BY BOBBY MOTUS
FOR THE first time in its franchise history, the Toronto Raptors became the Eastern Conference’s top seed.
But for the third consecutive post season, they were scourged on the floor by their favourite crucifier, the Cleveland Cavaliers led by their chief torturer LeBron James and his centurions.
Games 1 and 3 were classic battles but LBJ was in his usual groove – delivering from anywhere from the outside or bulldozing his way inside.
There was ample help from his support crew the other day that he was happily prancing on the sidelines for most part of the fourth quarter, content seeing his shock troopers add more suffering to the already tormented Raptors that they all seemed like the purple and green Barney.
Cleveland advances to their fourth straight EC Finals and will wait for the winner of the Boston-Philadelphia series.
The Celtics have a 3-1 edge over the Sixers and are still playing as of this writing. Never was there any playoff team holding a 3-0 series lead ever been eliminated. I don’t think the Sixers can win three games in a row.
Brad Stevens has a high coaching IQ that he had made it this far without superstars Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. Boston is destined to battle Cleveland for the second year in a row for the conference crown and probably the men in green will lose in six games.
I like the Celtics to advance to the Finals but they would be manhandled by either Houston or Golden State. The Cavs will give the Western finalist a decent battle.
Let’s go back to LeBron. In 10 playoff games, he almost averaged a triple double with 37.7 points, 9.9 assists and 10.3 rebounds. He will be 34 by December and basketball players at this age had already reached their peak and are slowly fading. I cannot say the same with this specie. At 6-8 and more than 250 pounds, LBJ is built like a football linebacker and is quick, considering his size. Only a few players would dare sacrifice their bodies to stop a rampaging No. 23.
If Cleveland disposes of Boston, it will be the Cavaliers’ fifth consecutive trip to the NBA Finals and LeBron’s eighth straight Finals appearance.
On the Western front, Houston and Golden State will battle for the conference title. The 33-year old Chris Paul led the way for the Rockets and he will be in his first ever conference Finals.
If only Utah had Ricky Rubio and a man in the middle with the talents of either DeAndre Jordan, Al Horford or LaMarcus Aldridge or maybe a Robin Lopez instead of the butterfingered and erratic Rudy Gobert, the Jazz would have a strong chance of beating Houston. The Rockets’ second year pro Clint Capella is running rings around Gobert.
Size-wise, both teams are about even but without Rubio and Dante Exum, their backcourt is over-matched with CP3, James Harden, Eric Gordon and Gerald Green all healthy.
The Jazz made do with a backcourt dependent on rookie Donovan Mitchell but he’s not exactly a point but a 2-guard. Raul Neto and David Stockton simply don’t have the experience to orchestrate plays.
Golden State is the only NBA team that doesn’t need a coach. Steve Kerr is there probably just to keep order on the hardcourt. No other team in the league can compete with their “Death Lineup.”
Exactly how can you deal with a potently “small” starting unit of Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, Stephen Curry, Andre Igoudala ,and KlayThompson?
Things would have been better for the Pelicans had DeMarcus Cousins been available to help Anthony Davis and Nikola Mirotic. DMC and Dray would have vied for the most number of technical fouls received during playoffs.
Yes, Rajon Rondo has the veteran savvy but New Orleans just lack the material to go up against the Warriors. Jrue Holiday is good but Shaun Livingston will apply his seniority on him. Emeka Okafor is a legit center but that he was some 10 years ago and he’s being outplayed by JaVale McGee and Zaza Pachulia.
The Rockets and Warriors battle for the WC title with Golden State a heavy favourite winning the series, and a fourth straight Finals battle with Bron and his Cavaliers./PN
