2015 NBA Playoffs

[Timsup2nothin]

Can't judge by NBA finals records. Jordan had to try several times to even get out of the first round.

I think that if Jordan had the supporting cast that Lebron has this year he would have made another first round exit, or maybe second.

 

[Serutan]

NBA Finals record of Air Jordan: 6 wins, 0 losses.

If you're going to talk rings...

Bill Russell : 11 rings, 0 Finals losses (he was out injured when Boston lost in 1958).

 

[daft]

If you're going to talk rings...

Bill Russell : 11 rings, 0 Finals losses (he was out injured when Boston lost in 1958).

And how many teams were there in the league during those eleven Celtic Championships?
The more competition and playoff rounds/games to play (in the post season), the more difficult it is to win it all.

 

[BirraImperial]

Jordan is the best. I still remember that game against Utah in which he made the game-winning shot, even while being sick...Legendary stuff...

 

[sophie]

And how many teams were there in the league during those eleven Celtic Championships?
The more competition and playoff rounds/games to play (in the post season), the more difficult it is to win it all.

...so therefore Lebron is better than Jordan.

 

[Timsup2nothin]

And how many teams were there in the league during those eleven Celtic Championships?
The more competition and playoff rounds/games to play (in the post season), the more difficult it is to win it all.

I thought there were so many teams that the talent level has been watered down.

 

[daft]

I thought there were so many teams that the talent level has been watered down.

Even if competition level is a bit watered down due to the number of teams it's still more difficult to win four (best of 7)playoff rounds (LeBron's era)than two-three(best of fives-Russell's).

Every team that makes playoffs has some talent on it, it's never a cakewalk, well perhaps except the occasional first rounder.
There are a lot more players in the league/playing the game now then there were back in the fifties, a lot more talent.
Of course, Jordan's Bulls had to play less playoff games in a Playoff Season than LeBron's teams do, but to win six out of six, Michael Jordan was not only a great scorer, but also a great leader. On the other hand there is the thing with the great, hall of fame coach, Phil Jackson, something LeBron's never had.
LeBron is a much better facilitator, rebounder, as well as prolific scorer. It's a difficult pick.

 

[Serutan]

Null post.

 

[BenitoChavez]

Using championships as the primary measuring stick for who is the best of all time has never been very convincing for me as the championship is ultimately a team award instead of an individual one. I came across a pretty interesting article about the supporting casts of each of the team in the Finals for the last 30 years. They ranked each supporting cast by weighted plus/minus. Lebron has carried some pretty horrendous teams to the finals and it makes that 2-3 Finals record not look so bad anymore.

 

[Serutan]

Using championships as the primary measuring stick for who is the best of all time has never been very convincing for me as the championship is ultimately a team award instead of an individual one.

Agreed. Also, the way the game has changed over time also makes it close to
futile to compare the greats from Russell's era to modern players except as
competitors (i.e. will/desire to do whatever it takes to win).

 

[Timsup2nothin]

Using championships as the primary measuring stick for who is the best of all time has never been very convincing for me as the championship is ultimately a team award instead of an individual one. I came across a pretty interesting article about the supporting casts of each of the team in the Finals for the last 30 years. They ranked each supporting cast by weighted plus/minus. Lebron has carried some pretty horrendous teams to the finals and it makes that 2-3 Finals record not look so bad anymore.

No coincidences...three of the six best supporting casts on the list were supporting Michael Jordan.

 

[BenitoChavez]

I'm not sure what happen to the Cavs. They were playing pretty well by dumping the ball to Lebron in the post along with drives and cuts to the basket. At the end of regulation and OT they inexplicably started jacking up long jumpers. Especially JR Smith. Then Kyrie got hurt and it was just a mess from there.

Meanwhile I haven't seen a lot of the Warriors this season but they are a pretty fun team to watch. Curry and Thompson are phenomenal when they are hitting their shots and Green seems to relish playing defense.

 

[daft]

If Irving can't "go" anymore, the Cavs are done. LeBron can't do it all by himself.
Smith and Schumpert just keep shooting jumpers, they need to turn to others (on the bench) to provide some other options and energy. Timofei (the Bear) Mozgov played well.

 

[Timsup2nothin]

I'm not sure what happen to the Cavs. They were playing pretty well by dumping the ball to Lebron in the post along with drives and cuts to the basket. At the end of regulation and OT they inexplicably started jacking up long jumpers. Especially JR Smith. Then Kyrie got hurt and it was just a mess from there.

Meanwhile I haven't seen a lot of the Warriors this season but they are a pretty fun team to watch. Curry and Thompson are phenomenal when they are hitting their shots and Green seems to relish playing defense.

Endurance. Even though the Warriors were playing him single man defense they were switching off among three different guys doing the job. All those drives and post ups wear a guy out, even Lebron James. If nobody else can get open for a dish the Cavs are through, because Lebron can't outscore the Warriors all by himself, even though no one can stop him one on one.

 

[BirraImperial]

Though break for the Cavs, losing Kyle Irvin...Lebron will have to carry this team if they want to win...

 

[Light Cleric]

I think they're pretty much dead in the water now. Kyrie played so well behind Lebron and then then they fell apart when he went down. Golden State is just so loaded. Being able to bring a guy as talented as Igoudala off the bench is crazy.

 

[Timsup2nothin]

I think they're pretty much dead in the water now. Kyrie played so well behind Lebron and then then they fell apart when he went down. Golden State is just so loaded. Being able to bring a guy as talented as Igoudala off the bench is crazy.

Cavs were badly outmatched with Irving. Without him? Tough hill to climb, to say the least.

 

[madviking]

dubs in 6

dubs in 3

 

[Timsup2nothin]

dubs in 3

I'll go out on a limb and say the Cavs win one game, and here's how:

They played the perfect game plan in game one. Single up on Lebron and make him work hard every possession without really worrying too much if he scores, but not letting him find anyone open. Lebron scores over forty, but the Warriors score more, and at the end of the game it's the worn out hero and the stone colds and the Warriors win going away.

BUT...now with Irving down and out and really a supporting cast of NOTHING the Warriors are going to have a lapse at some point and start trying to keep Lebron from scoring. If they do that he still scores thirty, gets the rest of his cast of misfits warmed up and scoring, and is fresh at the end to pull one out for the Cavs.

Of course Steve Kerr tells them after the game how stupid that was on their part and they squash the Cavs like bugs from there on out, but I see them losing one.

 

[daft]

LeBron will probably win one, if he's lucky. The first game was pretty much a classic, now we're looking at most likely another sweep.
Fellow Canadian, Tristan Thompson, is playing a great board game, he's a real Board Beast and will get paid in the summer.