The Cavs really saw their playoff struggles the last 3 seasons and said 'Let's go get THAT guy to help get us over the top!'
tbf i dont think the harden move was made for this season. it was made to attract lebron for next season.
I’m a big fan of okc and unlike Josh actually watch their games and agree they flop here and there. Like Chet flopped when hit last night and SGA will here there (not really any last night tho - calmed down after first quarter in game 1 where he was embarrassing). That said, they aren’t unique in doing this in the least and everything they do gets magnified because they’re the champs. I do wish they wouldn’t do silly shit tho. and yeah officiating last night was bad in okc’s favor. Mostly when LeBron would get hacked or mugged and not get a call. Reaves and Smart flop so much too tho.
OKC has been getting shit on for the same thing for the past few years, their players foul the other team constantly and it doesn’t get called, then they flop and get soft calls on the other end. It’s really annoying to watch, and a bunch of Lakers fans watching now is going to magnify the same complaints but it isn’t anything new. And like others have said, the most frustrating part is they’re a good enough team that they don’t have to do it. I don’t think them not flopping constantly shifts a series or a game even, so why do they still do it?
I think officiating in general is pretty inconsistent, and that's the root of the problem. Guys wouldn't be as motivated to flop if they didn't think there’s a good chance the officiating would go in their favor. Same with offensive players pushing off to create space. That rarely gets called unless you're Jaylen Brown.
I get tired of the defensive complaints the most. They are aggressive yes, but not some hackathon team. Like SGA is getting grabbed and hacked and harassed every time he touches the ball against the Lakers. on the play where SGA got the flagrant it was because Reaves was fucking hugging him with both arms. Aston grabs the shit out of whoever he’s defending and SVG called that out and said he did it a ton in the rockets series. okc may get a soft whistle here and there but they don’t get nearly as many FTA that you’d expect for all the bitching and moaning. Near the bottom actually.
I think it’ll be a gentleman’s sweep. Lakers will have one game where Kennard and Reaves hit a bunch of 3s or something.
lebron elbowed caruso in the face, knew it and checked on him, and i don't think they called a foul in game 1
What’s crazy is that SGA spent the majority of the game on the bench due to foul trouble and people are still mad at him anyway lol
Ahh a photoshop picture trumps reality! But please don’t make me defend him. He’s legit dirty and I want him off the team