Cavs vs. Celtics

[Message Board User 12389]

1 minute ago, Horny04 said:

I know, I know... that's just the state of this Cavs team.  LeBron or nothing.  Don't know how they can improve this team enough to keep him in Cleveland.  Somehow land Paul George?  And who else?

The time to put the right pieces around Lebron was not after 2014, but before and the Cavs screwed that up. They had top 5 picks and other assets and a buttload of cap space.

So they draft TT at 4 in 2011 instead of Klay or Kawhi, Dion at 4 in 2012 instead of a useful player like Lillard, Barnes, or Drummond, and Bennett at 1 in 2013 instead of Oladipo....ah who am I kidding, they would have fucked up those dudes development anyway.  But those were the opportunities to acquire young talent to take the heavy load of Lebron and truly build a dynasty.

[Francisco 2.0 32290]

Gooning up the game.  Jeez.

 

 

[Vic Mackey 46919]

At this point, I think I want the Celtics to win. This Cavs team is running on fumes. I just want the Finals to be somewhat competitive. Cavs just ran out of gas. Celtics are too athletic at this point. 

Lets see what the Cavs can do at home. 

[Francisco 2.0 32290]

3 minutes ago, Message Board User said:

The time to put the right pieces around Lebron was not after 2014, but before and the Cavs screwed that up. They had top 5 picks and other assets and a buttload of cap space.

So they draft TT at 4 in 2011 instead of Klay or Kawhi, Dion at 4 in 2012 instead of a useful player like Lillard, Barnes, or Drummond, and Bennett at 1 in 2013 instead of Oladipo....ah who am I kidding, they would have fucked up those dudes development anyway.  But those were the opportunities to acquire young talent to take the heavy load of Lebron and truly build a dynasty.

Anthony Bennett being taken at #1 is Patient Zero of Cleveland having little to no assets left after that string of first round picks post-LBJ heading off to South Beach.

[Slade 263]

13 minutes ago, Francisco 2.0 said:

Cleveland is dangerously close to having LBJ check out on this series.  If the Cavs are trailing at half in Game 3 and come out cold, he might just quit on the floor.

 

He quit in game 1. Showed up for 1 quarter in game 2 and quit again.

 

[immortal13 4059]

1 minute ago, Francisco 2.0 said:

Gooning up the game.  Jeez.

 

 

"Gooning the game up"? What dumb fucking statement by Lue. Is he trying to fire the Celtics up even more?

 

Oh, and JR Smith says hi

[Message Board User 12389]

Delly has more heart and fire in his pinky toes than JR/Hill/Green have in their entire bodies.  Miss that dude.

[Patrick Bateman 3903]

• Cleveland Cavaliers

PLAYER	2017/18	2018/19	2019/20	2020/21	2021/22
TOTALS	$137,718,426	$139,521,659	$101,659,473	$0	$0
LeBron James	$33,285,709	$35,607,968	$0	$0	$0
Kevin Love	$22,642,350	$24,119,025	$25,595,700	$0	$0
George Hill	$20,000,000	$19,000,000	$18,000,000	$0	$0
Tristan Thompson	$16,400,000	$17,469,565	$18,539,130	$0	$0
JR Smith	$13,760,000	$14,720,000	$15,680,000	$0	$0
Jordan Clarkson	$11,562,500	$12,500,000	$13,437,500	$0	$0
Kyle Korver	$7,000,000	$7,560,000	$7,500,000	$0	$0
Cedi Osman	$2,642,857	$2,775,000	$2,907,143	$0	$0
Rodney Hood	$2,386,864	$3,472,887	$0	$0	$0
Jose Calderon	$2,328,652	$0	$0	$0	$0
Jeff Green	$2,116,955	$0	$0	$0	$0
Ante Zizic	$1,645,200	$1,952,760	$2,281,800	$3,872,214	$5,634,072
Larry Nance Jr	$1,471,382	$2,272,390	$3,369,955	$0	$0
Okaro White	$148,316	$1,544,951	$0	$0	$0
Kendrick Perkins	$131,562	$0	$0	$0	$0
John Holland	$75,000	$0	$0	$0	$0
London Perrantes	$75,000	$0	$0	$0	$0
Marcus Thornton II	$46,079	$0	$0	$0	$0

 

For those who are wondering what Cleveland's salary cap looks like.... They also have the 8th pick so they should get a pretty good player in the draft.

 

[aggie08 21380]

2 minutes ago, Message Board User said:

The time to put the right pieces around Lebron was not after 2014, but before and the Cavs screwed that up. They had top 5 picks and other assets and a buttload of cap space.

So they draft TT at 4 in 2011 instead of Klay or Kawhi, Dion at 4 in 2012 instead of a useful player like Lillard, Barnes, or Drummond, and Bennett at 1 in 2013 instead of Oladipo....ah who am I kidding, they would have fucked up those dudes development anyway.  But those were the opportunities to acquire young talent to take the heavy load of Lebron and truly build a dynasty.

Truly remarkable to have three #1 picks and two #4's in a four year stretch, and TT is the only one still on the team to show for it. TT is marginally forgiveable because it was a different league then. Wiggins got them Love. Kyrie got them...a number 8 pick. But everyone knew who Dion Waiters was. And EVERYONE knew Bennett wasn't a top pick. It was rumored that he would have fallen out of the lottery had the Cavs not taken him #1.

[Message Board User 12389]

1 minute ago, Patrick Bateman said:

• Cleveland Cavaliers

PLAYER	2017/18	2018/19	2019/20	2020/21	2021/22
TOTALS	$137,718,426	$139,521,659	$101,659,473	$0	$0
LeBron James	$33,285,709	$35,607,968	$0	$0	$0
Kevin Love	$22,642,350	$24,119,025	$25,595,700	$0	$0
George Hill	$20,000,000	$19,000,000	$18,000,000	$0	$0
Tristan Thompson	$16,400,000	$17,469,565	$18,539,130	$0	$0
JR Smith	$13,760,000	$14,720,000	$15,680,000	$0	$0
Jordan Clarkson	$11,562,500	$12,500,000	$13,437,500	$0	$0
Kyle Korver	$7,000,000	$7,560,000	$7,500,000	$0	$0
Cedi Osman	$2,642,857	$2,775,000	$2,907,143	$0	$0
Rodney Hood	$2,386,864	$3,472,887	$0	$0	$0
Jose Calderon	$2,328,652	$0	$0	$0	$0
Jeff Green	$2,116,955	$0	$0	$0	$0
Ante Zizic	$1,645,200	$1,952,760	$2,281,800	$3,872,214	$5,634,072
Larry Nance Jr	$1,471,382	$2,272,390	$3,369,955	$0	$0
Okaro White	$148,316	$1,544,951	$0	$0	$0
Kendrick Perkins	$131,562	$0	$0	$0	$0
John Holland	$75,000	$0	$0	$0	$0
London Perrantes	$75,000	$0	$0	$0	$0
Marcus Thornton II	$46,079	$0	$0	$0	$0

 

For those who are wondering what Cleveland's salary cap looks like.... They also have the 8th pick so they should get a pretty good player in the draft.

 

If/when Lebron leaves, they'll need to keep most of those guys + Lue to properly tank for the next 2 years.  Kind of hope Clarkson leads the league in minutes next year.

[Machinator 32097]

Cleveland's 2019 first-round pick is owned by the Hawks, but it's top 10 protected in 2019 and 2020.

Edited May 16, 2018 by Machinator

[Wally Pryor 5240]

Nice thing about Boston with Stevens as is and Hayward and Irving coming back we could see some interesting Finals in the coming years.

Golden State will win in 5, maybe 4, this year.  But going forward could be real interesting.

[Message Board User 12389]

1 minute ago, aggie08 said:

Truly remarkable to have three #1 picks and two #4's in a four year stretch, and TT is the only one still on the team to show for it. TT is marginally forgiveable because it was a different league then. Wiggins got them Love. Kyrie got them...a number 8 pick. But everyone knew who Dion Waiters was. And EVERYONE knew Bennett wasn't a top pick. It was rumored that he would have fallen out of the lottery had the Cavs not taken him #1.

Yeah I'm torn on TT.  Now that he's been Kardashian'd, it's hard to remember but in the 2015 and 2016 playoffs he was an absolute beast and owned Horford especially.  He was absolutely critical to the Games 3, 5, and 6 wins in the 2016 Finals.  But then...you know.

Only the Cavs would draft a guy at 4 (Dion) who didn't start for his college team.  I think they last time that happened for a top 5 pick was Marvin Williams and look how he turned out.

Bennett is truly crazy and Griffin came out and admitted that Bennett hoodwinked them; apparently they didn't know he was a fat lazy SOB, which speaks volumes about the Cavs scouting department and draft room.

[Message Board User 12389]

2 minutes ago, Machinator said:

but it's top 10 protected in 2019 and 2020

thank God for small miracles.

[Machinator 32097]

Just now, Message Board User said:

I think they last time that happened for a top 5 pick was Marvin Williams and look how he turned out.

It was the Hawks who selected Williams with the #3 pick. Guess who has the number 3 pick this year?

[d2o 1602]

4 minutes ago, aggie08 said:

Truly remarkable to have three #1 picks and two #4's in a four year stretch, and TT is the only one still on the team to show for it. TT is marginally forgiveable because it was a different league then. Wiggins got them Love. Kyrie got them...a number 8 pick. But everyone knew who Dion Waiters was. And EVERYONE knew Bennett wasn't a top pick. It was rumored that he would have fallen out of the lottery had the Cavs not taken him #1.

That Bennett pick was unbelievable.   It was was pretty bad draft overall but DAMN no one thought Bennett was worthy of #1..........except the Cavs FO.  They prolly could have traded down twice and still got him if they were intent on doing so.

[immortal13 4059]

1 minute ago, d2o said:

That Bennett pick was unbelievable.   It was was pretty bad draft overall but DAMN no one thought Bennett was worthy of #1..........except the Cavs FO.  They prolly could have traded down twice and still got him if they were intent on doing so.

Well, we are talking about Cleveland here.

[Message Board User 12389]

 

[aggie08 21380]

4 minutes ago, d2o said:

That Bennett pick was unbelievable.   It was was pretty bad draft overall but DAMN no one thought Bennett was worthy of #1..........except the Cavs FO.  They prolly could have traded down twice and still got him if they were intent on doing so.

And you can't even say, "Oh, at least he helped get us Love, who helped us win a championship." Minnesota didn't want Bennett; he was just thrown in to make the salaries work.

[d2o 1602]

2 minutes ago, Message Board User said:

 

And I'm pretty sure he has 3 of them.

 

If that is really gonna be the take then its just further proof that there is too much sports talk.

[d2o 1602]

Just now, aggie08 said:

And you can't even say, "Oh, at least he helped get us Love, who helped us win a championship." Minnesota didn't want Bennett; he was just thrown in to make the salaries work.

Right.    He was out of the league within a yr IIRC.   Got a couple of cups of coffee with teams but he was done.

[Wally Pryor 5240]

Vegas still riding James...Boston up 2-0 but a mediocre -215 to win the series. 

 

[Message Board User 12389]

3 minutes ago, aggie08 said:

And you can't even say, "Oh, at least he helped get us Love, who helped us win a championship." Minnesota didn't want Bennett; he was just thrown in to make the salaries work.

Interestingly Gilbert actually wanted Oladipo but the entire scouting department was sold on Bennett and Gilbert gave the FO the green light to take Bennett.  Just a perplexing turn of events on several different levels.

[aggie08 21380]

4 minutes ago, Message Board User said:

 

LeBron definitely bears some blame in instilling a season-long (multi-season, really) culture of finger-pointing, eye rolls, and pathetic ass transition defense when things are going badly, but tonight specifically? Rodney Hood, George Hill, Jeff Green, and Larry Nance were on the court together w/o LeBron at times. What was he supposed to do? Inject them with his DNA?

[Patrick Bateman 3903]

10 minutes ago, d2o said:

That Bennett pick was unbelievable.   It was was pretty bad draft overall but DAMN no one thought Bennett was worthy of #1..........except the Cavs FO.  They prolly could have traded down twice and still got him if they were intent on doing so.

Yea, that draft was historically bad but they could have taken Dipo, who was taken #2 or Otto Porter who was taken 3rd.  Greek Freak was the best player to come out of that draft at 15 but I don't think anyone knew how good he'd turn out.... Almost literally any other guy in that draft would have been better than Bennett.

[Machinator 32097]

Otto Porter would have been perfect for this Cavs team.

[Patrick Bateman 3903]

4 minutes ago, aggie08 said:

LeBron definitely bears some blame in instilling a season-long (multi-season, really) culture of finger-pointing, eye rolls, and pathetic ass transition defense when things are going badly, but tonight specifically? Rodney Hood, George Hill, Jeff Green, and Larry Nance were on the court together w/o LeBron at times. What was he supposed to do? Inject them with his DNA?

It's weird.... when Nance came over he was a good garbage guy off the bench for the Lakers.  Rebounds, energy on defense, ran the court and then he got banged up and fell out of the rotation really.  He should be contributing more to this playoff roster and he isn't and wonder if it's him or the coaching staff....

 

[d2o 1602]

2 minutes ago, Patrick Bateman said:

It's weird.... when Nance came over he was a good garbage guy off the bench for the Lakers.  Rebounds, energy on defense, ran the court and then he got banged up and fell out of the rotation really.  He should be contributing more to this playoff roster and he isn't and wonder if it's him or the coaching staff....

 

He seemed like a more athletic version of TT but he isnt doing shit.

[Orca of Peace 109]

Boston's defense is really good. Really sad to see Lbj go out like this, hope he leaves for Houston. I thought the neck injury dramatically slowed him down as he was on pace for a legit 55. Had they won tonight, i believe they're up 3-1.

[aggie08 21380]

2 minutes ago, Patrick Bateman said:

It's weird.... when Nance came over he was a good garbage guy off the bench for the Lakers.  Rebounds, energy on defense, ran the court and then he got banged up and fell out of the rotation really.  He should be contributing more to this playoff roster and he isn't and wonder if it's him or the coaching staff....

 

Wondered that myself after he made a nice energy play in the first half. He's clearly the only salvageable piece from that flurry of deals. Hill is washed. Utah couldn't be happier to be rid of Hood, and Jordan Clarkson is Jordan Clarkson.

For a team in desperate need of springy athletes and energy, who starts Love at center, and put TT on ice until two weeks ago, it makes zero sense why he didn't get more run. Too late now. The moment's too big for him without the repetitions.

[TheStoicPaisano 9904]

Bron got his Beats in and bag on, ready to GTFO.

[BigOrange1 6416]

34 minutes ago, Wally Pryor said:

Vegas still riding James...Boston up 2-0 but a mediocre -215 to win the series. 

 

boston has not been good on the road this postseason.  they look much better than cleveland, but if the cavs can hold serve at home and go back to boston 2-2, who knows?

[Vic Mackey 46919]

[Thatguy 8478]

1 hour ago, Brothahorn said:

And that is why he will never be the true GOAT.

It's about the heart, mental aspect.

You mean like the 2015 finals? Or 2016 when they went down 3-1? Or last year? What the heck are you guys watching. If the guy doesn't get 60 then he quit?

[52-80 19066]

No sympathy for Lebron.  Everyone can label his team a squad of spares, but it was him who essentially who put them together...including former MVP-candidate KLove.  

[Bevo 13493]

I stopped watching after the flagrant one was given to JR Smith. He should have been kicked out of the game. To me, it was pretty obvious the refs wanted to try to make sure game 3 would be more competitive. I wish the league would stop cheating for ratings.

[d2o 1602]

27 minutes ago, Bevo said:

I stopped watching after the flagrant one was given to JR Smith. He should have been kicked out of the game. To me, it was pretty obvious the refs wanted to try to make sure game 3 would be more competitive. I wish the league would stop cheating for ratings.

Huh?  How does that make gm 3 more competitive? 

[Bevo 13493]

13 minutes ago, d2o said:

Huh?  How does that make gm 3 more competitive? 

Keeping JR Smith available for game 3. I assume the below is still the flagrant foul rule:

A. Flagrant Foul Rules

There are two types of Flagrant Fouls, as follows:

Flagrant “1” (FFP1) - unnecessary contact committed by a player against an opponent. The opposing team is awarded two (2) free throws and possession.

Flagrant “2” (FFP2) - unnecessary and excessive contact committed by a player against an opponent. The opposing team is awarded two (2) free throws and possession and the player committing the foul is automatically ejected.

Any player who commits two Flagrant “1” Fouls in the same game will be automatically ejected from that game.

In addition, in order to address the problem of repeat offenders, the following three-point system will be in effect during the 2010 Playoffs:
 

•Flagrant “1” = 1 point •Flagrant “2” = 2 points

A player will receive the points set forth above for each flagrant foul committed during the Playoffs. If the player’s Playoff total exceeds 3 points, he will receive an automatic suspension following the game in which his point total exceeds 3 points and for each additional flagrant foul committed during the Playoffs, as follows:
 

Player at 2 points commits a FFP2: automatic one-game suspension Player at 3 or 4 points commits a FFP1: automatic one-game suspension Player at 3 or 4 points commits a FFP2: automatic two-game suspension Player at 5 points or more commits a FFP1 or FFP2: automatic two-game suspension

Once a player accumulates two (2) points, the League Office will immediately: (i) notify his team by e-mail; and (ii) send the player a letter by overnight mail (with a copy to his Head Coach and General Manager), in each case advising of the player’s current point total and the penalties for any additional flagrant fouls he may commit during the Playoffs.

The League Office will review all flagrant fouls ("1" and "2"), and will have the right, following review, to reclassify a flagrant foul or to classify as flagrant a foul not called flagrant during a game. In addition, the League Office maintains the right to impose a fine and/or suspension upon any player who commits a flagrant foul at any time during the Playoffs (regardless of whether the point levels described above are reached).

[d2o 1602]

1 hour ago, Bevo said:

Keeping JR Smith available for game 3. I assume the below is still the flagrant foul rule:

A. Flagrant Foul Rules

There are two types of Flagrant Fouls, as follows:

Flagrant “1” (FFP1) - unnecessary contact committed by a player against an opponent. The opposing team is awarded two (2) free throws and possession.

Flagrant “2” (FFP2) - unnecessary and excessive contact committed by a player against an opponent. The opposing team is awarded two (2) free throws and possession and the player committing the foul is automatically ejected.

Any player who commits two Flagrant “1” Fouls in the same game will be automatically ejected from that game.

In addition, in order to address the problem of repeat offenders, the following three-point system will be in effect during the 2010 Playoffs:
 

•Flagrant “1” = 1 point •Flagrant “2” = 2 points

A player will receive the points set forth above for each flagrant foul committed during the Playoffs. If the player’s Playoff total exceeds 3 points, he will receive an automatic suspension following the game in which his point total exceeds 3 points and for each additional flagrant foul committed during the Playoffs, as follows:
 

Player at 2 points commits a FFP2: automatic one-game suspension Player at 3 or 4 points commits a FFP1: automatic one-game suspension Player at 3 or 4 points commits a FFP2: automatic two-game suspension Player at 5 points or more commits a FFP1 or FFP2: automatic two-game suspension

Once a player accumulates two (2) points, the League Office will immediately: (i) notify his team by e-mail; and (ii) send the player a letter by overnight mail (with a copy to his Head Coach and General Manager), in each case advising of the player’s current point total and the penalties for any additional flagrant fouls he may commit during the Playoffs.

The League Office will review all flagrant fouls ("1" and "2"), and will have the right, following review, to reclassify a flagrant foul or to classify as flagrant a foul not called flagrant during a game. In addition, the League Office maintains the right to impose a fine and/or suspension upon any player who commits a flagrant foul at any time during the Playoffs (regardless of whether the point levels described above are reached).

You mean the guy that is 0-14 from 3 on the series?   That's gonna make gm 3 more competitive?

[ernest_t_bass 1196]

I'm a Cleveland fan, and I really close to jumping on the Celt's bandwagon for the rest of the 2018 season.  The apathetic effort on display last night is not worth rooting for.  

[Francisco 2.0 32290]

LBJ's favorite media outlet has seemingly thrown in the towel:

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23517495/lebron-james-cleveland-cavaliers-facing-boston-celtics-organizational-fatigue-nba

Quote

The Cavs aren't just battling the ascendant Celtics, they are battling an enemy that has dogged LeBron James teams in the past: It's organizational fatigue, and it's very real.

Quote

Like the Miami Heat before them and to a certain extent the last generation's Cavs, it seems to be a side effect of having James: where the quest for championships combined with a lack of security over keeping James leads to some win-now, pay-later decisions.

Acquire older veterans instead of developing younger players. Sign players to large contracts because they fit with James or because they can't be replaced if they leave in free agency. Trade draft picks to get veterans or as a way to relieve payroll pressure. Deal with the stress of repeated long playoff runs, endure massive media scrutiny, manage varying degrees of drama.

The players get sick of one another. They get sick of the coach. The coach gets sick of the players. As a group, they lose sight of the process of the season because it becomes monotonous. There are highs -- with James teams there are always highs -- but the baggage everyone is carrying makes the flight that much harder to maintain.

Quote

Then there are the issues unique to the Cavs, where the previous successful general manager, David Griffin, and the owner, Dan Gilbert, couldn't work together. The owner and James don't trust each other. The new general manager, Koby Altman, was put in a next-to-impossible situation.

All of it has worn them out, all of them. Even the new players -- George Hill, Rodney Hood, Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. -- have been roasted for their inconsistent or nonexistent play. But they have to feel as if they jumped on the back of a thoroughbred in the closing stretch, everything is moving so fast and is so disorienting from what they were used to.

 

 

[PittsburghTiger 6136]

24 minutes ago, Francisco 2.0 said:

LBJ's favorite media outlet has seemingly thrown in the towel:

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23517495/lebron-james-cleveland-cavaliers-facing-boston-celtics-organizational-fatigue-nba

 

 

Some of the comments for that story are awesome.

[Thatguy 8478]

30 minutes ago, Francisco 2.0 said:

LBJ's favorite media outlet has seemingly thrown in the towel:

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23517495/lebron-james-cleveland-cavaliers-facing-boston-celtics-organizational-fatigue-nba

 

 

   That article is agenda driven. The problem with Lebron James led teams is that they never get an opportunity to build through the draft. When you are top of the conference seemingly every year what draft picks are you getting? What great player did the Cavs or Heat trade away for older, veteran talent? Wiggins? Come on man. This article is misinformation at best. The Cavs only regret is trading away Kyrie. They were never going to build through the draft.

[52-80 19066]

That team is beset by terrible management and terrible coaching:  lebron james

[Francisco 2.0 32290]

17 minutes ago, Thatguy said:

   That article is agenda driven. The problem with Lebron James led teams is that they never get an opportunity to build through the draft. When you are top of the conference seemingly every year what draft picks are you getting? What great player did the Cavs or Heat trade away for older, veteran talent? Wiggins? Come on man. This article is misinformation at best. The Cavs only regret is trading away Kyrie. They were never going to build through the draft.

You do realize Brian Windhorst really is the media source that Team James leaks shit to for publication, right?

Had it been written by anyone else, I would understand agenda.  But at this point, Windhorst might as well be on James payroll.  Hell, he has written at least three books I'm aware of about James and his career with Miami and Cleveland.

[aggie08 21380]

58 minutes ago, Thatguy said:

   That article is agenda driven. The problem with Lebron James led teams is that they never get an opportunity to build through the draft. When you are top of the conference seemingly every year what draft picks are you getting? What great player did the Cavs or Heat trade away for older, veteran talent? Wiggins? Come on man. This article is misinformation at best. The Cavs only regret is trading away Kyrie. They were never going to build through the draft.

The Warriors have gotten Kevon Looney (playing big minutes in the WCF), Jordan Bell (was supposed to be in Looney's role before injury), and Patrick McCaw (started playoff games last season) in the last 3 drafts.  Not world-beaters, but nice, young, energetic pieces to have on a team that won't have cap room until approximately 2030.  There's moves to be made if you're savvy and patient, two words that have never described Cleveland (or LeBron as a GM).

Edited May 16, 2018 by aggie08

[Message Board User 12389]

35 minutes ago, Francisco 2.0 said:

You do realize Brian Windhorst really is the media source that Team James leaks shit to for publication, right?

Had it been written by anyone else, I would understand agenda.  But at this point, Windhorst might as well be on James payroll.  Hell, he has written at least three books I'm aware of about James and his career with Miami and Cleveland.

Not that this negates anything he wrote in the article (which I happen to agree with), but Windy hasn't been a part of Lebron's inner circle or a mouthpiece for him for about 9 years.

Regarding the article, I've said it numerous times over the years on Shaggy that all of the Cavs problems and drama stems from the Lebron-Gilbert relationship and the fact they don't like, trust, or respect each other.  Agree 100% on organizational fatigue - just being a fan of the team is kind of exhausting.  But that's the business we've chosen (Hyman Roth) - yes Lebron brings instant credibility and relevance, but you also get the off the court stuff and drama and the feeling everyone is walking on eggshells and what's Lebron gonna do next?  It's gotta make for a highly charged and stressful environment there at Cleveland Clinic Courts.

[d2o 1602]

31 minutes ago, aggie08 said:

The Warriors have gotten Kevon Looney (playing big minutes in the WCF), Jordan Bell (was supposed to be in Looney's role before injury), and Patrick McCaw (started playoff games last season) in the last 3 drafts.  Not world-beaters, but nice, young, energetic pieces to have on a team that won't have cap room until approximately 2030.  There's moves to be made if you're savvy and patient, two words that have never described Cleveland (or LeBron as a GM).

Troof.   Good GMs find guys in picks 20-40 all the time.   

[Thatguy 8478]

58 minutes ago, aggie08 said:

The Warriors have gotten Kevon Looney (playing big minutes in the WCF), Jordan Bell (was supposed to be in Looney's role before injury), and Patrick McCaw (started playoff games last season) in the last 3 drafts.  Not world-beaters, but nice, young, energetic pieces to have on a team that won't have cap room until approximately 2030.  There's moves to be made if you're savvy and patient, two words that have never described Cleveland (or LeBron as a GM).

   Those guys work because all the other players on the court can shoot. They are not "good pieces", and that will bear itself out once that team goes it's sep ways. Much like Clint Capela once he plays somewhere else.

   Most teams build through the draft by being terrible multiple years in a row, something impossible for a team LBJ is on.

Edited May 16, 2018 by Thatguy

[Brothahorn 10085]

12 hours ago, Thatguy said:

You mean like the 2015 finals? Or 2016 when they went down 3-1? Or last year? What the heck are you guys watching. If the guy doesn't get 60 then he quit?

Being the Goat is based on the whole body of work. Are you seriously denying that LBJ has quit in playoff games/series before? 2009, 2010 ring any bells for starters?