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2015-2016 NBA playoff edition: Finals - Cavs vs Warriors - Cavs win 4-3
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Steph Curry’s legacy on the line? How do the Warriors slow down LeBron James? A weighty Game 7 preview (special “Warriors Plus Minus” episode)
OAKLAND–Live on digital tape, recording from the swank BMW Club just at Oracle Arena…
Right after the Warriors’ and Cavaliers’ final practice availabilities of this long, long, long Final series and long, long, long, long, long, long postseason, Marcus Thompson II and I sat down for one last in-season recording of “Warriors Plus Minus.”
Here’s the link (sorry, I’m not sure if we can get the player up on this post).
One last show before the largest game in the history of the Warriors franchise–to validate the 73-win season, the comeback from 3-1 down vs. Oklahoma City, Stephen Curry’s unanimous MVP, and to beat back the doubt creeping in after the Warriors themselves blew a 3-1 lead in this series.
We talked about the immense pressure building on the Warriors and Curry, and what that means for Game 7, and what the Oracle crowd might be like tomorrow.
We talked about how the Warriors might adjust their defensive scheme on LeBron James, how comfortable he is feeling right now ion this moment, and how Steve Kerr might change the rotation up.
And we definitely talked about the weight Curry and the Warriors are carrying into this game.
Right after the Warriors’ and Cavaliers’ final practice availabilities of this long, long, long Final series and long, long, long, long, long, long postseason, Marcus Thompson II and I sat down for one last in-season recording of “Warriors Plus Minus.”
Here’s the link (sorry, I’m not sure if we can get the player up on this post).
One last show before the largest game in the history of the Warriors franchise–to validate the 73-win season, the comeback from 3-1 down vs. Oklahoma City, Stephen Curry’s unanimous MVP, and to beat back the doubt creeping in after the Warriors themselves blew a 3-1 lead in this series.
We talked about the immense pressure building on the Warriors and Curry, and what that means for Game 7, and what the Oracle crowd might be like tomorrow.
We talked about how the Warriors might adjust their defensive scheme on LeBron James, how comfortable he is feeling right now ion this moment, and how Steve Kerr might change the rotation up.
And we definitely talked about the weight Curry and the Warriors are carrying into this game.
Don't know if i will be able to watch..the refs aren't neutral?and by how many dubs win? I need to bet..Monty in another appearance huh
Being that he's the #3 ref he will be neutralized by Danny Crawford who's the number# 1 ref
Sort of like game 2 when Scott Foster was ref 1 and Brothers was 2 lmao
Crawford
Mchalahan
Mcchutchen
End result Dubs win
Very ignorant article...dubs can't stop LBJ so just make it as tough as you can and live with the results...role players need to play their normal games, star players need to do what they do..make lbj do everything..stop everyone else and don't allow Kyrie to score 40,they win..Golden State learned how to win in epic season, but never how to lose
If there’s a downside to the Warriors' record-breaking season, it’s this: They learned how to win 73 games, but they never really learned how to lose.
Losing has one unintended benefit: It allows you to learn. I’m not talking about learning the X’s and O’s, I’m talking about learning to handle the unimaginable pressure of chasing greatness. When the media starts attacking, when fans get cranky, when outside distractions work their way into the game, that’s your opportunity to learn how to react, how to build a mental arsenal that protects your focus and allows you to shut out the chaos.
If you’re going to set the world on fire, you’d better be able to control how it burns.
Winning doesn’t alleviate pressure, it jacks it up even higher, in every way. Greater expectations. More drama. Fatigue and injuries. Media scrutiny. Contract rumors. The spotlight gets hotter, the noise gets louder.
The Warriors made a lot of noise this season. Now they have to manage the volume.
After a season of almost no distractions, now they are dealing with a dazzling mess of controversies, injuries, emotions … everything they didn’t have to deal with before. Rumors about Steph Curry’s health.Draymond Green’s suspension. Klay Thompson’s early exit. Andre Iguodala’s back.Andrew Bogut’s knee. Spousal tweeting. The flying mouthguard. And … whatever happened to Harrison Barnes’ jump shot?
The ability to manage it all is the difference between being a pro and being a professional. A “pro” is someone who makes it into the league. A “professional” knows how to handle the pressure of being there. He has the ability to step inside the lines and leave everything else behind. Personal issues, team controversies, media storms … it all goes away at game time. A professional has the same look on his face whether he’s winning or losing; he plays with one emotion, always in control. You rarely see him show frustration; he keeps everything inside. Because the minute you show your opponent how you’re feeling, you’ve given him something he can work with.
Playing with one steady emotion keeps you focused. Playing with out-of-control emotions makes you weak.
Throughout the regular season, the Warriors played with a singular easygoing demeanor. The shots were falling, the team was winning, records were falling. They didn’t have to think about what to do, they just did it. When Steph and Klay were draining all those threes, that’s not about a “magic touch,” that’s about clarity and focus and not having to think about anything else. You can’t do that when something else is pulling at you. When you have one great strength – shooting – and the shots aren’t falling, your strength becomes your weakness.
The long gaps between games don’t make it any easier; so much time to think, to listen to the narrative before you can rewrite the story. It might be better for the body but not necessarily better for the mind. Even if you can ignore the media and critics and fans, it’s hard to ignore your family and friends, because they all have opinions and they all want to “help.” They want to protect you, they want to protect themselves, and they’re worried as hell about what happens if things don’t go according to plan. But if those in your support system don’t understand their roles, if they don’t recognize the kind of support you really need, if you didn’t have to address this during the regular season, you’re going to have a hard time dealing with it in the Finals.
If LeBron James has one huge advantage in this series – and he surely has more than one – it’s his experience handling criticism and controversy. He’s been through it all. So has his family. For Steph, controversy is new and challenging. For LeBron, it’s just another day at the office.
For Game 7, LeBron’s office has to feature a healthy Kyrie Irving. Everyone believes LeBron’s performance determines what the Cavs will do, but it’s Kyrie’s performance that determines what LeBron has to do. When Kyrie is effectively scoring, that’s when LeBron is most effective at adjusting his game to do whatever else is necessary – scoring, rebounding, assisting, filling up the stat sheet as needed.
Sunday night, the court will be filled with great players. But great won’t be enough to win this; the champion will have to be unstoppable. Each team has to make the other team uncomfortable; the title will go to team who can get comfortable being uncomfortable.
The Warriors know about being uncomfortable. They started the season without their coach, playing with a target on their backs, as they battled to do the hardest thing in sports: win back-to-back titles. And along the way, they avoided adversity and controversy, and lost only nine times. They are experienced winners … not experienced losers. Now it all comes down to this: Are you going to hang a banner for those 73 wins, orthe banner for the 2016 championship?
During the regular season, a single game determined whether they would break the Bulls’ iconic 72-win record. Now, a single game determines whether any of that will matter at all.
- - - - - - -
Dubs win by 3-5pts
Y'all really think Harrison Barnes gonna get a max contract?
All it takes is one team tho
I think a team will max him out tho
U have to pay premium in the NBA
never heard of him
you've been undefeated calling the games based on the refs but after that ayesha curry tweet I think the refs call it straight up...I'm take a chance and call against you...cavs winning tonite
Yeah, if they call it straight thanks to that Ayesha callout it's for the Cavs. GS shoots 25 footers or gets open shots from ball movement. Cavs more likely to drive to the rack and GS swats too damn much. GS doesn't have anymore interior defense. They are going to foul. Let's see if the refs call it.
I cant think of a better person.
You have all the answers huh? Or you forgot when the refs were calling the cavs vs GS games straight up during the ref season the cavs were getting blown out you just gonna dismiss that little tidbit?
f*ck no no matter HOW he plays tonight..
goo lawd Lebron wife is FINE!!!!
homeboy ALREADY won.
homeboy ALREADY won.
for Cleveland:
this dude is scaring the sh*t out of me
and the fact that the white sports media is trying to act like he DOESN'T exist?
Is all the more reason we NEED to be heeding this dude more.
wow, so you dont admit to all of the missed fouls and other calls against CAVs? I mean blatant shit like this. And then niggas getting elbowed in the mouth and back of head but no calls. GS aint getting whistle whipped.
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Dude refs been missing calls all series it's a reason why I called each game for who will win just based off who the refs were shit ain't rocket science
You said if the refs call it right, GS wins. The refs been showing GS love and they still struggle
@BeatDownRecords Obviously Lebron is the MVP but they're making a great point.
The strongest yet most subtle way to change this game is to get Thompson off the court.
http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/120082/tristan-thompson-the-real-mvp
Tristan Thompson is averaging 10.5 points and 11.3 rebounds per game on 61 percent shooting in this series. He also has three double-doubles, as well as double-digit rebounds in each of the Cavaliers wins.
So, it can be argued that Tristan Thompson has been just as valuable as any other player in the NBA Finals.
Making his team better
Tristan Thompson has the best plus-minus of any player on both teams. The Cavs have outscored the Warriors by 38 points with him on the court. Leading the Warriors in plus-minus is another unlikely player in Leandro Barbosa at plus-33. The Cavs have outscored the Warriors by 22 with LeBron James on the floor.
When Thompson is playing, the Cavs are especially better on defense. The Warriors are shooting seven percentage points worse from the field and 18 percentage points worse on 3-pointers when Thompson is in the game.
Stephen Curry andKlay Thompson
Tristan Thompson has done an incredible job defending Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson on switches this series. Curry is 5-for-17 with four turnovers against him, and Klay is 4-for-12 with three turnovers against him. Tristan has contested 92 percent of Klay's field goal attempts when guarding him, and Curry is 0-for-11 on contested field goals against Tristan.
Harrison Barnes is also 2-for-13 on field goals with five points on 14 plays when defended by Tristan Thompson this series. And it's even more dramatic for Stephen Curry's offensive numbers with Tristan Thompson on and off the court. Curry is scoring twice as much and shooting much better when Tristan is on the bench.
Stephen Curry This Series
With Tristan Thompson On/Off Court
ON OFF
Pts per 36 Mins 21.1 42.2
FG pct 38.8 55.0
3-pt FG pct 38.9 58.3
+/- -24 +20
Forcing turnovers
Tristan Thompson has forced 14 turnovers as the primary defender this series. That's the most turnovers forced by any player this series. LeBron James is second, forcing 12 turnovers as a primary defender.
The strongest yet most subtle way to change this game is to get Thompson off the court.
http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/120082/tristan-thompson-the-real-mvp
Tristan Thompson is averaging 10.5 points and 11.3 rebounds per game on 61 percent shooting in this series. He also has three double-doubles, as well as double-digit rebounds in each of the Cavaliers wins.
So, it can be argued that Tristan Thompson has been just as valuable as any other player in the NBA Finals.
Making his team better
Tristan Thompson has the best plus-minus of any player on both teams. The Cavs have outscored the Warriors by 38 points with him on the court. Leading the Warriors in plus-minus is another unlikely player in Leandro Barbosa at plus-33. The Cavs have outscored the Warriors by 22 with LeBron James on the floor.
When Thompson is playing, the Cavs are especially better on defense. The Warriors are shooting seven percentage points worse from the field and 18 percentage points worse on 3-pointers when Thompson is in the game.
Stephen Curry andKlay Thompson
Tristan Thompson has done an incredible job defending Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson on switches this series. Curry is 5-for-17 with four turnovers against him, and Klay is 4-for-12 with three turnovers against him. Tristan has contested 92 percent of Klay's field goal attempts when guarding him, and Curry is 0-for-11 on contested field goals against Tristan.
Harrison Barnes is also 2-for-13 on field goals with five points on 14 plays when defended by Tristan Thompson this series. And it's even more dramatic for Stephen Curry's offensive numbers with Tristan Thompson on and off the court. Curry is scoring twice as much and shooting much better when Tristan is on the bench.
Stephen Curry This Series
With Tristan Thompson On/Off Court
ON OFF
Pts per 36 Mins 21.1 42.2
FG pct 38.8 55.0
3-pt FG pct 38.9 58.3
+/- -24 +20
Forcing turnovers
Tristan Thompson has forced 14 turnovers as the primary defender this series. That's the most turnovers forced by any player this series. LeBron James is second, forcing 12 turnovers as a primary defender.
Everybody talking about the refs like chumps. Game 7 is about desire and effort,
Warriors have advantage of being home... Cavs have advantage of being bigger/more rebounds
Refs always make questionable calls big deal... Warriors seem to be shook, worrying about officiating reveals a lack of faith in your abilities
I expect a close hard fought game ...but I think Cavs are mentally tougher
Cavs 103 - Warriors 99
Warriors have advantage of being home... Cavs have advantage of being bigger/more rebounds
Refs always make questionable calls big deal... Warriors seem to be shook, worrying about officiating reveals a lack of faith in your abilities
I expect a close hard fought game ...but I think Cavs are mentally tougher
Cavs 103 - Warriors 99
- Just one step more will help LeBron wipe away pain
A dream realized, title drought ends with Game 7 win- POSTED: Jun 19, 2016 12:22 PM ET
BY Shaun Powell
Finals Media Availability: LeBron James
OAKLAND, Calif. - There are moments in life when playing it cool is a must, like before a big job interview, when you meet your dream spouse, and most definitely when you're the superstar representing Cleveland and a championship's at stake.
Well, on the eve of Game 7, let's just say LeBron James was so at ease, he could go hours without deodorant and not stink.
"I'm going to give everything I've got to my teammates and my coaching staff, as I've always done," he explained. "And I live with the results. One thing I can't live with is if I don't go out and be true to the game; that would stop me from sleeping. So I'm ready to go."
This should come as scary news to the Warriors, and the most refreshing news for Cleveland since 1964, the last time the city celebrated a professional sports title of any kind. LeBron is chilly like Harrison Barnes' shooting percentage because inside, his confidence is burning. The jump shot is falling, the path to the rim seems six lanes wide and suddenly he's doing whatever he damn well pleases in this series. He knows that he's on, perhaps, the finest stretch of his career, all things considered. Yes, he did have that gargantuan series against the Pistons in 2007 (48 points, nine rebounds, seven assists in Game 5). Yes, he did chop down the Celtics in 2012. But neither was the NBA Finals.
Nor did they put the Cavs on the doorstep of history.
The agent for a Cavs' player who shall not be named made a point of grinning and insisting the Warriors are feeling the entire burden, and that's not entirely true. The Warriors do need to justify their 73 wins this season, and true, they coughed up a 3-1 series lead. But they have a ring. Worst case scenario, they lose Sunday(8 PM EST, ABC) and bleed a little, then start next season with a strong and relatively young core good enough to reach the Finals again and be the favorites.
LeBron returned to Cleveland two summers ago to create a new image for a sobbing city with a sports inferiority complex, and that can only be secured with a championship. That's heavy. That's a burden. How many more times will he get this close?
And he's one win away.
I came back for a reason, and that's to bring a championship to the city of Cleveland.
- LeBron James, who is one win away from reaching his goal
"I don't think people imagined it this way, the route we've taken," he said.
He was the teenaged basketball messiah from Akron drafted No. 1 by the sad-sack Cavs and therefore planted a seed of hope. That initial tour of duty in Cleveland resulted in one championship appearance, where the Cavs were rudely swept by the Spurs, to be followed shortly afterward by a nasty defection to Miami. After living out his mid-life crisis with the Heat, winning two rings, LeBron returned two summers ago to a hero's welcome only because Cleveland was just as miserable as when he left, maybe more.
The Cavs last season were simply unlucky, harpooned by injuries and therefore ran out of gas last summer against the Warriors. LeBron was the most important player on the floor, then and now, especially the last two games, both 41-point masterpieces, forcing a winner-take-all Game 7.
His averages in this series: 30.2 points, 11.3 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 2.7 steals, 2.5 blocks in 41.2 minutes of heavy labor. He's away from Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, his All-Star teammates in Miami who relieved him of all the leadership responsibilities and pressure, and blessed only with Kyrie Irving, which magnifies what he has already accomplished. Win or lose in Game 7, LeBron should be a strong favorite if not a lock for MVP — Jerry West is the only MVP winner on a losing Finals team — and he managed a wisecrack about that.
"The last time I answered a question about MVP, it didn't go so well for me," he said, "so I'm not going to do it."
Why should he? His play speaks loudly and boastfully. If you combine this series with last summer's, nobody has more points, rebounds, assists or blocks than LeBron. He shot only 40 percent last summer, mostly because he wore down from the load without Irving and Kevin Love, but is far more efficient now. Besides, his defense and especially shot-blocking has been brilliant if barely noticed from the outside; when the subject came up Sunday, he took the opportunity to mention his pet peeve: "I've been highly upset that I haven't won Defensive Player of the Year."
So yes, he cares about individual honors, another reason why he's taking delight in outplaying Steph Curry, the only player to win MVP other than Kevin Durant and LeBron in the last six years.
LeBron is gunning for three trophies, then: Finals MVP, championship hardware, and a statue that will surely be built in Cleveland should he do the unimaginable. And yet, regarding that last piece of metal, he's being cool about it, because he doesn't want his teammates to deal with that gorilla. Deep down, maybe he doesn't want the Win For Cleveland campaign to consume or suffocate him, either.
But it's impossible to ignore what's at stake.
"I came back for a reason, and that's to bring a championship to the city of Cleveland," he said. "That's been one of my goals. But I don't add too much pressure on it. You go out there and see what happens. I mean, if we win and we take care of business, that's something that our city hasn't had in a very long time.
"The word everyone likes to use in sports is 'pressure.' I don't get involved with it. But I guess in layman's terms, 'pressure' is an opportunity to do something special, and I'm fortunate that I can be in position where I can do something special."
If you ask him, he'll spend the hours leading up to tipoff in his very own chill chamber, barely noticing the fuss around him, unable to see Cleveland mobilizing itself 2,000 miles away, just in case. LeBron mentioned that he's been inspired by watching "The Godfather" almost non-stop, and judging by the level of his performances of late, it wasn't "Godfather III."
One championship in Cleveland is worth, what: Five in Miami? A place on the basketball Mount Rushmore? Dinner for life in any Ohio restaurant? At the very least, every man and woman in Cleveland will suddenly develop amnesia regarding The Decision, if they haven't already.
A group of fans burned his Cavs jersey when he announced he was headed to Miami, and the emotion that LeBron will generate, should he win Sunday, would be the complete opposite.
Lake Erie, the Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame, and LeBron. Those would be the everlasting Cleveland landmarks, and not necessary in that order.
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