© Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Yeah, the Warriors vs. Cavaliers is boring… laughable.
Excellence at every level is compelling, and Game 1 was just fantastic competition. LeBron James did absolutely everything to will his team to victory, but even he can’t help J.R. Smith keep score. Wow, what a gift.
The intensity between these teams after four straight NBA Finals meetings is absolutely palpable and makes for the very best entertainment that sports afford us.
It took excellent games from all four Warriors All-Stars to fend off Cleveland and take the first game. Stephen Curry was amazing, Klay Thompson averted a series-altering disaster injury and played well, Kevin Durant responded with a much better second half, and Draymond Green rebounded, passed, provided toughness, and showed great discretion in shot selection (making two HUGE three-pointers).
The Warriors shot 51 percent and committed only seven turnovers. You just can’t play much better than that. And that still only got them tied after 48 minutes. That’s how good Cleveland was in this game.
James drove through the Warriors, made critical shots, set up teammates and was incredibly efficient. He eventually wore down and was finally human missing several shots down the stretch. I said James could be Finals MVP in a losing effort in this series, and I’m staying with this prediction.
The chess game breaks down with size vs. skill, and Cleveland did an excellent job on the offensive glass with 19 offensive rebounds. That gave them nine more shot attempts than the Warriors. But Cleveland needed a better night from three-point land. The Cavaliers are 2-9 in the 2018 postseason when they haven’t shot 33 percent or better on threes, and 10-0 when they have shot better than 33 percent. Shooting 10-37 in Game 1 is not enough to beat the Warriors. The Warriors are living right with opponents’ paltry three- point shooting after Houston’s Game 7 and Cleveland’s Game 1.
Let’s pause now for a little officiating education…
The block on LeBron James with Kevin Durant driving was ABSOLUTELY the correct call. In the NBA, when a driving player “begins the upward shooting motion” the defensive player must be in a “legal guarding position.” Ninety-nine percent of the time when an NBA player is driving, the defender is never in front of him or fully set when the driver has the final pickup dribble and begins moving the ball upwards. The offensive players are too fast, too skilled, and change direction too quickly. As Durant finished the pickup dribble and began the upward shooting motion, James is clearly moving to his left, knowing he is not fully in front of Durant. That is difficult to see at full speed, and thus, the allowance for replay to fix this call in the final two minutes. Bottom line: the replay worked and the correct call was made.
Speed round:
Shaun Livingston loves to play the Cavs for some reason. His 10 points on 4-4 shooting was huge.
Kevin Love and Jeff Green going 2- 15 from three was ultimately why Cleveland lost, but they were decent overall.
Larry Nance Jr. continued the great Cleveland activity on the glass. That is really Cleveland’s advantage.
George Hill is going to regret missing that free throw. And Smith has to live with a completely clueless play in the most critical time of the game. Real NBA watchers will remember the silly overplay right before halftime that allowed Steph Curry to hit a three to tie the game. Think those three points mattered?
I’ve never seen Curry handle the pick and roll any better. He shot it perfectly, passed beautifully. His decision making was just perfect.
Green is really the smartest player the Warriors have on offense and defense. Great passing, limited turnovers, defended everyone, rebounded with ferocity, and picked his spots correctly when shooting the ball. Just tremendous.
Credit JaVale McGee for staying ready. Nice minutes and great energy.
Game 2 can’t get here fast enough. And the absence of Andre Iguodala continues to be a major issue, particularly against the Cavs.
The second syllable of boring is “ring”. And that’s what this is all about for the Warriors.