| monocle_layton said: As I said, game 3 was the most important, and the Cavs threw it away by being careless and going scoreless for the last 3 minutes. My 117-109 was pretty close too, along with me predicting KD would close it out. Maybe I should hit Vegas and test my luck? :p Anyways, I don't see this game being a turning point for the Cavs. Their defense is simply pathetic, and it seems the experts' worries about it in the regular season were justified. With a 3-0 deficit and a Kevin Durant who is on another level, this may be the time for the Cavs' organization to reflect on their mistakes. It's also time for many of the players to change. It's pathetic how Tristen Thompson has 13 rebounds the entire series, and yet Curry had 13 in game 3 alone. This man is being paid $80 million, and yet he simply disappear offensively and defensively? This team is highly flawed. They have an aging LeBron, Jefferson is gonna retire, and Korver/Smith/others aren't getting any younger. Kyrie and Love are still bad on defense, and Thompson disappears when it matters most. What is the future for this team? Instead of being patient like the Warriors, they slapped on a bunch of contracts and tried to make it work. Final score prediction: 127-112, Warriors win for the sweep Finals MVP: Javale McGee |
The flaws I saw in this game weren't their team in terms of capabilities, it's fight. They had none. They showed me 2 things: they have to tools to go toe to toe with this Warriors team but not the heart. This is most obvious in Tristan Thompson as you pointed out, who is at his best when he's aggressively fighting for the win.
All I want in this next game is some urgency, some fire. I want to see multiple Cavs contesting every rebound. I want every player hustling to keep up with their man. I want to see them stick to the gameplay that works and pound away until the game ends. I just want them to play like they're the champs defending their title, not like this is some regular season game.
IMO this is a classic case of overconfidence. They should have spent this whole season toughening up for this fight. But they didn't. Defense, rebounds, these are aspects you can improve through grit, hustle, and plain old practice. The Cavs clearly haven't been putting in any of those things. Right now, they could have Jordan leading and they wouldn't win. Cause the team has no fire. If you're going to stand around on defense, not fight for rebounds, and constantly look to engage cruise control whenever you are up 2 posessions, you can't win against a team that wants it.
The Warriors want it. The Cavs don't. Plain and simple.
Which is what makes me furious right now. This Cavs has potential and they are just freaking wasting it. It's a disgrace to play with this little determination in the Finals.
