Injuries to CP3 and Blake had alot to do with the Clippers' PO exits in 2014, 2015 and 2016 IIRC. I think both went down in the same game in 2016. Injuries are certainly a part of the game and I'm not making excuses for Doc, but there is only so much you can control. I might have seen it a bot more your way of it weren't for this past season. Doc did a remarkable job coaxing 50-ish wins out of that roster and making the POs in a year that looked more like a soft tank.
doc's had some successes (2008, some of his years in orlando, last year) and some failures (as documented already). i don't think he's earned elite status, but he's not a guy that you're necessarily itching to dump, either.
I hate 3 points NBA, but it's all GS is doing tonight without Durant.They even shot just 3 FT after 3 quarters.
Portland has to feel amazing. Hot shooting by Curry, Warriors shooting a better percentage and they still aren't getting blown out of the gym. Damian isn't even having his best game either.
I think Portland was exhausted physically and mentally from the 7 game series with Denver and its conclusion. To be fair that was Sunday, with only a day between it and then flying in to the Bay to take on the champs. That said, there could have been some nerves as well or just plain old inexperience coming from Portland as this team has never come this far. I think it was probably all of the above. Golden State did what they needed to do. But it's just the first game. I expect a lot more from the Blazers in game 2 and especially from Dame who has had two awful shooting games in a row. He needs to fully come to life. Granted he did a lot of other things well in game 7 against Denver (incredible rebounding and great assists), but we need him to bring the full package with serious scoring to offset Curry/Klay.
Portland isn't going to last. They had two tough rounds against OKC and Denver, and that took heroic efforts from Dame and CJ. The Warriors made that win look effortless and are back to playing an unselfish brand of basketball, and they did it without KD. Also, the Warriors have the bodies to throw at both Dame and CJ, where it's damn near impossible to keep up with the Splash Bros, let alone KD when he gets back. Warriors in 5. The Bucks/Raptors series is going to be fun to watch. Will Giannis remain dominant or will Toronto's experienced team hold out?
Both Conference Finals won't be close ( very few NBA so called experts watch the Bucks so some think the Raptors have a shot but they really don't barring a Bucks injury) but the NBA Finals have a chance to be great. Blazers as the 3rd team in the West ( they aren't much better than last season imo , they just had better matchups but you know narratives... ) makes our disaster season a bigger waste
Vegas says you're right, but there are multiple reasons to think that the series will be close and go 6 or 7. I am rooting for the Bucks it increases the chances KL leaves. If the Raptors make it to the finals, win or lose, he may be more inclined to stay. Interesting position the Raptors are in if he leaves though. Payroll would be at right near the salary cap w/o Kawhi. They would have to essentially write off the next season, get Gasol and Ibaka off the books, then see if they want to keep Lowry at something more reasonable than the 33m he will make next year.
