May 9, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) handles the ball against Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) during game three of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
3. The Warriors had a tougher road to get here
Cleveland beat the below .500 Boston Celtics, the disgruntled Chicago Bulls, and the overrated Atlanta Hawks. The Warriors beat the mediocre New Orleans Pelicans, one of the best defensive teams in the NBA in the Memphis Grizzlies, and the Houston Rockets who came back from a 1-3 deficit against the Los Angeles Clippers (who eliminated the San Antonio Spurs).
Neither team’s path will affect them in the Finals, but the Western Conference is a night and day difference compared to the East. The Warriors had a tougher test playing the MVP runner-up in James Harden, one of the hardest players to guard in Anthony Davis, and the grit and grind of the Grizzlies.
Golden State faced adversity when they were down 1-2 against Memphis and it made them a better team after experiencing that. It prepared them for the Cavaliers and taught them how to be composed during pressure situations.
Correct, Phillip: they can win. But if Irving is healthy, he’s a nightmare to stop. And James is the still the best player in the world, impossible to contain. And their new guys – Mozgov Shumpert, Richards – have bolstered them enormously. It’s a toss up… JD
Not to say the the Dubs can’t prevail but it may not be the cakewalk that most expect.
I do think that if in close games the experience factor will play some role. I also don’t see how easy it is to overlook what happened the last time the teams played when the game was not nearly as close as the score. I think the biggest overlooked advantage that the Cavs will exploit is rebounding. To quote Pat Riley” No rebounds, No Rings.
Warriorsworld – interesting article. Cavs fan here. Dubs might win the series but I think you have your reasons a little off:
1 – Dubs have Depth. Correct, Dubs are deeper but you don’t need depth as much in the Finals, you need defense and big shots. 9-12 are cheerleaders in the Finals. They have a lineup full of finals virgins.
2 – Dubs are Healthier. Before Houston series you were correct, but I call it a draw now. Kyrie could be 80%, or roughly the same health as Curry after that big fall. Klay’s head injury is no small matter, Mike Miller got a concussion that no one saw earlier this season, he went into the concussion policy and it kept him out 22 days. Klay’s agent isn’t in charge of anything, he’s probably spinning the truth.
3 – Dubs had Tougher Road. This is just about the so-called vaulted western conference, isn’t it? This new cavs team has bee spanking the west since february. If the Dubs put out the Spurs it would be real but you didn’t beat any champs. Here’s a tough road: Cavs won 33 games last year and missed the playoffs in the east. There are 4 players from that team on this team. They are completely new as a unit. Also, it’s hard to say that the Grizzlies+Rockets is that much better than the Bulls+Hawks. East/West stuff means nothing when you face off on the court.
4 – Dubs have Experience. Are you kidding? Your coach and players are championship virgins. There are 9 rings on the Cavs roster. Blatt has coached 17 championships in 24 years.
5 – Dubs have Home court. You are correct, sir. And Lebron prefers playing on the road and earning new fans.
1) “They have a lineup full of finals virgins.” Okay, we get it you have Lebron, Miller, and Jones but everyone else on your team is a finals virgin too. You are implying that no player can ever win a championship without experience of already being there which is an extremely illogical argument as everyone who has “experience” had to win one themselves as “finals virgins…” but that didn’t stop them.
2) First of all Curry and Thompson has a week to heal and was already near 100% last game and Klay doesn’t have a concussion. I don’t understand how so many cavs fans and others think they can diagnose something as serious as a concussion from their home. I guess you guys are all certified doctors right? The fact that you are saying doctors who have gone through years of training and medical school are “spinning the truth,” because you saw the play and thought it is a concussion is just flat out stupid.
3) “This new cavs team has bee spanking the west since february.” Okay the Warriors have been spanking the west since the beginning of the season… “Also, it’s hard to say that the Grizzlies+Rockets is that much better than the Bulls+Hawks.” Okay no, no and no. Okay First of all the Hawks had 4 starters either injured, suspended, or not 100% for 3 of the 4 games. Korver was hurt, Sefalosha was hurt, Millsap and Horford were not 100% the entire series, and the man who guarded Lebron the best was hurt and clearly not 100% in Carrol. The only starter they had healthy was Teague that’s it… The Bulls were up 2-1 on you guys until Pau Gasol, arguably and probably their best player this season went down. Taj Gibson, their best bench player got hurt. So basically it was a dream scenario for the cavs yet Grizzlies who had the 3rd best defense in the league this year and the Rockets who had the runner up MVP and a top 3 center in the league in Howard are better than the injured Hawks and Bulls? And you guys played the celtics with a losing record Come on….
4) “Blatt has coached 17 championships in 24 years.” Come lets not compare Euro League to NBA here there is no comparison I’ll take the 6 Rings Kerr has any day.
5) “Lebron prefers playing on the road and earning new fans.” So you asked lebron what he thought about playing on the road? And “new fans” what are you talking about there, he already has bandwagoning fans across the country and everyone knows who he is… Warriors are 49-3 in Roracle, thats a fact unlike the b.s. statement of Lebrons personal beliefs you mentions. Good Luck getting a win in the best home court in the league.
They will come and win one of the first two games. If Memphis can take one… Cleveland can almost certainly do the same.