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[PBY]

They are cool to look at and compare things.

This is true.

But you run into things like Cle and Toronto being almost identical in netrating and then you watch them actually play and the Cavs basically obliterated them aside from 1 road game. Yes, they lost 2 but had a good chance at the end of game 4 but came up short.

Their net ratings aren't basically identical, the cavs have a significant margin ahead of them. And as you said, they did drop 2 games.

Or last year when the Hawks had an almost 1.00 higher rating than the Cavs. And then got swept when shit got real.

This is actually an interesting case study, and I do agree - net rating isn't the end all be all, and in this case, proved to be wholly useless. That said, Lebron is a battering ram, and they ran into a Hawks team that was kind of broken. I don't think that means that net rating is useless overall though - rather that there are certain cases where the stat just can't account for external factors.

 

[SlackAdjuster]

"Feels" are the new market inefficiently. John Hollinger eat your heart out. Actual data and analytics mean nothing when you can tell how "intense" a guy is just by looking.

Stats sheets win games?

 

[Chuckl3s]

Can you stream the games online?

 

[JDB]

Except I didn't say that. I said he knows how important is to be healthy and rested heading into the playoffs which is why the Cavs didn't go balls out trying to win 70 games. Why would they? They didn't have to.

Playing more minutes this year does not equal playing balls out for 82 games.

???????????????????????????????????

Warriors got 73 because it was in reach and the Spurs were right behind them in the battle for 1st seed with like a week or two left in the regular season. It doesn't matter when you're playing trash like Toronto or Atlanta and you can play all 7 games on the road, but home court matters when you have to comeback from 1-3 in the WCF

yea the team that won it last year has no idea how important it is to be healthy and rested into the playoffs. this is completely new and uncharted territory for them, i wonder how they'll deal with the pressure of being in a finals

 

[SlackAdjuster]

Their net ratings aren't basically identical, the cavs have a significant margin ahead of them. And as you said, they did drop 2 games.

You talking reg season or playoffs?

 

[Agent_Carnage]

I say Cavs in 6.

 

[PBY]

Stats sheets win games?

Nope; but they inform the way we analyze future events and make predictions. There's a reason why this is the case:
http://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2016-nba-picks/

 

[Ninja Scooter]

Stats sheets win games?

Yes. Stats literally win games. This isn't figure skating where a winner is awarded based on how good they look.

Your arguments make Stephen A Smith look like Zach Lowe in how meaningless and baseless they are.

 

[SlackAdjuster]

???????????????????????????????????

Warriors got 73 because it was in reach and the Spurs were right behind them in the battle for 1st seed with like a week or two left in the regular season

I'm not knocking the Warriors for going for the record or the 1 seed. Not once. Not even near what my point was. The Cavs are a different team now then they were in the regular season. Completely.

The Warriors are a great team, it's going to be hard to beat them in the Finals. I definitely think the Cavs are capable though.

 

[phanphare]

I think the Cavs have a real shot but should be considered the underdogs.

But man Cavs fans are really getting irrational.

It's going to get ugly in here after game 1 no matter who wins...

lol, it's going to be nuts after every game pretty much

hot takes for days

and there's two days in between most of the games

 

[Gully State]

If this plays out the way I hope it will (Cavs winning), a quote from one of my favorite movies as a teen will remind me of this entire season regarding the whole 73 wins and all that.

"There's two bulls standing on top of a mountain. The younger one says to the older one: "Hey pop, let's say we run down there and fuck one of them cows". The older one says: "No son. Lets walk down and fuck 'em all".

The 73 wins was a great feat and I won't take anything away from them. But the ultimate goal to any sports season is that ring. Without it, anything else is really a failure. The Cavs coasted through the regular season. People foolishly panicked. Questioned this or that. All along, it was designed that way. LBJ knows the grind and how important it is to be rested and healthy heading into the real (playoff) season. We're here now. Time to fuck 'em all.

But you just tried to with your cow fucking anecdote.

 

[SparkleMotion]

The Cavs are a different team now then they were in the regular season. Completely.

How?

 

[SlackAdjuster]

I think the Cavs have a real shot but should be considered the underdogs.

But man Cavs fans are really getting irrational.

It's going to get ugly in here after game 1 no matter who wins...

Agree on the underdogs but I think it's the opposite. I think it's irrational that so many people act like the Cavs are gonna get completely smashed. Zero respect. I'm not calling for a Cavs sweep or even 4-1 or anything like that. I think it's gonna be a tough ass series. I just find the lack of respect crazy.

 

[Two Words]

If this plays out the way I hope it will (Cavs winning), a quote from one of my favorite movies as a teen will remind me of this entire season regarding the whole 73 wins and all that.

"There's two bulls standing on top of a mountain. The younger one says to the older one: "Hey pop, let's say we run down there and fuck one of them cows". The older one says: "No son. Lets walk down and fuck 'em all".

The 73 wins was a great feat and I won't take anything away from them. But the ultimate goal to any sports season is that ring. Without it, anything else is really a failure. The Cavs coasted through the regular season. People foolishly panicked. Questioned this or that. All along, it was designed that way. LBJ knows the grind and how important it is to be rested and healthy heading into the real (playoff) season. We're here now. Time to fuck 'em all.

Regardless of how many games you win, you still have to play 82 games.

 

[SlackAdjuster]

But you just tried to with your cow fucking anecdote.

It's not a knock though. Its just a different approach.

 

[Cheebo]

It's not a knock though. Its just a different approach.

But it isnt their approach. Warriors goal wasn't 73 wins. Their goal was the #1 seed to have the best possible pathway to the finals and home court advantage. Spurs were in the hunt for the #1 seed till the last 2 weeks of the season.

The Championship is obviously the #1 goal all season for the Warriors. Just like the Cavs.

 

[SlackAdjuster]

But it isnt their approach. Warriors goal wasn't 73 wins. Their goal was the #1 seed to have the best possible pathway to the finals and home court advantage. Spurs were in the hunt for the #1 seed till the last 2 weeks of the season.

The Championship is obviously the #1 goal all season for the Warriors. Just like the Cavs.

Of course, and?

 

[Gully State]

It's not a knock though. Its just a different approach.

What different approach? Lebron played more MPG than anyone else on the Warriors team. As a whole, both teams doled out roughly the same amount of players to their core rotation. Kerr wasn't running his players to the ground at any point in the season.

 

[SlackAdjuster]

lol, it's going to be nuts after every game pretty much

hot takes for days

and there's two days in between most of the games

I just want 1 of the first 2 in GS and I'll be happy. Take it from there.

 

[Gigglepoo]

played 150 minutes less in the playoffs too.

Exactly.

LeBron James: 530 playoff minutes (14 games)
Stephen Curry: 368 playoff minutes (11 games)

James: 37.8 minutes per game
Curry: 33.5 minutes per game

It's incredible that Cavs fans are arguing that James is more rested. Where is this coming from!?

 

[SparkleMotion]

What different approach? Lebron played more MPG than anyone else on the Warriors team. As a whole, both teams doled out roughly the same amount of players to their core rotation. Kerr wasn't running his players to the ground at any point in the season.

But they weren't "balls out" minutes is what he'll respond with.

 

[phanphare]

I just want 1 of the first 2 in GS and I'll be happy. Take it from there.

I'm just talking about the inevitable overreactions after each game

 

[rawd]

Can you stream the games online?

Offline only

 

[XiaNaphryz]

Exactly.

LeBron James: 530 playoff minutes (14 games)
Stephen Curry: 368 playoff minutes (11 games)

James: 37.8 minutes per game
Curry: 33.5 minutes per game

It's incredible that Cavs fans are arguing that James is more rested. Where is this coming from!?

Numbers are meaningless tho.

 

[Iadien]

How?

For many reasons. Different coach. They're scoring more points, are more efficient, etc. The Cav's big 3 are playing together better atm. Also, the Channing Frye pickup has worked out great for them.

 

[Bread]

Exactly.

LeBron James: 530 playoff minutes (14 games)
Stephen Curry: 368 playoff minutes (11 games)

James: 37.8 minutes per game
Curry: 33.5 minutes per game

It's incredible that Cavs fans are arguing that James is more rested. Where is this coming from!?

meh, i feel like lebron looks relaxed while steph looks tired. steph is probably up all night partying while lebrong is a family man.

 

[SlackAdjuster]

What different approach? Lebron played more MPG than anyone else on the Warriors team. As a whole, both teams doled out roughly the same amount of players to their core rotation. Kerr wasn't running his players to the ground at any point in the season.

I'm not gonna keep repeating myself about MPG vs. LeBron and the Cavs overall (lack of) intensity during the regular season. My entire point from the get go was the Cavs coasted all season because they could and the Cavs you see now are not the Cavs you saw in the regular season. They have "flipped the proverbial switch". I think most people's analysis of these Finals comes from GS winning 73 games and the Cavs only winning 57 in the "weak" East. Or 2 regular season losses to GS, the last of which was 5 months ago. Which means jack shit, at least to me.

 

[Gigglepoo]

I'm not gonna keep repeating myself about MPG vs. LeBron and the Cavs overall (lack of) intensity during the regular season. My entire point from the get go was the Cavs coasted all season because they could and the Cavs you see now are not the Cavs you saw in the regular season. They have "flipped the proverbial switch". I think most people's analysis of these Finals comes from GS winning 73 games and the Cavs only winning 57 in the "weak" East. Or 2 regular season losses to GS, the last of which was 5 months ago. Which means jack shit, at least to me.

You just described Oklahoma City's season which, you may have noticed, ended in a loss to the Warriors.

 

[bchamba]

Numbers are meaningless tho.

For real. Look into their eyes and tell me who's more rested!

 

[offtopic]

I'm not gonna keep repeating myself about MPG vs. LeBron and the Cavs overall (lack of) intensity during the regular season. My entire point from the get go was the Cavs coasted all season because they could and the Cavs you see now are not the Cavs you saw in the regular season. They have "flipped the proverbial switch". I think most people's analysis of these Finals comes from GS winning 73 games and the Cavs only winning 57 in the "weak" East. Or 2 regular season losses to GS, the last of which was 5 months ago. Which means jack shit, at least to me.

You'll have to define this mystical "intensity". From my limited recollection the Cavs were in full meltdown mode a couple times this year while the Warriors have been just having a blast rolling through the regular season. Are you arguing that the Cavs are really a 73 win team if they wanted to be? lol

 

[SlackAdjuster]

You just described Oklahoma City's season which, you may have noticed, ended in a loss to the Warriors.

Barely.

 

[offtopic]

For real. Look into their eyes and tell me who's more rested!

I go by how intense and savage they look. Stay away from that Memphis team and that Westbrick kid is a baller! Yes he makes 30% of his shots but LOOK AT HIM ATTACK THE RIM!!!!!

 

[SlackAdjuster]

For real. Look into their eyes and tell me who's more rested!

You all act like your opinions are worth more than anyone elses lol. These are just my thoughts on the series. Yours are different? Cool, lets talk about them. Or not.

 

[XiaNaphryz]

You all act like your opinions are worth more than anyone elses lol. These are just my thoughts on the series. Yours are different? Cool, lets talk about them. Or not.

Numbers are now opinions. Nice!

 

[Ninja Scooter]

I'm not gonna keep repeating myself about MPG vs. LeBron and the Cavs overall (lack of) intensity during the regular season. My entire point from the get go was the Cavs coasted all season because they could and the Cavs you see now are not the Cavs you saw in the regular season. They have "flipped the proverbial switch". I think most people's analysis of these Finals comes from GS winning 73 games and the Cavs only winning 57 in the "weak" East. Or 2 regular season losses to GS, the last of which was 5 months ago. Which means jack shit, at least to me.

It means jack shit because it doesn't fit your narrative. How about the fact that Cleveland's defense has actually gotten worse in the postseason, since they "flipped the proverbial switch" as you say? Do you have a feeling or anecdote to wish away that pesky "statistic"?

 

[bchamba]

Heart wins championships

 

[SlackAdjuster]

You'll have to define this mystical "intensity". From my limited recollection the Cavs were in full meltdown mode a couple times this year while the Warriors have been just having a blast rolling through the regular season. Are you arguing that the Cavs are really a 73 win team if they wanted to be? lol

Nope, never said that. I did say they could've probably won 65-ish if they were focused on it. They didn't have to.

And most of the "meltdown" was media driven nonsense. Or people overreacting to dumb shit. If you only watch Sportscenter and a game here or there in February on TNT and don't actually follow the team closely, I understand why one would get that impression though.

 

[offtopic]

It means jack shit because it doesn't fit your narrative. How about the fact that Cleveland's defense has actually gotten worse in the postseason, since they "flipped the proverbial switch" as you say? Do you have a feeling or anecdote to wish away that pesky "statistic"?

Well, to extend the metaphor, the old bull lowering his defenses and showing his sensitive side is ALSO more likely let him get lucky with the ladies. He wins either way!

 

[Gully State]

I'm not gonna keep repeating myself about MPG vs. LeBron and the Cavs overall (lack of) intensity during the regular season. My entire point from the get go was the Cavs coasted all season because they could and the Cavs you see now are not the Cavs you saw in the regular season. They have "flipped the proverbial switch".

If the Cavs just coasted and were content with coasting...Why did Blatt get fired after those two losses to the Warriors (for all intents and purposes, the Cavs were comfortably in control of the 1 seed in the East)? Why did Lebron call out his teammates for coasting then? 82 games is a long season. Every team coasts..There isn't single team that plays every game like it's game 7 during the regular season.

I think most people's analysis of these Finals comes from GS winning 73 games and the Cavs only winning 57 in the "weak" East. Or 2 regular season losses to GS, the last of which was 5 months ago. Which means jack shit, at least to me.

And yet, I see Cavs "fans" using the finals performance from last year as evidence that the Cavs will beat the Warriors. All year long...Delly is the Steph stopper.. Kyrie had two blocks on steph, thus Kyrie is gonna shut down Steph...etc..

 

[XiaNaphryz]

Heart wins championships

And in case you need a little extra heart:

 

[Gully State]

For real. Look into their eyes and tell me who's more rested!

I read this in Charlie Murphy's voice...

 

[Ninja Scooter]

The Finals are going to come down to who wants it more.

 

[MezzoForte]

if the Cavs lose more than 3 games this series, they're in big trouble.

 

[friskykillface]

believe in Deli

 

[Cheebo]

And in case you need a little extra heart:

What is the context of the picture? I see it all the time but no idea which game it was from.

 

[BadAss2961]

I do agree that Cleveland coasted through the season and that they're a better now than what they were showing. It actually seemed possible that they wouldn't make it out of the East with the way they looked at times. But that's shame on me since I should know better. LeBron's been doing this since Miami days, only attempting to turn it up for the big matchups -- which doesn't work as well in the rhythm of the regular season.

So yeah... Cleveland is stronger and more relaxed since they weren't chasing other than getting back to the finals. Golden State is the same team they've been all year since they didn't coast one bit, and it's starting to wear on them. 73 win team, but Portland played them well, and OKC gave them all they could handle.

 

[Lionel Richie]

Barely.

I love this. The Thunder played the Warriors as well as anyone could, unless you think that a team that feature All World Stopper Kevin Love can slow them down nearly as well or a team featuring JR Fuckball can somehow outscore them, and still lost. The same Thunder that ran the Spurs, widely considered as the second best team this year, out of the gym. But what they almost did is the part that counts?

 

[SlackAdjuster]

It means jack shit because it doesn't fit your narrative. How about the fact that Cleveland's defense has actually gotten worse in the postseason, since they "flipped the proverbial switch" as you say? Do you have a feeling or anecdote to wish away that pesky "statistic"?

I don't know if you've noticed or not but I don't really give a shit about stats. Only stats that really matter are the final scores in the next 4-7 games that haven't been played yet.

 

[rambis]

What exactly are you all arguing? Cavs are alot more rested than the Warriors. From last game played to number of games. Not sure what meaning a LeBron/Steph comparison has...

 

[Cheebo]

I don't know if you've noticed or not but I don't really give a shit about stats. Only stats that really matter are the final scores in the next 4-7 games that haven't been played yet.

So your proof is your gut, that stats and numbers don't matter? Sorry, but no one is going to agree with that insanity.

NBA is a heavily stats driven analytical driven league. For a reason.