74 for Lebron and Love. That's a winning combo. This game was, by far, the easiest Cavs win thus far in the playoffs. Every other win was down to the last shot.
Drake is kind of the Toronto raptors of music for me.I'm actively rooting for a sweep now. I don't care if that leads to GSW/CL series for a millionth time.
Cluck off, Raps.
Also, fuck off Drake.
+1 to all of the above.I'm actively rooting for a sweep now. I don't care if that leads to GSW/CL series for a millionth time.
Cluck off, Raps.
Also, fuck off Drake.
Just can't help but think of Drake's Lyrics when I see the Raptor flop. God's Plan indeed.TLDR:
It's not coaching. It's that TOR really doesn't have any wings. They have good guards and good bigs but they donlt have anyone who can guard LBJ and that's a huge problem.I don't get it with Toronto. They have such depth and the right pieces in terms of their starters. Yet they are letting LeBron and Love have their way with them.
Again, I know the easy take is that its because they are the Raptors but that doesn't work for me. Is it coaching? Lowry is having a decent offensive game and DeRozan isn't horrible though his regular season 3p% looks to have been a mirage. But the team just looks sluggish and resigned to the fact that Cleveland deserves to win. Its frustrating AF because from a personnel perspective, they are the one team from the East that seemed to have the pieces to exploit Cleveland.
Precisely why I loved the MaMo/Bradley deal at the time (even though MaMo has been maddening over the last month). MaMo had some decent historical numbers guarding Lebron.It's not coaching. It's that TOR really doesn't have any wings. They have good guards and good bigs but they donlt have anyone who can guard LBJ and that's a huge problem.
I still don’t get it, though: wasn’t one of the biggest selling points of these Raps relative to previous iterations that in Anunoby and Siakam they finally had the type of long, athletic wing who could bother LeBron? Heck, even DeRozan though nominally a guard is a long 6’-7” and an elite athlete.It's not coaching. It's that TOR really doesn't have any wings. They have good guards and good bigs but they donlt have anyone who can guard LBJ and that's a huge problem.
I don't think it's anything mental - it's really physical. Think about your comparison: Green, and Iguodala versus Siakam and Anunoby. One group of guys is not like the other. Long and athletic doesn't do it against LBJ since he's 260 or 270 or whatever. TOR needs someone with size, bulk/strength, and athleticism. I mean when JB stands next to LBJ, he kind of looks like TJ McConnell. Durant can guard virtually everyone but put in the post against LBJ for an entire game, and he's going to get completely beat up.I still don’t get it, though: wasn’t one of the biggest selling points of these Raps relative to previous iterations that in Anunoby and Siakam they finally had the type of long, athletic wing who could bother LeBron? Heck, even DeRozan though nominally a guard is a long 6’-7” and an elite athlete.
I still think “choking” (broadly speaking) is at least as compelling an argument as “poorly constructed roster.” If DeRozan had the mental makeup of a legit superstar, maybe he takes it on himself to go harder at LeBron on both ends. If Siakam and Anunoby weren’t deer in the headlights, maybe they get into his body more and lay some lumber on him occasionally. Etc.
By way of contrast: the ace in the hole of the Warriors where LeBron is concerned is not only that they have 5-6 guys with the combo of length and athleticism to throw at LeBron (Durant, Green, Iguodala, Thompson, Livingston, plus now Looney) but also that all those guys except Looney have been going at and often beating LeBron for years, so aren’t psychologically broken by him from the opening tap.
On the bright side for the Raps: to the extent that being “psychologically broken” is a real thing, if they can suck it up and win the next one, maybe they can shed some of the emotional baggage and get to a point where they’re playing talent v. talent.
Or I dunno, maybe the Raps just suck and the Cavs have been sandbagging all year.
I agree with you that the Raptors issue is personnel and it's clear that young players like OG or Siakam maybe aren't ready. But Miles and DeRozan dont have that excuse and they each have the length/size to at least bother LeBron. Maybe Wright too.I don't think it's anything mental - it's really physical. Think about your comparison: Green, and Iguodala versus Siakam and Anunoby. One group of guys is not like the other. Long and athletic doesn't do it against LBJ since he's 260 or 270 or whatever. TOR needs someone with size, bulk/strength, and athleticism. I mean when JB stands next to LBJ, he kind of looks like TJ McConnell. Durant can guard virtually everyone but put in the post against LBJ for an entire game, and he's going to get completely beat up.
Anunoby might get there but he's a rookie and he's not going to stop LBJ consistently. Siakam isn't strong enough. And LBJ is so good, if you send a second guy at him, he knows how to find the open man.
Neither Miles nor DeRozen are known to be great defenders. Even if DeRozen was a good defender ordinarily (though I've seen nothing that would suggest that) he's like 210-215 pounds, right? He's giving up way too much size and strength to LBJ to be effective on him.I agree with you that the Raptors issue is personnel and it's clear that young players like OG or Siakam maybe aren't ready. But Miles and DeRozan dont have that excuse and they each have the length/size to at least bother LeBron. Maybe Wright too.
What is more remarkable is how the Cavs, who are ostensibly less well coached, have adjusted to Toronto. Perhaps some people have underestimated Lue or, more likely, player-coach James is running lineups out there that exploit the Raptors weaknesses.
Agreed. And I know neither Miles nor DeRozan are good defenders but they absolutely can do better. They have been turnstiles this series.Neither Miles nor DeRozen are known to be great defenders. Even if DeRozen was a good defender ordinarily (though I've seen nothing that would suggest that) he's like 210-215 pounds, right? He's giving up way too much size and strength to LBJ to be effective on him.
GSW has two perfect guys to play LBJ - both of whom are big, strong, mobile, and have great defensive reps. TOR doesn't have one guy who is nearly the defender as Green or Iguodala, much less two.
PHI would have been a much better matchup for TOR.
Wanted to quote this because the TL DR is hilarious and deserves more love.+1 to all of the above.
I'm all for skepticism about the predictive value of regular season net rating, but man, the Choking Raps are taking it to a new level. They finished the season #2 in the NBA (just a point behind Houston) with a +7.3 SRS, where the Cavs were #14 at +0.6. Even giving massive brownie points to the Cavs for intangibles like "mental toughness" and "proven playoff mettle” and “LeBron,” the Raps should not be crapping the bed nearly this badly. And they don't even have an injury or fatigue excuse. Blehhh.
Ah well, the Raps actually had HCA v. the Warriors in the finals if they both made it that far, so I guess I should be happy. If it's Warriors/Cavs again (zzzz), I feel pretty confident the Ws won't stand around slack-jacked and watch LeBron abuse them the way the Raps just did. Heck, I don't think any of the remaining playoff teams would allow themselves to be bent over to the same degree, at least not without trying to change things up. Trap him or hack him or caress his nuts or blow in his ear or something.
TLDR:
I think they need to try this+1 to all of the above.
I'm all for skepticism about the predictive value of regular season net rating, but man, the Choking Raps are taking it to a new level. They finished the season #2 in the NBA (just a point behind Houston) with a +7.3 SRS, where the Cavs were #14 at +0.6. Even giving massive brownie points to the Cavs for intangibles like "mental toughness" and "proven playoff mettle” and “LeBron,” the Raps should not be crapping the bed nearly this badly. And they don't even have an injury or fatigue excuse. Blehhh.
Ah well, the Raps actually had HCA v. the Warriors in the finals if they both made it that far, so I guess I should be happy. If it's Warriors/Cavs again (zzzz), I feel pretty confident the Ws won't stand around slack-jacked and watch LeBron abuse them the way the Raps just did. Heck, I don't think any of the remaining playoff teams would allow themselves to be bent over to the same degree, at least not without trying to change things up. Trap him or hack him or caress his nuts or blow in his ear or something.
TLDR:
This is seriously one of the funniest and most disrespectful things ever said by an announcer. I about died last night.Lebronto. Lol.
I think that's what is called a Rondo double-double:Rondo with 4/10/21 in a blowout against the Dubs. Playoff Rondo is real, and he’s spectacular.
Didn't see the game but apparently, HOU has decided to try to take him out of the game. UT has to find someone to help him.Disgusting half for Mitchell: 1-10, 2 points, 2 turnovers, -29.
He's been physically imposing tonight. It's hard to match this Love up with the guy who was getting hurt on every other play against Indiana.Love looks like a new man out there
Eh, not so sure about that. Wish they would make LBJ player more games though.Toronto has a chance in this game.
Eh, not so sure about that. Wish they would make LBJ player more games though.
Van Vleet's shot before the end of the quarter was half-way down and rattled out. Ugh.Getting stops just not making shots
But then misses the FT. And he may have both an NBA and moving career yet!Damn, Van Vleet goes straight at Lebron and hits it.
If he can hit shots like that he will not have to resort to the backup career path a buddy of mine had laid out for him—owner of a small moving business called Fred Van Vleet’s Van Fleet.
I like this joke.Damn, Van Vleet goes straight at Lebron and hits it.
If he can hit shots like that he will not have to resort to the backup career path a buddy of mine had laid out for him—owner of a small moving business called Fred Van Vleet’s Van Fleet.
I think the Pels take the series and I’d take the Celtics over the Cavs. We’d be champs fully healthy.We’re getting Cavs/Warriors again.