Best in the NBA?
LeBron Vs. Steph, Part 2: How legacies are defined
LeBron vs Curry
“I don’t get involved in all of that,” James said. “Underdog, overdog, whatever the case may be. It’s stupidity. … We’re better built to start the Finals than we were last year. Doesn’t matter who it’s against.”
If the opponent weren’t Curry, James might’ve sounded believable. James has been denied a rival for most of his career. The difference in age made it hard for it to truly be Paul Pierce and the difference in age and position made it impossible for Tim Duncan, despite three Finals meetings. Curry, nearly three years James’ junior, presents a threat that neither James nor anyone else in the league could’ve foreseen – the uninvited guest looking to crash the party (again) and own the whole house.
Three years removed from his last NBA title and MVP award, James has never had a better opportunity to regain the standing he has yet to fully relinquish. Knocking off James for a second time would give Curry the respect that somehow continues to elude him. The motivations are different, but the quest to cement legacies remains the same.
This series is must see. I love watching the best two players in sports meet up for the biggest stakes.
History of Game 7’s
Interesting game 7 numbers from Ben Golliver of Si.com:
There are a million factoids to consider when it comes to sizing up where the series stands now. Here are a few worth considering…
• Only nine of the 232 teams that have trailed a series 3-1, as the Warriors did, have gone on to win in seven games.
• Teams that have led 3-1 in a series, as the Thunder did, are 7-7 (.500) when they play Game 7 on the road.
• Home teams are 100-24 (.806) overall in Game 7s dating back to 1948. During the three-point era, home teams are 65-16 (.802) in Game 7s.
• The Warriors are 17-3 (.850) at home during the playoffs under Kerr. Golden State is also 47-3 (.940) at home during the 2015-16 season and 2016 playoffs combined, although one of those three losses came to Oklahoma City in Game 1.
• The Thunder are 5-3 on the road during the 2016 playoffs under Donovan, with a win over the Warriors, two wins over the Spurs, and two wins over the Mavericks.
Curry, The Proverbial Sleeping Giant, Awakes
I’d Like to Double Down on the Warriors!
With an incredible 108-101 comeback victory on the road Saturday night, the Golden State Warriors clawed their way out of the grave to force a Game 7. It was a game the Oklahoma City Thunder controlled until the Warriors slowly, relentlessly turned what looked like an inexorable tide. It was probably the best offensive performance of Klay Thompson’s life, maybe the best defensive performance of Andre Iguodala’s life, capped by a dagger from one Stephen Curry.
Alert to those who sold their Warrior stock. There is a game 7 and it seems the Warriors have found and drained their magic elixir. It won them 73 games and will get them back to the NBA Finals.
There were 3 things that happened in this game that were significant:
Frist, I completely agree with Charles Barkley, that the Thunder played hero basketball and that is why they lost. Between Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook they missed 38 shots, the rest of the team only took 32.
Second, Klay Thompson single handedly saved the Warriors season by going 11-18 from behind the arc and scoring 41 points. He kept the Warriors close and carried Steph until he was awoken from his slumber.
Third, Steph Curry found his swagger back in the 4th and the Thunder aren’t coming back. This is eerily familiar with last year when Steph was out of sorts for the beginning of the Cavs/Warriors NBA Finals. Curry finally found his groove in the 4th quarter of game 3 and he never looked back. Look for him to do the same.
The only reason this game was close was because of all the second chance points by the Thunder. If momentum is a thing, the Thunder are done. If it isn’t, they are done.
Watching the Warriors come from behind and seeing Thompson go off is the reason why I enjoy this Warriors team so much. What a great series and hope to win some more money off of Curry and company come Monday.