You know, when LeBron James said before the series that Steph Curry is unstoppable, I knew he was playing with the Warriors ego. Yes he recognizes and praises Curry, but at the same time he was making them too comfortable. I've heard the same thing many times, especially when Popovich always praise Dirk before games... I hate that!
It may be an off-night for Curry, but all those Cavs hands on his face contributed a lot. Curry can be stopped. All the Cavs needed was to study all those Curry off-nights throughout the season. Rare, but it happens.
And so is LeBron. He can be stopped. It has been done before. The Warriors just need to figure that out. They actually limited his shooting percentage. They just need to deny him the ability to see an open man. Hard.
The Warriors will adjust. One, to give Curry better looks by using picks and screens more. Two, devise an answer to the James-Mozgov pick-and-roll game that opened up the lane in Game 2.
Meanwhile, will Klay Thompson remain hot? If the Cavs gameplan of shutting down Curry and letting Thompson beat them off screen worked in Game 2, they will not divert from that a whole lot.
My tentative Game 2 pick: Klay Thompson. He will not top his Game 2 PRA, but if the Cavs don't adjust to him, off he goes again.
What should be Steve Kerr's next move?
Okay, my plan with picking james in game 2 kind of paid off, as he gained 36 PRA on Curry. That is nice. LeBron was crazy in that game. If the Warriors had somehow pulled it out in OT, the series would have been over. Now? I am not sure. Still favor the Warriors, but they really have a fight on their hands. But I can't imagine LeBron holding homecourt all of his own. He won't get help like he did now in all 3 homegames.
ReplyDeleteSo, when to pick Curry? Game 3 for redemption? Game 4 for the 2-2? Game 5 at home?
Who to pick in game 3? Mozgov? Smith? Dellavedova?
I am still undecided. Gimme a hint, Taong. No, I don't have Klay Thompson left.
Subjectively, Curry for the bounceback if you believe that eill happen.
DeleteSemi-objectively, not Curry coz the Cavs have seen how shutting down Curry can disrupt the Warriors' plans. Cavs will not rock the boat.
Personally, I'd take Curry. Being 1-1 as the higher seed means they're behind. The Warriors have no choice but to help Curry get better looks.
Nice timing with the LeBron pick! I too went with him (Kyrie in G1) and it helped me climb from 86th to 95th percentile.
ReplyDeleteIn Game 3, I am torn between Curry, Green or J.R. Curry because it will be on his hands to show that Delly's defense was a fluke and they need to regain the momentum. Green on the other hand, because he has been relatively quiet in this series. Props to Tristan Thompson for giving Green a handful of problems inside but we all know Draymond can shoot the three; if he starts hitting them early (and often), it will be hard for Cleveland to stop their other shooters. Lastly, Smith because it will be a redeem game for him. He almost blew their chance of winning G2 by committing silly turnovers and fouls with under 4 minutes to go in regulation. Plus, he also plays better at home.
I still have Klay though; not sure if the timing is right for G3.
I am not sure if J.R. deserves being picked in this series. The Finals seem too big for him.
DeleteI am picking Klay in G3 because he is not a focus on the Cavs' D. Yet. If Dubs win G3, maybe Cavs will adjust to Klay.
I actually like Green too in G3, but I already used him in the Rockets series. The most effective Dubs lineup in G2 was small ball when Green played center. I believe they'll milk that config if they can build an early lead.
Curry (which I don't have) should be G3's pick. There's no way he'll shoot poorly again. Kerr will make sure he gets his looks. And with emphasis on ball movement, expect Curry's complete game. They know if they lose G3, the Cavs will smell blood.
Oh no, I pre-picked JR today and I am about to switch to Curry after reading various news stating that he "knows" what to do now after shooting a horrendous 5-23. However, I got locked out after clicking the "X" button. Oh well, it might be better to have JR, than being locked out without any player picked.
Deleteouch! better be careful guys!
Deleteyeah better be careful.. good thing I still have JR after clicking that "X". As it turns out, I was a little bit too late (gladly) in clicking the button
DeleteLebron or mozgov today?. Mozgov has 4th best performer in this series other lebron ,klay,and curry and will continue to be lebrons main player to assist but gs have to soon stop this by playing that green center lineup to counter it even though mozgov would do even better on that lineup lebron on the other hand gets minimum 50 every game and it is just decision of picking him today to get more points or next game
ReplyDeleteI don't think G3 is the date to pick LBJ. They got homecourt adv, less pressure. Dubs will need a solution to LBJ's getting on the paint via Mozgov pick.
DeleteLBJ will still do great in G3 but I think G4 is a better date. If they win G3, LBJ will be hungry in G4 to get that commanding 3-1 standing. If they lose G3, LBJ will be more desperate to avoid that 1-3 hole.
Who else have you got?
Iman Shumpert tonight. Still holding onto LeBron, mostly because I can't watch all of tonight's game and I want to milk that pick for all it's worth. Shumpert gets good minutes and I expect he'll be good tonight. Based on how this round is going for me, with Smith at 13 and Thompson at 16, I expect he'll get 19. Basic linear growth. That will leave me with Mozgov or Dellevadova for Game 4, or perhaps LeBron if I'm feeling up for it.
ReplyDeleteI like the Shumpert pick if the Cavs decide to adjust to the Klay prob (Note: stopping Curry is still primary focus). Cavs should give the defensive-minded Shumpert more minutes guarding Klay, coz everybody knows J.R. Smith doesn't like playing D. Besides, J.R.'s shot is not clicking this series.
DeleteWith more minutes, Shump will get a few extra rebs and treys.
Curry klay or green tonigjt??? I have curry as of right now but tempted to wait till game 4 he only 4% owned that day compared to 9%. Cobsidering he was 20%+ game one and two. There aren't many ppl left with him.
ReplyDeleteKlay got hot game two and maybe continies it tonigjt if cavs shut down curru again (highlu doubt it). Or draymond, he seems to play betyer on the road imo
9% vs 4% is not far off each other.
Deletei'd go klay g3 coz i don't think g4 or later will be better for klay.
i think g4 is better for curry than g3 coz g3 might be his passing game mostly.
I switched from steph to klay at 5:58pm.. klay 20, curry 39. Ouchhhhhh
Deleteklay was -7 his average
Deletecurry was -1 his average
good news is you can still catch Curry on a 40+ or even 50+ PRA. Game 5 :)
or Curry G4 coz Della caught cramps.
DeleteDespite being down 2 top players, Cleveland did the unthinkable by beating Golden State on the Warriors home court (only done 3 times all year to that point, now 4 times). This is a testament to how great LeBron James really is, as he had another monster 66 PRA effort, and led a team of less than elite talent by far to a big road win over the best team in basketball on their home court. Cleveland now has home court advantage, and a great chance to stun the world and win a championship.
ReplyDeleteAs for Golden State, it is quite simple, this was a very bad loss on home court, where your best player choked, Stephen Curry 5/23 shooting (only 30 PRA). You absolutely cannot lose home games and expect to advance in the Playoffs. Now tied at 1-1, Golden State must win at least 1 game in Cleveland or it is pretty much lights out for them. Cleveland has the advantage, and until I see a much better performance out of the Warriors, I now like the Cleveland Cavaliers to win the Championship, probably in 6 games. If the Warriors somehow get this to 7 games, I may revise that, as the winning record of teams on their home court in a Game #7 is fairly monumental.
My pick of Klay Thompson (41 PRA) was exceptional as he was +10 PRA over his next best game of the Playoffs (31 PRA). There was a slight scare when he picked up two quick fouls after scoring 9 quick points and landed on the bench. We all know how that usually turns out with the player doing next to nothing upon returning from the bench. However in this case, for a change, Klay Thompson was outstanding once returning, as he amassed 41 PRA on the night, he best effort of the entire 2015 Playoffs. I am ecstatic with that effort, which was refreshing for a change.
Best picks: LeBron James (66 PRA) monster game, Klay Thompson (41 PRA) best effort of the Playoffs, Timofey Mozgov (28 PRA) has been stellar both games this series, Andre Iguodala (17 PRA), JR Smith (17 PRA) both players tied or beat a number of starters.
Horrible picks: Stephen Curry (30 PRA) great night for some players, not a good night at all for him though. Andrew Bogut (13 PRA), Iman Shumpert (11 PRA).
Cleveland now heads back home with the series tied at 1-1, and with momentum definitely on their side heading into Game #3. It has been refreshing the last few picks actually getting to pick players at home, where they usually perform their best, and I have gotten better results, other than Andrew Bogut doing so. With this game being played in Cleveland I definitely want to pick a Cleveland player tonight and hopefully keep following that trend. I have LeBron James who I will save for either an elimination game or a closeout game, Timofey Mozgov, Tristan Thompson, JR Smith, and now Matthew Dellavedova to pick from now that Kyrie Irving is done for the year (never got to pick him unfortunately).
ReplyDeleteFor tonight, I am going with Tristan Thompson of the Cavaliers, who has done exceptional work on the boards, but just hasn't been scoring points. Hopefully his return to home court will make him a bigger part of the scoring effort, along with his continued strong rebounding work, and Tristan Thompson can put up a 25+ PRA effort tonight. Thompson has had a Playoff best (30 PRA) along with 5 other 20+ PRA efforts in this years Playoffs, so hoping he can put up one of those once again.
good pickin' Tristan. +5 his average.
DeleteMy pick Mozgov was not that good. 12 PRA is his second worst game since the start of round 2. After 25 and 28 on the road he didn't do much at home. In hindsight, should have picked Dellavedova after a 4 and a 15 on the upswing and reaching 29. But he is kind of hurt now and probably won't be as effective in game 4.
ReplyDeleteCurry reached 39 after another clunker in the first three quarters, but he seems to have found his shooting touch. I will for him and probably pick him as soon as one team reaches 3 wins.
This is where the guessing game starts. Who will be the surprise of the next game? Will it be Bogut? J.R.Smith? One of the Thompson twins? Shawn Marion? Why don't the Cavs play him anyway? Everyone else is banged up.
As of now I have Tristan Thompson prepicked for game 4. He is at home, seems to be on track and hopefully will deliver at least 20+. Dellavedova and Shumpert are at least not 100% fit. It's really dangerous to be in the Cavaliers starting five this year.