First of all, SU says that no play at the end of the game ever determines the game. Games in all sports are made up of many, many plays and too often the focus is all on one play at the end. Secondly, we all know that JR Smith is a bit of a knucklehead. Always has been. It’s why you can’t count on him as your 2nd best player. Or your 3rd best player.
SU says the big play last night was the reversed call on the Durant drive with 35 seconds left in the game. I do not understand this rule. I do get it that the refs can review a play under the basket if the call was close to the restricted area to see if the player was actually in that area on a charge/blocking type of foul call. However, in this case, LeBron was clearly outside of the restricted area – not even close. As SU understands it, if the play is well outside the area, then you don’t review it. A regular foul call is not reviewable.
Truth be told, yes, it was a blocking call – the reversal was correct. However, SU says the call should never have been reviewed. There are so many bad calls in every game – it’s the nature of the NBA. The plays happen so fast and it’s impossible to get every one right. The hope is that on balance, the calls even out at the end of the game. I don’t think it’s fair that you can review that play to see if the player is in the restricted area and then once it’s under review, you can actually reverse the call. That is not the case with other calls.
That was a bigger play in this game than JR Smith’s bonehead move at the end. Even if Hill makes that 2nd foul shot, there were still 4.7 seconds left and Golden State would get the ball at half court. You have to feel they had a good shot at winning the game there. JR blew it but that’s who he is.
The problem for Cleveland is that Kevin Love has to be out there for offense but he is such a liability in this series on defense. Not a good match up for the Cavs but he is tough to cover on offense. Finally, Draymond Green is an idiot. Let’s face it. He does a lot for that team but in OT, he was basically taunting the Cavs and the refs let him get away with it with no technical. Of course, that leads to the scuffle at the end of the game. This is a guy who cost his team the championship 2 years ago by getting suspended for a game late in the finals. Clearly he has not learned.
SU does not have a major rooting interest in the series but there is no need for that type of behavior. His teammates certainly don’t act that way. You can be an emotional leader without being an idiot.
OK, that is my rant for the morning. Thoughts?
Sports Update Intergalactic 
While the reversal mattered as you say, the cavs had a foul shot to take the lead. And then smith got the rebound. So they overcame the bad good call and still lost! Wish they could now use replay to suspend Green for game 2.
Dave, the NBA League Office will review those incidents at the end. The problem is that they may end up suspending Thompson although that was a phantom elbow there on Livingston. I did not see that at all. Hill is a veteran and he really short armed that 2nd foul shot. I also think Kyle Korver needs more playing time. You need guys in there who can make shots. LeBron benefits from an extra day off but the games are too high scoring for him to win this on his own.
I originally thought the Cavs would win this series and after last night I think they get swept.
I agree with all of what you said. So the question of the day now is will Cleveland feel motivated enough now that they know they can keep up with these guys or because Durant played well below average offensively yesterday that he gets back on track and puts Golden State in the driver’s seat. The Cavs could have made this a series if they had won. Now, Game 2 becomes a must if they are to avoid being swept. I really hope Cleveland can make this a series. I am rooting for LaBron.
With all these games suspended for the Yankees and have now played 5 less games than Boston, this is going to put a big toll on our bullpen. With Warren coming back that will help, but still the strain will exist. Jacob Degrom would be a perfect fit for us and the Mets depleted farm system can use 3 good players from us…. Can the Mets put their ego’s aside and pull the trigger?
JR Smith goes down in history with Chris Webber for making the biggest bonehead play in basketball history. (Sorry to bring up such a awful memory for you Michigan fans) I felt a true sadness for Lebron James last night. He is one of the greatest athletes of all time in any sport and he carried this underdog team on his broad shoulders to the brink of a huge upset victory. What a shame. I doubt Cleveland will ever have another chance to come so close to a championship. My guess is La La Land awaits for chapter 4 of the Lebron legend.
There is no way the Mets are trading DeGrom to the Yankees. It is always fun to speculate on a package of prospects though! How’s about Fraizer, Montgomery, Andujar and Shefield? Through in Austin too and we will give you back Hansel Robels to help out in the Bullpen 😉