[Bankroll PJParticipant]

This, my friends, is a myth.  Extremely talented, unselfish, and elite defensively, but they can beaten. Both the Cavs and the Spurs showed this. The Cavs in game 3 (I won’t say game 4 because that took a record-breaking effort that won’t be duplicated), showed great discipline defensively, were the more physical team, and didn’t beat their self with turnovers. They controlled the pace of the game and defended the 3 point line extremely well. The conclusion of game 3 showed both how special the Warriors are and how undisciplined the Cavs are on defense.  Too many times JR Smith, Kyrie Irving, and LeBron James as well got lost defending off-ball screens. Defensive lapses like this don’t happen with a team like the Spurs which is why they had a chance to beat Warriors and were blowing them out in game 1. Albeit in the regular season, even the Grizzlies always give the Warriors a hard team, because they are disciplined defensively and don’t turn the ball over. If you defend the Warrior’s off ball action well, force them to play 1 on 1, and get back defensively in transition, you will have chance to beat this team.  

However, I don’t see it happening within the next two years. The playoffs will be more competitive next year in both conferences, but I still don’t see any team preventing the Warriors and LeBron from meeting in the finals again the next two years, pending health. And unless, the Cavs can turn into an elite team defensively, I don’t see them dethroning the Warriors. I jumped at someone recently for suggesting Lue should be fired, but if this team doesn’t improve defensively maybe the head coach job should be reconsidered.  Lue struggled to keep his team focused and motivated all season, as seen by their play during the 2nd half of the regular season.  Maybe they shouldn’t have given up on Blatt so early??? Idk, but Lue must improve. 

 

 

 

[Bankroll PJParticipant]

 Teams that come to mind that could beat the Warriors in a few years: I won’t give up on the Spurs and Cavs, possibly the Celtics depending on decisions made the next 2 offseasons, the Bucks are a stretch but they have intriguing personnel, and my darkhouse is the 76ers in 4 years.

[MatosParticipant]

 Agreed that Tyron Lue made some horrible coaching decisions this finals series. I have no clue why Deron Williams even got as much time as he did this series. My goodness he made Dellavedova look like Steve Nash off the bench.  

[2quick4uParticipant]

the warriors have put up numbers in the last 3 seasons that have only been replicated very few times in history..

they’ve been top 2 in every category in their 2 rings: "Def Rtg", "Off Rtg", Pts/G and "SRS", while having one of the highest pace and having the most efficient and best shooters in the game..you need a miracle to beat that..

actually the only teams with similar numbers have been:

-celtics in 1959-60: the best season of one of the greatest dinasties, came close to the warriors numbers finishing 1st in every category but "Off Rtg" (5th). they won the title.

team record: 59-16

.philadelphia in 1966-67: will chamberlain’ s sixers had to play a perfect season in order to beat the celtics..actually that was the only season the celtics lost in the whole decade..

team record: 68-13

.lakers in 1971-72: chamberlain again, but this time with the lakers had the closest season to the warriors today..of course they won the ring

team record: 69-13

..bulls in 1995-96: best season of arguably the greatest dinasty..finished 1st in every category but pace..

team record: 72-10

As you can see, the only teams that have put similar numbers have had historic seasons with at least 68 wins (or 67 the warriors in 2015 and 2017) and have won the title..

so if the warriors keep having these type of numbers there’s absolutely no chance for the rest of the teams.. aside from praying or injuries…

cavs have absolutely no chance to beat the warriors with the defense they have today as they finished 21st in "Def Rtg". kevin love is not the player the cavs need if they want to beat the warriors..plus they need more versatile players in defense and ofense. plus they also need to slow much more the pace down..

spurs might have a small chance if they sign paul and trade aldridge for a more useful player..may be millsap? they’ll also need more depth..

but like you said, i see no competition for 2 years..then it will depend if the warriors can keep all their players or not..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Reptilian MonkParticipant]

 I just dont see a team beating them 4 out of 7 games the next couple years with this roster.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 This team looks like a 4peat juggernaut.

Basically they only have to sign 4 guys — well, four guys that should all make MAX but if they can work something out then Pistol Steve, Klaymation, Dray, PhD., and Dream/Jordan aka Kevin Durant are all in their primes with possibly all four either being BETTER or MORE EFFICIENT.  Yeah, I think they win 4 in a row.

This would be like the Jordan/Pippen/Rodman Bulls adding prime Penny Hardaway as their fourth guy — and Kukoc learned how to be tough…

Yeah, if they resign Iggy it will be a wrap for next year… should win at least 70. Possibly breaking their own record.  They could be on an 80 win pace through Christmas, who knows…

If they CANNOT resign Iggy then they still have Patrick McCaw as a versatile wing option who can also play point.  Younger than Iggy and a good athlete and defender.  So, maybe he turns into the fifth guy in some ALT DEATH rotations.

Lock in the big four then either Iggy or McCaw then you are looking at a 3peat at a MINIMUM.

Both centers are free agents.  I would sign McGee since he gives you an athletic rim protector and the Dray-JaValee alley oops are fun to watch. He adds a different dimension to the team…  Plus, it is great to have a high motor center as your 6th man.

Not sure I would resign Pachulia for more than the MLE.  He gave them a solid year.  And, he does what he does — but he is a glorified goon who is gonna be under the league office’s microscope.  I would rather keep David West who was an IDEAL third big for them going down the stretch in the Finals.  A power forward’s power forward who is long, smart, and tough.  Solid enforcer for them who can rebound, defend 4’s or 5’s and score a bit.  I would use Pachulia’s money to reup some of the other, more important players…

I would even try to bring back Andrew Bogut.  He is coming off an injury but I think at the very least he can be a solid 3rd string center.  And, if he gets healthy and in playoff shape he can be an upgrade over Pachulia although maybe not as effective as he was a couple of seasons ago…

I don’t think I resign Ian Clark unless I can get him back REALLY CHEAP.  

I would consider trading him to Philly for the 50th pick and cash.

I might do the same with James McAdoo.  Decent guy who is basically a really small center in a really small small ball lineup, but I would sign and trade him to Utah for the 55th pick and cash.  OR, trade Kevon Looney to the Jazz for the 55th pick and cash.

I really wanna keep Shaun Livingston.  Ideal 3rd string point guard.  And, with the Iggy/McCaw wing combination that is a very long, versatile, and cagey perimeter core off the bench.

Maybe you can’t pay him enough next year or the year after that.  Maybe you sign him to a bit longer of a deal (4 years) than he would get anywhere else… 

In terms of NEED after the big four, here ya go:

5) Iggy: the cagey veteran’s 2 way glue guy’s glue guy.  When healthy, he’s been a borderline STAR in the NBA Finals.  the Finals MVP two years ago and a top 5 guy on the court last night… he’s the guy Michael Jordan woulda been if he had played until he was 50.

6) Patrick McCaw: loved the look he gave them last night.  Part of a younger, quicker, fiestier, and even more athletic MEGA DEATH/ALT DEATH LINEUP.  ALMOST makes BOTH Iggy and Livingston quasi-expendable.  Maybe not next year, but in a couple of years BIG FOUR PLUS MCCAW will be the NIGHTMARE LINEUP.

7) David West: Tough, hardnosed.  Was basically the Warriors third big man for much of the Finals.  Came up big.  Won’t back down.  I think he can give you 15-20 minutes a night at the backup 4 and 5 spots and you are in good shape.  Heck, I think he could start 35 games at center next year.  

8) Javale McGee: at times, the best backup center in the business.  Great 2 way athlete.  Doesn’t do much, but he is good at what he does: runs floor, blocks shots, alters shots, great alley-oop chemistry with Draymond Green, and contortionist dunker extraordinaire.  Just gives the Warriors another extra dimension on BOTH sides of the ball.  Highly effective in short bursts, it’s a plus that you don’t have to run plays for this high motor big.  The Warriors have a MEGA DEATH lineup with Iggy, but their BENCH MOB approaches DEATH LINEUP levels with Livingston, McCaw, Iggy, West, and McGee.  So, Iggy can play with either the CORE FOUR OR the BENCH CORE FOUR.  

9) Shaun Livingston: knows what he does well, and, well, he does it well.

10) ZaZa. Enforcer. Goon. Can grapple with anyone.  Not as great all-around as Bogut, nor the scorer or passer that Big Bogut was but can still hustle, play tough, hit guys in the face, and make some nifty passes here and there.  

11) Matt Barnes: He’s a good fifth wing if you play 4 wings.  He’s a great 6th wing if you play five wings.  Ok, ok, you get the point.  BUT, he can hit a 3, hustle some, and make a defensive play.  Basically, he is Iggy protection.  I think they sacrifice Pachulia to resign McGee and West.  Then if they have to jettison at least one of Iggy, Livingston, and McCaw then I think McCaw is the long-term keeper, and they can probably resign Livingston a lot cheaper.  If so, then Iggy is the odd man out… hey, if I were Cleveland I would throw a LOT, ok, maybe a TON of money at Iggy.  He and LeBron would work well together.  They would still have JR and Kyle Korver on the wings.  Love, TT, and, of course, Kyrie Irving complete a pretty good core rotation.

12) Ian Clark.  He can score some.  Quick.  Basically an undersized combo guard.  More importantly, he went to my high school so that is one of the reasons I have him above McAdoo, Looney, and Damion Jones.

13) Damion Jones.  He went to Vandy.  Should raise the Warriors’ GPA.  Only the NCAA rules committee can slow down the Warriors juggernaut.

14) McAdoo: Either one James Michael or Bob.  If they can’t resign McAdoo cheap and can keep neither McGee nor David West then they should give Ole Uncle Bob a look… 

15) Kevon Looney: either the Dickie Simpkins or Cory Blount of this budding uber dynasty.

16) Canyon Barry: You JUST KNOW they are signing Rick Berry’s kid.  Has the dimensions AND shooting stroke of a Klay Thompson.  AND, this kid gives you what the Warriors need, a guy who can shoot underhanded free throws and sell G League tickets/jerseys.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Author]

Posts