The Cleveland Cavaliers are in more deep doo-doo than the zookeeper responsible for elephant enemas. Yes, before you fix your face to speak to me as if addressing second grader, I am aware the LeBron James has been down 0-2 in the NBA Finals just as recently as last year.
However, only three other teams in NBA Finals history have ever accomplished the feared feat; the Boston Celtics came back in 1969 despite the Logo, Jerry West, blowing up like Bazooka Joe on the offensive end in earning the Finals MVP in a loss, that 1977 Portland Trailblazers team led by Bill Walton, Maurice Lucas and coached by Dr. Jack Ramsey over Dr. J., and the 2006 Miami Heat squad that was within 2 games and a half of being three games down in the NBA Finals before Dwyane Wade went all Mt. Vesuvius in dropping pyroplastic flows all over the Dallas Mavericks for the rest of the series.
With each of the aforementioned, there were extenuating circumstances that severely changed the dynamics of the entire series. Last year it was Draymond’s suspension in Game 3, while in 2006 it was Wade’s unexpected growth midseries that turned the tide. It’s only two games and, at risk of sounding all Chicken Little, I’m not only having serious doubts about picking the Cleveland Cavaliers to win the series in seven games, but it’s beginning to look a lot like a sweep. Hell, maybe sweep is too kind a term. The Cavs are getting vacuumed on some Kirby type ish.
NBA Finals Game 2 Cavs vs Warriors Highlights – 4th – Cleveland Cavaliers vs Golden State Warriors
NBA Finals Game 2 Cavs vs Warriors Highlights – 4th – Cleveland Cavaliers vs Golden State Warriors NBA Finals Game 2 Cavs vs Warriors Highlights – 4th – Cleveland Cavaliers vs Golden State Warriors Playlist First Take Today Full Show: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLthkmTqv-qibIE5pUgSRN93Oc8YLue53c Playlist Skip and Shannon Undisputed Today: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL352-U7SpVVxy55Rlb5WjwbKjtl-eselv Skip and Shannon: Undisputed is an American sports talk show starring commentators Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe with Joy Taylor as the host.
Unlike the last game in which the outcome was apparent pretty much from the tip, Cleveland and Golden State battled back and forth last night and the score was 64-67 Golden State at halftime. LeBron James had 18 points, 10 assists and 6 rebounds, Kevin Love had 15 points on 7-10 shooing from the field and it looked as if he was on track for a great game. James was putting his head down and going straight to the basket and Love’s jumper was wet. Additionally, Steph had five turnovers very early in the game, Draymond Green was in early foul trouble and even KD was in foul trouble.
Everything was in place for James and company to take over the game in second half. But despite only being up three points, there were several determining factors that were patiently waiting to be reveal themselves more dramatically than an affair on daytime television. Kyrie Irving, the dribbling wizard who many erroneously believe is the Cavs’ alpha weapon, struggled mightily thanks to the defensive effort and length of Klay Thompson, who himself awoke from a playoffs long shooting slump. Tristan Thompson only has four rebounds in two games and JR Smith not only continues to struggle offensively, but he continues to make boneheaded decisions on defense.
However, the single most determining factor thus far in the series appears to be the fact that one-time Defensive Player of the Year, lockdown defender and the man who can guard all five positions on the basketball court, cannot guard SF Kevin Durant.
That’s no diss because nobody can guard Durant. Like a barn cat to field mice, he’s the perfectly suited to score against LeBron. But LeBron has to be able to slow him down or it’s definitely sweep city for him and Cleveland. He has caught a lot of flak for jumping ship from an Oklahoma City Thunder team that had the Golden State Warriors down 3-1 on in the 2016 Western Conference Finals. But the scrutiny he has endured actually dates back before he helped lead OKC to the finals in 2011.
His 33 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, three steals and five blocks are an incredible testament of not only his offensive dominance but his desire to impact every aspect of the game. Basically, he’s out-LeBron James-ing LeBron James!
Additionally, Steph Curry is playing loose and free like a model from a Summer’s Eve commercial – like he doesn’t have a care in the world. The pressure to have to perform at a top-level is greatly reduced due to Durant’s aggression. Also, Durant’s dominance is allowing the Warriors to set its defense, which is stymieing LeBron’s less capable teammates and also effecting their ability to rebound as well.
Head coach Tyronn Lue is looking lost. No metaphors or analogies needed. The proof is in the outcome.
