Celebrating Game 6 of the Finals, My I Told You So Moment, and Some of My Not So Great Predictions

As Steph Curry threw the ball up in the air in the final moments of Game 6, I wasn't thinking about celebrating or having a drink.  I drove straight home and felt relieved.  A relief of being a lifelong fan of many losing seasons.  A relief from watching our star players named Cummings, Mookie, Maggette, and Hughes lead the team to continuous losing records.   A relief from the Chris Cohan era. A relief that I'll finally see a Warriors championship in my lifetime.

But most importantly, a relief that my prediction to win it all this season came true (dating back to last October):

 http://mikebtang.blogspot.com/2014/10/gs-warriors-14-15-current-core-pressure.html

I heard a lot of  doubters throughout the season.  "Jump shooting teams can't win in the playoffs.  Teams can't play at this pace and win.  We're too small to compete with the Spurs, Grizzlies, Cavs, and Clippers.   It's over after Game 3 of the Finals."

The NBA has changed.  Centers are becoming obsolete to becoming non-factors.  If you're between 6'2" - 6'8", and can shoot, defend the 3, and rebound- you have incredible value in this league.

And that is what these Warriors have shown:  They shoot the 3 and defend the 3 better than anybody else.  No one has caught up with them just yet.

I predicted the Warriors to win the Finals prior to this season, and I see them having a similar run to the Giants (winners of 3 out of 5 years).  This core will remain the same.  Draymond Green will most likely receive an extension, Curry is only 27, and Thompson/Bogut will be here for a little while longer.

As much as I can take credit for this year's prediction.  There were some that didn't come to fruition which include the following:

- Jose Cruz Jr.  40 HRs/40 SBs club (2003)
- Frank Gore : 2,000 yards rushing (2005)
- Mike Dunleavy: All Star (2005/2006)
- San Francisco 49ers:  Super Bowl Champs (2012)

So, I have been wrong many times in the past.

I'm just glad I got this one right.

Enjoy the Parade everyone.  It's been a long time coming.

5 Ways to Immediately Stop Lebron James Tonight and for the Rest of this Series

Lebron James is currently the best player in the world  It's been engraved into our heads time and time again from Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy and ABC.  The Finals have left no question on why Lebron is who he is.

Will Steve Kerr and Warriors coaching staff look to make adjustments after two games at home?  Or will they stick with the same strategy of allowing LBJ to have his?  The Dubs could be down 0-2 right now, but they're not.

Again as we all know, Lebron is great..

But he can be stopped.  Here are 5 quick ways to stop Lebron James tonight and for the rest of the Finals.

Strategy #1: Half Court Trap

Pros:
- Speed up the pace of the game to a faster style of play
- Prohibits Lebron to walk up the court
- Allow the more inferior offensive players to handle the ball

Cons:
- More open shots for the Cavs
- More 3 on 2 and 2 on 1 opportunities in the open court

Strategy #2: Double team early and often

Pros:
- Gets the ball out of The King's hands
- Tougher time for the Cavs to set up their isolation offense

Cons:
- Lebron has the vision to find open shooters
- JR Smith, Mike Miller, and James Jones can shoot lights out


Strategy #3: Front Lebron early and backside help immediately

Pros:
- Get Bogut, Ezelli, and Green more involved
- Make Lebron earn his points at the line

Cons:
- Foul trouble can occur


Strategy #4: Draymond Green on Lebron James

Pros:
- Bulkier body on Lebron.  Too often, Lebron backs his way into the basket and can dribble once or twice before getting a good shot in the paint.  That has to be stopped.

Cons:
- What you gain in strength, you lose in quickness as Green has less lateral foot speed than Iguodala and Barnes.


Strategy #5:  Stick with the same game plan and pray

Pros:
- Theory that Lebron can not keep up these numbers and pace
- 40+ minutes a game will wear LBJ down
- Faith in Barnes to start the game and Iguodala in crunch time minutes

Cons:
- Lebron has the ability to sustain this energy level and success