A stunner in Oakland last night, the Thunder look like they could possibly take this series from The Warriors. I have to admit, I was surprised the Thunder finished off the Spurs as easily as they did. San Antonio quietly had an amazing regular season (67 wins, 5th all-time I think?), one that would have been talked about more had it not been shadowed by the Warriors. Pop kept those old legs as fresh as possible, but the Thunder seem to have found their groove.
Meanwhile, in the East, apparently the Cavs are going to play the Raptors. I know the Raptors have a faithful following in Toronto, but I know nothing about the team these days. Last time I saw a Raptors game I think Vince Carter was there. Anyone think the Raptors have a chance?
Hardcore Raptors fan here – and no the Raptors don’t really have a realistic chance of winning this series. Just getting this far for the first time in franchise history has been akin to winning the title for many Raptors fans.
While winning the series is highly unlikely, the Raptors do have enough to at least make it interesting. A fully healthy Kyle Lowry (he’s been battling an elbow issue) is a force – he gets little recognition league wide due to playing in Toronto – but when healthy he’s an outstanding all around player. He’s likely the second best player in the series and he and Irving will be an interesting match up at the point guard spot.
The Raptors have a wing in Demarre Carroll who is a tough match up for LeBron – one of the few guy in the league well suited to defending LeBron. However, having a touch match up for LeBron to deal with, and actually containing LeBron are very different things. Playoff LeBron is usually not slowed down by anyone in the Eastern Conference playoffs – and I expect Carroll to give him a rough time –but LeBron is going to make his impact.
Unfortunately the Raptors second best player – C Jonas Valanciunas went down with ankle injury in the Heat series making the Raptors slim path to victory even slimmer. He may get back later in the series – but his mobility will likely be compromised even if he does make it back.
I’m hoping the Raps can steal one in Cleveland and make a series of it – but realistically this an uphill battle for the Raptors.
[Edited on 5/17/2016 by slothrop8]
i won't be shocked if the thunder make the finals
The Cavs haven't lost a playoff game yet this post-season, correct? Still, I don't think they are bullet proof.
If the Cavs do make it to the Finals, what is that, like 5 straight appearances in the Finals for LeBron? Not too shabby.
Great game last night. These Western Conference Finals should be just incredible.
The Thunder when Durant and Westbrook are healthy haven't lost a playoff series since the finals to the Heat.
Hoping both series are good, and a Raptors upset
OKC has two of the top 5 players in the NBA with Westbrook and Durant.
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
Needless to say, The Warriors are back.
Or should I say............Steph Curry is back?
15 points in 2 minutes in the 3rd quarter. Game over.
Needless to say, The Warriors are back.
Or should I say............Steph Curry is back?
15 points in 2 minutes in the 3rd quarter. Game over.
That was pretty nuts. Just tossing 3's. Even the big guys were dropping bombs. The Warriors came out to play.
Needless to say, The Warriors are back.
Or should I say............Steph Curry is back?
15 points in 2 minutes in the 3rd quarter. Game over.
I can't wait until the warriors rematch the cavs and see what its like when the cavs are at full strength instead of love and kyrie missing like last years finals
Needless to say, The Warriors are back.
Or should I say............Steph Curry is back?
15 points in 2 minutes in the 3rd quarter. Game over.
I can't wait until the warriors rematch the cavs and see what its like when the cavs are at full strength instead of love and kyrie missing like last years finals
It will make things interesting. The Cavs haven't had much competition in the East thus far.
I can't wait until the warriors rematch the cavs and see what its like when the cavs are at full strength instead of love and kyrie missing like last years finals
I think OKC is a deeper team than Cleveland, so I think the Warriors current series is more of a challenge for them. Then again, Cleveland went up on the Warriors 2-1 last year without Irving or Love before losing in six. Cleveland vs. either Warriors or OKC will be a great series. Of course I'm picking Warriors to go all the way, but I'm a bit biased of course. Can't wait 'till tomorrow night, first game in OKC!
You guys sound like you don't think Toronto can come back in the series. 😉
You guys sound like you don't think Toronto can come back in the series.
Let's just say that if you want to make a long distance bet on Toronto coming back, I'd be more than happy to take you up on that. Forgot, you're a Canadian.
You guys sound like you don't think Toronto can come back in the series.
Let's just say that if you want to make a long distance bet on Toronto coming back, I'd be more than happy to take you up on that. Forgot, you're a Canadian.
Not a bet that I am making although I would love to see Lebron and Curry lose. Can't stand Lebron's showboat stuff.
Toronto took it to the Cavs last night. Lebron did his usual BS of flopping when barely touched, showing off the biceps after a basket and the "look at me" personality. Gets elbowed in the chops by his team mate and Toronto gets the foul.
The refs call Toronto for imaginary stuff while the Cavs barely get a foul against them. It is BS. The Cavs are a better team so call it right but the pressure to have it Lebron vs Curry must be huge.
My son loves basketball and I am a hockey guy. Last year I showed him the difference, Patrick Kane scores the Cup winner and immediately points to Richards who gave him the pass. Curry scores and pounds his own chest. Lebron scores and does the same. Kobe does the same.
The "look at me" mentality of todays NBA makes me long for 70s basketball when the word Team actually meant something to these guys. Great players still but I think their Mommy and Daddy didn't give them enough love growing up or something. Maybe the tattoo ink leaks into the brain. 😉
I was joking about the Toronto comeback, Rob. So no money for you. 😉 But I do hope it happens.
Durant reminds me of old school NBA more than most so I am cheering for him. Gets a foul and looks at the ref and agrees. Virtually every other guy acts as if he was in a different city at the time of the foul. Arms out with that " how can you possibly think I did anything" look. Give them a technical for being full of crap. 😛
[Edited on 5/22/2016 by CanadianMule]
You guys sound like you don't think Toronto can come back in the series.
Let's just say that if you want to make a long distance bet on Toronto coming back, I'd be more than happy to take you up on that. Forgot, you're a Canadian.
Not a bet that I am making although I would love to see Lebron and Curry lose. Can't stand Lebron's showboat stuff.
Toronto took it to the Cavs last night. Lebron did his usual BS of flopping when barely touched, showing off the biceps after a basket and the "look at me" personality. Gets elbowed in the chops by his team mate and Toronto gets the foul.
The refs call Toronto for imaginary stuff while the Cavs barely get a foul against them. It is BS. The Cavs are a better team so call it right but the pressure to have it Lebron vs Curry must be huge.
My son loves basketball and I am a hockey guy. Last year I showed him the difference, Patrick Kane scores the Cup winner and immediately points to Richards who gave him the pass. Curry scores and pounds his own chest. Lebron scores and does the same. Kobe does the same.
The "look at me" mentality of todays NBA makes me long for 70s basketball when the word Team actually meant something to these guys. Great players still but I think their Mommy and Daddy didn't give them enough love growing up or something. Maybe the tattoo ink leaks into the brain. 😉
I was joking about the Toronto comeback, Rob. So no money for you. 😉 But I do hope it happens.
Durant reminds me of old school NBA more than most so I am cheering for him. Gets a foul and looks at the ref and agrees. Virtually every other guy acts as if he was in a different city at the time of the foul. Arms out with that " how can you possibly think I did anything" look. Give them a technical for being full of crap. 😛
[Edited on 5/22/2016 by CanadianMule]
i agree with almost all of this post
OKC was on fire! Now let's see if Toronto can win another at home.
I must say that as a serious Warriors fan, I am concerned. We were down 2-1 to Memphis in an early round last year and we beat them in six. We were down to Cleveland 2-1 in the championship series last year and we beat them in six.
But I'm still concerned. Concerned because OKC dominated us SO thoroughly tonight, in every single aspect of the game. Never thought I'd see that against this Warriors team.
To say that this will be an interesting series the rest of the way would be a huge understatement. And to say that Tuesday night will be a make or break game for the Warriors would also be a huge understatement.
One more thing: Draymond Green's kick to Steven Adams' crotch tonight was dirty, uncalled for, and classless.
We love Draymond's intensity here by the Bay, but that was really an assh*le move. The announcers were saying the league will review it and he may get suspended for a game. As much of a Warriors fan as I am, I think he SHOULD!
[Edited on 5/23/2016 by robslob]
I'm a warriors fan too and it is truly sad to know that they lost game 3. Maybe their focus was not enough.
I think OKC was just too good for them last night. That is the trouble when you rely on those 3 point baskets so much. If they are not dropping then you better be getting inside. I think GSW and especially Curry gave up in the first half.
What is with all the low blows? Jones suspended for nailing Biyombo in the junk. These guys are lucky they don't play hockey as they would get a beating for cheap crap like that. Closest team mate would jump in and pound them. My wife loves GSW and was trying to say Green didn't mean to kick him. BS - it was cheap.
Raptors coach Casey gets fined for telling the truth. The officials in that series have been bad.
green should be suspended for game 4. if okc goes up 3-1 its over for the warriors
green should be suspended for game 4. if okc goes up 3-1 its over for the warriors
I agree with all of that. 
green not suspended. thats bull. he admitted to kicking his leg on purpose to oversell the foul. that right there says he didn't care if it hit someone or not
green not suspended. thats bull. he admitted to kicking his leg on purpose to oversell the foul. that right there says he didn't care if it hit someone or not
WHAT!? That was such a blatant foul...favoritism. If that would have been a bench player, they would have gotten a game or two. Thats a load of BS!! Pretty much sums up why I am getting to the point of being fed up with pro sports especially the NBdivA.
Sorry to any GS fans but I hope OKC closes this series out and gives them serious beat down.
[Edited on 5/24/2016 by jszfunk]
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
Rob - are you cheering on the Raptors tonight? 😛
Even the series up I hope.
green not suspended. thats bull. he admitted to kicking his leg on purpose to oversell the foul. that right there says he didn't care if it hit someone or not
WHAT!? That was such a blatant foul...favoritism. If that would have been a bench player, they would have gotten a game or two. Thats a load of BS!! Pretty much sums up why I am getting to the point of being fed up with pro sports especially the NBdivA.
Sorry to any GS fans but I hope OKC closes this series out and give them serious beat down.
i agree. favor the big name players. i'd say jones hit on biyambo is more sketchy and possibly accidental than greens kick. difference is jones is a bench guy
green not suspended. thats bull. he admitted to kicking his leg on purpose to oversell the foul. that right there says he didn't care if it hit someone or not
WHAT!? That was such a blatant foul...favoritism. If that would have been a bench player, they would have gotten a game or two. Thats a load of BS!! Pretty much sums up why I am getting to the point of being fed up with pro sports especially the NBdivA.
Sorry to any GS fans but I hope OKC closes this series out and give them serious beat down.
i agree. favor the big name players. i'd say jones hit on biyambo is more sketchy and possibly accidental than greens kick. difference is jones is a bench guy
Exactly!
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
Lebron charges, puts the shoulder into Carroll's face and Carroll gets the foul. The refs in this series have been absolutely crap. Cavs play man to man and get very few fouls? Yeah right.
The fix is in or at least they are trying but the Raptors keep scoring and messing things up for the NBA. The last time the Raptors went to the foul line was the 3rd quarter of game 3 until just now in the 3rd quarter of game 4. As if.
Lebron charges, puts the shoulder into Carroll's face and Carroll gets the foul. The refs in this series have been absolutely crap. Cavs play man to man and get very few fouls? Yeah right.
The fix is in or at least they are trying but the Raptors keep scoring and messing things up for the NBA. The last time the Raptors went to the foul line was the 3rd quarter of game 3 until just now in the 3rd quarter of game 4. As if.
yeah nba insults fans intelligence some times
Series is now tied at 2 even with another game of terrible calls and non-calls.
