Live Thread: Cavs @ Warriors, NBA Finals Game 5
2016-06-13
So much for a quiet NBA Finals. What had been a fairly calm—if not overly exciting—series between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors took a turn towards insanity with the league office issuing a Flagrant-One foul to Warriors forward Draymond Green for his shot to the groin of LeBron James near the end of Game Four. Because Green has earned his fourth flagrant foul point of the playoffs he was automatically suspended Game Five, which takes place tonight at the Oracle Arena. As soon as this happened, the war of word commenced.
Klay Thompson on LeBron & trash talk: "I'm surprised some guys take it so personal. It's a man's league. I guess his feelings got hurt."
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) June 12, 2016
LeBron James says he won't comment on Klay Thompson saying he got his feelings hurt in trash talk. "It's so hard to take the high road," LJ.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) June 12, 2016
High Road. invisible bridge used to step over said person when open floor is available left to right.
— Ayesha Curry (@ayeshacurry) June 12, 2016
More Mo Speights on LeBron: "A guy does something like that, you kind of lose respect for him. I had a lot of… https://t.co/U84nQK6SS1
— Ethan Strauss (@SherwoodStrauss) June 12, 2016
🍼
— Marreese Speights (@Mospeights16) June 12, 2016
Andrew Bogut says he's never heard a team complain so much about fouls and yet #Cavs shot more free throws than them through four games.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 12, 2016
New Story: Warriors essentially accused #Cavs of snitching and the response? "I don't give a f— what they say." https://t.co/0HX2idnYdm
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 13, 2016
That’s a lot of noise, but guess what? None of it matters. It’s all window dressing. What matters is the 48 minutes of basketball that will take place tonight in Oakland. What matters is that the Warriors have been outscored when Green is not on the floor during the playoffs. What matters is that the Warriors will likely give even more minutes to Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston with Green out. What matters is that it just became a bit easier to play Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving in this series. What matters is that the Cavaliers need to start moving the basketball after going iso-happy in the second half of Game Four. Kyrie Irving needs to give a crap on defense for a whole 48 minutes and not just when he wants to.
Views on how tonight’s game will go vary wildly among basketball analysts. Some see Green’s suspension galvanizing the Warriors as they win their second consecutive championship, while others feel the window has been opened for the Cavaliers to get the series back to Cleveland. The only consensus seems to be that, whether or not the Cavaliers win tonight, the championship will belong to the Warriors.
That’s sound logic, but fans don’t have to be logical. Fans find reasons to support their teams no matter what. I have yet to recap a Cavalier loss in this year’s playoffs, and I don’t plan on starting now. Go Cavs.
Prevent offense… Engaged.
I said this today “I’ll be more thrilled if he throws in 40.”
I’m pretty thrilled.
The roles are so reversed this game, GSW missing allot of shots and we hitting ours…feels good to be on the other end
Lebron will have to stay late after the game so he can ‘step over’ each member of the Oracle crowd. After all, they deserve something for the 18k they paid for tickets…
In Game 6 we need a classic bench mob victory. Can’t expect Ky and Bron to go off for 80+ combined again
Yes, if there ever was a time for “ALL IN” – need some other contributions, esp with Draymond back.
This is why Curry doesn’t play all the 4th.
Enough of that Lebron
Dagger time by LeBron! Great defense all game Cavs
We needed that shot from James..come on lets defend and get some stops
I’m about to cry…….. I’m lying lol
This is one of those games where hero ball . . . works at a very, very high level
Cols dead horse in 3.. 2..
That hot blonde looked like Topanga. Memories.
Hey Love, do something! No, not flick the ball out of bounds…
Hope Oracle crowd enjoyed that Lebron and 1
https://vine.co/v/iLtmE30zeKD
Ha Ha Didn’t see that!!
And the last pair of teammates with 40-plus in a Finals game was…? Mike Breen says it’s the first time ever.
James with 16 rebs!!!!
We got this barring a monumental collapse
Curry back down to 40% health
Guess we know who were keeping and who were trading this offseason.
If we can find a paint protector that can be played on small lineups and can cover for Kyrie and Kevin, I think I’d hang-on on both.
Tarzan movie looks pretty good
Hang in there! Defend like hell
I hope out of the time out we just dribble the ball and Lebron shoots a fadeway 3 doesnt happen
But that’s our go to play…
LeBron quietly closing in on a monster triple double
LeBron mentally burnt again. Gets the switch onto Curry, then ends up taking an off-balance long 2 instead of taking it to the basket. Kyrie keeping us up.
Kevin Love’s defense has been textbook this quarter. Glad to see him dialed in despite offensive role
Yep been really really solid
KY-RIDICULOUS
You don’t ever see Curry playing the entire 4th quarter and most of the 3rd.
Lebron literally has no ball handling skills to beat his man, imagine if he did ? wow … give me RJ over shump plz
Kyrie is on another plane of existence.
Mister Fourth Quarter.
MFQ Mf freaking q!!
Kyrie for 3 and a 13-point lead!
https://vine.co/v/iLt7PjtIHEI
Mr 4th quarter wooohooo
This is so much fun. I still don’t know how we win this series, but this is just fantastic.
More Kyrie
https://vine.co/v/iLt7XpHpaBq
Legs are starting to go….long minutes adding up yet again….
Difference is GS is exhausted too.
Should have been a foul on curry on that last ky bucket
ITS ABOUT FREAKING TIME WE HAD SOMEONE GO UNCONSCIOUS
YESSSSSSS KYRIEEEEE !!!!!!
Hope Bray is enjoying the show
Ki is just hot right now so it’s working but when he’s not it’s rough…
OHHHHHHH KYRIE!!
Kyrie
https://vine.co/v/iLt7Z1FMuUh
Damn those loose balls are so deflating after good d. Here we go warriors making run. Play smart be decisive, attack
Not liking the offense at all right now…This is what drives me crazy about this team…The rely way too much on KI and Lebron Iso..
I find myself chanting quietly . . . pass the ball . . . pass the ball . . . pass the ball
Now is the time LUE!!!!
Seen on Twitter: Varejao is playing well for a person who sustained a life threatening ear injury four minutes ago.
Still no Jefferson….. I’m nervous
James with 38, Irving with 34. Cavs up 10 with 7:30 to go.
Bring it home guys. Play defense wisely.
Kyrie, LeBron, RJ, TT, and JR take us home!
Biggest lead?
Kyrie putting up an unbelievable performance and some people on his blog are still slamming him.
#finalsmvp
He’s been great *this game*….nobody is slamming him tonight…
Alright 7:30 to go, don’t let up now!!!!
Mfq. Mister fourth quarter.
Not liking their shot selection this quarter
Though as i say that ky hits another ridiculous and 1
Mr. 4th Quarter in da house!!!!
We needed that from KYrie, come on get some stops man
Glad he made it but man I’m tired of 4th quarter Lebron and KI iso ball…Really wish they would run at least one play this quarter…
It’s what has worked all game… Difference is the shot selection and amount of effort required to get open. Need to attack to get to your spots, not stand and pound the ball to waste time.
It’s what they do a lot of games and it doesn’t work unless KI or Lebron gets in the zone and can’t miss…They need to rely on running an offense that gets easier buckets so when they’re not on fire they can still find ways to score…With this offense KI and Lebron both have to be superhuman to beat the Warriors…
Kyrie attacking against Klay!
https://vine.co/v/iLtaZEOmhnQ
How can they not score against such a small lineup?! Oh how I long for the days of NBA big men with skills
I was totally thinking this earlier…How on earth can two NBA finals teams get away with playing so small? Because there is not one skilled big post player in this series….
No there really isn’t What I wouldn’t do to have a Steve Adams on our team!!
The biggest difference is that today zone is allowed, not the skill of the big men.
Ouch ky has 4 fouls now
SVG saying get Jefferson in. I agree
Alright, be decisive attack. No prevent offense
We need more RJ.
Andy having more of an impact on this game than Kevin Love. C’mon Kev.
That’s sad since Andy’s major contributions is on the floor flopping.
Ky with the drive and dish!!
https://vine.co/v/iLtzWt2m13m
Good one Shump.
Gotta run something, anything on O, guys…or wth, just let Kyrie ISO….I’m sure that’ll take you home
Anderson Verajao… feels like a dagger in the stomach…