Reply With Quote
Outside shooting was readily available for Houston, they just missed a ton of them. When Harden was taking the shots, he had good success but he slinked back into the darkness when the spotlight became too bright and hoped his team would do it (or hoped they wouldn't, depending on the +/- speculation)
I think JR Smith and Shumpert can play a big role in this series. Smith because he's a willing chucker who can get red hot in an instant and bury you, and Shumpert because someone will be given the space and dared to shoot. Everyone can't be covered. I'd dare James to shoot the three, but being the best player on the planet means the other coach is going to want you covered regardless, because Kerr can live with "Shumpert got hot" but not with "we left Lebron uncovered and he killed us from deep".
If Irving plays, the problem is going to be who takes the shots? Lebron has been taking RW level attempts in these playoffs since others went down, and he's been a bit untrusting of his teammates late in the game. A few years ago we'd have called that alpha, but he doesn't seem to be doing it out of confidence, but out of caution. Regardless, if the game gets up tempo the Cavs can run with the Warriors point for point, however if the Cavs get into iso ball with Irving and James the Warriors are going to have a field day on fast breaks.
I think the Warriors will win simply because they have the more level headed stars, and Smith can bury his own team as well, however never underestimate what that spotlight can do to a team. Guys who were unstoppable can suddenly clam up and get stage fright, and guys who didn't do all year will suddenly blossom and fill the stat sheets.
I'd pick the Warriors, but in 6 games because I think each team will win at home until that 6th game when GS wins on the road, meaning GS will win 2 in a row twice.
Of course, injuries change everything.
