NBA 2015 FINALS

[HairOfTheDog]

I'm not really up to speed on all things NBA MS.

I just love the game and keep up as best I can with the local teams.

So, fwiw, I'd take KAT.

[Midwest Spy]

I'm not really up to speed on all things NBA MS.

I just love the game and keep up as best I can with the local teams.

So, fwiw, I'd take KAT.

I hope Flip Saunders listens to you and takes Towns. He's posturing in the media right now that Okafor is the best low-post big man to enter the draft since Tim Duncan.

Towns is more like New Orleans phenom Anthony Davis. A versatile big man that can shoot with range, yet still protects the rim.

[HairOfTheDog]

I had you pegged as a Clippers fan. You know... Cuz they protest

You know it, baby.

I love me some freedom of speech, expression, and public assembly.

And, I love me some Clippers.

And...


^ All of those loves have made me a target of much malicious mockery around here. But, my love does it good -- it gives me the strength to endure such bullying tactics!!!

[Blindgreed1]

I had you pegged as a Clippers fan. You know... Cuz they protest

You know it, baby.

I love me some freedom of speech, expression, and public assembly.

And, I love me some Clippers.

And...


^ All of those loves have made me a target of much malicious mockery around here. But, my love does it good -- it gives me the strength to endure such bullying tactics!!!

Who knew Richard Simmons played guitar?

[HairOfTheDog]

This sucks. After Curry, I think shooting guard Klay Thompson is our most needed player.



During the fourth quarter of play-off Game 5 against the Houston Rockets, ^ Thompson took a knee to the head from Rockets forward Trevor Ariza.

Following extensive examinations over the last two days -- including neurological tests this morning -- Thompson was diagnosed with a concussion. He will not return to the court until he is symptom-free and cleared under the NBA's concussion protocol guidelines. He will be evaluated daily and there is no timetable for his return.

While the final return-to participation decision is to be made by the player’s team physician, the team physician must discuss the return-to-participation process and decision with Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, the Director of the NBA’s Concussion Program, prior to the player being cleared for full participation in NBA Basketball.

I think the NBA is better at protecting the health of its players than the NFL and I'm glad that they're are not allowed to hit the court after injury without first being medically cleared. I just really really hope that Thompson is all good by the time the Finals start next week.

[Midwest Spy]

Can you post the YouTube video of Klay's record-setting 37 point quarter from earlier this year?

He reminds me a little of me (from back in the day).

lol (well, a little)

[HairOfTheDog]

Can you post the YouTube video of Klay's record-setting 37 point quarter from earlier this year?

He reminds me a little of me (from back in the day).

lol (well, a little)

That was an amazing third quarter performance. He made every shot he attempted.

[Blindgreed1]

This sucks. After Curry, I think shooting guard Klay Thompson is our most needed player.



During the fourth quarter of play-off Game 5 against the Houston Rockets, ^ Thompson took a knee to the head from Rockets forward Trevor Ariza.

Following extensive examinations over the last two days -- including neurological tests this morning -- Thompson was diagnosed with a concussion. He will not return to the court until he is symptom-free and cleared under the NBA's concussion protocol guidelines. He will be evaluated daily and there is no timetable for his return.

While the final return-to participation decision is to be made by the player’s team physician, the team physician must discuss the return-to-participation process and decision with Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, the Director of the NBA’s Concussion Program, prior to the player being cleared for full participation in NBA Basketball.

I think the NBA is better at protecting the health of its players than the NFL and I'm glad that they're are not allowed to hit the court after injury without first being medically cleared. I just really really hope that Thompson is all good by the time the Finals start next week.

Anyone who tells you hoops isn't a contact sport isn't doing it right, but honestly the NBA didn't start their concussion policy until long after it became a big deal in the world of sports via the NFL (I wanna say 2011), so the players have the NFL to thank for their concussion policies.

[Cutz]

While I know nothing of NBA hoops, I've been following Kentucky for two years, and Towns is a monster. Okafor is a thug. I think I'd take Willie Cauley Stein over both of them tho, except for positional need.

[HairOfTheDog]

The litigation by NFL players definitely incited all major professional sports leagues, including MLB and NBA, to enhance their existing concussion policies to include not only team but also league medical oversight. That's true Gunnar.

None of the professional sports leagues want that liability and those potential massive pay-outs now that precedent has been set by NFL plaintiffs. So, in that respect, I guess basketball players and all pro athletes can thank the NFL. The policies across the pro sports industry are more consistent than they were in the past. http://www.lawinsport.com/features/item/...-protocols

Basketball has a much lower per-player and per-game concussion rate than American football anyway. But, I've never heard a ton of allegations in the past or present from NBA players claiming to be encouraged or forced to play with head injuries like I have from NFLers.

[Donovan]

I don't know where some of you have gotten the impression that Cleveland wasn't a pre-season favorite to win the title this year?

LeBron, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. The new Big 3. Any team with LeBron is automatically in the coversation to win the title.

On the other hand, prior to the season, NOBODY was talking about the Warriors as potential champs.

Hell, even as the season was winding down, and GS had secured the best record in the West (by 10 games), no one thought they'd get through the West and into the Finals.

Just catching some folks up to speed.

True enough except the Cavs got written off when the "new big 3" couldn't gel early on, and even their ultimate success was basically LeBron picking them up and carrying them a good chunk of the way. I still say I want to see the Cavs win, because Cleveland needs Something for chrissakes. How long can God enjoy shitting in the same spot over and over?

[HairOfTheDog]

GS had a remarkable season.

67 wins playing in the West was unbelievable.

I really am hoping that they can beat the Cavs. If they concede LeBron his 30 every night and can contain Irving and the 3 point shooters they will win. If JR Smith, Shumpert, Jones and others are raining 3's while LBJ and Kyrie are going off, they'll lose.

I've read a few of the sports writers' predictions this weekend and the Warriors are favored to take the title by the majority. Not that it means much, just because it's fun and interesting to read the different analyses and opinions. It's anybody's series, in my opinion.

In most of the pieces, the Warriors are seen as having an advantage in every position except Small Forward, with LeBron of course being favored over Harrison Barnes.

The Warriors definitely have a better bench. That's a fact, not an opinion (in my opinon, haha).

Still, if Klay Thompson isn't cleared to play by the start of the series, I think it's a huge plus for the Cavs.

The Vegas odds currently favor Steph Curry to take the MVP and the Warriors to take the title.

Vegas Odds to win 2015 NBA Championship
Golden State Warriors -- ⁵⁄₁₂
Cleveland Cavaliers -- ¹⁹⁄₁₀

I'm excited for the series to start. So far, you, me and Gunnar are sitting on the Warriors side of the court. Donovan and Cutz are over there behind the King and his Cavs. Should be fun.

[HairOfTheDog]

The good news: Klay Thompson is medically cleared and on the court for the Warriors.

The bad news: Kyrie Irving is medically cleared and on the court for the Cavs (man he's good, and he's playing really well in the first quarter).

[Midwest Spy]

Cleveland is playing like I expected them to.

Obviously a lot of game left, but LBJ and Kyrie are the catalysts and the supporting cast is making clutch 3's.

Should be a very good series.

[Midwest Spy]

If the refs are going to let Bron get away with pushing off to create separation in the post area, he's gonna avg 35+ per game in this series.

Right now, the officiating favors a Cleveland series victory.

[Cutz]

Wait, this is Oakland vs Cleveland? Both are shitholes! Does the winner get to leave their city?

[HairOfTheDog]

Jesus Christ, I'm screaming my lungs out here.

Incredible game 1 -- going into overtime at 98 a piece.

C'mon Splash Bros!!

[HairOfTheDog]

Fun game.

The Warriors took it by 8 in overtime, despite a 40+ point game for LeBron.

GAME 1
Cavaliers 100
Warriors 108

Kyrie Irving injured his knee again; I actually feel badly for him and the Cavs. Hope he's back for Sunday's game.

[Cutz]

According to this source, Cleveland is the most cursed city in sports history... so the cavs are just keeping up with par.

[HairOfTheDog]

According to this source, Cleveland is the most cursed city in sports history... so the cavs are just keeping up with par.

I agree with what Donovan posted upthread; Cleveland is really due for a "win" of some kind. A major sporting victory for the city would be very cool.

I gotta stay loyal to my team though, and Oakland isn't exactly the land of milk and honey itself. But, if the Warriors are gonna lose to anyone, I'm glad it will be the Cleveland Cavaliers.