[ChicagoCaseyParticipant]

 A lot around the internet you will hear that the reasoning to predict (not saying you shouldn’t have an opinion) the Cavs to win is because Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love are healthy and the Cavs took them to 6 w/o them. In my opinion, that logic is terrible way to determine why you believe one team will beat the other team. Again, not saying you should not or can’t predict the Cavs to win, but that logic makes no sense.

Yes, this year the Cavs will bring in a much better offense than last year Finals, but they don’t have the same defense that they did in the finals. Last year. they did not play with two of their big three, but w/o them they played much better defense that gave Golden State fits. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love do bring you plus offensive players to the mix, but the are negative defensive players. This postseason when Kyrie Irving is on the court the Cavs have a 106 defensive rating, w/o him they have a 92 defensive rating. W/O looking at stats you can tell that Kyrie Irving cannot play defense. And with stats it tell you he’s a horrible defender, ranking near the bottom in numerous advance defensive stats. And for Kevin Love..LOL..

So, yes, the Cavs would be better on offense with Kyrie and KLove, but the would’ve been worst on defense. This is a main reason why I believe Golden State in 6, maybe 5. They have too many questions that have to be answered and I don’t believe it will do well for the Cavs. The defense of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love are one of them. The others are is JR Smith and Channing Frye continue their historic shooting? Can Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye run with the Warriors? Who does LeBron guard? And how will Tyrann Lou make adjustments throughout the series? I don’t believe that JR Smith and Channing Frye will be as good as they are in the postseason in the finals, once JR shot doesn’t fall he is worthless. Channing Frye and Richard Jefferson play huge roles for the Cavs and they can’t keep up with the Warriors. LeBron barely guards the best perimeter player, expect him on Iggy or Barnes. Tyrann Lou is a first year coach.

 

 

 

 

[ChewyParticipant]

 Both these teams seem much improved. I feel like both 2015 squads would be beat by either 2016 team.

Cavs- Obviously having Irving, LBJ and Love all healthy helps. But I think a lot of credit needs to go Lue’s way. This team seems much more cohesive than last year’s team. You see players hanging out outside of the court. Joking with each other ect. They are moving the ball MUCH more than last year’s playoff team (not that this is even a challenge- Last year’s offense was Lebron at the left short corner, everyone else mind your own buisness). 

Warriors- Kerr said that everything seemed to line up for them last year. That is was a perfect storm. This year’s Thunder team was fully healthy and playing great. The Warriors improved on their gameplan of relying heavily on outside shooting. Set an NBA wins record, came back from 3-1 hole and did it playing the "brand" of basketball they wanted. Same guys, same system, more comfort within the system though.

Side note: I love the bench for both of these teams. The Warriors always rely on their bench for long stretches. Literally every player on their team can come in a give them good minutes, including Clark who had 2 good games this post season. I love Livingston as a back up, Speights can shoot, Ezili is tough. Barbosa has questionable defense but he still plays offense like he’s on the early 2000s PHX teams. Either Iggy or Barnes is coming off the bench, which is ridiculous.

Cavs- I’ve always loved Shumpert and think he could be a role playing starting 2. Frye is hitting shots left and right. Delly (and his new shoe deal) is always interesting to watch. Jefferson looks like he is 6 years younger these playoffs. Even though the Cavs have a Big 3, they do have some great bench options.

I’m just so damn excited to see these finals. I would have loved a Cavs/Thunder match up just as much too. 

 

 

 

 

 

[ChewyParticipant]

 Both these teams seem much improved. I feel like both 2015 squads would be beat by either 2016 team.

Cavs- Obviously having Irving, LBJ and Love all healthy helps. But I think a lot of credit needs to go Lue’s way. This team seems much more cohesive than last year’s team. You see players hanging out outside of the court. Joking with each other ect. They are moving the ball MUCH more than last year’s playoff team (not that this is even a challenge- Last year’s offense was Lebron at the left short corner, everyone else mind your own buisness). 

Warriors- Kerr said that everything seemed to line up for them last year. That is was a perfect storm. This year’s Thunder team was fully healthy and playing great. The Warriors improved on their gameplan of relying heavily on outside shooting. Set an NBA wins record, came back from 3-1 hole and did it playing the "brand" of basketball they wanted. Same guys, same system, more comfort within the system though.

Side note: I love the bench for both of these teams. The Warriors always rely on their bench for long stretches. Literally every player on their team can come in a give them good minutes, including Clark who had 2 good games this post season. I love Livingston as a back up, Speights can shoot, Ezili is tough. Barbosa has questionable defense but he still plays offense like he’s on the early 2000s PHX teams. Either Iggy or Barnes is coming off the bench, which is ridiculous.

Cavs- I’ve always loved Shumpert and think he could be a role playing starting 2. Frye is hitting shots left and right. Delly (and his new shoe deal) is always interesting to watch. Jefferson looks like he is 6 years younger these playoffs. Even though the Cavs have a Big 3, they do have some great bench options.

I’m just so damn excited to see these finals. I would have loved a Cavs/Thunder match up just as much too. 

 

 

 

 

 

[ChewyParticipant]

 GS won the bench battle for game one

[ChewyParticipant]

 GS won the bench battle for game one

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