I think you saw a completely different game. Raptors defense stiffened the Warriors offense. Curry and Klay are not iso players. If the Raptors play defense like this and Durant doesnt come back healthy for game 2 and beyond, the Warriors arent winning more than a couple games in this series.
Maybe but iso players actually play into the Raptors hands. The ball movement that GSW is known for was not consistent to free up guys to gain momentum. Credit to the Raptors and Nick Nurse. The movement is key to breaking down the D, causing confusion for the Raptors so GSW can get easy buckets. I saw flashes at times but I also too much dribbling. Normally, the ball is thrown into the post to initiate the O especially when they have Durant but they had a lot of the O starting at the top of the key to initiate pick and roll action. They will adjust to free up the playmakers. I like Green in the post because he is such a great passer. This is the chess game I love... to see what adjustments are made and how the other team responds. We shall see.
Agree with others, if Durant doesn't come back 100% I think the Raptors take this in 6. Booger Cousins isn't helping one bit.
Yeah, if Durant doesn’t return, Raptors can take this series, even if it’s in 7. If he comes back and is anything close to the Durant we know, I think warriors can take it. But this is when teams are vulnerable, injuries (Iggy seemingly reaggravating his injury from the last round is big), fatigue from 5 straight Finals, a weakened bench from players needing to be paid and going elsewhere and not being replaced by the deepest bench guys. It’s what happened to the Lakers in ‘03, bench got weak, and to a lesser extent it hurt them in ‘04 as well when Malone went down, Medvedenko got abused, and guys like Luke, Cook, Russell, Rush, and even Fox by then were useless. The one big thing this Warriors team has going for them is they still play like a well-oiled machine, very Spurs like with the ball movement and how well they know where guys are going to cut and spot up, except they do have a bit of a turnover problem. I’m rooting for Toronto though, they’re just likable, Kawhi didn’t even have the best offensive game but he’s still rock solid and finds ways to make his impact, and like I said earlier VanFleet reminds me of Fisher. Tired of the Warriors winning anyway, Toronto getting a title would be huge for that franchise and give hope to all expansion franchises that have still never done a thing. It’s one game though, long way to go, should be a damn good series.
Siakam isn’t going to shoot 14-17 every game, part of me wonders how Toronto isn’t destroyed with all the minutes they play their starting 5.
All about ratings and prime time spots for key games. Bleh. Spread out too far, but rest isn’t an excuse
It’s one game, but I will say I like that Toronto is winning. Hopefully it’s a good series. I like most of the Raptors players. Still think Lowry is highly overrated though, but I guess he fits the system. On a side note: Drake is ecstatic... Cause this guy’s not here...
The NBA has fined the LA Clippers $50,000 for violating the league’s anti-tampering rule. The fine is in response to comments regarding the Raptors’ Kawhi Leonard made by Head Coach Glenn “Doc” Rivers in a recent television appearance.
Yeah, it's funny. I should be totally rooting against the Raptors because I want Kawhi here so badly, but I have to admit I enjoyed watching Golden State get beaten. Tough one for me. Emotionally digging the Warriors losing, but my head is concerned about Kawhi not leaving if he wins a chip in Toronto. Dilemmas. That's why I was all in for the Bucks. But I can't complain. The C Bags were eliminated, and the most horrid Rockets. This is all gravy, really. It's good, immensely watchable basketball with two excellent teams. It's all fine.
He isn’t, but I also don’t expect Kawhi to go 5-14 again either. The Warriors didn’t play a great game and didn’t lose by much, but Kawhi also didn’t have a big scoring game, so I still see this as either team’s series, which I haven’t been able to say in the Finals since Durant game to GS.
