The NBA thread

[Am_I_Anonymous]

Lost in all the fanfare was just how awful Kevin Love looked tonight. Maybe one baby hook against a midget was all I can remember liking.

Amazing game though. Almost enough to erase the memories of how many one sided games there were throughout.

Disagree 100%

Rebounds and defense were on point.

[Phoenix Dark]

I missed the first quarter but from what I saw Love played well. Lots of key rebounds and a couple nice baskets. Nothing amazing but he did enough.

[benjipwns]

Do you think the Warriors now regret not firing Kerr for Luke Walton mid-season like the Cavs did to save their season?

[jakefromstatefarm]

[TakingBackSunday]

Lost in all the fanfare was just how awful Kevin Love looked tonight. Maybe one baby hook against a midget was all I can remember liking.

Amazing game though. Almost enough to erase the memories of how many one sided games there were throughout.

What?  Love looked fine, better than he looked all series.  13 rebounds, 9 points from the post, and some excellent defense on their best shooters which is very unlike him

[Stoney Mason]

Love played well in the playoffs but I thought he had a pretty bad finals. That being said now with the ring, it's highly unlikely they would look to move him.

[TakingBackSunday]

Keep him.  He played very well in the regular season and had a couple great games in the playoffs.  He just doesn't match up with the Warriors well

[benjipwns]

[Stoney Mason]

[benjipwns]

https://twitter.com/MagicJohnson/status/744729648873902081

[dkdk]

love was +19 tonight and played hard af. cant hate on him for tonight at least.

[Am_I_Anonymous]

https://twitter.com/MagicJohnson/status/744729648873902081

Ha ha ha. He's not going anywhere.

[TakingBackSunday]

damn, JR

dat's my pipeman

also

[benjipwns]

GAF thread already descended into Kobe discussion.

[benjipwns]

[Am_I_Anonymous]

I don't get that pic at all.

[benjipwns]

I don't get that pic at all.

[Am_I_Anonymous]

No no I meant the one above it.

[TakingBackSunday]

No no I meant the one above it.

game of thrones reference

only us nerds get it apparently  :'(

[Am_I_Anonymous]

No no I meant the one above it.

game of thrones reference

only us nerds get it apparently  :'(

Ah yeah. I never made it past Ned dying.

[Am_I_Anonymous]

Lebron didn't need Shaq to get him a few titles. At least we got that going for us

[TVC15]

No parade by my apartment

[Phoenix Dark]

LeBron titles without Shaq: 3
Kobe titles without Shaq: 2

[benjipwns]

Finals losses with Shaq:
LeBron: zero
Kobe: one, during the greatest Finals ever

[benjipwns]

Titles without a starting seven footer:
LeBron: three
Kobe: zero
Foolish Jordon: zero

 

[naff]

Walrus sighting:

(Image removed from quote.)

Sporting the fuckin goatee too with a cap hanging out his pocket. The 40 y/o fuckboi 

[dkdk]

i still can't get over the block. i was so focused on iggy i didn't see lebron until he pinned the shit. if it wasn't for replay you could've told me he did Instant Transmission and i would've believed you.

[benjipwns]

[TakingBackSunday]

I'm curious

Walrus why do you actually hate Lebron?

I've met you and talked to you and you're a good feller, but beyond being a Lakers fan I still don't really understand your hatred for Lebron

[seagrams hotsauce]

Easily my favorite finals in the last five years. Basketball is the best

[seagrams hotsauce]

What a great narrative. Either GSW seal a record setting season with a playoff victory, or Lebron brings Cleveland home their first victory in five decades. In the end, the good guys win, because Anderson Verajao still doesn't have a ring

[dkdk]

I'm curious

Walrus why do you actually hate Lebron?

I've met you and talked to you and you're a good feller, but beyond being a Lakers fan I still don't really understand your hatred for Lebron

Oh right.

It's because of this Sports Illustrated issue from back in the day:

(Image removed from quote.)

I probably still have this somewhere. I saw him in person play my HS the year before I went there. We had the NC state player of the year Reyshawn Terry (UNC and Dallas Mavs). And we were in the midst of 3 straight state titles IIRC.

Bron and his gang absolutely annihilated us and our crowd loved every minute. He made Reyshawn into dust basically. Absolutely unreal. Left that game thinking I definitely saw the GOAT and thats might end up being the case. More than anything the pregame is burned into my mind. He used to start at the goal and shoot further and further back until he was out at halfcourt just draining shots.

Ill never say hes better than Kobe tho. I cannot bring myself to form that sentence. 

[TakingBackSunday]

I'm curious

Walrus why do you actually hate Lebron?

I've met you and talked to you and you're a good feller, but beyond being a Lakers fan I still don't really understand your hatred for Lebron

Oh right.

It's because of this Sports Illustrated issue from back in the day:

(Image removed from quote.)

but how does that actually spark hatred?

To me it just feels like your threatened that Kobe's legacy would be tarnished if James continues to succeed

but in reality both Kobe and Lebron are hallmarks of the NBA and will both be remembered for how great they were/are.  One being amazing does not detract from the other.

Especially considering they're completely different positions

[brawndolicious]

I like Steph Curry. But I'm glad that people who were ready to call him the greatest player ever off of the strength of a season they didn't watch can shut the fuck up now.

I didn't have a dog in the race, but I was around people who jumped on the GSW band wagon and literally didn't show up till this game expecting a blow out for the Warriors. So I thank LeBron for breaking my fast this ramadan, as I consumed enough tears to stay hydrated under the arab sun.

It makes living the bay area so much easier now that dub nation is proven to be fallible. The faith of their fans is completely shaken. And now I can pretend to ask my coworkers who went to the game if the Warriors won.

[benjipwns]

I found out about this last year or so sometime, but Sports Illustrated has all their issues going back to the beginning up for reading.

Here's that LeBron one: http://www.si.com/vault/issue/702980/1/1?cover_view=1
Original article itself: http://www.si.com/vault/issue/702980/74/2
More readable text form: http://www.si.com/vault/2002/02/18/318739/ahead-of-his-class-ohio-high-school-junior-lebron-james-is-so-good-that-hes-already-being-mentioned-as-the-heir-to-air-jordan

"If I were a general manager, there are only four or five NBA players that I wouldn't trade to get him right now," says former Phoenix Suns coach Danny Ainge, who was in Trenton to see LeBron play for the second time. "I love Jason Williams at Duke, and I've heard of the Chinese guy [7'6" Yao Ming], but if LeBron came out this year, I wouldn't even have to think about it. I'd take him No. 1."

"A lot of players know how to play the game," LeBron says, "but they really don't know how to play the game, if you know what I mean. They can put the ball in the hoop, but I see things before they even happen. You know how a guy can make his team so much better? That's one thing I learned from watching Jordan."

From his rookie year preview issue:
http://www.si.com/vault/2003/10/27/352431/you-gotta-carry-that-weight-can-an-18-year-old-shoulder-the-burden-of-a-league-a-city-and-a-few-corporations
Original: http://www.si.com/vault/issue/703765/72/2

If you mess with the zoom in your browser (though sometimes zooming out zooms in) and the full screen thing it makes the original articles more readable. A lot of the text, especially older stuff has been OCR'd in and can be tough to read in the text form.

Bonus content, the first 2003 lottery pick to go to back to back NBA Finals AND win a ring: http://www.si.com/vault/2003/03/03/338924/darko-milicic-this-17-year-old-7-footer-may-be-the-nbas-no-2-draft-pick

[benjipwns]

Skip Bayless' last day at ESPN is tomorrow.

Skip Bayless ‏@RealSkipBayless  5h5 hours ago
The Spurs would've beaten these Cavs.

Skip Bayless ‏@RealSkipBayless  5h5 hours ago
Here it comes: Witnesses will now make the case LeBron James is better than Michael Jordan.

[Am_I_Anonymous]

I think the difference is people like to play with Lebron.


Kobe made it tough to like him.


That's what hurt Kobe the most. Had they have kept Shaq he would easily of surpassed Jordan in titles.

[seagrams hotsauce]

^You're right but that's fuckin rich coming from you considering you were implying KL was gonna leave cleveland cuz lebron didn't give him a high five two pages ago

[Am_I_Anonymous]

^You're right but that's fuckin rich coming from you considering you were implying KL was gonna leave cleveland cuz lebron didn't give him a high five two pages ago

If we didn't win the title (fuck yeah still sinking in) he would be on his way out. Now, outside of Mozgov leaving I don't see us moving anyone.

[seagrams hotsauce]

You should hope they ship his bum ass off. Fuck kevin love

[Am_I_Anonymous]

You should hope they ship his bum ass off. Fuck kevin love

I would have said the same thing but I think he finally embraced his Bosh role in this team now.

[Stoney Mason]

They won't ship him either way. A title washes away all sins. Kevin Love's legacy will come at some future point but debating it at the moment just isn't relevant. Such a crazy series and what a way to culminate it in that game 7. I really loved what Coach Lue did during the playoffs. While its unfair to attack blatt for last season's injury deprived roster, I just never felt comfortable with him in charge. Lue felt different.

I really felt good for so many cavs. Kyrie will finally get the credit he is due. Lebron closes the cases on all the bs. JR smith after such a troubled career gets a ring. The role players who played so hard last year get rings. It's a nice story.

[Stoney Mason]

Skip Bayless' last day at ESPN is tomorrow.

Skip Bayless ‏@RealSkipBayless  5h5 hours ago
The Spurs would've beaten these Cavs.

Skip Bayless ‏@RealSkipBayless  5h5 hours ago
Here it comes: Witnesses will now make the case LeBron James is better than Michael Jordan.

[Stoney Mason]

Before I forget I want to mention how incredible this Warriors run has been. These two seasons have been amazing. Steve Kerr is a class act all the way. Warriors have amazing players. I think they are still so set for the future its insane.

[Am_I_Anonymous]

Before I forget I want to mention how incredible this Warriors run has been. These two seasons have been amazing. Steve Kerr is a class act all the way. Warriors have amazing players. I think they are still so set for the future its insane.

I think we are doing best of of three unless Durant moves somewhere like San Antonio. Which I doubt he will do.

So you'll get another chance.

Really hoping this turns into the next lakers Celtics type rivalry.

[Phoenix Dark]

So Curry, Green, and Thompson are signed to multi year contracts...outside of Barnes is GS going to lose anyone?

Love played well last night and seemingly found his role, also shut down Curry on the 3 point shot. But he's still not the best fit against GS, who will presumably be contending for championships for awhile. I wonder what moves the Cavs will make to get better. Jefferson is retiring, Mozgov is gone. What should the strategy be?

[Am_I_Anonymous]

So Curry, Green, and Thompson are signed to multi year contracts...outside of Barnes is GS going to lose anyone?

Love played well last night and seemingly found his role, also shut down Curry on the 3 point shot. But he's still not the best fit against GS, who will presumably be contending for championships for awhile. I wonder what moves the Cavs will make to get better. Jefferson is retiring, Mozgov is gone. What should the strategy be?

Dwayne Wade coming to Cleveland. Watch it happen.

Seriously though, hard to say. I think we found our lineup. Replacing Jefferson isn't going to be easy.

[Stoney Mason]

Griffin mentioned after the game that he didn't think the current roster matched the warriors great but I doubt there will be lots of tweaking. Mostly stuff around the edges. JR smith will be a free agent. I think he actually can get decent money based on the cap and his play in the playoffs. He's been an insane bargain over the years for the cavs considering that he is better than shumpert. Cavs have paid everybody. Will be interesting to see if they pay JR. Hopefully they can snag some quality players looking to chase rings when free agency hits also.

[Am_I_Anonymous]

Griffin mentioned after the game that he didn't think the current roster matched the warriors great but I doubt there will be lots of tweaking. Mostly stuff around the edges. JR smith will be a free agent. I think he actually can get decent money based on the cap and his play in the playoffs. He's been an insane bargain over the years for the cavs considering that he is better than shumpert. Cavs have paid everybody. Will be interesting to see if they pay JR. Hopefully they can snag some quality players looking to chase rings when free agency hits also.

It's going to be hard to let JR go. Especially after that podium speech. I don't think he wants to go anywhere, either. So I think we pay him.

[Brehvolution]

Dude is the Bill kristol of sports. Glad he's gone from espn.

[Brehvolution]

[jakefromstatefarm]

they couldn't ship Love if they wanted to, he's getting $20+ million a year through 2020.

and he still isn't shit

[Am_I_Anonymous]

they couldn't ship Love if they wanted to, he's getting $20+ million a year through 2020.

and he still isn't shit

Caps going up to 94 million bro and it's going up again next year. It's gonna end up being a bargain. Wait till you see the deal durant signs (1 year 25 million i'm betting, player option on 2nd year for 30)

Lebron will probably go one for 27 million player option for 32, for the record.

It's gonna get nuts.

[Yulwei]

(Image removed from quote.)

[Stoney Mason]

The Cleveland Cavaliers thrilling 93-89 win over the Golden State Warriors brought in an overnight rating of 18.9 on Sunday night, the network said.
The telecast peaked with 25.5 rating from 10:30 pm to 10:45 pm ET when the Cavaliers wrapped up the victory.
This makes the much anticipated showdown the highest rated NBA Finals game since 1998 when Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls beat the Utah Jazz.
This is also the highest rated NBA game for ABC since the network started broadcasting the games in 2003. Game 7 also had a higher rating than all sports programming on either ABC or ESPN in 10 years, which includes NFL playoff games and the College Football championship games.

The game was a huge draw in the hometown markets of the two teams. Roughly 46% of Cleveland homes were tuned into the game while roughly 40% were in San Francisco.

[TakingBackSunday]

damn, dem ratings

[jakefromstatefarm]

yeah I'm sorry 21 million with a 94 million cap isn't a 'bargain' for a player who averaged 16/10 on 42% shooting the past 2 seasons. To put it in perspective, Love will be the 3rd highest paid power forward in the league next year, just 885k behind Anthony fucking Davis. That's more than Aldridge, more than Blake. LeBron is the best player on the planet, he's worth 30 million. Love struggles to compete on one side of the ball, is that really the guy you wanna be paying 25 million into his 30s?

e: on the other hand - https://vine.co/v/5BuxJdlQLYQ

[Am_I_Anonymous]

Before I forget I want to mention how incredible this Warriors run has been. These two seasons have been amazing. Steve Kerr is a class act all the way. Warriors have amazing players. I think they are still so set for the future its insane.

Go fuck yourself you ball-washing piece of shit.

The fuck dude? He's been humble in defeat?

[Stoney Mason]

He can't deal with the strong sexual chemistry me and bron have.


 

[Steve Contra]

Can't be mad at that game.