Raptors looked great tonight, other than Lowry. If they can play at this level, obviously they can win the series. I am skeptical that they can maintain that level of play and energy, but the home crowd really got them pumped up for this game. Siakam was awesome. And their D overall was great, running the Warriors off the 3-point line over and over.
Ibaka and Norm Powell both stunk last night. Kwahi and Lowry shot poorly, Gasol and Lowry were in foul trouble much of the game. It wasn't a night where everything went right for the Raptors. This is just what they do. They've got legit depth and whichever 6 guys are playing best get the bulk of the minutes. The Raptors will bring that defense and intensity every night.
It's up to the Warriors to play better. Of course, the Warriors can and will play better.
The league needs heroes, villains... and clowns. -- Aztec Sunsfan
This is setting up wonderfully for Durant. Everyone was saying the warriors don’t need him after winning 6 straight without him. If GS drops both games in Toronto and Durant comes back for game 3 to lead GS to a series win, it’ll be very hard to not give Durant credit for the win.
This is setting up wonderfully for Durant. Everyone was saying the warriors don’t need him after winning 6 straight without him. If GS drops both games in Toronto and Durant comes back for game 3 to lead GS to a series win, it’ll be very hard to not give Durant credit for the win.
I agree with that thinking. I wonder whether his injury isn't worse than advertised. It sure looked like an Achilles tear or similar when he got hurt with no contact whatsoever. I wonder whether he'll just sit out until the offseason so as not to reveal how hurt he really is.
Should Durant be catching more flack for not playing? You never like to question someone's injury but I mean...it's the Finals. He's been out with a calf strain for 3 weeks now. Is he so debilitated that he absolutely can't play? If this were his first Finals appearance, would he be playing? If he were 0-2 in Finals appearances, would he be playing? If he weren't a FA this summer, would he be playing?
You don't sacrifice a potential long-term injury right before your contract is up. Besides, wouldn't it be a better story for him if he comes back in Game 7?
Especially if he's not going to be there next year. You've gotta look out for #1.
My guess is that Durant finds a way to rationalize leaving regardless of how the Finals go. If the Warriors win it without him, he'll feel slighted and decide the team and fans don't appreciate him. If they lose without him, he'll decide that he's the man but isn't treated / appreciated like it, that the team needs him but didn't want to admit it, and so he'll leave out of spite.
I just hope he leaves to even out the playing field a little.
"There are 3 rules I live by: never get less than 12 hours sleep, never play cards with a guy with the same first name as a city & never get involved with a woman with a tattoo of a dagger on her body. Everything else is cream cheese."
I just hope he leaves to even out the playing field a little.
Despite the fact that I root for the Warriors as my secondary/local team, I want Durant to leave, too. The league is better when there is more parity and more teams that have a legit shot at the title. If Durant leaves, you have at least 3-4 teams in each conference that could say they have a chance:
I just hope he leaves to even out the playing field a little.
Despite the fact that I root for the Warriors as my secondary/local team, I want Durant to leave, too. The league is better when there is more parity and more teams that have a legit shot at the title. If Durant leaves, you have at least 3-4 teams in each conference that could say they have a chance:
East:
Raptors
Bucks
76ers
Celtics
maybe: wherever Durant goes? Brooklyn?
That's a pretty fun field of teams to battle it out in the playoffs for a few years to come.
Agreed. Someday the Suns may be in there.
"There are 3 rules I live by: never get less than 12 hours sleep, never play cards with a guy with the same first name as a city & never get involved with a woman with a tattoo of a dagger on her body. Everything else is cream cheese."
If he's hurt, he's hurt. I wouldn't want the guy to reinjure himself by rushing back. Too many guys have done that and damaged their careers; the example I always think of is Brandon Roy, who came back to have a heroic 1st round series against the Suns but ruined his knees and was never the same afterward. Tragic.
Warriors win tonight thanks to a big third quarter. Klay played great and DeMarcus Cousins have them big minutes. Thompson left the game with a sore hamstring; hope he is okay. Curry seemed ill and had a modest first half; not sure what was ailing him.
I still think the Warriors take this series in 6. They win both of games 3-4 at Oracle Arena, then lose Game 5 in Toronto, then close it out in Game 6 at home.
I thought the Cousins made a big difference with his physicality. He effectively ended the Raptors run in the second quarter when he got calls on 3 possessions in a row. After that the Raps cooled off a lot and couldn't make the shots they needed to.
The league needs heroes, villains... and clowns. -- Aztec Sunsfan
Feh. It was more fun to watch him limp off the court.
Yeah, I know, I’m a horrible person.
“Are you crazy?! You think I’m going to go for seven years and try to get there? You enjoy the 2030 draft picks that we have holding? I want to try to see the game today.” — Ish 3/13/25
It was kind of embarrassing that he hurt himself kicking out his legs wildly in an effort to draw a foul. The Harden-ification of the NBA continues.
Good. I'm glad and I hope more players that attempt that joke of a move injure themselves. Only way it will stop, because the league isn't doing anything about it.
Feh. It was more fun to watch him limp off the court.
Yeah, I know, I’m a horrible person.
Normally I won’t enjoy people getting injured, but the reason he got hurt make it worth of it, I hate stuff like this, like flooping for offensive fouls or soccer players diving for a call.
Aztec Sunsfan wrote:
Normally I won’t enjoy people getting injured, but the reason he got hurt make it worth of it, I hate stuff like this, like flooping for offensive fouls or soccer players diving for a call.
I hadn't seen it but he definitely deserves what he got. Foolish.
