[From the class of 09]

I'm not sure how we don't have a thread on the finals, but it was a much better series than I thought. I loved seeing Steph and GS get it done but man James is good. Really really good.

[thepostman]

because everybody here hates the NBA. I enjoyed it for the most part but am not a fan of the iso offense that the CAVS were forced to run. If that had been a full strength cavs team it would've been much more enjoyable.

[Purple Haize]

My respect level for James went up this season. I think he is playing a more natural role. I don't see why he can't average a triple double or close to it for a season. When he did it in the Finals the Cavs were competitive and/or won. Of course JR Smith and Shumpert were mill stones around his neck
My biggest issue with him is that it is glaringly obvious he has difficulty finishing going left. It was funny to watch him time and again go left and miss over and over.

[thepostman]

I agree with you there haize. I did not believe LeBron had it in him to preform the way he did during this series and really the entire playoff run. He is by far the greatest player in the league right now. I am not a fan of his but anybody who says anything different is allowing their personal feelings get in the way.

[Cider Jim]

How in God's green earth does LeBron NOT get MVP of the Finals??? That was probably the best single person Finals performance of all time.

Everyone says that the MVP must come from the winning team, but I'm not sure I buy that.

[thepostman]

Can you imagine how much more that would sting for the Cavs though? Thinking, "we have the finals MVP and still couldn't win".

I do agree he was clearly the finals MVP

[TIMSCAR20]

Can you imagine how much more that would sting for the Cavs though? Thinking, "we have the finals MVP and still couldn't win".

I do agree he was clearly the finals MVP

How Valuable was he if he didn't win the most valued thing? I agree that he was amazing. Giving the MVP to a guy on the losing team is an oxymoron to me. Now if they say he is the Most Outstanding Player then I buy that.

Happy for Steph Curry and the Curry family though. Steph is simply an amazing story.

[thepostman]

In most cases I would agree with you Scar, but the only reason why this series was even a somewhat competitive series was because of LeBron. There are exceptions to every rule and LeBron in this series, in my opinion, is that exception.

I am happy for the Warriors and that team. A collection of some really good guys and despite what some may say I think they were the best team regardless if the Cavs were full strength.

[ATrain]

In most cases I would agree with you Scar, but the only reason why this series was even a somewhat competitive series was because of LeBron. There are exceptions to every rule and LeBron in this series, in my opinion, is that exception.

I am happy for the Warriors and that team. A collection of some really good guys and despite what some may say I think they were the best team regardless if the Cavs were full strength.

Would Golden State have been able to win, though, if it weren't for Steph Curry? LeBron even admitted that Steph was the best shooter in the league.

[ballcoach15]

I am glad Warriors won, but even more glad Clevland lost.

[From the class of 09]

In most cases I would agree with you Scar, but the only reason why this series was even a somewhat competitive series was because of LeBron. There are exceptions to every rule and LeBron in this series, in my opinion, is that exception.

I am happy for the Warriors and that team. A collection of some really good guys and despite what some may say I think they were the best team regardless if the Cavs were full strength.

Would Golden State have been able to win, though, if it weren't for Steph Curry? LeBron even admitted that Steph was the best shooter in the league.

Steph wasn't the MVP

[thepostman]

Steph had some off games and the Warriors still won or came close in those games. If LeBron had a bad game the Cavs are blown out.

I understand the argument against giving LeBron the finals MVP. I just don't agree in this instance.

[flameshaw]

"I am the greatest player in the world". Not an NBA fan.

[thepostman]

then why post in this thread? most of this board hates the NBA. give the few of us that enjoy it our place to discus.

[adam42381]

"I am the greatest player in the world". Not an NBA fan.

He's right. Maybe he shouldn't have said it aloud, but he's right.

[From the class of 09]

"I am the greatest player in the world". Not an NBA fan.

He's right. Maybe he shouldn't have said it aloud, but he's right.

This.

I have no problem with someone talking ish when its true. Its another thing entirely when someone like Paul Pierce makes the a comment like that.

[bluejacket]

How Valuable was he if he didn't win the most valued thing? I agree that he was amazing. Giving the MVP to a guy on the losing team is an oxymoron to me.

Agreed.

[bluejacket]

My respect level for James went up this season. I think he is playing a more natural role. I don't see why he can't average a triple double or close to it for a season.

There was a point in LeBron's career where I thought that he could average a triple double for a season, but not now.

[JK37]

"I am the greatest player in the world". Not an NBA fan.

I don't watch a lot of the NBA, but I can't help but be aware of it. How can we vilify James for not stepping up early in his career, decrying his lack of a killer instinct and his inclinations to pass off in the clutch...and then treat him the same once he finally steps up at the right time?

I have no problem giving an award for the most VALUABLE player to the player most valuable to his team. Win or lose. The outcome of the contest is only indirectly related to the individual exploits noted with such an award.

James is the best player in the world... by FAR! The scary part is there are holes in his game, many noted here in this thread, and he has a couple years left to bring those around.

I believe the pursuit of a championship for Cleveland is personal for James. I really do. And I believe that, combined with the loss Love and Irving, caused James to take his game to elevate his game to a level maybe he didn't even know he had. I've never seen him play or lead harder. Beyond the fact he deserved the MVP, I think James learned a lot about himself this series. He wouldn't have produced the same way had Love/Irving been on the floor, and I don't think he would've played as hard.

[bluejacket]

James is the best player in the world... by FAR! The scary part is there are holes in his game, many noted here in this thread, and he has a couple years left to bring those around.

Is he the best player? Yeah. By far? No.

[RubberMallet]

how far and away is certainly debatable but he's certainly by a good stretch the best. his performance in these finals was as historical as the GS run this year.

the Cav's will rule the east for the next handful of years. he'll get them that ring. now that he will be able to cherry pick everything unlike his last stint in that awful city.

And lebron will rule the nba years after hes off the court. that is where he'll surpass jordan. he understands the business far more than any other player i've ever seen.

btw, that was the worst supporting cast to make the finals possibly ever. the only other one i can really think of? the other cleveland team that got blown out 4-0.

[alabama24]

I won't care about the NBA until the Sonics come back home.

Can you imagine how much more that would sting for the Cavs though? Thinking, "we have the finals MVP and still couldn't win".

I do agree he was clearly the finals MVP

How Valuable was he if he didn't win the most valued thing? I agree that he was amazing. Giving the MVP to a guy on the losing team is an oxymoron to me. Now if they say he is the Most Outstanding Player then I buy that.

...so you are saying he can be a MOP but not MVP? I don't think I follow. lol

[Yacht Rock]

I won't care about the NBA until the Sonics come back home.

After the shenanigans Seattle tried with Sacramento I'm happy for them to go without a team for several more years. After crying fowl at the OKC deal for years they became opportunists very quickly when given the chance.

[alabama24]

Au contraire mon frere!

Seattle had no "shenanigans" with Sacramento. The team was potentially up for sale and the buyers were upfront about their desire to move the team. Not the same thing as promising to keep the team in the city while making back room deals with the commish to move the team anyway.

[bluejacket]

the Cav's will rule the east for the next handful of years. he'll get them that ring. now that he will be able to cherry pick everything unlike his last stint in that awful city.

Maybe Cleveland will be the top team in the East for years. That depends on what happens during the next few weeks. LeBron is going to opt-out of his contract this summer (and I think that he will stay). Regardless of what he does, LeBron will be fine. However, the Cleveland Cavaliers might not be in the best situation going forward because of pressures that LeBron will exert and the actions that he could take.

And lebron will rule the nba years after hes off the court. that is where he'll surpass jordan. he understands the business far more than any other player i've ever seen.

I don't know. LeBron clearly has excellent business sense, but Jordan is much bigger. The LeBron brand brings in $300 million in annual sales for Nike. Jordan brings in $2.5 billion.