OT: nba capitulates to lebron

[heelz2345]

I'm not saying that there can't be people who make biased calls or go to other measures to try and ensure the outcome of a game goes one way or the other, but I don't buy a league-wide conspiracy at play here. As I said in the other thread, the Warriors did a lot of it to themselves last night. They missed plenty of wide open shots. Barnes/Green/Iguodala were a combined 1-10 from 3 point range. For as much discussion as Curry fouling out as there was, at least 3 of his fouls were dumb moves on Curry's part. You can make some argument about the other 3, but he put himself in a bad position. He put himself in a worse position earning the technical after he fouled out, but luckily he only got a fine (which if there was a league wide conspiracy, I think he would have been suspended). Also, when he picked up his 3rd foul, Love, Shumpert and Richard Jefferson already had 3 apiece for the Cavs, and Love had 3 fouls in his first 3 minutes on the floor. There may have been some calls the refs missed or got wrong, but that stuff happens every. single. game. Refs missing calls don't give you the worst scoring first quarter in the Finals in the past 50 years. Also, if there was a league wide conspiracy to benefit Lebron, don't you think he'd have a better Finals record than 2-4?

The tl;dr version: while anything is possible, I believe it's highly improbable that the league influenced this game.

 

[Hark_The_Sound_2010]

^ There's a difference between a league wide conspiracy to perpetually help Lebron year in and year out (referencing his past Finals appearances) and a smaller circle of influence to prevent an atrociously bad finals series with several blow out games to be closed out on a Monday night game 5 (bad TV night) - and instead "encourage" it to go to a winner-take-all Sunday night game 7 (great TV night). While the conspiracy theorist in me thinks that the league does tend to favor Lebron, that's not what I'm saying is happening here. The realist in me, as well as the knowledge of how ratings and money are made, sees this as a golden opportunity for the NBA to extend the series - regardless of who wins it in the end.

 

[tarheel0910]

There have been millions of NBA games played. You can point to a small handful where there is proof that something shady happened, which means it's a non zero percentage. In the absence of proof the default should be nothing happened. Not defaulting to that comes about as close to a conspiracy theorist as you can get. Is it possible? Yes. Likely? No.

 

[heelz2345]

^ There's a difference between a league wide conspiracy to perpetually help Lebron year in and year out (referencing his past Finals appearances) and a smaller circle of influence to prevent an atrociously bad finals series with several blow out games to be closed out on a Monday night game 5 (bad TV night) - and instead "encourage" it to go to a winner-take-all Sunday night game 7 (great TV night). While the conspiracy theorist in me thinks that the league does tend to favor Lebron, that's not what I'm saying is happening here. The realist in me, as well as the knowledge of how ratings and money are made, sees this as a golden opportunity for the NBA to extend the series - regardless of who wins it in the end.

You're right, there is a difference. While I do think that the NBA is motivated to make money, I just don't think they had an influence here because there have been too many missed opportunities on Golden State's part. Over the past 2 games, GS has missed 53 three's which is two more than Cleveland has even attempted over that span. Curry has had a subpar series from the jump (look at his games 1 & 2). He's averaging 7 ppg less in the finals than he did in the regular season, meanwhile Lebron is averaging 5 ppg more than he did in the regular season. Those sort of things are beyond the control of the refs/league imo, which is why I don't believe this game has been rigged. If the outcomes were closer, there might be an argument, but considering every game has been decided by double digits, I think that's beyond the control of a few calls.

 

[Crimson Ghost]

I do think that from the lobbying of lebaby for the league to suspend Green to the questionable non calls when lebaby is hacking people that it merits taking a look at the league trying to pacify and help him get to the 7th game.

 

[heelz2345]

Even if you say Lebron lobbied for Green to get suspended (which I think is unlikely because his postgame comments don't seem to be lobbying and Lebron also received a technical for the incident), Golden State still blew game 5. They were tied at halftime at home in a close out scenario, and they let Lebron and Kyrie both go for 41. Again, Harrison and Iggy combine to be 2-10 from 3 point range, with plenty of shots being wide open. Cleveland was called for more fouls in game 5, and that was with GS intentionally fouling Tristan Thompson multiple times in the 3rd quarter. Things like that are why this series is going 7

 

[imajericho]

I'm not a fan of conspiracy theories. In saying that, I'm also very confused at how a team that has been so dominant for 80+ games has now run into trouble against a Cavs team that none of us thought would push this thing past 5, maybe get to a 6th game at best. I think it's a combination of things. Lebron is shooting the ball a lot better, the refs are allowing the Cavs to run their sets with free movement by calling ticky tack fouls on the Warriors, while on the other end they are letting the Cavs maul Curry and Thompson in the open floor, coming through screens, etc with no fouls. I agree with Steve Kerr about the inequality in officiating on both ends of the floor. On one end it looks like a ballet, on the other end it looks like a football game. This greatly helps the Cavs more than anything. Again, I think it's mostly officiating and Lebron not being Lebrick over the last few games but to see the dramatic shift in this series over the last 2 games given how strong the Warriors have been all year is mind boggling, confusing, disturbing, etc.

Becauze yinz are outrageous. Lebron arguably almost beat this team singlehandedly last year. Was by far the best player on both teams. Add in Irving and the difference is night and day.

Golden States only chance of beating Cleveland is to have otherwordly lights out shooting. Cleveland has the two best players in the series and is just a better team.

 

[imajericho]

Draymond Green should have been suspended against the Thunder. If anything, it was more BS he wasn't there than in this series. His suspension was justified.

The refs can't make a team miss shots and another make them. What they made threes for lebron? Maybe Klay Thompson start 0-6 from 3? It is ridiculous.

There wasn't a foul in the game more egregious than the one called on Love.

Because Curry was MVP does not mean they should give him more calls. Lebron is fouled almost every single drive.


The FTs were dead even for the game.


Starting to think all the bandwagon fans for Golden State are literally the worst fans.

Lebron is putting up some of the best games in Finals History and you people are whining it is rigged. Shame on you. No wonder why people sit here and say all you do is blame refs when UNC loses.

And you could argue Curry should be suspended Game 7 for his mouthpiece throw figuring Udonis Haslem was suspended for basically the same scenario in the past.

Get over yourselves and actually watch and enjoy the best players in the world going at each other for the title.

 

[soap - new and improved]

I'm not saying that there haven't been rigged sporting events, but I don't believe it occurred in this instance. You can't cry that something was "rigged" just because it didn't go your way. Draymond Green was practically asking for a suspension. And while the old NBA wouldn't have cared that much, unfortunately it's the league we watch now.

I wasn't referring to this game, rather the NBA and big money sports in general. I very rarely watch any NBA at all, and then only to check in on a UNC player I really liked. I haven't watched more than 2 minutes of the finals, and that was in between sets at the gym because that's what was on their TVs. I do think some others here have made some interesting points about this series, but it's all 2nd hand info to me.

 

[Sk1310]

Becauze yinz are outrageous. Lebron arguably almost beat this team singlehandedly last year. Was by far the best player on both teams. Add in Irving and the difference is night and day.

Golden States only chance of beating Cleveland is to have otherwordly lights out shooting. Cleveland has the two best players in the series and is just a better team.

Lol. So GS got lucky going up 3-1? You got cleveland sunday?

 

[Sk1310]

Draymond Green should have been suspended against the Thunder. If anything, it was more BS he wasn't there than in this series. His suspension was justified.

The refs can't make a team miss shots and another make them. What they made threes for lebron? Maybe Klay Thompson start 0-6 from 3? It is ridiculous.

There wasn't a foul in the game more egregious than the one called on Love.

Because Curry was MVP does not mean they should give him more calls. Lebron is fouled almost every single drive.


The FTs were dead even for the game.


Starting to think all the bandwagon fans for Golden State are literally the worst fans.

Lebron is putting up some of the best games in Finals History and you people are whining it is rigged. Shame on you. No wonder why people sit here and say all you do is blame refs when UNC loses.

And you could argue Curry should be suspended Game 7 for his mouthpiece throw figuring Udonis Haslem was suspended for basically the same scenario in the past.

Get over yourselves and actually watch and enjoy the best players in the world going at each other for the title.

Dude, get the f out of here with this garbage. What pointless drivel

 

[imajericho]

Lol. So GS got lucky going up 3-1? You got cleveland sunday?

So they won one game they weren't suppose to win? I mean, where is the luck in that? A 73 win team should be able to pull out a win like that. They couldn't pull 2 out like that though. It should have been 2-2 after 4 due to home court advantages. Golden State won one game they weren't supposed to. Then Cleveland won 1 game they weren't supposed to at Oracle. Now you have a tie series. Both teams have won a game away. Now Game 7 sets up the finale. Not surprising?

And, yes, I have Cleveland winning by 7.

 

[imajericho]

Dude, get the f out of here with this garbage. What pointless drivel

Oh, I am sorry. I forgot I have to make well-educated, intelligent responses like you all crying about conspiracies, rigged games, refs making people make and miss shots, etc. instead of "pointless driveling"

 

[Sk1310]

Oh, I am sorry. I forgot I have to make well-educated, intelligent responses like you all crying about conspiracies, rigged games, refs making people make and miss shots, etc. instead of "pointless driveling"

Bro, your last two posts have made no sense, they are just rants with no substance. Lay off the sauce.

 

[imajericho]

Bro, your last two posts have made no sense, they are just rants with no substance. Lay off the sauce.

My last two posts made no sense. Okay. Well, if you need me to hold your hand for you to understand them then let me know. It's not hard. Oh, I forgot. You guys find it easier to understand mass conspiracies, rigging, refs making shots for players and making others miss, and etc. over normal posts. It is bad enough when you all blame every UNC loss on refereeing. Now, you have extended losses in recruiting battles to conspiracies or players being paid. Losses in your anti-Lebron hating to rigging and refereeing.

I mean where is the end of the line with you guys? You all are blatantly acting like everything in the world has to happen the way you want it or somehow someone cheated. It's kind of childish tbqh.

The fact Lebron is playing out of the world and having some of the best games in Finals History is completely lost because somehow they are cheating it's insane.

Look at his damn stat lines the last two games.

 

[heelmanwilm]

Imo curry has done wayyyyyy more to tarnish his image in this series than lebron has.

 

[Hark_The_Sound_2010]

Cleveland has the two best players in the series and is just a better team.

I get youre a Lebron fan, but you don't really believe this do you?

 

[imajericho]

I get youre a Lebron fan, but you don't really believe this do you?

Well, let me say, it is debatable. If you take away the 3ball, it is unquestioned that Kyrie and Lebron are both better, though I understand the anti-Duke bias for Kyrie on this site.

That said, it is debatable with the 3 ball.

When Golden State loses tomorrow, I expect to hear Curry say his knee still bothered him. Whether you believe that or not, who knows. Wouldn't surprise me if he was hurt or not.

If they made every shot a 2 pointer would anyone even question taking Kyrie over Stephen? Better defender, driver, handles.

 

[HeelFan58]

Bro, your last two posts have made no sense, they are just rants with no substance. Lay off the sauce.

why lay off the sauce? it's the weekend.

 

[UNC-75]

^ There's a difference between a league wide conspiracy to perpetually help Lebron year in and year out (referencing his past Finals appearances) and a smaller circle of influence to prevent an atrociously bad finals series with several blow out games to be closed out on a Monday night game 5 (bad TV night) - and instead "encourage" it to go to a winner-take-all Sunday night game 7 (great TV night). While the conspiracy theorist in me thinks that the league does tend to favor Lebron, that's not what I'm saying is happening here. The realist in me, as well as the knowledge of how ratings and money are made, sees this as a golden opportunity for the NBA to extend the series - regardless of who wins it in the end.

This is what I believe it is about. Not who wins, but the revenue the league receives from extra games. In game 7 the league will want to keep it close, but as far as who wins, I don't think the "conspiracy" extends to the favoring one team to win the title. Just one man's opinion. Been around long enough to see "circumstantial evidence"

 

[HeelFan58]

Does the league actually get more money if the series goes seven? Or does the network just buy the playoffs and the more games the better it is for the network? I have no idea just asking. The NCAA tournament and the NFL have a finite number of playoff games. The NBA , MLB and NHL varies based on individual series.

 

[UNC-75]

Does the league actually get more money if the series goes seven? Or does the network just buy the playoffs and the more games the better it is for the network? I have no idea just asking. The NCAA tournament and the NFL have a finite number of playoff games. The NBA , MLB and NHL varies based on individual series.

Some interesting information on your question.
http://sportsnaut.com/2016/06/warriors-record-setting-playoff-revenue-will-impact-nba-cap/

 

[Spacegrass]

Even if you say Lebron lobbied for Green to get suspended (which I think is unlikely because his postgame comments don't seem to be lobbying and Lebron also received a technical for the incident), Golden State still blew game 5. They were tied at halftime at home in a close out scenario, and they let Lebron and Kyrie both go for 41. Again, Harrison and Iggy combine to be 2-10 from 3 point range, with plenty of shots being wide open. Cleveland was called for more fouls in game 5, and that was with GS intentionally fouling Tristan Thompson multiple times in the 3rd quarter. Things like that are why this series is going 7

GSW didn't blow that game 5. They simply weren't physical enough without Green and Bogut. No defensive presence inside. And Harrison Barnes can't be awful and keep missing wide open looks. Cavs are daring Barnes to beat them.

 

[imajericho]

Told you. End of story.

 

[Hark_The_Sound_2010]

Does the league actually get more money if the series goes seven? Or does the network just buy the playoffs and the more games the better it is for the network?

The league definitely makes more money off longer series. Sometimes when they make sure a series gets extended, the other team ends up winning it like happened here. Pretty good result for the NBA though. Good story about Lebron bringing a championship to Cleveland, they don't have to watch him whine and cry in a post game press conference, and they get a nice budding rivalry between him and steph as he makes the turn to the back 9 of his career. Adam Silver is a happy man this morning.

 

[HeelFan58]

Happy to see the city of Cleveland finally get another championship. "The Drive" , The Indians
being a couple of outs away from a W.S. that city had suffered through a lot of disappointment.

 

[gunslingerdick]

Well, let me say, it is debatable. If you take away the 3ball, it is unquestioned that Kyrie and Lebron are both better, though I understand the anti-Duke bias for Kyrie on this site.

That said, it is debatable with the 3 ball.

When Golden State loses tomorrow, I expect to hear Curry say his knee still bothered him. Whether you believe that or not, who knows. Wouldn't surprise me if he was hurt or not.

If they made every shot a 2 pointer would anyone even question taking Kyrie over Stephen? Better defender, driver, handles.

I get your point and I agree with it for the most part. But Irving has just graduated from "terrible" to "below average" on the defensive end. I'm not sure I would have even mentioned "defense' in your poast.

 

[IDUNK4HEELS]

The bottom line was when the game was on the line LeBron willed the Cavs to victory while Curry was AWOL in clutch time. Hard to blame the refs or the NBA when a team goes the last 5 minutes of a game without scoring.

 

[heelmanwilm]

My last two posts made no sense. Okay. Well, if you need me to hold your hand for you to understand them then let me know. It's not hard. Oh, I forgot. You guys find it easier to understand mass conspiracies, rigging, refs making shots for players and making others miss, and etc. over normal posts. It is bad enough when you all blame every UNC loss on refereeing. Now, you have extended losses in recruiting battles to conspiracies or players being paid. Losses in your anti-Lebron hating to rigging and refereeing.

I mean where is the end of the line with you guys? You all are blatantly acting like everything in the world has to happen the way you want it or somehow someone cheated. It's kind of childish tbqh.

The fact Lebron is playing out of the world and having some of the best games in Finals History is completely lost because somehow they are cheating it's insane.

Look at his damn stat lines the last two games.

priceless! U owned the "officiating truther" in this thread. Well done

 

[Hark_The_Sound_2010]

priceless! U owned the "officiating truther" in this thread. Well done

I think that was an unintended byproduct of the main purpose of his poast which was to just slurp LeBron.

 

[imajericho]

I get your point and I agree with it for the most part. But Irving has just graduated from "terrible" to "below average" on the defensive end. I'm not sure I would have even mentioned "defense' in your poast.

I could mention it because despite how bad his defense may be, Curry's is so much worse.

 

[ROYALWITCHEESE]

Draymond Green should have been suspended against the Thunder. If anything, it was more BS he wasn't there than in this series. His suspension was justified.

The refs can't make a team miss shots and another make them. What they made threes for lebron? Maybe Klay Thompson start 0-6 from 3? It is ridiculous.

There wasn't a foul in the game more egregious than the one called on Love.

Because Curry was MVP does not mean they should give him more calls. Lebron is fouled almost every single drive.


The FTs were dead even for the game.


Starting to think all the bandwagon fans for Golden State are literally the worst fans.

Lebron is putting up some of the best games in Finals History and you people are whining it is rigged. Shame on you. No wonder why people sit here and say all you do is blame refs when UNC loses.

And you could argue Curry should be suspended Game 7 for his mouthpiece throw figuring Udonis Haslem was suspended for basically the same scenario in the past.

Get over yourselves and actually watch and enjoy the best players in the world going at each other for the title.

Exactly. LeBron haters need to get a life. Curry is arguably more arrogant, and is DEFINITELY more of a "me first" player. Yet, people continue to hate LeBron. Figure out whatever insecurities you people have that makes you wish and root for the failure of another human being, who by all accounts is a great person. You might need counseling.

 

[Sk1310]

Exactly. LeBron haters need to get a life. Curry is arguably more arrogant, and is DEFINITELY more of a "me first" player. Yet, people continue to hate LeBron. Figure out whatever insecurities you people have that makes you wish and root for the failure of another human being, who by all accounts is a great person. You might need counseling.

It's called being fans of a sport. You know, they tend to have rooting interests? Wanting a team/player to lose is now being portrayed as rooting for the failure of another human being? WTF?

 

[heelmanwilm]

It's called being fans of a sport. You know, they tend to have rooting interests? Wanting a team/player to lose is now being portrayed as rooting for the failure of another human being? WTF?

Thats not what he said or is referring to. Of course u know that but for whatever reason u feign ignorance. There is an entire subculture of intense personal lebron hate on social media and the internet which has nothing to do with team fanhood and goes way beyond just wanting him to lose a game. But once again, as with idiot fans who cant deal with their teams losing and have to blame someone or something, its just a case of dumbasses taking sports wayyy too serious. Whenever u cross over from rooting FOR your team to rooting AGAINST A PERSON U officially became a wack job.

 

[Sk1310]

Thats not what he said or is referring to. Of course u know that but for whatever reason u feign ignorance. There is an entire subculture of intense personal lebron hate on social media and the internet which has nothing to do with team fanhood and goes way beyond just wanting him to lose a game. But once again, as with idiot fans who cant deal with their teams losing and have to blame someone or something, its just a case of dumbasses taking sports wayyy too serious. Whenever u cross over from rooting FOR your team to rooting AGAINST A PERSON U officially became a wack job.

I feign ignorance? This man had a damn hour long special to announce he was taking his talents to south beach.This is the era of social media. what did you think was going to happen? he was going to come beloved? He was the most loved athlete in sports before he did that, and that's a fact. Every sport has a love/hate polarizing figure. Not sure why we have to feel sorry for an almost billionaire taking shots on social media by people he doesn't even know. Do you even think he cares? I know I wouldn't give a damn.

 

[Hark_The_Sound_2010]

Whenever u cross over from rooting FOR your team to rooting AGAINST A PERSON U officially became a wack job.

Guilty. Although not always rooting against a person, but often times rooting against a team. I have my favorite team in every sport that is my #1 rooting interest. If my team isn't playing, my #2 rooting interest is dictated by any bets I may have on the game. And then if I'm watching a game that my team isn't playing in and I have no bets on the game - I find which team I dislike more and root against them. More fun for me that way - whack job or not.

*Cue the "You might need counseling" from the internet psychologists on here lol*

 

[Sk1310]

Guilty. Although not always rooting against a person, but often times rooting against a team. I have my favorite team in every sport that is my #1 rooting interest. If my team isn't playing, my #2 rooting interest is dictated by any bets I may have on the game. And then if I'm watching a game that my team isn't playing in and I have no bets on the game - I find which team I dislike more and root against them. More fun for me that way - whack job or not.

*Cue the "You might need counseling" from the internet psychologists on here lol*

You know Hark, I am a die hard Bulls fan. I dislike LeBron because they can never get through him, so naturally I root against him and whichever team he is on. Sign me up as a whack job also.

 

[heelmanwilm]

Guilty. Although not always rooting against a person, but often times rooting against a team. I have my favorite team in every sport that is my #1 rooting interest. If my team isn't playing, my #2 rooting interest is dictated by any bets I may have on the game. And then if I'm watching a game that my team isn't playing in and I have no bets on the game - I find which team I dislike more and root against them. More fun for me that way - whack job or not.

*Cue the "You might need counseling" from the internet psychologists on here lol*

Oh i root against TEAMS a lot. Esp the unholy trinity of dook, state, and chicago bears. I just dont root against a person, or try not to. There have been a few to test my resolve for sure such as ditka, randy moss, and any dook or state alum

 

[Archer2]

Not a Bron fan, despite him being the best in the game right now. I am happy to see Cleveland win a championship. Impossible for me to hate a sports figure, sports just aren't important enough for that. TBS, I would root against any team that had Ray Lewis on it's roster.

 

[imajericho]

I feign ignorance? This man had a damn hour long special to announce he was taking his talents to south beach.This is the era of social media. what did you think was going to happen? he was going to come beloved? He was the most loved athlete in sports before he did that, and that's a fact. Every sport has a love/hate polarizing figure. Not sure why we have to feel sorry for an almost billionaire taking shots on social media by people he doesn't even know. Do you even think he cares? I know I wouldn't give a damn.

Oh boohoo he announced his intentions to the public, just like just about every high school student does to announce their college. He didn't get the opportunity to make such a decision from high school as he went straight to the NBA.

He also raised 3 million for charity which supplied over a thousand of computers for children?

So, seriously?