NBA Finals - Jerry Zgota

[AbeVigodaLive]

Damn it. I'm a Minnesota Timberwolves fan since the franchise's first game. Obviously, I've seen a lot of losing. Before that, I was a Boston fan. That made me hate the Lakers. I had no choice. 5 titles.

I didn't like Jordan. I know, I was THAT guy. He was just too good though. 6 titles. Then, Shaq and Kobe arrived... for the Lakers. Damn it. 5 titles.

I don't care for James. Another helluva player, one of the very best to ever play. I just wish we (media/fans) had waited a bit to anoint him as such. Anyway, 2 titles and an all-time classic in the making... and probably a few more on the way.

For a guy who really loves basketball... I sure seem to be rooting for the wrong teams far more often than not.

[AbeVigodaLive]

As for Game 3:

- Sometimes you can tell early how it's going to go. Despite Cleveland's obvious limitations on offense, it sure seems like Golden State is working so much harder on offense. Cleveland's first 12 points came in the paint. James can get a few easy ones every game just by overpowering the defense.

- And the Cavs' defense... wow. It's been incredible. As noted, it's not sustainable over an entire season. But with the breaks between games, the pressure, the novelty of it, the Warriors throats tightening in the pressure cooker... it's all working. The Cavs have gotten in the heads of the Warriors. As somebody else pointed out, the Warriors need to be the frontrunners in this series. But they're always chasing Cleveland.

- Tristan Thompson. Screw spacing. Sometimes, you need hustle, intensity and willpower. The guy is wearing out Golden State with his constant hustle. Essentially, he's the post version of Delladova. He can guard multiple positions (all of them?) and is relentless on the boards, both things are creating a ripple effect that's not necessarily seen in a boxscore.

- I'm putting this on in bold because apparently no NBA team knows this...

JAMES JONES CAN'T DRIBBLE!!!!!!!! ALL HE CAN DO IS SHOOT THREE POINTERS.
JAMES JONES CAN'T DRIBBLE!!!!!!!! ALL HE CAN DO IS SHOOT THREE POINTERS.
JAMES JONES CAN'T DRIBBLE!!!!!!!! ALL HE CAN DO IS SHOOT THREE POINTERS.

The 4 point play (wide open)... and the 3 point play just before the half are inexcusable for a team in the NBA Finals.

- I was happy for David Lee. The guy is actually a pretty good NBA player. He hasn't complained publicly when he went from a starter to 11th man. Good for him to be ready when it counted. Oh, just how bad of a year has it been for Lee? His former fiance is dating/banging "E" from Entourage. Yeah... the goofy looking 5 foot guy. Ouch.

- A very physical series. And that's going to favor (1) the team with the biggest superstar (2) team who's superstar has built a career around overpowering physical feats vs. the slick, agile and wiry superstar. Smart by Cleveland to dictate these terms early in the Finals. I guarantee constant hands on Curry affects him a lot more than constant hands on James.

- Speaking of James and physical play... have we reached Shaq-type dominance yet? I find it hard to know what's a foul and isn't with him. (1) He pushes off CONSTANTLY. On nearly every drive, he's pushing off with his off arm. Delladova and Shumpert get called for those nearly every time if they try it. (2) Conversely, the guy invites the physical play because he is so damn strong that he gets fouled a lot too.

I don't know the solution... I just know it looks really difficult to regulate and that when that happens, always side with the superstar. That's the NBA way.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

It's a heroic effort by LeBron and his boys, but it just seems unsustainable.

Golden State is actually doing a solid job defensively, holding Cleveland to a 100 points or less in each of the first three games and about 40 FG%. LeBron is having huge games, but he's having to take a ton of shots to get his points. Without Irving and Love in the mix, Cleveland simply doesn't have the horsepower to explode offensively.

So the problem for Golden State is their own offense (or lack thereof). I really think David Lee will be playing a much more prominent role from here on out. The reason he doesn't play a ton is because Green gives you more defensively. But without multiple weapons on Cleveland to guard, I think Kerr will shift to a more offensively-oriented lineup and get David Lee a bunch more touches. That in turn will open things up for Thompson and Curry. Lee was 4-4 from the field and +13 in the 13 minutes he played last night. Kerr is going to definitely get him more minutes going forward.

[AbeVigodaLive]

It's a heroic effort by LeBron and his boys, but it just seems unsustainable.

Golden State is actually doing a solid job defensively, holding Cleveland to a 100 points or less in each of the first three games and about 40 FG%. LeBron is having huge games, but he's having to take a ton of shots to get his points. Without Irving and Love in the mix, Cleveland simply doesn't have the horsepower to explode offensively.

So the problem for Golden State is their own offense (or lack thereof). I really think David Lee will be playing a much more prominent role from here on out. The reason he doesn't play a ton is because Green gives you more defensively. But without multiple weapons on Cleveland to guard, I think Kerr will shift to a more offensively-oriented lineup and get David Lee a bunch more touches. That in turn will open things up for Thompson and Curry. Lee was 4-4 from the field and +13 in the 13 minutes he played last night. Kerr is going to definitely get him more minutes going forward.

If nothing else, it might change the tempo. Golden State is so good at blitzing opponents with huge runs. When the lumbering center is the last to cross center court time and time again, it's slowing the game down and right into Cleveland's strategy.

Lee is not good defensively. And that will cause problems. But, Cleveland is dictating the pace... and everything else. Lee can move the score and move the ball as a legit threat.

Kerr has to figure out a way to change that. Get the Warriors in space... heck, get both teams in space... and that should help Golden State.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

It's a heroic effort by LeBron and his boys, but it just seems unsustainable.

Golden State is actually doing a solid job defensively, holding Cleveland to a 100 points or less in each of the first three games and about 40 FG%. LeBron is having huge games, but he's having to take a ton of shots to get his points. Without Irving and Love in the mix, Cleveland simply doesn't have the horsepower to explode offensively.

So the problem for Golden State is their own offense (or lack thereof). I really think David Lee will be playing a much more prominent role from here on out. The reason he doesn't play a ton is because Green gives you more defensively. But without multiple weapons on Cleveland to guard, I think Kerr will shift to a more offensively-oriented lineup and get David Lee a bunch more touches. That in turn will open things up for Thompson and Curry. Lee was 4-4 from the field and +13 in the 13 minutes he played last night. Kerr is going to definitely get him more minutes going forward.

That's a great prediction, q, and I suspect Kerr agrees with you. If Love were able to play, David Lee might not be a good option because of his poor defense. But Kerr just doesn't have to worry about the offensively-challenged Tristan Thompson. Lee is a decent rebounder, so his job will be to keep TT off the offensive glass and provide some inside scoring. If Kerr makes this move and Lee does his job, the Warriors win this series.

Ugly basketball so far, to be sure...but for any fan who loves tactical basketball thinking and nailbiter finishes, this is a spectacular NBA finals.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

It's a heroic effort by LeBron and his boys, but it just seems unsustainable.

Golden State is actually doing a solid job defensively, holding Cleveland to a 100 points or less in each of the first three games and about 40 FG%. LeBron is having huge games, but he's having to take a ton of shots to get his points. Without Irving and Love in the mix, Cleveland simply doesn't have the horsepower to explode offensively.

So the problem for Golden State is their own offense (or lack thereof). I really think David Lee will be playing a much more prominent role from here on out. The reason he doesn't play a ton is because Green gives you more defensively. But without multiple weapons on Cleveland to guard, I think Kerr will shift to a more offensively-oriented lineup and get David Lee a bunch more touches. That in turn will open things up for Thompson and Curry. Lee was 4-4 from the field and +13 in the 13 minutes he played last night. Kerr is going to definitely get him more minutes going forward.

If nothing else, it might change the tempo. Golden State is so good at blitzing opponents with huge runs. When the lumbering center is the last to cross center court time and time again, it's slowing the game down and right into Cleveland's strategy.

Lee is not good defensively. And that will cause problems. But, Cleveland is dictating the pace... and everything else. Lee can move the score and move the ball as a legit threat.

Kerr has to figure out a way to change that. Get the Warriors in space... heck, get both teams in space... and that should help Golden State.

Lee isn't good defensively, but I think Cleveland is capped offensively. In other words, they are capable of scoring only so many points with their current roster, even if Golden State doesn't play their best defensively. And it will only get harder as their legs get more tired.

Golden State needs to use their offensive depth and health to their advantage. To me, that means a lot more David Lee. They don't lose anything on the glass and he is an excellent scorer and passer out of the mid-post area.

[AbeVigodaLive]

It's a heroic effort by LeBron and his boys, but it just seems unsustainable.

Golden State is actually doing a solid job defensively, holding Cleveland to a 100 points or less in each of the first three games and about 40 FG%. LeBron is having huge games, but he's having to take a ton of shots to get his points. Without Irving and Love in the mix, Cleveland simply doesn't have the horsepower to explode offensively.

So the problem for Golden State is their own offense (or lack thereof). I really think David Lee will be playing a much more prominent role from here on out. The reason he doesn't play a ton is because Green gives you more defensively. But without multiple weapons on Cleveland to guard, I think Kerr will shift to a more offensively-oriented lineup and get David Lee a bunch more touches. That in turn will open things up for Thompson and Curry. Lee was 4-4 from the field and +13 in the 13 minutes he played last night. Kerr is going to definitely get him more minutes going forward.

If nothing else, it might change the tempo. Golden State is so good at blitzing opponents with huge runs. When the lumbering center is the last to cross center court time and time again, it's slowing the game down and right into Cleveland's strategy.

Lee is not good defensively. And that will cause problems. But, Cleveland is dictating the pace... and everything else. Lee can move the score and move the ball as a legit threat.

Kerr has to figure out a way to change that. Get the Warriors in space... heck, get both teams in space... and that should help Golden State.

Lee isn't good defensively, but I think Cleveland is capped offensively. In other words, they are capable of scoring only so many points with their current roster, even if Golden State doesn't play their best defensively. And it will only get harder as their legs get more tired.

Golden State needs to use their offensive depth and health to their advantage. To me, that means a lot more David Lee. They don't lose anything on the glass and he is an excellent scorer and passer out of the mid-post area.

Agreed. And it's a feel-good story, too. I hope he plays well.

Starter to 11th man to championship savior?

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

None of it will matter if Steph Curry continues to shit the bed. Delly and co. have locked him down, plus he's missing the open looks he does get.

[Kevin Glasshands [enjin:6642795]]

Gotta love KFAN: https://twitter.com/KFANRubeChat/status/608581106565304320

[Monster]

Defense isn't the problem at one point GS couldnt score I don't think defensively it matters at this point much what big is out there get some offense out there Lee gives you scoring passing junk baskets and even a legit post option. Draymond green doesn't scare the Cavs in the post. Lee might be another story. Lee won't be jogging or walking up the court to get in the play like other GS bigs.