OT: NBA Finals

[LanderPoke]

There is something about Curry that annoys me. I can't put my finger on it, but I can't stand him

 

[Wyokie]

There is something about Curry that annoys me. I can't put my finger on it, but I can't stand him

I agree. Something about him bugs me as well.

 

[Cosmic Cowboy]

There is something about Curry that annoys me. I can't put my finger on it, but I can't stand him

What is the NBA without players you love to hate? It's always been like that for me ahahahah and the "good guys" usually lose too! I don't hate Curry but his game is a little odd. I even think his shot is kinda ugly but man its money.

That was a surprisingly entertaining finals. Lebron looked sooooo sad the final 2 minutes. I told people that he looks wayyyyyy too sad to be playing basketball right now. Poor dude was exhausted and his teammates crashed back down to earth in the worst way. None of them played above themselves like the first 3 games again. It was kinda hard watching Lebron mentally break like that after just soldiering that team so hard.

I'm impressed by the Dubs! Steve Kerr did a great coaching job with this team too. They were just the deepest team in the league all year long and then it amplified with all the playoff injuries. I don't know if I've ever seen a run n gun, 3 point happy, fast pace tempo, and unconventional style team like that win the NBA finals before? Happy that Oakland has a title again, a funky team for a funky ass city.

 

[Wyo2dal]

Take out the UDFA and replace them with Irving and Love and these finals are completely different. Watching the last two games reminded me of watching Wyoming games 2 years ago when all the starters were playing 35+ mins and by the end of the year our players were just dead legs and tired.

That is how the last 3 games have been for LeBron. You can love him or hate him but if he had the supporting cast of any of the players with 5 rings he would have 5 rings.

 

[ItSucksToBeACSURam]

Take out the UDFA and replace them with Irving and Love and these finals are completely different. Watching the last two games reminded me of watching Wyoming games 2 years ago when all the starters were playing 35+ mins and by the end of the year our players were just dead legs and tired.

That is how the last 3 games have been for LeBron. You can love him or hate him but if he had the supporting cast of any of the players with 5 rings he would have 5 rings.

Fact. And I get so tired of hearing that Jordan would have still done it without his supporting cast. Thats a crock. The NBA did not have the sheer volume of superstars that they do now. MJ and the Bulls were truly the biggest fish in an even smaller pond. You tell me the Durants, the Roses, the Currys, the Hardens, etc. of those days. Jordan without Pippen and Kerr would have struggled against the top tier teams any and every year. You could make the case that year by year, finals by finals, Jordan had a better team around him than Lebron has had.

 

[Cosmic Cowboy]

I fucking hated Jordan! Rooted against everyone one of his finals teams and........well we all know how that turned out hahahaha. I think Scottie Pippen is actually criminally underrated too. When I watch old games I'm always really impressed by Scottie's game. The biggest thing that sets them apart is those dude's durability was off the charts!!! They never had any sort of major injury issues during their title run. Maybe MJ is the greatest just because he was so fucking durable like the energizer bunny? Scottie never got hurt either when they won it all. Scottie was always around, and those Bulls teams that beat the Jazz were LOADED.

Totally agree with you guys though. Lebron just went down in my books as one of the top 5 players in history. I've never seen a one man show quite like that, his versatility sets him apart for me cause he's HUGE. No shame in his name for me. He's matured a lot too I think....I guess duh because he came into the league as a kid. Still I really like watching him play! He's like a new school Magic/Bird team player with an athleticism all his own. I've heard stories though that Wilt Chamberlain was much like Lebron in some of these senses, including losing to teams that had better units.

 

[Wyo2dal]

I fucking hated Jordan! Rooted against everyone one of his finals teams and........well we all know how that turned out hahahaha. I think Scottie Pippen is actually criminally underrated too. When I watch old games I'm always really impressed by Scottie's game. The biggest thing that sets them apart is those dude's durability was off the charts!!! They never had any sort of major injury issues during their title run. Maybe MJ is the greatest just because he was so fucking durable like the energizer bunny? Scottie never got hurt either when they won it all. Scottie was always around, and those Bulls teams that beat the Jazz were LOADED.

Totally agree with you guys though. Lebron just went down in my books as one of the top 5 players in history. I've never seen a one man show quite like that, his versatility sets him apart for me cause he's HUGE. No shame in his name for me. He's matured a lot too I think....I guess duh because he came into the league as a kid. Still I really like watching him play! He's like a new school Magic/Bird team player with an athleticism all his own. I've heard stories though that Wilt Chamberlain was much like Lebron in some of these senses, including losing to teams that had better units.

Just argued this with my roommate, He tried to tell me that Jordan didn't have an All star cast around him. Look Pippen, Longly, Kerr, Armstrong & hell even Rodman shit the list goes on and on and on and on. The Bulls won because they built a supporting cast around Jordan 100%.

The Lakers use to have a supporting cast and they won rings and then everyone realized they never wanted to play with Kobe again and now look where the Lakers are? Lebron did what Kobe couldn't he took a team minus three starters to the finals.

LeBron James is the Michael Jordan of this generation plain and simple.

 

[LanderPoke]

Take out the UDFA and replace them with Irving and Love and these finals are completely different. Watching the last two games reminded me of watching Wyoming games 2 years ago when all the starters were playing 35+ mins and by the end of the year our players were just dead legs and tired.

That is how the last 3 games have been for LeBron. You can love him or hate him but if he had the supporting cast of any of the players with 5 rings he would have 5 rings.

Fact. And I get so tired of hearing that Jordan would have still done it without his supporting cast. Thats a crock. The NBA did not have the sheer volume of superstars that they do now. MJ and the Bulls were truly the biggest fish in an even smaller pond. You tell me the Durants, the Roses, the Currys, the Hardens, etc. of those days. Jordan without Pippen and Kerr would have struggled against the top tier teams any and every year. You could make the case that year by year, finals by finals, Jordan had a better team around him than Lebron has had.

Lebron lost two finals with D. Wade and Chris Bosh - two other hall of famers. So no, that's a poor excuse for Lebron. MJ is head and shoulders above Lebron.

 

[LanderPoke]

Plus if MJ didn't retire to dabble in baseball (errr.. serve a two year suspension for gambling) and prematurely retire a second time he would have most likely won eight maybe nine title in a row.

 

[Wyo2dal]

Take out the UDFA and replace them with Irving and Love and these finals are completely different. Watching the last two games reminded me of watching Wyoming games 2 years ago when all the starters were playing 35+ mins and by the end of the year our players were just dead legs and tired.

That is how the last 3 games have been for LeBron. You can love him or hate him but if he had the supporting cast of any of the players with 5 rings he would have 5 rings.

Fact. And I get so tired of hearing that Jordan would have still done it without his supporting cast. Thats a crock. The NBA did not have the sheer volume of superstars that they do now. MJ and the Bulls were truly the biggest fish in an even smaller pond. You tell me the Durants, the Roses, the Currys, the Hardens, etc. of those days. Jordan without Pippen and Kerr would have struggled against the top tier teams any and every year. You could make the case that year by year, finals by finals, Jordan had a better team around him than Lebron has had.

Lebron lost two finals with D. Wade and Chris Bosh - two other hall of famers. So no, that's a poor excuse for Lebron. MJ is head and shoulders above Lebron.

You can't compare Basketball in the 90's to Basketball today and no one said anything about him being above MJ. Did you read that sentence or just have such deep hatred for LeBron you exploded into forum rage?

Re-read the sentence - LeBron is the Michael of this generation because he is. Name one Basketball player better than LeBron.

 

[Cosmic Cowboy]

Plus if MJ didn't retire to dabble in baseball (errr.. serve a two year suspension for gambling) and prematurely retire a second time he would have most likely won eight maybe nine title in a row.

Maybe is right. Those Rockets teams were nasty. Who on the Bulls would've guarded Hakeem during that run? God I forget how good the Dream was. 90's NBA was competitive. I couldn't say that MJ would've for sure won against those teams.

You have to at least admit that MJ had it WAAAAYYYYYY better then Lebron. Not only were his teammates better, but the core stayed the same. A core that included Scottie Pippen! I mean you get to have that telepathic chemistry built in with a player that caliber for that many years. Lebron has had to go the nomad route just to win titles. Remember Lebron's first Cavs team? Yeah me either, I think he was playing with a tube of toothpaste, and maybe a water bottle.

 

[joshvanklomp]

Just argued this with my roommate, He tried to tell me that Jordan didn't have an All star cast around him. Look Pippen, Longly, Kerr, Armstrong & hell even Rodman shit the list goes on and on and on and on. The Bulls won because they built a supporting cast around Jordan 100%.

Pippen was the only All-Star in that group.

After Pippen and Dennis Rodman, his supporting cast was not that talented. Kerr was an elite shooter, but that's it.

 

[Wyolie Coyote]

Just argued this with my roommate, He tried to tell me that Jordan didn't have an All star cast around him. Look Pippen, Longly, Kerr, Armstrong & hell even Rodman shit the list goes on and on and on and on. The Bulls won because they built a supporting cast around Jordan 100%.

Pippen was the only All-Star in that group.

After Pippen and Dennis Rodman, his supporting cast was not that talented. Kerr was an elite shooter, but that's it.

Jordan had good scorers and rebounders all around him. Harper, Paxson, Wennington have not been mentioned. Cavs have a good supporting cast but 2 key injuries denied them a championship. I think you will see them with a loaded roster next season, there won't be any denying LeBron next year.

 

[LanderPoke]

Take out the UDFA and replace them with Irving and Love and these finals are completely different. Watching the last two games reminded me of watching Wyoming games 2 years ago when all the starters were playing 35+ mins and by the end of the year our players were just dead legs and tired.

That is how the last 3 games have been for LeBron. You can love him or hate him but if he had the supporting cast of any of the players with 5 rings he would have 5 rings.

Fact. And I get so tired of hearing that Jordan would have still done it without his supporting cast. Thats a crock. The NBA did not have the sheer volume of superstars that they do now. MJ and the Bulls were truly the biggest fish in an even smaller pond. You tell me the Durants, the Roses, the Currys, the Hardens, etc. of those days. Jordan without Pippen and Kerr would have struggled against the top tier teams any and every year. You could make the case that year by year, finals by finals, Jordan had a better team around him than Lebron has had.

Lebron lost two finals with D. Wade and Chris Bosh - two other hall of famers. So no, that's a poor excuse for Lebron. MJ is head and shoulders above Lebron.

You can't compare Basketball in the 90's to Basketball today and no one said anything about him being above MJ. Did you read that sentence or just have such deep hatred for LeBron you exploded into forum rage?

Re-read the sentence - LeBron is the Michael of this generation because he is. Name one Basketball player better than LeBron.

If Lebron won five or six finals he would be the MJ of his generation. He's won two and probab;y won't win another. LeBron has had plenty of help to get him over the hump. That's why I brought up the fact that he lost two finals with two future hall of famers as teammates. And you're right, 90s bball was better. uh, I'm done "raging" now?

 

[Wyo2dal]

Just argued this with my roommate, He tried to tell me that Jordan didn't have an All star cast around him. Look Pippen, Longly, Kerr, Armstrong & hell even Rodman shit the list goes on and on and on and on. The Bulls won because they built a supporting cast around Jordan 100%.

Pippen was the only All-Star in that group.

After Pippen and Dennis Rodman, his supporting cast was not that talented. Kerr was an elite shooter, but that's it.

I'm sorry but your insane, You name one person not bnaned LeBron James from the Cavs that played in games 2-6 that is better than anyone listed below. I'll mail you $100 if you can but you know what you can't. Because only Longly, Kukoč & Kerr weren't Allstars and everyone else was. To say only Pippen was an all star shows you know very little about that generation of Basketball.

Scottie Pippen
Career highlights and awards
6× NBA champion (1991–1993, 1996–1998)
7× NBA All-Star (1990, 1992–1997)
NBA All-Star Game MVP (1994)
3× All-NBA First Team (1994–1996)
2× All-NBA Second Team (1992, 1997)
2× All-NBA Third Team (1993, 1998)
8× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1992–1999)
2× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1991, 2000)
NBA steals leader (1995)
NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
No. 33 retired by Chicago Bulls
USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year (1996)
2× Consensus NAIA All-American (1986, 1987)
No. 33 retired by Central Arkansas

B. J. Armstrong
Career highlights and awards
3× NBA champion (1991–1993)
NBA All-Star (1994)
No. 10 retired by the University of Iowa

Steve Kerr
Career highlights and awards
5× NBA champion (1996–1999, 2003)
NBA Three-Point Shootout champion (1997)
NBA Shooting Stars champion (2006)
2× First-team All-Pac-10 (1986, 1988)
No. 25 retired by the University of Arizona

Luc Longley
Career highlights and awards
3x NBA champion (1996–1998)
2x SBL champion (1989, 1990)
Gaze Medal winner (1989)
Australian Basketball Hall of Fame (2006)
Australian Sport Hall of Fame (2009)
2× First-team All-WAC (1990–1991)

Dennis Rodman
5× NBA champion (1989–1990, 1996–1998)
2× NBA All-Star (1990, 1992)
2× All-NBA Third Team (1992, 1995)
2× NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1990–1991)
7× All-Defensive First Team (1989–1993, 1995–1996)
All-Defensive Second Team (1994)
7× NBA rebounding champion (1992–1998)
No. 10 retired by the Detroit Pistons

Toni Kukoč
Career highlights and awards
3× NBA champion (1996–1998)
NBA Sixth Man of the Year (1996)
NBA All-Rookie Second Team (1994)
3× Euroleague champion (1989–1991)
2× EuroBasket champion (1989, 1991)
4× Yugoslav League champion (1988–1991)
2× Yugoslav Cup champion (1990–1991)
Italian League champion (1992)
Italian Cup champion (1993)
3× Croatian Sportsman of the Year (1989–1991)
FIBA World champion (1990)
FIBA World Championship MVP (1990)
3× Euroleague Final Four MVP (1990–1991, 1993)
4× Mister Europa Player of the Year (1990–1992, 1996)
5× Euroscar Player of the Year (1990–1991, 1994, 1996, 1998)
EuroBasket MVP (1991)
FIBA's 50 Greatest Players (1991)
50 Greatest Euroleague Contributors

 

[Cosmic Cowboy]

Rodman was an all star player before. An insanely strong defensive player that had played on Championship teams before. He could also get into opponent's heads like no other. You had to deal with the circus then Michael Jordan. Ron Harper was always a solid NBA player but was stuck on nightmare Clippers teams, he could've been strong 6th player of the year material always.Toni Kukoc was good enough to be fighting for last shot leadership over Pippen in Jordan's absence and was a very strong player during that time. Steve Kerr was that sniper that Jordan always had somewhere lurking for wide open shots. Luc Longley did suck but he was sound fundamentally and could finish his wide open dunks/layups off Jordan double teams averaging a solid 10 plus points doing so.

I mean Lebron just played without really even having a Kukoc to go to. Tristan Thompson was def in that Rodman role and maybe better. After that though???? Ron Harper> Jr Smith, Shumpert,Delly.....and one more BIG thing. NO SCOTTIE LOOKALIKE IN SIGHT.

 

[Wyo2dal]

Take out the UDFA and replace them with Irving and Love and these finals are completely different. Watching the last two games reminded me of watching Wyoming games 2 years ago when all the starters were playing 35+ mins and by the end of the year our players were just dead legs and tired.

That is how the last 3 games have been for LeBron. You can love him or hate him but if he had the supporting cast of any of the players with 5 rings he would have 5 rings.

Fact. And I get so tired of hearing that Jordan would have still done it without his supporting cast. Thats a crock. The NBA did not have the sheer volume of superstars that they do now. MJ and the Bulls were truly the biggest fish in an even smaller pond. You tell me the Durants, the Roses, the Currys, the Hardens, etc. of those days. Jordan without Pippen and Kerr would have struggled against the top tier teams any and every year. You could make the case that year by year, finals by finals, Jordan had a better team around him than Lebron has had.

Lebron lost two finals with D. Wade and Chris Bosh - two other hall of famers. So no, that's a poor excuse for Lebron. MJ is head and shoulders above Lebron.

You can't compare Basketball in the 90's to Basketball today and no one said anything about him being above MJ. Did you read that sentence or just have such deep hatred for LeBron you exploded into forum rage?

Re-read the sentence - LeBron is the Michael of this generation because he is. Name one Basketball player better than LeBron.

If Lebron won five or six finals he would be the MJ of his generation. He's won two and probab;y won't win another. LeBron has had plenty of help to get him over the hump. That's why I brought up the fact that he lost two finals with two future hall of famers as teammates. And you're right, 90s bball was better. uh, I'm done "raging" now?

You don't have to have rings to be the most dominate player of the generation you have to have a team for that. There isn't a single player in the NBA that could have done what LeBron did with the Cavs this season. He is the an elite athlete a level higher than every other NBA star. Which is why he is the MJ of this generation because MJ was that elite athlete that could do it all.

Now we never saw MJ struggle he always had a good team around him but I don't think he could have done what LeBron did in the finals and MJ is my all time favorite player but LeBron did shit that no one has done for 40 years. You can't ignore what he has done and you have to give him the credit he is due.

 

[LanderPoke]

Take out the UDFA and replace them with Irving and Love and these finals are completely different. Watching the last two games reminded me of watching Wyoming games 2 years ago when all the starters were playing 35+ mins and by the end of the year our players were just dead legs and tired.

That is how the last 3 games have been for LeBron. You can love him or hate him but if he had the supporting cast of any of the players with 5 rings he would have 5 rings.

Fact. And I get so tired of hearing that Jordan would have still done it without his supporting cast. Thats a crock. The NBA did not have the sheer volume of superstars that they do now. MJ and the Bulls were truly the biggest fish in an even smaller pond. You tell me the Durants, the Roses, the Currys, the Hardens, etc. of those days. Jordan without Pippen and Kerr would have struggled against the top tier teams any and every year. You could make the case that year by year, finals by finals, Jordan had a better team around him than Lebron has had.

Lebron lost two finals with D. Wade and Chris Bosh - two other hall of famers. So no, that's a poor excuse for Lebron. MJ is head and shoulders above Lebron.

You can't compare Basketball in the 90's to Basketball today and no one said anything about him being above MJ. Did you read that sentence or just have such deep hatred for LeBron you exploded into forum rage?

Re-read the sentence - LeBron is the Michael of this generation because he is. Name one Basketball player better than LeBron.

If Lebron won five or six finals he would be the MJ of his generation. He's won two and probab;y won't win another. LeBron has had plenty of help to get him over the hump. That's why I brought up the fact that he lost two finals with two future hall of famers as teammates. And you're right, 90s bball was better. uh, I'm done "raging" now?

You don't have to have rings to be the most dominate player of the generation you have to have a team for that. There isn't a single player in the NBA that could have done what LeBron did with the Cavs this season. He is the an elite athlete a level higher than every other NBA star. Which is why he is the MJ of this generation because MJ was that elite athlete that could do it all.

Now we never saw MJ struggle he always had a good team around him but I don't think he could have done what LeBron did in the finals and MJ is my all time favorite player but LeBron did shit that no one has done for 40 years. You can't ignore what he has done and you have to give him the credit he is due.

I think Curry, Harden, Westbrook, Durant, and Paul could have dragged that Cleveland team to the finals, too.

 

[joshvanklomp]

I'm sorry but your insane, You name one person not bnaned LeBron James from the Cavs that played in games 2-6 that is better than anyone listed below.

Oh, I'm not debating that one bit. His supporting cast in the Finals was crap!

 

[ItSucksToBeACSURam]

Take out the UDFA and replace them with Irving and Love and these finals are completely different. Watching the last two games reminded me of watching Wyoming games 2 years ago when all the starters were playing 35+ mins and by the end of the year our players were just dead legs and tired.

That is how the last 3 games have been for LeBron. You can love him or hate him but if he had the supporting cast of any of the players with 5 rings he would have 5 rings.

Fact. And I get so tired of hearing that Jordan would have still done it without his supporting cast. Thats a crock. The NBA did not have the sheer volume of superstars that they do now. MJ and the Bulls were truly the biggest fish in an even smaller pond. You tell me the Durants, the Roses, the Currys, the Hardens, etc. of those days. Jordan without Pippen and Kerr would have struggled against the top tier teams any and every year. You could make the case that year by year, finals by finals, Jordan had a better team around him than Lebron has had.

Lebron lost two finals with D. Wade and Chris Bosh - two other hall of famers. So no, that's a poor excuse for Lebron. MJ is head and shoulders above Lebron.

You can't compare Basketball in the 90's to Basketball today and no one said anything about him being above MJ. Did you read that sentence or just have such deep hatred for LeBron you exploded into forum rage?

Re-read the sentence - LeBron is the Michael of this generation because he is. Name one Basketball player better than LeBron.

If Lebron won five or six finals he would be the MJ of his generation. He's won two and probab;y won't win another. LeBron has had plenty of help to get him over the hump. That's why I brought up the fact that he lost two finals with two future hall of famers as teammates. And you're right, 90s bball was better. uh, I'm done "raging" now?

You don't have to have rings to be the most dominate player of the generation you have to have a team for that. There isn't a single player in the NBA that could have done what LeBron did with the Cavs this season. He is the an elite athlete a level higher than every other NBA star. Which is why he is the MJ of this generation because MJ was that elite athlete that could do it all.

Now we never saw MJ struggle he always had a good team around him but I don't think he could have done what LeBron did in the finals and MJ is my all time favorite player but LeBron did shit that no one has done for 40 years. You can't ignore what he has done and you have to give him the credit he is due.

I think Curry, Harden, Westbrook, Durant, and Paul could have dragged that Cleveland team to the finals, too.

Rose with a full team of GOOD players couldn't beat Lebron. Paul with a team chocked full of good if not great supporting cast couldn't make it to the finals. Westbrook!?!?! Without Durant most the season, Westbrook couldn't even get his team INTO the playoffs!

There isnt a soul alive that could do, with this supporting cast, what Lebron did this year. Not even MJ. Lebron's IQ, size, speed, will are unmatched as a total package. MJ was better than Lebron in terms of will, drive, and overall skill but Lebron is so versatile its unbelievable. There isnt a better slasher in the history of the NBA. Has there ever been a better defensive guard?

LEBRON IS THE 3rd OR 4th BEST COACH IN THE NBA!!! Its insane you actually think that little of Lebron