or 6. And everything in between I've decided I'm not sharing because it's just gone haywire," Kerr said. "There's so much going on, and so it doesn't make sense to continue to talk about it. He's either going to play or he's not. So tonight he's not playing."
It is very hard to win 3 in a row, they just look spent and injuries obviously have somrthing to do with it but they look shot...
Kerr may br frustrated because he was told game 3 or 4 and then that changed, so he is tired of putting a timetable onnit because it keeps changing...he made a comment talking about gray area
Agreed. I'm high on Kawhi. There's no Zaza around to take him out either.
They have the best player (arguably since Curry has been on fire), they have defenders and seasoned vets in Lowry, Green, and Gasol. And their bench is much better. Powell and Van Fleet have stepped up.
Toronto desperately need Siakam to be the unsung hero. If he plays at an all star level, it’s anyones series.
Quote:
of playoff ball I have watched I do not see how Toronto wins more than 1 game in this series.
They have the best player (arguably since Curry has been on fire), they have defenders and seasoned vets in Lowry, Green, and Gasol. And their bench is much better. Powell and Van Fleet have stepped up.
Toronto desperately need Siakam to be the unsung hero. If he plays at an all star level, it’s anyones series.
Well put. This is a tough matchup for Golden State in my opinion, their bench isn't that deep to begin with.
My questions are - will Kawhi finally get consistent support every game and how much did the rest benefit Golden State.
When Kawhi and Siakam locked in defensively last series, they had the Bucks lost offensively. If they can play that type of defense this is going to be a good series.
For the Raps to win, Kawhi obviously has to be great, but so does the Siakam/Ibaka/Gasol trio.
For GSW to win they just need their players to play ok and they win. Thats what makes them so hard.
Gasol, Siakam, Kawhi, Green, Lowry... that’s a fantastic defensive lineup with very good defenders at every position.
That on top of making Draymond really work on defense could really make Dray into a less impactful player this series. Siakam will really be important offensively for Toronto for this reason.
Toronto is the better team without Durant imo. Kawhi is amazing but that’s a really good supporting cast he has next to him.
This is Curry’s moment though, we’ll see if he delivers. Because they will lose if he doesn’t play like the legendary player that he is.
+1 another boring finals, warriors sweep!
You're really underestimating Toronto.
For the Raps to win, Kawhi obviously has to be great, but so does the Siakam/Ibaka/Gasol trio.
Lowry has had his poor moments but the whole “Playoff Lowry” meme is overdone imo. DeRozan was the one who turned into complete shit whenever the playoffs rolled around.
But yea, Curry could wreck him and he’ll need to for GS to win without KD imo.
So pissed @ this growing narrative that Thompson got screwed not making an All NBA team. It's based on the regular season & Klay was meh for long parts of this season.
Literally no team in nba history gets away with as many illegal screens as the Warriors.
Quote:
Throw an elbow on every screen?
Literally no team in nba history gets away with as many illegal screens as the Warriors.
Yeah I am not saying they don’t... but Gasol is sticking his elbow out late. Looks dangerous to me. I mean he’s gotten a few rib shots already.
Oak probably doesn't help his cause much but it's one of the many really, really bad looks by basically Dolan
I hope, but if this Siakam guy keeps shooting 95 percent all bets are off.
I can smell a sweep.
Go Canada.
When the Warriors brought it to five, I thought Toronto was done.
When the Warriors brought it to five, I thought Toronto was done.
They all ate some Canadian ball bunny before the game. It helps you close.
Happy for the city of Toronto.
Golden State is very good though.
Toronto with the win in GM1.
I wouldn't count on 50/50 calls evening out when the Warriors are involved. But I also don't think we'll see the Raptors shooting at that clip in most of the remaining games. Some if those shots reminded me of the Matthew Delladova blindfolded prayers from game 3 in 2015.
Should be an interesting series if this game is any indication. Still I doubt GSW goes an entire game w/o a real hot streak from Klay or Steph. And as a team 43% & 38% is on the low end for them. Also doubt Siakim has another game quite like that, esp in GS - tho that was an awesome performance. Nice to see Green make a few, guy loves the final
Great game, great that the odds didn't reflect the game they played
Like Steve Kerr said postgame, the Warriors' transition defense was awful. They kept running down the floor and guys were just standing there picking up no one or the absolute wrong person.
I know Draymond is too scared to shoot, but he's going to have to because he's wide open and on some possessions, that's as good as it gets.
Yeah they went 73-9 without him, but this is a different team. Draymond isn't as good as he once was. Either are Iggy & Livingston. Their bench was much deeper that year.
If KD doesn't make it back then the Raptors have a good shot to win this IMO.
Yes I know Siakim isn't going to go for 32 every game, but he's a very bad matchup for the Warriors. Also Kawhi/Lowry most likely aren't going to shoot a combined 30% from the field either.
Link - ( New Window )
Curry chuckling as he walks by is classic.
Yeah they went 73-9 without him, but this is a different team. Draymond isn't as good as he once was. Either are Iggy & Livingston. Their bench was much deeper that year.
If KD doesn't make it back then the Raptors have a good shot to win this IMO.
Yes I know Siakim isn't going to go for 32 every game, but he's a very bad matchup for the Warriors. Also Kawhi/Lowry most likely aren't going to shoot a combined 30% from the field either.
Draymond has been stellar this postseason, he lost 25 pounds towards the end of the regular season and it showed. But aside from driving the ball he cannot score. Misses too many open jump shots. Iggy and Livingston are slowing down. Both are hurt as well, with Iggy looking like he tweaked something last night.
Golden State sold their soul for the deadly starting five. When you do that, you run the risk of 1-2 injuries crippling the team. They have nothing behind Curry and Klay and the Raptors know it. I'm watching last night and i'm looking at the Warriors, they don't have the shooting to make the Raptors pay for doubling the ball out of Stephs hands.
Golden State has had unbelievable injury luck the last couple of years. Playing Cleveland without Kyrie and then Love getting hurt, being down to Houston but Paul pulling the hammy.
Iguodala is hurt, Cousins is out of shape coming back from a serious injury, we don't know if Durant is coming back (if he does, whats the rust looking like)
Leonard, Lowry, Siakam, Gasol, Siakam, Green, Van Fleet and even Norman Powell....
Warriors are in trouble. It'll be a series, but i'm leaning Toronto now.
Yeah, I think that's ridiculous as well. Fortunately I'm not hearing much of it from the Warriors fans I'm surrounded by. I AM hearing that without Durant, some of the elusive magic and entertainment of the pre-Durant Warriors seasons has been restored. And that is something I can agree with.
- better defensive personnel
- better bench
They’re better if Durant isn’t playing, it’s that simple. The East is GOOD up top. The Celtics “could” be great, the Sixers are Dominant with a healthy Embiid + a full squad, the Bucks have Giannis and significant depth. Rockets with a kinda in his prime CP3 had the only chance out West imo.
For Kawhi to own all that is just legendary. Special talent right there. And now the entire team lead by Lowry/Gasol/Siakam is ready to roll against a weaker D than the Sixers.
GS was legendary when Bogut/Iggy was a super combo. Without that “base” to Dray/Curry’s/Klay, they aren’t an all-time team. Durant has absolutely helped them
They win with KD, lose without.
They have the best player (arguably since Curry has been on fire), they have defenders and seasoned vets in Lowry, Green, and Gasol. And their bench is much better. Powell and Van Fleet have stepped up.
Toronto desperately need Siakam to be the unsung hero. If he plays at an all star level, it’s anyones series.
I am a better poster when I’m sick.
Toronto has all the momentum.
Toronto has all the momentum.
And their bench is just going to keep getting worse after they max klay and draymond
Big key is that Gasol has been called for three moving screens already. Wonder if Kerr quietly made a stink about it after last game since he did it almost every possession.
It was one 3, landed awkwsrd, was flexing leg after...
It was definitely a "No... no... YES!!!" moment for me, but he had his shooting touch tonight.
This is over in 5.
This is over in 5.
Fortunately for them, losing tonight is very unlikely.
If both Dursnt and Thompson return and are healthy enough to be effective, I like the Warriors chances to win 3 of the next 4 games. Even as depleted as they are, the Raptors needed some game 1-esque ass pull shots to thwart Warrior runs.
I'm honestly not sure either make it back for Game 4. Durant isn't even on the sidelines watching the game. Seems very odd that a guy whose 2 days away from playing isn't even on his team's sideline.
As we saw with Odell his rookie year hamstring injuries are very tricky. He missed a bunch of time with a hamstring injury and Klay has to make it back in less then 5 days? Not sure about that either.
As we saw with Odell his rookie year hamstring injuries are very tricky. He missed a bunch of time with a hamstring injury and Klay has to make it back in less then 5 days? Not sure about that either.
I'm wary about him coming back healthy enough to be effective, but in the other hand, from a durability standpoint Klay is to Odell as Eli Manning is to Sam Bradford.
Excitement here in Toronto is growing. Raptors are two wins away from their first championship. Leonard reportedly bought a house recently in the city fuelling speculation he will stay.
He’s been brutal offensively and worse defensively tonight.
Lowry has come to play. His playoff numbers may not be what a guy paid to be #2 or #3 should look like. But he is such a scrapper, so many deflections, tips to the right man, that late shot fake he made b4 passing to Gasol for a wide open 3 was perfect (Gasol missed, but still)
The Raps 2ndary players stepped up a round or 2 ago, but kept it going in spite of finals pressure (esp for a 1st franchise appearance). VanVleet's kid's timing was huge!
Well if KD returns who knows, but man I never thought 3-1 w/ the Raps basically being right there if not leading large chunks each game (if not coming back from double digit deficits when they did)
Good stuff. Kawhi has all but cemented legendary status. What a beast
If Durant comes back and leads GS to winning the title, I think that is awful news for the Knicks. He might very well stay in GS.
I would be stunned if his mind isn't already made up.
You guys are freaking yourselves out. nygiants16 flip flops each week sometimes each day, one day it's he thinks irving and durant are definitely coming, the next he knows the knicks are going to strike out.
Of course it sure helps when you make your foul shots 23/24 and don't turn the rock over. Toronto is playing flawless
I would be stunned if his mind isn't already made up.
You guys are freaking yourselves out. nygiants16 flip flops each week sometimes each day, one day it's he thinks irving and durant are definitely coming, the next he knows the knicks are going to strike out.
+1. I don't know that his mind is made up or that he won't change if it is. But the daily rumor mill isn't relevant. Aside from being clickbait or typical media nonsense, you can play this stuff in any direction:
KD plays
W: he stays. Or maybe they still show SC & KT more love, leaves
L: the team / fans realize they need him and change the overall attitude that he's disliked, stays
KD doesn't play
W: it's definitely SC & KT's team. Gone
L: Fans / franchise sell out to keep him - stays. Or they're pissed he didn't play while KT & Looney did? Out
We can do this all day, without the talking heads' daily BS! Even ignoring office locations & friends opinions and other rumors like that...
Kawhi played like a superstar and the other rotation players are all playing with tremendous confidence and chemistry.
Kerr may br frustrated because he was told game 3 or 4 and then that changed, so he is tired of putting a timetable onnit because it keeps changing...he made a comment talking about gray area
I hope so at least.
Warriors losing tonight would be weak. They have to go down swinging.