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Post by runrondo on May 14, 2019 17:26:10 GMT -5
Down to 4 teams:
Warriors - trying to continue that dynasty for potentially the last year and dealing with a Durant injury which will make things interesting.
Blazers - fresh off a majorly disappointing playoff performance last year they have seemed to learn from the pain to hopefully take that "next step"
Bucks - Seem to be on the brink of something great and looking to prove their season greatness was no fluke.
Raptors - will the Leonard gamble pay off? There's no Lebron to block their way, but the Greek Freak could impose a similar nightmare on them.
I'm rooting for Blazers in the West and the Bucks in the East. In reality, I wouldn't mind any combination for the finals - I think it will be a good one to watch no matter what. I think this year was a high quality year for playoff teams on paper/matchups. The final 8 was really good too considering the teams that lost (Philly, Celtics, Rockets, Nuggets).
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Post by DERRENMATTS on May 14, 2019 18:27:57 GMT -5
So many good teams to root for (as in, I don’t hate them). Hmmmm... I like the Bucks because they earned my respect for playing hard and the right way. I like Toronto because of Kawhi. Portland is a feel good story.
As much as I don’t really care for GSW, I want Durant here so I’m kinda rooting for them.
I seriously can’t pick one.
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Post by afceltic on May 14, 2019 22:00:40 GMT -5
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Post by DERRENMATTS on May 15, 2019 0:36:55 GMT -5
I can’t take offense to Giannis’ statement because it’s true. We self-destructed, and everyone knew it. We beat our own selves. I think Giannis was just saying we weren’t the same caliber this year that we were last year. |
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Post by runrondo on May 15, 2019 9:02:09 GMT -5
I thought that was a weird quote. He can say that cause he crushed us for 4 straight games, but I think it's weird to not be confident you can do the same to Toronto if you lose game 1. Probably just trying to put pressure on his team to not come out flat.
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Post by jmost on May 16, 2019 7:02:50 GMT -5
I'm rooting for the Bucks and Warriors in this round - but like others I don't hate anyone still in it.
More than rooting I'm watching the X's and O's. How does TOR keep Giannis out of the paint? How does Curry continue to get free for 3s when everyone knows he's lethal from that range?
The first game of the MIL/TOR series was fiercely contested, with both teams playing really hard the whole 48. The difference between TOR and us was very obvious, and I don't think they're necessarily more talented.
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Post by runrondo on May 16, 2019 8:29:06 GMT -5
Agreed - it's refreshing when you can step back and appreciate some of the tactics/fundamentals of teams as opposed to letting your emotions really run into it. In regards to Steph, I thought Terry Stotts' postgame was hilarious when they asked him why they sagged off instead of trapping www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1HXrYGyN3AI think Dame said they needed to work harder to get through screens (as they relied on the big to sag). Either way, I'm hoping they can at least make the series interesting. TOR/MIL looks to be great and Leonard/Giannis is a wonderful matchup. |
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Post by DERRENMATTS on May 17, 2019 22:21:04 GMT -5
I think Warriors are going to win it again, but I’m rooting for the Bucks. Why them? Because if they eliminate the Raptors, I think that helps persuade Kawhi to leave TOR. Maybe we can sweet talk him to come here.
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Post by jmost on May 18, 2019 8:40:15 GMT -5
I've had the same thought about the ECF - that if the Bucks beat the Raptors it might help convince Kawhi to leave. So yeah, I'm rooting for the Bucks for that reason. But I also just find Giannis a very easy guy to root for. Even when he was destroying us I couldn't work up any hate for him.
I've also been a Steph Curry fan since before their first title, so I don't know who I'll root for if it's Bucks/Warriors in the Finals. I wonder if winning a title would make it more or less likely for the Bucks to keep the band together.
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Post by Roadrunner on May 18, 2019 9:45:10 GMT -5
Bucks. They beat BOS.
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Post by afceltic on May 18, 2019 20:12:54 GMT -5
IMO the Bucks will win it all and I will be happy for them. They will sweep them if KD isn't 100% or doesn't play and will still win it pretty easily if he is due to the Bucks having home court something like 4-2. GSW doesn't have a bench and are a very soft team. Klay and Curry have weakness that a team with the length and depth that the Bucks have can exploit in a big way. In a weird way I am enjoying the Bucks now because I see them as what we had hoped to be, too bad our guys were too selfish to make it happen.
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Post by jmost on May 19, 2019 13:09:59 GMT -5
I wouldn't underestimate the Warriors. Last night Draymond showed how great a player, not to mention how great a leader, he is. And GS is a helluva defensive team when they set their mind to it. I'd expect a really good series with or without KD.
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Post by afceltic on May 19, 2019 18:44:32 GMT -5
Now that Iggy is hurt with a sore Achilles, I don't see how GSW beats the Bucks in any scenario. They said Cousins (who is useless) is closer to coming back than KD is.
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Post by runrondo on May 21, 2019 12:35:33 GMT -5
I agree that Iggy and Durant are super important, but what's to stop the 3 headed monster of Green, Curry, and Thompson from just playing 45 minutes a game and letting their role players find space? It seems to be working well.
The Bucks' length and defense will be a different beast. It helps though when Curry can shoot from almost half court to stretch them out. I hope Durant can come back only for the fact that I'd love to see Giannis match up against a full Warriors squad.
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Post by afceltic on May 21, 2019 13:49:25 GMT -5
I don't think people realize that GSW without KD is only 1-1 in the Finals and the one win was against the Cavs without Love (who Olynyk hurt) and Kyrie (blew his knee out in OT of Game 1) were out due to injury. After the 73 win team choked the 3-1 series away they got KD and he carried them in the Finals.
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