**NBA FINALS THREAD - RAPTORS DEFY GRAVITY**

[kingfoamnyc]

What a spectacular idea. No team has ever done this to Ben in his entire career.

 

[VARNELL HILL]

As the only team in the league with 2 MVP caliber players on it yea in that sense balance will be restored.

You mean to tell me OKC doesn't have 2 MVP caliber players?

 

[BIG LEEMELONE]

Russ really is a lightning rod. Dudes really forgot how bad Durant looked in big games at times with the thunder. I remember that **** clear as day

 

[pums]

Rockets in 6 boys

 

[don ramon]

Russ really is a lightning rod. Dudes really forgot how bad Durant looked in big games at times with the thunder. I remember that **** clear as day

not sure what the campaign is here, but he was always a great player. it's also possible durant may have matured/evolved into an even better player

 

[Vincent Van Goat]

Gonna get into this endgame in a few hours and get home in perfect timing for the games

What are the bets we got going on in here? @bballkid11 did you get your money??

 

[lawdog1]

not sure what the campaign is here, but he was always a great player. it's also possible durant may have matured/evolved into an even better player

I absolutely think he has improved while on the Warriors. His playmaking and defense are better now, IMO. But I guess some people would argue that only happened because he’s playing with 3 other all-stars. I still give him credit for it though.

 

[BIG LEEMELONE]

not sure what the campaign is here, but he was always a great player. it's also possible durant may have matured/evolved into an even better player

That's why he's never really been crowned. He never looked the part as a #1 option in the playoffs until he went to a 73-9 team. We don't know if he's matured or if his flaws are just being masked. We won't know what he's really made of until he leaves. The same way some people say Steph doesn't always show up in big games, that was KD. The same way Bron was passive, KD was HELLA passive. The same way Harden chokes every year, that was KD. Well.. maybe not THAT bad, but still

 

[Vincent Van Goat]

If Giannis were to get a ring this early and by going through and over teams without a jump shot... would be something the league has never witnessed

Granted it would mean his teammates would probably be shooting elite from 3, he’d still need to be the focal point

 

[MVP]

Russ really is a lightning rod. Dudes really forgot how bad Durant looked in big games at times with the thunder. I remember that **** clear as day

I'll go to my grave believing he threw G6 vs GS. Most bizarre game I've ever seen from him.

 

[wavycrocket]

I’m not trying to be obtuse here but what truly confuses me is if it ain’t KD.....then who is it? Are the masses still saying Lebby? KD is four years younger and been leading teams for years, more talented at this point, significantly better defender, eating at all three levels, etc. If you were ignorant enough to think he was beforehand, Lebby lost all claims to “Best Player on The Planet” when he said playoff mode was activated and he finished the season 37-45, only 4 games better than the 14th placed team.

Lebby is 3-6 against Western teams in playoff series and in his first full season in the West, he couldnt even make the playoffs. Think about all the Russ slander - KD carried Russ to a Finals at 25 years old. Couple years later had him up 3-1 against a dynasty. Joined said dynasty and folks are acting like he’s not a back-to-back MVP.

At 23 years old actually. People also act like KD didn’t average 32/8/5 and win MVP on a 60 win team in a year where Russ was injured for half the season. Missed 27 straight games...and KD averaged 35ppg 7.5rpg & 6.3apg on 53/40/88 splits. Playing with Reggie Jackson as his second option and the thunder went 20-7 that stretch.

I remember P C H saying it. KD was RIGHT there with a prime Bron for years. Bron regressed...KD got better. He’s clearly been better than Bron for 3 years now. Steph too.

The “best in the world” title really should be between two people. KD & Steph. They happen to play on the same team. So ppl hate it . But they know deep down what it is.

 

[MVP]

Nah we not putting Wardell in this. He blew his chance in 16.

 

[Vincent Van Goat]

Them being on the same team is a waste. Looking forward to next season. We will see if Durant can take a prime Kyrie to the finals and eventually win one

 

[P C H]

At 23 years old actually. People also act like KD didn’t average 32/8/5 and win MVP on a 60 win team in a year where Russ was injured for half the season. Missed 27 straight games...and KD averaged 35ppg 7.5rpg & 6.3apg on 53/40/88 splits. Playing with Reggie Jackson as his second option and the thunder went 20-7 that stretch.

I remember P C H saying it. KD was RIGHT there with a prime Bron for years. Bron regressed...KD got better. He’s clearly been better than Bron for 3 years now. Steph too.

The “best in the world” title really should be between two people. KD & Steph. They happen to play on the same team. So ppl hate it . But they know deep down what it is.

That MVP season did it for me. It’s amazing how ppl try to discredit KD now because of his teammates as if he didn’t turn in a 32ppg 50/40/90 60 win season before. He been right there for best in the world title for a minute.

If he wins two more titles GOAT convos about to get really weird

 

[Vincent Van Goat]

That MVP season did it for me. It’s amazing how ppl try to discredit KD now because of his teammates as if he didn’t turn in a 32ppg 50/40/90 60 win season before. He been right there for best in the world title for a minute.

If he wins two more titles GOAT convos about to get really weird

If he wins a few post warriors he’d have a case

 

[lawdog1]

If he wins a few post warriors he’d have a case

Has to win one with another team to get in the discussion, IMO. I’m not saying he shouldn’t be in the convo even if he doesn’t, but I don’t think the masses/barbershops will entertain it if his only titles are with GSW.

 

[MVP]

If he gets 3 this year and 1 post GS, top 10 a lock.

 

[BIG LEEMELONE]

Yall still talking regular season. Harden puts up crazy numbers too. Nobody thinks he's the best in the world because of his playoff reputation. It's not inevitable that KD can lead a lesser team to a chip as a clear #1 and not #1B. Bron and Curry have done that at least once. KD still has to prove it. Just like Kobe had to win without Shaq

 

[HIM]

If CP3 beats GSW he gotta be GOAT PG lock.

7-5 vs GSW in the postseason vs Steph. Can anyone else say that?

 

[lawdog1]

If CP3 beats GSW he gotta be GOAT PG lock.

7-5 vs GSW in the postseason vs Steph. Can anyone else say that?

 

[lawdog1]

A lot to take in here....

 

[kingfoamnyc]

That MVP season did it for me. It’s amazing how ppl try to discredit KD now because of his teammates as if he didn’t turn in a 32ppg 50/40/90 60 win season before. He been right there for best in the world title for a minute.

If he wins two more titles GOAT convos about to get really weird

He wins this year and brings just one to NY he's the undisputed GOAT.

 

[bostoiah]

A lot to take in here....

*******

 

[Lizakers]

Crazy to think Dubs could be going for 5 straight chips right now if Draymond didn’t cost them the series with his suspension. What a run

 

[atlsfinest]

Crazy to think Dubs could be going for 5 straight chips right now if Draymond didn’t cost them a serious with his suspension. What a run

Maybe.it's so funny how the narrative around the 2016 finals has changed. It's almost like people forgot that Draymond played in games 6 and 7.

Regardless, I highly doubt that Kevin Durant goes to the Warriors if the Dubs won in 2016 and who knows if they win the last two championships without him.