So who's going to defend all of the best guards now with Klay out? Can't wait to see how much Klay's injury exposes Curry and how teams go about taking advantage of him. Klay is a legend. Walking back out with the torn ACL solidified that.
They also beat a Sixers team with 4 all stars and won 4 straight vs the soon to be MVP and best team in the NBA all season. Houston was supposed to be Golden State's biggest threat and they went 0-2 vs the Warriors without KD. An impressive feat for Toronto no matter the injuries. For most of the series, GS still had the core players that brought them their first title and a 73 win season. If Kawhi stays, who is favored over Toronto next season?
OK, but he's no Clarkson. Clarkson's career high is 42 points in a triple overtime game in his 6th season. Kuz scored 41pts through 3 quarters and almost did it a 2nd time as a soph. I know they're both gunners, but there's levels to gunners. Antawn Jamison was a gunner. That's who Kuz compares favorably to. Kuz is gonna drop 50+ a few times and do 40 far more than Clarkson. It was definitely funny seeing Clarkson tweet " pack your bags " to Kuz though. Kuz's response should've been " for what? USA team camp? "
They barely beat a Sixers team that's most reliable player was traded there this season..that has 2 stars that are inexperienced, 1 of them constantly hurt and the other can't shoot. And of course, Giannis is inexperienced as well..his cast as well for the most part, why I can't understand people thinking they could win their 1st championship in a season where they also won their very 1st series and got out of the 1st round. If Kawhi stays who's favored over Toronto? Right now, Kawhi not having left, the Warriors are the current favorite with the Lakers in 2nd. Look it up. They're already out. Vegas doesn't give a damn about this flukey Raptor run.
Adrian Wojnarowski@wojespn ESPN Sources: The Washington Wizards are preparing to make a prolific offer to Toronto's championship architect Masai Ujiri -- as much as $10M annually -- to run its basketball operations. ..All Jeanie had to do is put her money where her mouth is like DC is doing. At least try, but we get the Rambis bunch instead. Better land AD and sign a max guy in FA. No excuses.
My mistake. Newly updated odds as of an hour or so ago.. Darren Rovell@darrenrovell The Lakers are now the favorite to win the next NBA championship Jeff Sherman@golfodds 2019-20 NBA Championship winner updated LAL 9/2 Mil,LAC 6/1 Hou 8/1 Tor 10/1 Bos, Phi 12/1 GS 14/1 Den, OKC 16/1 NY 20/1 Bkn, Utah, Por 25/1 Dal 40/1 SA 50/1 Ind, Orl, NO 60/1 Atl, Mem 80/1 Chi, Sac, Phx 100/1 Det, Cha, Mia, Wsh, Cle, Min 200/1
Those Vegas odds also have the Clippers ahead of Toronto. Hard to imagine they're not factoring in Kawhi leaving Toronto. Golden State will be without KD and will be without Klay for most if not all the season. With a healthy Klay, they already had their hands full with Toronto. We know what we have in Toronto if they resign Kawhi. All the other stuff relies on what if scenarios that may never come to fruition and those Lakers odds clearly factor in them getting AD + another star or else they make no sense. The Bucks started the postseason 10-1 and won 8/10 of those games by double digits. They were on as dominant a run as recent memory before Toronto reeled off 4 in a row. Experienced or not, that's an impressive feat. If you can ball, you can ball. Not worried about experience. I don't care that AD only has 1 playoff series win in 7 years, we all know he's a matchup nightmare for practically everyone.
@FlyByKnite Stephen Curry is now 2-for-20 in his postseason career on shots to take the lead in the final 2 minutes of the fourth quarter and overtime. What a stat.
@kylekuzma This was karma from the spurs series when kawhi got hurt vs the warriors. Sucks to say. Smh. Have fun in New Orleans.
Yes, that was an impressive run by the Bucks to begin the playoffs, but they were still inexperienced and playing past the 1st round for the 1st time. Check the history of the league..teams that get put together and win their very 1st series together in the same year that they win a championship..those teams all have multiple hall of famers. Magic/Kareem/Wilkes, Garnett/Pierce/Allen, etc. To say you're not worried about experience in the playoffs, that's ridiculous. Utterly. Even if Kawhi stays, don't expect to see the Raptors as faves. As great as Kawhi is, he sits 15-20 games a year and is still ailing come playoff time. They got all the breaks they needed this year.
To the AD point..if he joins LeBron, that's 2 hall of famers. And AD does have playoff experience, has already won a playoff series, did so before Giannis..swept Portland. I wouldn't slam the door shut on AD/LeBron/3rd star winning it all next year because maybe their top competition would be Denver..another team building experience together.
Ralph Mason@Ralph_MasonJr 21m The Los Angeles Lakers have genuine interest in acquiring Butler, sources said
I don't think it means they won't. They both fit the defensive oriented profile of players Vogel works best with. 2-way guys should get 1st dibs. Then move to Kyrie, Kemba, etc.
I think Leonard knows what hes gonna do. I doubt he does the whole tour thing. So we should know right away, so we can go after Butler. Personally I dont think Kawhi will come here now. Unfortunately I think the clippers have a better chance acquiring him. I just dont see him wanting to be a part of this circus. Hope im wrong. But it wont matter. If we trade for AD and sign Butler we will be a definite title contender next year.
hard to imagine Kawhi leaving that team now they have the beginnings of the next super team and that city loves them sort of reminds me of the crowds the Warriors drew in the early days of rabid fans just sans class
