2019 NBA Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. Toronto Raptors

Raptors are deeper and have more talent than us across the board, that’s just a fact. That defense was just beautiful to watch. Those guys are smart, committed and double teamed timely on several occasions so Curry wouldn’t get any room.

Their 1-on-1 defense actually already was enough at times to force them into a bad pass, holding the ball and just not getting into any rhythm. We have not managed to do that at all this year, maybe last year but I don’t think I’ve seen any team put the clamps on them like the Raptors did.

Gasol was very key, but length in general of Siakam and Gasol / Ibaka makes them stand head and shoulders above our front court and the Warriors too. Durant is out, yes, but the Warriors are more dangerous without him.

Our style is just not working as well as the Raptors either. They were at their worst when watching Kawhi or another guard to just make a play. Raptors run, go quick into a set, pass just enough to keep the defense on their toes and forced switches for Siakam in particular.

Raptors have a real shot and I honestly think we would not have even beaten them if we had made the finals. Also because they have a great crowd and Nurse who calls timeouts beautifully. Even when they were up!

Raptors in 6/7 still.

 

Kawhi got carried last night.

But ESPN said he is the reason they won

 

If the Raptors pull off a win in Game 2, they have a real chance of winning it all.

 

The Warriors tilted their defense towards him, he didn’t force bad shots or dominate the ball, and he allowed his open teammates to take advantage of the Warriors lack of defensive focus on them.

He is a reason they won, not the reason.

 

all they would be doing is holding homecourt, we just witnessed what the bucks did. once kd returns in game 2 or 3, everything will change. but the raps do need to take advantage every chance they get without kd playing for sure

 

If they do go up 2-0, then they have a chance at grabbing one away game.

 

sure there was always a chance considering the question marks right now

 

True, but he will have to play better in Game 2, Siakim can't go for 30 plus consistently. Lowry has to have a big game too. Ibaka will have to step up as well. Gasol's big game came as a pleasant surprise to me. I thought he would be too slow against GS. Vanvlett did a great job.

 

Let's see if Nick Nurse will use the same strategy in game 2, would be very gutsy move to go run at them like they did in game 1. Warriors came in with not having played in 9 days so it might have been just for that reason to run at them.

 

Adam Silver pulling too many anti-Harden strings coming back to haunt him

 

That's sad and shows that the media are at fault, they are pushing for players and not teams. Stop forcing Lebron in particular, but also KD and Laker, Knicks, Clippers, Warriors drama down our throats. People are fed up with 5 straight finals of the same team and actually don't know the Raptors and that's on the media. They don't know **** about hyping up a team that's been good all year.

 

This. The NBA has become a soap opera. It's barely about basketball anymore...

 

The Raptors have a chance to win a game in Oracle whether the series is 1-1 or 2-0. They are very good offensively and defensively and have the defenders, athleticism, and length to cause problems for the Warriors. What they did last night was no fluke.

This is a much stiffer test for Golden State than LeBron’s Cavs, who tried to outscore one of the best offensive teams of all time.

 

They can’t include Canadian viewership because of the different networks showing the game meaning ABC can only rate US audiences

Sorry to kill the narrative

 

This year, the Clippers took them as far as the Rockets did. Prior to that, OKC took a 3-1 lead, and Cleveland actually beat them.

 

LeBron effect

 

Let him have it.

I had faith in Morey and the Rockets but I won't go as far to say that we are the 2nd best team every year.

I have too much respect for other very good teams. Rockets always had problems playing Toronto as well.

 

This.