NBA 2015 Playoffs Thread
- Thread starter Djay
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This happens nearly every big moment. Lebron settles for long shots, a rebound takes place, shot made by other team, Lebron tries jumper again, repeat... momentum shifts. When ALL he has to fucking do is take the ball in the lane and drive. Why is this shit so difficult for him to grasp?
It's been a great series so far. I expect a Cavs win by blowout in G6 and then a no holds barred G7. If Lebron takes command as he should be doing in every single game then the Cavs win in 7. If he sticks with jumpers and backdown post ups then they lose in G7.
Best Finals series I have seen in awhile and it's so nice to see two teams in it that I would be happy if either won even though neither are my team.
Best Finals series I have seen in awhile and it's so nice to see two teams in it that I would be happy if either won even though neither are my team.
Ambiturner
Ssraeszha Raider
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Ambiturner
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So if GS wins Game 6, but Lebron puts up another 40-10-10, does he have a legitimate shot at MVP despite losing? Curry was great last night, but has been pretty hit or miss. Iggy maybe?
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Let's be clear. Two things have lead to the Cavs victories in this series. One, LeBron's amazing play and two, the Warriors bricking shots. Part of that is Cleveland's defensive plan, part of that was just a bad stretch of play.
If LeBron "takes command" but Steph shoots well, the Warriors are going to win and this isn't a knock on LeBron whatsoever. Guy has been amazing, but even he isn't capable of pulling 6 other roleplayers to a win when the Warriors are hitting shots.
Plus the Cavs roster is like 7-deep max, especially if you can't play Mozgov vs Warriors small-ball lineup. These guys are dead tired at this point.
Pharazon
Silver Knight of the Realm
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As a Warriors fan, I was actually thinking during the first half yesterday that IF we won the series, I could see Lebron winning MVP and I might not have a problem with it. However, after Steph went off, and after scrutinizing Lebron's play a little more, I don't think it should happen. He's been the best player in the series, but he's only shooting 40%. He has to take all those shots, but you shouldn't win Finals MVP by losing the series and shooting 40% in doing so.
That said, the Cavs are still right there. If Lebron comes out with a couple legendary performances they could still win the series. I really hope the Dubs close it out in Cleveland, because a game 7 might be an ugly war.
popsicledeath
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I don't think we could see a losing team's player win the MVP. Like I literally don't think it would be allowed by the league. Nor should it be, imo.
I don't think Lebron has earned that yet, either. He has great totals, but also some of his stats/numbers aren't that great. Low efficiency/percentages, mainly. There are plenty of players that could put up gaudy numbers if allowed to hero ball in the finals, and if he's the best player in the world as he claims then good numbers is the minimum expectation. He does it better than most, but the gut check also can't ignore the fact he's also disappeared in a few 4th quarters or overtime and taken plenty of plays and quarters off, becoming the aloof jump shooter he can sometimes be, showing the side of him that used to be pretty frequent where he pouts and let the team fail just so he could smugly let everyone realize how great and needed he is.
That's always been how he operates, though, and part of it is that I honestly don't think he cares that much about winning. If he did, instead of pointing at his stats and saying he's the best player in the world so he isn't worried, he'd be out there not disappearing even if he's tired, or he'd at least be focused on how to win, not how to advertise himself. So, yeah, he claims winning is number one, because that's every athletes stated goal, but it always feels like a side effect with Lebron. His goal is all that bullshit he talks about all the time about being a mogul and brand. Other players have done it purely through winning. But honestly, Lebron has never had to even win to accomplish his goals, and I think it hurts his underlying motivation.
Sure, if he wins it helps cement his legacy, but in his mind that's already cemented. He's in a position I've often felt he actually favored (or at least seen how he can benefit), where there isn't any pressure to win, and he doesn't really have to care all that much about winning. He has to say he does, but can then disappear on the court for stretches or entire games so everyone can remember how important he is. In the end, though, he's in a fine position that helps his overall brand by being selectively amazing and when he wins against all perceived odds he gets all credit, and when he doesn't win a game or series his supporters can blame a lot of other factors the way it has always been in Cleveland.
I don't think Lebron has earned that yet, either. He has great totals, but also some of his stats/numbers aren't that great. Low efficiency/percentages, mainly. There are plenty of players that could put up gaudy numbers if allowed to hero ball in the finals, and if he's the best player in the world as he claims then good numbers is the minimum expectation. He does it better than most, but the gut check also can't ignore the fact he's also disappeared in a few 4th quarters or overtime and taken plenty of plays and quarters off, becoming the aloof jump shooter he can sometimes be, showing the side of him that used to be pretty frequent where he pouts and let the team fail just so he could smugly let everyone realize how great and needed he is.
That's always been how he operates, though, and part of it is that I honestly don't think he cares that much about winning. If he did, instead of pointing at his stats and saying he's the best player in the world so he isn't worried, he'd be out there not disappearing even if he's tired, or he'd at least be focused on how to win, not how to advertise himself. So, yeah, he claims winning is number one, because that's every athletes stated goal, but it always feels like a side effect with Lebron. His goal is all that bullshit he talks about all the time about being a mogul and brand. Other players have done it purely through winning. But honestly, Lebron has never had to even win to accomplish his goals, and I think it hurts his underlying motivation.
Sure, if he wins it helps cement his legacy, but in his mind that's already cemented. He's in a position I've often felt he actually favored (or at least seen how he can benefit), where there isn't any pressure to win, and he doesn't really have to care all that much about winning. He has to say he does, but can then disappear on the court for stretches or entire games so everyone can remember how important he is. In the end, though, he's in a fine position that helps his overall brand by being selectively amazing and when he wins against all perceived odds he gets all credit, and when he doesn't win a game or series his supporters can blame a lot of other factors the way it has always been in Cleveland.
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I understand how the media works, so it won't happen like this, but win or lose this year it really shouldn't impact how anyone looks at LeBron. A win with this shitty of a supporting cast just helps to silence the dumb crowd that likes yelling opinions regardless of their validity. He's top 5 already.
It would take a gigantic stroke of luck for him to reach 5+ rings. That's just not likely even with a win this year. If you concede that, he's never going to have the same success Magic did and he's simply just not as good as Jordan was.
But he's right in the group of 2 or 3 players after that. That's a cemented legacy if I've ever seen one.
It would take a gigantic stroke of luck for him to reach 5+ rings. That's just not likely even with a win this year. If you concede that, he's never going to have the same success Magic did and he's simply just not as good as Jordan was.
But he's right in the group of 2 or 3 players after that. That's a cemented legacy if I've ever seen one.
popsicledeath
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How the media works? Win or lose the media will continue suckling Lebron as they always have.
Lebron has had some stumbling blocks with the media, sure, but he's also benefited greatly from the current state of the media that is all too willing to talk about and 'cement' a players legacy long before they retire. Used to be winning led to begrudging respect led to huge marketing appeal and general public awareness led to more winning with even greater exposure, eventually led toward talk of being greatest of all time. The media has been talking about Lebron being GOAT for how long now, and he's barely 30?
With Lebron, the media was waiting/hoping he won some championships so they could finally be justified in their opinion of his greatness.
I don't personally like him, but he's clearly one of the greatest athletes of any sport and on the short list of best individual talents the NBA has ever seen. It's just odd I wouldn't describe him personally as a winner. At least not on the court. As a business man and mogul, he's a genius. That seemed to be his main goal from the beginning, though.
Lebron has had some stumbling blocks with the media, sure, but he's also benefited greatly from the current state of the media that is all too willing to talk about and 'cement' a players legacy long before they retire. Used to be winning led to begrudging respect led to huge marketing appeal and general public awareness led to more winning with even greater exposure, eventually led toward talk of being greatest of all time. The media has been talking about Lebron being GOAT for how long now, and he's barely 30?
With Lebron, the media was waiting/hoping he won some championships so they could finally be justified in their opinion of his greatness.
I don't personally like him, but he's clearly one of the greatest athletes of any sport and on the short list of best individual talents the NBA has ever seen. It's just odd I wouldn't describe him personally as a winner. At least not on the court. As a business man and mogul, he's a genius. That seemed to be his main goal from the beginning, though.
