Tag: warriors

Top 10 of The Decade: #6

by Ethan Myers, posted in Decade, Top 10

6. Cavs 3-1 comeback against the 73-9 Warriors in the 2016 finals.

“It’s a man’s league. I guess his feelings just got hurt.”

These were the famous post-game words uttered by Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson after Game 4 of the 2016 NBA Finals, referring to LeBron James reacting after Draymond Green swung at James’ groin. The Warriors were riding high after taking a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers, just one game away from capping off their legendary 73-win season with a 2nd championship. The storylines were writing themselves: the 2016 Warriors were the greatest team of all time, and LeBron James couldn’t bring the big one home to the city of Cleveland.

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Photo by Ball Memes

However, as every sports fan knows, it’s not over until it’s over. LeBron James and Kyrie Irving exploded in Game 5, with both players scoring 41 points apiece in a 112-97 Cavaliers victory that stunned the crowd at Oracle Arena. But it was just one game, right? After all, this Warriors team unstoppable, and LeBron just didn’t have what it takes. That is, until LeBron dropped 41 points again in a 115-101 victory, ending in Warriors point guard Stephen Curry fouling out and launching his mouthguard at a fan. It was all going back to Oracle Arena in California for Game 7, and there was a surprising lack of snide comments from Warriors players leading up to the game. Collars getting tight around their neck?

Game 7 was one for the ages. The match was a dogfight, with 20 lead changes between the teams. The Warriors seemed to start to pull away at halftime with a 49-42 lead, until Cavaliers shooting guard JR Smith came into the second half with back-to-back 3’s to tighten the game up. The score went back and forth until the final 2 minutes, when the Cavaliers’s Big 3 of James, Irving, and forward Kevin Love each had a massive play that will forever go down in Cleveland lore.

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Photo by NBA

Tied at 89-all, LeBron James had the greatest block in NBA history, chasing Andre Iguodala across the court and stuffing Iguodala’s fast-break layup attempt. Next, Kyrie Irving caught Curry with his hand down and splashed a 3 over Curry to take a 92-89 lead. Finally with 30 seconds left, Kevin Love got switched onto Curry and proceeded to lock him down, causing Curry to throw up a brick. The Cavaliers got the rebound, LeBron iced the game with a free throw, and when the clock hit zero, LeBron James and the city of Cleveland were champions once again. 52 years of heartbreak wiped out, toppling perhaps the most arrogant team of all time, and coming back from a 3-1 series deficit for the first time in the history of the NBA Finals. After that series, basketball fans around the country had no choice to agree that LeBron James was truly the King, and the city of Cleveland could finally celebrate once again.

Image result for lebron james nba finals cleveland trophy
Photo by the LA Times

Clippers-Lakers Highlight the 2019 NBA Christmas Lineup

by Zach Truesdale, posted in NBA

Ah, the annual bundle of NBA Christmas games. A great time to spend with the family and watch some of the most-anticipated competition of the season. As the last festive lineup of the decade arrives, there is much to look forward to as some of the biggest names in the league face off as the year comes to a close.

Raptors v Celtics (ESPN)

As of right now, both teams are playing great, each being within the top-5 spots in the Eastern Conference. Though both teams do have key injuries on each side, I think the lack of Pascal Siakam (groin) will allow the Celtics to continue riding the hot hand of their 3-game win streak and leave Toronto with a W.

Prediction: Celtics get tough win on the road.

76ers v Bucks (ABC)

Another potential Eastern Conference Final Match-up is on display as the #1 Milwaukee Bucks take on the #5 Philadelphia 76ers. This is a personal favorite because of the challenge that is stopping Giannis Antetokounmpo. They have been hard to slow down especially since the Greek Freak has shown his ability to extend his range. However, this game will truly test the strength of the Bucks depth as they face a contending Philadelphia team. This will be a great battle down low for those who love seeing heavily contested buckets.

Prediction: 76ers take the home field advantage and the win

Warriors v Rockets (ABC)

The injuries and adjustments to this year’s Warriors team makes them quite underwhelming. And as usual, the back court of Russell Westbrook and James Harden wish to make a statement on the team they just can never get by in the playoffs. Since the Warriors are down and out this season, I expect a dominating performance from Houston. You have to make a statement when given such a golden opportunity. And being on Christmas, this is the Rocket’s present as they should take this win in front of their home crowd.

Prediction: Rockets win in fashion, Harden and Westbrook drop 30+ each.

Lakers v Clippers (ESPN)

It has been recently announced that LeBron James and Anthony Davis will be playing this Christmas together for the first time as teammates. Not only does this make for the game of the week, but this will be the first time the two revamped Los Angeles teams face each other this season. With all due respect to the baller that is Montrezl Harrell, I see the trio of Centers (Davis, McGee and Howard) dominating the paint. The Klaw, PG-13 and company versus The King, The Brow and their squad. This is the match-up sports fans live for. L.A. fan or not, this will be the game to watch.

Prediction: Lakers’ big men shine in a roller coaster of a game.

Nuggets v Pelicans

Everyone was excited to see Zion play this Christmas, but unfortunately due to injury the opportunity must bee pushed to next season. The #2 seed Denver Nuggets will face the second-to-last New Orleans Pelicans to cap off the last Christmas game of the decade. I expect Nikola “The Joker” Jokić to pull from his bag of tricks and have a fun Christmas win, despite the Most Improved Player campaign that Brandon Ingram is displaying.

Prediction: Nuggets win with ease and we see some more crazy Jokić passes.