Is it good for basketball to see Golden State playing Cleveland in the finals for the 4th year in a row?  SU has no love for Houston and their isolation style of basketball.  On the other hand, if Chris Paul does not get hurt, I have to believe that Houston wins game 7.  Golden State was in disarray in the 1st half with sloppy turnovers, poor defense and Draymond Green screaming at Durant during breaks in the action.  Of course, they own the 3rd quarter and once they started running the offense through Steph Curry, momentum shifted.

This is Steph Curry’s team.  Durant is a force and he (finally) got it going in the 4th quarter as Houston just couldn’t make a shot in the 2nd half.  SU believes, more than ever, that he opts out after this season.  Let’s say they win the championship and they are huge favorites to beat the Cavs.  SU says the reality is that they are an all-star team and anything short of winning it all is a failure – despite any injuries.  At some point, what fun is that and what does that say about you and your legacy?  Go somewhere else and win it all.  It’s not good for the NBA to have Golden State winning the championship every year with a line up of superstars.

In the East, LeBron James has shown what a great player he is by taking a roster of under-performers to the finals.  He deserves to be in the same conversation with Jordan now for GOAT.  Durant is not in that conversation and won’t be as long as he stays with the Warriors.  If Kevin Love can return the Cavs have a puncher’s chance but if not, there is just no way.  The fast pace that Golden State plays will wear LeBron down.

SU gets the strategy of throwing up 3-pointers in high volume and at a fast pace.  But after watching Houston and Boston in game 7, you have to have a plan B that you can fall back on.  At some point it’s just ridiculous.  Even fast breaks end up with a 3-pointer from the corner when a dunk or lay-up is there for the taking.  And let’s face it: the college game is not producing enough shooters for every team to play that style.  The pure shooters are not making it to the NBA.

Greg Bird is back and looking good.  With Didi’s slump, Bird is going to be moved up to the heart of the line-up right away.  Did you see Boone bench Stanton vs. Verlander yesterday?  Was it just a day off?  SU says if you are a true superstar, you play and you produce against the elite pitchers.  After taking the golden sombrero on Sunday, he got the day off but watch tonight vs. Charlie Morton.  He is over matched with that closed batting stance.  Another 0 for 4 on the way.