Who is watching finals ?

[ducks]

Ducks is

[Play Boban]

of course, I’m a basketball fan unlike most on this forum.

[Dex]

Will watch and root against the Warriors and Nephew, tbh.

[Russ]

Go Warriors.

(Let's keep the club small.)

[Play Boban]

Go Raptors tbh

[Cardinal]

*hate watching

[spurs1990]

Easy move rooting on Golden State. Their titles all lack the real impact due to signing Durant so another one isn't going to matter much. Leonard getting a ring after quitting on the Spurs and torpedoing his trade value would be beyond the pale.

[TimmyBuckets]

Rooting for gsw, but won't watch. Dgaf about any team but Spurs tbh.

[Roscoe P. Coltrane]

I stopped watching once the Spurs got eliminated.

[TDomination]

Lesser of 2 evils for me is Warriors BUT that’s only with Durant NOT playing. I would find it hilarious to see the warriors win with Durant not playing a single minute. Showing even more that he’s not needed there. They just like having him because then they don’t have to play against him.

For me it would legitimize that his 2 championships are severely tainted. And same with the warriors, last 2 championships have been no contest essentially.

[rjv]

i'll watch tonight but if this turns into a repeat of last year's borefest, i'll defer to other options.

[hater]

I will watch. Only an emo would not watch this game 1 an least

Hoping for a good game Wil secretly be rooting for Mute Cancer as if he wins the ship it would be a historic run.

Craptors have a 40% chance of winning this game but just 10% chance of taking the series


Plus I like Marc Gasol

[spurs10]

Go Warriors! Nephew is my least favorite person in sports, so seeing him lose will be fun. Kerr is a Spurs champ and I found out halfway across the world today of some incredibly altruistic work done by one of the owners. So Go San Antonio Warriors!!

[KobesAchilles]

I’m an NBA fan. Always have been, even if it’s getting harder to watch since people just jack up 60 threes a game and make 20 and call it skill. Tbh this is the best non-Spur matchup you can ask for. You have 90’s iso-bball vs today’s NBA. Should make for an exciting series.

[Texas_Ranger]

i was barely watching the Spurs play this season, so there is no way i am waking up at 3am for this 2 teams. I'll check the highlights and thats it.

[Big Empty]

Go Raptors! Hard to say that. But screw it. Kevin Durant ruined the league the last few years.

[NameLess Scrub]

Kawhi winning won't redeem him. His game wasn't in question. It would be a historic performance and he would be killing the warriors which would be very satisfying.

If the Warriors win, let it be with Durant sitting down so he can go nuts on Twitter due to the terrible shame of being exposed.

I'll at least start watching the series.

[Seventyniner]

Fuck both teams, I'm tuning out. Same as Warriors/Rockets and Warriors/Cavs in the past.

If the Bucks had made it I would watch every game. Well, at least until game 4 when they would be down 3-0.

[TDomination]

Kawhi winning won't redeem him. His game wasn't in question. It would be a historic performance and he would be killing the warriors which would be very satisfying.

If the Warriors win, let it be with Durant sitting down so he can go nuts on Twitter due to the terrible shame of being exposed.

I'll at least start watching the series.
its kind of funny seeing how media is portraying this as some sort of redemption against the spurs or something like that. As if we traded him because we didn't think he was good enough lol or that we even wanted to trade him period.

We all know how good he was and how good he could become.

[Crazymaddopeyo]

Anyone but the warriors.

[look_at_g_shred]

We all will in some capacity

[Keepin' it real]

I will have the game on but will turn my back to the tv just like Leanord turned his back on the Spurs.

[ThaBigFundamental21]

I am. I'm rooting for the Warriors. I'm in the minority though, I actually feel like Toronto will win.

[Johojowhite]

https://twitter.com/gottaJED/status/1134173583947771905?s=20

[itzsoweezee]

Rooting for the warriors, especially if Durant is out

[r0drig0lac]

Go Raptors! Hard to say that. But screw it. Kevin Durant ruined the league the last few years.
this

go raps fuck KD

[SpurPadre]

I rather watch German shit fetish porn, tbh.

[Blackhaus]

I fucking hate the warriors and I hate nephew. I’m rooting for the dubs if beta doesn’t play, that way he’s for sure gone to knicks since all you’ll hear is the dubs really don’t need him. I don’t want to see the mute authistic boy win, that’d just make the spurs look like even bigger fools than they do now.

[DPG21920]

Definitely watching - should be great basketball and are the two best teams left (Meaning East vs West).

TOR defense is legit and has been all year even with Kawhi coasting. They have an insane amount of defensive talent that can expose flaws. GS doesn’t have many flaws, but if they get behind like they did against POR consistently they will find themselves in trouble.

On the flip side, GS has way more fire power than any team TOR has faced. TOR took 7 games to beat a mediocre and sloppily built PHI. They were down 2-0 to a Bucks team that while great in the regular season, got exposed in half court playoff basketball because their star has a very limited offensive game.

GS is not PHI or MIL. Their stars aren’t limited and won’t be easy to wall off. GS is no slouch on defense either. It’s going to be interesting to see how this series plays out honestly. I like to think that GS is superior and they should win; I don’t see how TOR is good enough to win 4 games vs GS offense. However, Kawhi is a problem and if the role players for TOR step up like they did vs MIL then they have a shot.

GS can’t be a flip the switch team vs TOR; they have to come out with the requisite focus and energy; especially defensively and Draymond will have to be a factor. Kawhi isn’t going to chase Curry around all game, so when he’s on Draymond and sagging off, Dray has to find a way to still be a factor on offense.

Sagging off of Dray works in small spurts but other teams don’t have the players to make it work long-term. Kawhi is a different beast and if he’s sagging off he can wreak havoc on other players

[DPG21920]

But Ima gonna go ahead and need GS to win since I have 1K on it :lol

[Beartrucci]

Wonder if it'll be busier up here or in the series thread downstairs

[Poolboy5623]

Cant wait for tonight's game... I love watching good basketball, which is why I struggled watching the Spurs this season.

[Dex]

I rather watch German shit fetish porn, tbh.

How do we know you aren't into that, tbh?

[Genovaswitness]

I wonder what our retarded, stupid, depressed, psycho, unstable cocksucker #10 is doing right now? fuck that idiot

[DeadlyDynasty]

Everybody here will watch it

[baseline bum]

I wonder what our retarded, stupid, depressed, psycho, unstable cocksucker #10 is doing right now? fuck that idiot

He'll be watching it on a pile of money with many beautiful women.

[Beartrucci]

He'll be watching it on a pile of money with many beautiful women.

:lol I was thinking the exact same thing more or less

[Genovaswitness]

He'll be watching it on a pile of money with many beautiful women.

hope he took his zoloft

[jjktkk]

Go Warriors.

[Manong Ginobili]

We'll never find out how 2014-2015 Spurs would have fared against peak warriors, so I'm interested in watching as 2019 Raptors is built somewhat similar to those Spurs teams

[Spurtacular]

Gonna watch and then gonna curse myself for watching rigged sh**, tbh.

[Genovaswitness]

kawhi looking locked in as fuck. PATFO is the laughing stock of the league

[davidbowie]

yall know damn well kawhi is gonna dominate and win this shit. after that 3 bounce luck shot vs philly. this is a team of destiny. beat the warriors causing KD to leave. it's all happening and it will haunt the Spurs for years to come. :cry :cry :cry :cry

[Uriel]

My heart is cheering for the Warriors in the Finals because it would make me sick to my stomach for the Spurs to trade away Kawhi, only for him to win a championship with another team.


But my head is cheering for the Raptors because I know that if Kawhi wins a championship with Toronto, he's more likely to stay in the East.


Warriors in 6.

[r0drig0lac]

legendary defensive team toronto raptors

[Budkin]

Warriors shooting 37% and still winning.

[ZeusWillJudge]

Go Raptors! Hard to say that. But screw it. Kevin Durant ruined the league the last few years.


That's almost exactly what I just said, while we were sitting here watching. Except mine sounded a lot more like, "Fuck Kawhi." :lol

[SuperCam]

PATFO getting cucked by Masai by not even getting Siakam in trade :lol

[DPG21920]

Worst game I’ve even seen Draymond play. Not only is he getting pummeled on defense but he’s destroying GS on offense. He has to be 10x better.

[ducks]

Green 1-15 from deep last 4 games
Tonight 3-5

[DPG21920]

TOR dominated this game. Absolutely dominated. TOR continues to hit the most lucky shots I have ever seen though :lol

It’s definitely a series. GS is in trouble.

[ducks]

Lol at green hitting shots

[DPG21920]

GS has no answers for TOR defense. Klay/Curry are literally the only two players that can shoot or score. Against average defense, Klay/Curry gravity plus insane off ball movement masks this, but with no KD and an elite half court defense? You see the results.

Beyond that, and the bigger concern, is Siakam appears to be a mis=match for Draymond. He abused him. GS defense could not stop TOR, especially in transition.

Kawhi really going to cost me a thousand dollars while winning a title :lol Hate to see it.

[Uriel]

Hey, at least there's no way Kawhi leaves Toronto now. Best case scenario that he stays in the East has just become more likely.

[HarlemHeat37]

Warriors were rusty after a long break and there was probably a natural letdown due to the increased competition..Raptors went up against 2 powerhouse teams on the road to the Finals, while GS ran through the worst WCFs team in 12 years..

Game 2 will be more telling, but what can GS do to adjust without Durant?

It's funny, Raptors could have easily been out in game 7 if it wasn't for a bounce, and the difference in the Bucks series was Fred VanVleet shooting 14-17 from 3 in the last 3 games, yet they're now favored to win the title:lol it's fate, I guess..

[MultiTroll]

Highly enjoyable.

And phuck off WarriorRef.

[HarlemHeat37]

Hey, at least there's no way Kawhi leaves Toronto now. Best case scenario that he stays in the East has just become more likely.

Why? Winning the title would be the perfect opportunity to leave..

[timtonymanu]

Lol at green hitting shots

People keep shitting on Green but yet we have Wombat who is easily worse on all aspects of his game when both are in prime form. God I'd easily take Green back right now.

[r0drig0lac]

People keep shitting on Green but yet we have Wombat who is easily worse on all aspects of his game when both are in prime form. God I'd easily take Green back right now.

spurstalk bro

[DPG21920]

Warriors were rusty after a long break and there was probably a natural letdown due to the increased competition..Raptors went up against 2 powerhouse teams on the road to the Finals, while GS ran through the worst WCFs team in 12 years..

Game 2 will be more telling, but what can GS do to adjust without Durant?

It's funny, Raptors could have easily been out in game 7 if it wasn't for a bounce, and the difference in the Bucks series was Fred VanVleet shooting 14-17 from 3 in the last 3 games, yet they're now favored to win the title:lol it's fate, I guess..

It’s literally God punishing me. First with Kawhi, then baiting me into a 1K bet with DD publicly just for me to eat it :lol

TOR is hitting some of the most insane fluky shots I have ever seen. They have more tough shots and wild bounces go in than I can ever remember. GS is better than MIL/PHI by a mile and TOR was down to both of them. But just housed GS badly.

Draymond making shots would help. TOR not hitting the insane tough ones would too. But adjustments wise, GS is in some trouble especially if Iggy is hobbled. That is a major blow to GS if that just happened.

[DPG21920]

Why? Winning the title would be the perfect opportunity to leave..


Kawhi is leaving; it’s been set for a while now. Him winning a title would literally be the best PR thing to happen to him. They would build a statue and he could walk like he was always going to anyways.

[HarlemHeat37]

Kawhi is leaving; it’s been set for a while now. Him winning a title would literally be the best PR thing to happen to him. They would build a statue and he could walk like he was always going to anyways.

Yep..it would really be the nightmare scenario for the Spurs..

- wins the title
- nobody will ever remember that he quit on the Spurs
- it'll be a redemption story
- Kawhi and Uncle Dennis still get to go to LA, which is what they wanted all along, except Kawhi will be beloved by the Raptors forever..keeps his 19 million $ from the Spurs for sitting out a season, wins a ring for his new team and gets to leave without any backlash, still ends up in LA like he wanted the entire time:lol

It's like a horror movie .

[DPG21920]

Yep..it would really be the nightmare scenario for the Spurs..

- wins the title
- nobody will ever remember that he quit on the Spurs
- it'll be a redemption story
- Kawhi and Uncle Dennis still get to go to LA, which is what they wanted all along, except Kawhi will be beloved by the Raptors forever..keeps his 19 million $ from the Spurs for sitting out a season, wins a ring for his new team and gets to leave without any backlash, still ends up in LA like he wanted the entire time:lol

It's like a horror movie .

And I lose a grand :lmao

[DPG21920]

BRB - going to hedge bet on TOR winning with updated series prices.

[BillMc]

Yep..it would really be the nightmare scenario for the Spurs..

- wins the title
- nobody will ever remember that he quit on the Spurs
- it'll be a redemption story
- Kawhi and Uncle Dennis still get to go to LA, which is what they wanted all along, except Kawhi will be beloved by the Raptors forever..keeps his 19 million $ from the Spurs for sitting out a season, wins a ring for his new team and gets to leave without any backlash, still ends up in LA like he wanted the entire time:lol

It's like a horror movie .

Yep. Maybe Durant can return, save the Dubs, save DPG's money, and turn it into HIS redemption story. ("Oh, you guys don't need me...")

Flip the script KD, please. Because I don't like the current story.

[r0drig0lac]

Yep..it would really be the nightmare scenario for the Spurs..

- wins the title
- nobody will ever remember that he quit on the Spurs
- it'll be a redemption story
- Kawhi and Uncle Dennis still get to go to LA, which is what they wanted all along, except Kawhi will be beloved by the Raptors forever..keeps his 19 million $ from the Spurs for sitting out a season, wins a ring for his new team and gets to leave without any backlash, still ends up in LA like he wanted the entire time:lol

It's like a horror movie .

wtf https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/images/smilies/smilol.gif

[DPG21920]

The funny thing is TOR has been great all year, especially defensively. Their role players really aren’t that great though past their top 6 (Kawhi, Lowry, Siakam, Gasol, Ibaka and Green) and they are playing absolutely lights out.

:lol FVF turning into mini-curry.

[HarlemHeat37]

Yep. Maybe Durant can return, save the Dubs, save DPG's money, and turn it into HIS redemption story. ("Oh, you guys don't need me...")

Flip the script KD, please. Because I don't like the current story.

Ugh, Durant is the player I dislike most in the league:lol

[timtonymanu]

Meh, this finals is better than Warriors playing a team that doesn't belong in the finals - the LeBron Cavs.

Sometimes it's hard to feel entirely sorry for the Spurs when they prioritize players like Wombat and Gasol for fucking contract extensions.

[BillMc]

Ugh, Durant is the player I dislike most in the league:lol

I feel you on Durant, but its a lesser evil question.

And Durant is more palatable (barely) for me, than Nephew after what he did.

[HarlemHeat37]

I feel you on Durant, but its a lesser evil question.

And Durant is more palatable (barely) for me, than Nephew after what he did.

I bet heavy on the Raptors tonight and at the end of the Bucks series, really negates any negative fan feelings:lol

[KobesAchilles]

Ugh, Durant is the player I dislike most in the league:lol
Same. I lost all respect for him when he joined the Warriors. I didn’t mind him joining them per se but mainly the fact that the media is hyping him as this all time player who is going to finish top 10 all time when it’s all said and done. And I know exactly who they are going to bump off that list (the man who won 5 fucking titles with a small market team).

Durant has literally never led a team to a ring. He’s just proven that like all great players, he’s unguardable 1v1. but unlike other great players, you literally can’t double or triple team Durant bc he has the best shooter ever on his team.

[Russ]

I bet heavy on the Raptors tonight and at the end of the Bucks series, really negates any negative fan feelings:lol

Yeah, that new milkshake is gonna taste great! :)

[BillMc]

I bet heavy on the Raptors tonight and at the end of the Bucks series, really negates any negative fan feelings:lol
:lol

I'm from Vegas, I can understand that.

[timtonymanu]

Same. I lost all respect for him when he joined the Warriors. I didn’t mind him joining them per se but mainly the fact that the media is hyping him as this all time player who is going to finish top 10 all time when it’s all said and done. And I know exactly who they are going to bump off that list (the man who won 5 fucking titles with a small market team).

Durant has literally never led a team to a ring. He’s just proven that like all great players, he’s unguardable 1v1. but unlike other great players, you literally can’t double or triple team Durant bc he has the best shooter ever on his team.

:tu. Durant will always be the biggest bitch to me. He'll never get the proper credit a real Finals MVP should.

[RC_Drunkford]

I don't think KD comes back. And if he does he might just have a bad shooting night due to rust and destroy the Warriors rhythm. That's a huge gamble. They definitely need him to beat Toronto though. Van Vleet and Gasol started hitting shots and now even Danny Green came alive. Doesn't look good

[MultiTroll]

Best case scenario is for Phaggot Durant to come back for Games 3 and 4 and Toronto win both.
Ok less then 1% chance that is going to happen but just saying.

Destroy the myth of *GOAT team* along with skinny phuck being blashpemously mentioned in MVP talk.

[hater]

Still gon a watch game 2. Game1 was kinda a snoozer tho

Craptors now at 30% chance of wining series

[Jordan Jackson]

GS has no answers for TOR defense. Klay/Curry are literally the only two players that can shoot or score. Against average defense, Klay/Curry gravity plus insane off ball movement masks this, but with no KD and an elite half court defense? You see the results.

Beyond that, and the bigger concern, is Siakam appears to be a mis=match for Draymond. He abused him. GS defense could not stop TOR, especially in transition.

Kawhi really going to cost me a thousand dollars while winning a title :lol Hate to see it.

Durant is back for game 3 or 4.

Think your money is safe.

[GreekSpursfan]

I'm starting to think that the real finals was the previous series against the Bucks. Warriors have a serious size problem even with Durant, imagine now. If Toronto wins game 2 its over in 5 games because i can see Toronto winning one away. Game 2 is the title deciding game imo. Toronto doesn't want Durant having enough games to get back to form.

[Big Empty]

Honest question yall. Do you think Kawhi has a better surrounding cast in Toronto this year than he would of had on the Spurs?

[r0drig0lac]

Honest question yall. Do you think Kawhi has a better surrounding cast in Toronto this year than he would of had on the Spurs?
no doubt this is a roster created around your star (Obviously this raptors roster is ultra athletic and with several good defensive players, which means that it works for any superstar in the league, no weak link defensively, completely the opposite of our current roster (mills, forbes, bellinelli, etc.)

[hater]

Marc Gasol is a legit superstar and a champ. That addition was way underrated.

[GreekSpursfan]

Honest question yall. Do you think Kawhi has a better surrounding cast in Toronto this year than he would of had on the Spurs?

Easily yes. FVV has emerged as Steph Curry 2.0 unlike fatty Mills, Siakam, long wing, can defend multiple positions, Gasol, very experienced, can hit the three, stretch the floor and defend the rim, very good bball IQ. Gasol is night and day in comparison to Poetl in a short tournament like the playoffs. Ibaka, DG, Lowry. Toronto is stacked. They should be the favorites to win it all and if they don't i consider it a big failure.

[SAGirl]

Watched first game. Was very entertaining.
:bobo

[Genovaswitness]

has psycho posted anything on insta?

[loveforthegame]

https://mobile.twitter.com/BlakeMurphyODC/status/1134461398807982086

[UncleDennis]

I am and I think the Warriors are in trouble. It's like a fight, and Toronto just physically matches up really good against these guys and with KD's situation that means way more focus on Steph and Klay and way more shots for Draymon, Iggy, etc. If KD returns and can play like he wasn't injured it all could change of course but we'll see. Really, from the middle of the Bucks series to now it's like the forever choking raptors finally have a little attitude or a little belief in themselves, even Lowry looks like he's doing a few bumps in the locker room or something.

Then you have GS doubling and triple teaming Kawhi and all these other guys are all getting the most open shots they've gotten all year let alone in the playoffs, I understand they want the others to beat them but are you going to give them shots that open all game and once it's evident it's not working keep going at it?? Gasol had like 2 minutes to line up a three, fuckin guy had enough time to re-position his feet, rearrange his arms, scratch his ass and nail it, obviously I'm exaggerating but where is the swarming championship level defense where you can't take a step without someone being up into you, don't give me that rest days bullshit, after the Clippers series the whole Warrior run should just be considered a rest period going against those shit teams that make up the west these days.

I think they would be better off letting Kawhi go off and keeping the clamps on the others.

[SpursforSix]

Honest question yall. Do you think Kawhi has a better surrounding cast in Toronto this year than he would of had on the Spurs?

No question in my mind.

[Keepin' it real]

Boring ass finals.

[Seventyniner]

https://mobile.twitter.com/BlakeMurphyODC/status/1134461398807982086

:lol capitalizing Of and The but not is

[DPG21920]

Honest question: Not just the lucky bounce on Kawhi’s Game 7 winner against PHI but is it just me or does TOR make more BS shots than any other team?

Wild bounces, last second heaves that are contested, flailing thrown up prayers. It’s absurd

[Killakobe81]

Honest question: Not just the lucky bounce on Kawhi’s Game 7 winner against PHI but is it just me or does TOR make more BS shots than any other team?

Wild bounces, last second heaves that are contested, flailing thrown up prayers. It’s absurd

They do some teams have that magic
That green three made me say holy shit.
And as you mentioned happened multiple times in their Finals run.

[cd98]

They do some teams have that magic
That green three made me say holy shit.
And as you mentioned happened multiple times in their Finals run.

Yes, but that happens on almost every title run. Every great team has moments that can seem improbable.

[Killakobe81]

Same. I lost all respect for him when he joined the Warriors. I didn’t mind him joining them per se but mainly the fact that the media is hyping him as this all time player who is going to finish top 10 all time when it’s all said and done. And I know exactly who they are going to bump off that list (the man who won 5 fucking titles with a small market team).

Durant has literally never led a team to a ring. He’s just proven that like all great players, he’s unguardable 1v1. but unlike other great players, you literally can’t double or triple team Durant bc he has the best shooter ever on his team.

Duncan isn't top 5 to many so this won't change tat needle much. He is in mine as goat PF I do my top 5 by position so until a PF comes along who is better his spot is secured.
But if Kawhi led the Raptors and Clippers to titles in back ti back years not only will LeBron KD threaten TDs spot on some lists Kawhi will be coming too...

[Killakobe81]

Yes, but that happens on almost every title run. Every great team has moments that can seem improbable.

No doubt not as fluky but Elliott 3
Horry vs Sacto

Dub fans and Kawhi haters better hope its more like. 4

[Cardinal]

You guys are way overreacting to one game (as is the Spurstalk way). Of course, this was always going to be a competitive series.

[superbigtime]

Honest question yall. Do you think Kawhi has a better surrounding cast in Toronto this year than he would of had on the Spurs?

honest answer: hell yes

[SAGirl]

But Ima gonna go ahead and need GS to win since I have 1K on it :lol
I think should the Raptors roleplayers continue to step up (they look like the hungrier team right now) there's a good chance you will lose that $...

Which makes me think that's the worst scenario for the Spurs. Kawhi wins championship and heads west to LA, as promised. The West gets tougher.

GSW gets a chip on their shoulders and refresh their roster. They may no longer be a monolith but will still be tough team.

I can't predict Durant but my fear is that he changes his mind about leaving when he starts to feel really needed and GSW begs him to stay.

[RD2191]

Let's not start blowing each other just yet. Plenty of game left. It was only 1 game. And unless Kawhi goes Jordan on the road I don't see the Raps winning in anything less than 7.

[SAGirl]

My heart is cheering for the Warriors in the Finals because it would make me sick to my stomach for the Spurs to trade away Kawhi, only for him to win a championship with another team.


But my head is cheering for the Raptors because I know that if Kawhi wins a championship with Toronto, he's more likely to stay in the East.


Warriors in 6.
Disagree. I think that whether Kawhi wins has nothing to do with his decision to leave. He already knows what he wants to do in fact, but is probably willing to be pitched. Issue is, if they win, Toronto already got a championship out of him, so while they may be sad that he left, they knew there was that risk going in and will always have 2019 to remember him by. He doesn't owe them anything and he probably thinks he can win anywhere so long as he's healthy. A superstar player needs a healthy dose of ego.

[SAGirl]

GS has no answers for TOR defense. Klay/Curry are literally the only two players that can shoot or score. Against average defense, Klay/Curry gravity plus insane off ball movement masks this, but with no KD and an elite half court defense? You see the results.

Beyond that, and the bigger concern, is Siakam appears to be a mis=match for Draymond. He abused him. GS defense could not stop TOR, especially in transition.

Kawhi really going to cost me a thousand dollars while winning a title :lol Hate to see it.
GSW definitely looked awful. Gasol, Ibaka and specially Siakam dominated all of GSW bigs. Draymond looked pedestrian. Cousins didn't even look like an NBA player and Jerebko was awful. Even airballed his first 3 pt attempt if I recall. They will be better and if I am Toronto I am not resting easy bc GSW was atrocious and were still close the whole game. That being said with the Iguodala injury and Toronto looking like a hungry team, this is going to be a series. I don't think just Curry and Klay is going to be enough.

[SAGirl]

Warriors were rusty after a long break and there was probably a natural letdown due to the increased competition..Raptors went up against 2 powerhouse teams on the road to the Finals, while GS ran through the worst WCFs team in 12 years..

Game 2 will be more telling, but what can GS do to adjust without Durant?

It's funny, Raptors could have easily been out in game 7 if it wasn't for a bounce, and the difference in the Bucks series was Fred VanVleet shooting 14-17 from 3 in the last 3 games, yet they're now favored to win the title:lol it's fate, I guess..
Almost like the 2014 championship Spurs struggling in the first round against Dallas, then struggling some with OKC until Pop went with starting Bonner and playing Diaw big minutes benching Splitter. Timmy D closed out OKC in game 6 with that insane fadeway while triple teamed. It was epic. We shall see. Hindsight is always 20/20.

[NameLess Scrub]

its kind of funny seeing how media is portraying this as some sort of redemption against the spurs or something like that. As if we traded him because we didn't think he was good enough lol or that we even wanted to trade him period.

We all know how good he was and how good he could become.

:toast

[SAGirl]

Yep. Maybe Durant can return, save the Dubs, save DPG's money, and turn it into HIS redemption story. ("Oh, you guys don't need me...")

Flip the script KD, please. Because I don't like the current story.
This is what I am afraid of long term. I want Durant to leave. Kawhi is going to do his thing regardless but Durant has a fragile ego that could be massaged by real need from GSW. Long term this series doesn't matter except for what it does to the contenders fUture. Kawhi already left the Spurs and that's done. I only get depressed when I pay attention to the Mills, Belli, Derozan, Pau getting paid etc situation in the Spurs.

[NickiRasgo]

Honest question yall. Do you think Kawhi has a better surrounding cast in Toronto this year than he would of had on the Spurs?

Hate to admit it but I was initially excited about LMA signing since he's our biggest signing in TD era but turned out bad. It made the Spurs chose LMA over Kawhi. Thought LMA is one of the reason why Kawhi wants out. Should've surrounded Kawhi with solid role players instead.

[SAGirl]

Meh, this finals is better than Warriors playing a team that doesn't belong in the finals - the LeBron Cavs.

Sometimes it's hard to feel entirely sorry for the Spurs when they prioritize players like Wombat and Gasol for fucking contract extensions.
This where I am tbh. Plus standing pat repeatedly, plus it was due. Timmy was great for 20 years it seems like and they got a bonus at the end with Kawhi. I really only feel sour that 2017 Zaza happened and that as Spurfan we were cheated out of the past season of Kawhi in the Spurs by the injury and Uncle Dennis crew. After that tbh, dude is a free man and the Spurs were free also to do whatever with their own assets. (Belch at what they did but.... /shrugs)

[NameLess Scrub]

I am and I think the Warriors are in trouble. It's like a fight, and Toronto just physically matches up really good against these guys and with KD's situation that means way more focus on Steph and Klay and way more shots for Draymon, Iggy, etc. If KD returns and can play like he wasn't injured it all could change of course but we'll see. Really, from the middle of the Bucks series to now it's like the forever choking raptors finally have a little attitude or a little belief in themselves, even Lowry looks like he's doing a few bumps in the locker room or something.

Then you have GS doubling and triple teaming Kawhi and all these other guys are all getting the most open shots they've gotten all year let alone in the playoffs, I understand they want the others to beat them but are you going to give them shots that open all game and once it's evident it's not working keep going at it?? Gasol had like 2 minutes to line up a three, fuckin guy had enough time to re-position his feet, rearrange his arms, scratch his ass and nail it, obviously I'm exaggerating but where is the swarming championship level defense where you can't take a step without someone being up into you, don't give me that rest days bullshit, after the Clippers series the whole Warrior run should just be considered a rest period going against those shit teams that make up the west these days.

I think they would be better off letting Kawhi go off and keeping the clamps on the others.

I always wonder, in a game of a 100+ points, what good does it make to double/triple team a player. Kawhi won't score 100 points by himself if he goes off while guarded properly, even though he can be so efficient.

I like it though since I want the Warriors to be beaten. Guys like Siakam and Gasol just need to be ready to capitalize and they have the tools to do it.

Gotta love Siakam treating Draymond like a mismatch. I expect Draymond to play dirtier on Sunday, of course.

This is all without Durant. I still think Durant makes them virtually unbeatable, but Toronto has the talent to match up well so we'll see.

[spurs10]

Yep. Maybe Durant can return, save the Dubs, save DPG's money, and turn it into HIS redemption story. ("Oh, you guys don't need me...")

Flip the script KD, please. Because I don't like the current story.
The series is young. :bobo

[NameLess Scrub]

Warriors didn't need Durant in 2016. They might need him to win now that the team has years of commitment to him.

I really hope if they win they do it without him. The meltdown might be epic.

[GreekSpursfan]

So Kawhi's health got worse after a week rest. He did look terrible in game 1. After some thought i think the Dubs gonna win game 2, i'm gonna bet on it. If i'm the Dubs i never double a degenerative knees Kawhi and see how that goes. I think 1-1 is imminent.

[tholdren]

Same people who watch wrestling and nascar

[khantot]

Warriors were rusty after a long break and there was probably a natural letdown due to the increased competition..Raptors went up against 2 powerhouse teams on the road to the Finals, while GS ran through the worst WCFs team in 12 years..

Game 2 will be more telling, but what can GS do to adjust without Durant?

It's funny, Raptors could have easily been out in game 7 if it wasn't for a bounce, and the difference in the Bucks series was Fred VanVleet shooting 14-17 from 3 in the last 3 games, yet they're now favored to win the title:lol it's fate, I guess..

A miss would have taken the game to overtime. Yes, Philly had momentum but that didn't mean they'd win.

[Slippy]

Game2 finals. Van fleet again turning the game around for Raptors. This guy proving he a cold blooded shooter, not streaky at all.

[SuperCam]

western conference era of dominance is over once durbeta leaves tbh. craptors barely beat the sixers :lol

[MoffettBuffet]

Hate to admit it but I was initially excited about LMA signing since he's our biggest signing in TD era but turned out bad. It made the Spurs chose LMA over Kawhi. Thought LMA is one of the reason why Kawhi wants out. Should've surrounded Kawhi with solid role players instead.

Exactly. Should've built around Kawhi, but instead they were building for the old boys club. PATFO dangerously nearing Edmonton Oilers old boys club level complacency tbqh.

[Gibbz]

It's astonishing that we couldn't get Siakam in the Kawhi deal. Buford gave Toronto a top 3 player and a way to get out from under DDR's contract and got Jakob Poeltl in return.

[Gibbz]

Exactly. Should've built around Kawhi, but instead they were building for the old boys club. PATFO dangerously nearing Edmonton Oilers old boys club level complacency tbqh.

Kawhi was leaving either way. He'll fucking leave Toronto and they might win the Finals.

[ceperez]

Watching and rooting for the Raptors.

It's actually what the Spurs could have been.

[MoffettBuffet]

Kawhi was leaving either way. He'll fucking leave Toronto and they might win the Finals.

I already know. I'm just positing it was primarily due to how shitty the roster is - if he had just said that in the first place, maybe it might've done something constructive for the Spurs, but who knows? Maybe PATFO would just bunker down and claim well, we know something about winning, even though all they've been winning lately is first round exits. I'm willing to bet this upcoming season, a la the Red Wings, will see the end of the streak and the descent into abject mediocrity at best.

[MoffettBuffet]

Watching and rooting for the Raptors.

It's actually what the Spurs could have been.

As soon as Gasol and Mills got their deals, that dream died. Pop should've left with Timmy.

[Gibbz]

Warriors in 5.

[Slippy]

Raps choking. Thompson balling. Kawhi step slow on d

Dubs up 13 haha.

RAPS hoping for van fleet to save them

[Spurtacular]

Mike Green just used the term avalanche to describe this lack of scoring by Toronto / GS going up. I threw up a little in my mouth. That term is for Gm 5 2014.

[GreekSpursfan]

Toronto is going to win one away and then proceed to lose at home the always most important game of the series game 5. Warriors win this in 6 games. After winning last nights bet that is my next bet.

[cd98]

I wonder what Skip is going to be saying today about who’s fault it is Toronto couldn’t gets points in the fourth.

[HarlemHeat37]

No Durant, no Klay for the final quarter, Cousins and Iggy on 1 leg + a bunch of scrubs..imagine how much credit Popovich would be getting for winning a game like that:lol

[Mugen]

No Durant, no Klay for the final quarter, Cousins and Iggy on 1 leg + a bunch of scrubs..imagine how much credit Popovich would be getting for winning a game like that:lol

Pop would have thrown in the towel as soon as the Raps got within 4 tbh

[look_at_g_shred]

No Durant, no Klay for the final quarter, Cousins and Iggy on 1 leg + a bunch of scrubs..imagine how much credit Popovich would be getting for winning a game like that:lol
Pop wouldn’t have got the win though

[look_at_g_shred]

No Durant, no Klay for the final quarter, Cousins and Iggy on 1 leg + a bunch of scrubs..imagine how much credit Popovich would be getting for winning a game like that:lol
Pop wouldn’t have got the win though

[UZER]

It's astonishing that we couldn't get Siakam in the Kawhi deal. Buford gave Toronto a top 3 player and a way to get out from under DDR's contract and got Jakob Poeltl in return.

He would’ve been in the G league for a year. My system is way too damn hard. Besides, it wouldn’t be fair to the other guys.

:pop:

[UZER]

No Durant, no Klay for the final quarter, Cousins and Iggy on 1 leg + a bunch of scrubs..imagine how much credit Popovich would be getting for winning a game like that:lol

Dude, he would’ve waived the white flag to start the fourth qtr.

[DMC]

Pop beat Houston in Houston in a close out game to make the WCF, without Kawhi or Tony. Not just beat them, beat them down. Let's not pretend Pop hasn't won some games he should have lost.

[UncleDennis]

Dude, he would’ve waived the white flag to start the fourth qtr.

Haha, if Pop was coaching Kawhi would have sat games 6 and 7 in the semis and we'd be watching the 76ers or Bucks.