NBA Finals 2018 – Game 4: REVIEW

Game 4 of the NBA Finals 2018 have come and gone and just like that, it marked the end of the 2017/18 season with the Golden State Warriors sweeping their way to the championship and left the fans of Cleveland Cavaliers heartbroken and questioning themselves as to what will happen next?

And funny enough, we feel the same way but we do know what went down in this epic finale

The Warriors Reign Over The Land

IMAGE CREDIT: USA TODAY SPORTS

In 2015, the Warriors took their first (third overall) championship in front of the Cleveland faithful which at that time, didn’t sting for anyone. It was just a simple duel between two very good teams who had earn the respect of many fans and critics alike. Fast forward to now, the encounters between these teams have always left us wondering and questioning who really wants it more because every battle between these teams had “intensive personal clashes” written all over it. And Game 4 had just showed that the Warriors were always the better team. During the game, they had already won the game by the first half and there was really nothing the Cavs could do by the second half due to the impressive plays the Warriors displayed with AND without the ball. By the last five minutes of the game it was already seen that the Warriors had swept the Cavs in spectacular fashion.

The King’s Last Dance In Cleveland

IMAGE CREDIT: SPORTINGNEWS.COM

When LeBron James made his return to the Cavs, he promised the Cleveland faithful a championship to which he did deliever. So there wasn’t much for Bron to do when he already delievered his promise but we all knew that LeBron had to keep on pushing the Cavaliers to the GREAT status similar to Warriors. And let’s not take anything away from what Bron has done for the Cavs but watching this current Cavs team flop in The Finals had just confirmed what many feared. That this would be LeBron’s last game in the Cavs uniform. Bron tried his hardest with him driving the Cavs into the game and scoring 23 points, dishing out 8 assists and taking 7 rebounds yet his hard efforts was simply a tickle to what the Warriors offloaded to the Cavs. And at the end of the game, LeBron congratulated the Warriors and left the court in a standing ovation. A beautiful way for the King to take his last “bow” at the Quicken Loans Arena as a Cavalier.

KD Goes Back 2 Back

IMAGE CREDIT: USA TODAY SPORTS

Yes, we predicted for Stephen Curry to take the Finals MVP and we were wrong as Kevin Durant, The Slim Reaper had taken the award once again and once again claiming souls in Cleveland. And he really deserved it because he went completley ballistic in this game, with him recording a triple-double as he had 20 points, 10 assists and 12 rebounds. So it makes sense for him to be awarded The Finals MVP again and it really showed just how good KD is especially when he going up against the best player in the world.

Three Rings For The Greatest Three Point Shooter

IMAGE CREDIT: SI.COM

Before coming to the NBA, Stephen Curry was slept on and counted out to be a NBA player. Today, he has the last laugh (again) as the man finally has three rings to his name (and fingers) and funny enough it only took him four Finals apperances to have three rings and compared to another three ringed superstar who had nine Finals appearances, it’s amazing how Stephen Curry has become…GREAT. And Game 4 was no ordinary game as he lead all scorers from both teams with 37 points. You can imagine what a big deal Game 4 was to him because he had an awful Game 3 which costed him winning The Finals MVP. But the Chef was truly switched on and is livid that he is a three-time champion.

The End of An Era

IMAGE CREDIT: CAVSNATION.COM

Game 4 not only had many of us in tears of laughter and heartbreak but it had us realizing that this was the end of the Warriors-Cavaliers rivalry. And you have to be blind sided to even appreciate the fact that this rivalry has given us four years of fantastic basketball all the way from Steph’s shake and bake three to the LeBron Block to Iguodala to the Kyrie Clutch Shot and to KD’s shot over LeBron. These teams have given us entertaining basketball in an elite level at which we won’t see in the next five to ten years. So it only feels right to thank these two teams for giving us one of the greatest Finals saga in the history of basketball.

And there you have it, Game 4 amd the NBA Finals in a bombshell. Also the whole NBA season being closed in a wonderful manner as we’ll now have to wait until October to open a newer and hopefully better NBA season.

 

NBA Finals 2018 – Game 4: PREVIEW

One bad thing about the NBA Finals is that it’s the conclusion of the NBA season. Then we have to wait for another four months for the start of the new season. But let’s stay in the present and enjoy everything the NBA Finals is giving us right now.

Tonight’s Game 4 could possibly be the end of the series could sweep the Cavs to take the NBA title for a third time in four years but then LeBron and the Cavs might just be able to force a Game 5. Here’s why…

The King Shall Break Thy Broom

IMAGE CREDIT: NBA.COM

ESPN First Take analyst Stephen A Smith has stated that the Warriors are hell-bent on sweeping the Cavs in tonight’s game simply because of LeBron James. But as a basketball fan you have to question yourself and think about this; would LeBron really end his 15th season in the NBA being swept? And quite frankly we don’t believe LeBron will allow the Warriors to actually walk in the Quicken Loans Arena to sweep him and the Cavs. Plus the last time LeBron got swept was in 2007 so you can imagine how the King will put all the stops to have one swept record instead of two.

Warriors Will Want To Bring The Broom

IMAGE CREDIT: FORBES.COM

As stated earlier, the Warriors are hell bent on sweeping the Cavs tonight and you can imagine why; LeBron & the allusive championship that will show a clear indication that this is truly the Golden State Warriors’ dynasty. So there’s no reason or any need for the Warriors to simply slow down in tonight’s game just to win a championship in front of their home fans at the Oracle…they’ve already done that! Plus this could be the Warriors’ spiteful way of giving LeBron that perfect farewell to the Cleveland Cavaliers; A big fat L and a broomstick.

Who’s The Real Finals MVP?

IMAGE CREDIT: CLUTCHPOINTS.COM

This year’s Finals has the Top Three players in the world on the same court, with the second and third both teaming up to take out the first. But when it comes to these three players, there’s something that makes them stand out from the rest of the players; their MVP calibre. And this year’s Finals has to be the one of the best in terms of the “Race To Finals MVP” with all Top Three players playing in the best way they’re playing at. So it will be pretty difficult to decide who’s really The Finals MVP between LeBron, KD and Steph.

If you’re asking who we think is going to win tonight’s game and who is The Finals MVP, all you need to know is that we are that 1% of the world hoping for a Game 5 but The Finals MVP will stand out in tonight’s Game 4.

Catch Game 4 of The Finals at 03:00 CAT on YouTube and Soweto TV (DStv Channel 251)

NBA Finals 2018 – Game 3: REVIEW

You should really start watching the NBA Finals because watching them is just as good as watching a classic thriller. But no worries, The Baseline is here to keep you up to date with The Finals and what you have to know is that Game 3 was a thriller as it really showed that this was anyone’s game.

Here’s what went down at Game 3

Cleveland Is Reaper’s Land

IMAGE CREDIT: EXPRESS.CO.UK

Many critics have been questioning Kevin Durant’s prescence on the court for Game 1 and 2 as he was “nowhere to be found” even though he scored a decent 29 points and 27 points in respective games. However, the Slim Reaper really did show up in Game 3 as he blazed the Cavs’ defense with his three point shooting as well as his driving to the basket at which all defenders were helpless against him. KD went on to score 43 points and stack 13 rebounds. And ironically enough, he pretty much ended the game in the same fashion he did last year with a three from the exact same spot he shot in last year’s Game 3. Slim Reaper has just owned The Land.

Move Out Of The King’s Way

IMAGE CREDIT: WSBTV.COM

LeBron James is on another level, a new killer instinct zone and most importantly, in the most uncomfortable position because his back is against the wall in front of his Cleveland faithful. And his performance proved that he is nowhere near giving up on the title just yet. Yes, Steve Kerr (Warriors’ Head Coach) may have assigned a few players on LeBron but from watching the game and analyzing every basket that came from LeBron, there’s really no stopping The King especially at home. And on top of that, the man recorded his tenth triple double in The Finals, a new record (currently) with him scoring 33 points, giving away 11 assists and collecting 10 rebounds. If anything, LeBron is truly playing like no other LeBron we’ve seen in years and we believe that this may just be the greatest LeBron James we’ve seen (surpassing 2016 LeBron and 2012 LeBron).

Chef Was A No Show

IMAGE CREDIT: SI.COM

We have high hopes that Stephen Curry will win The Finals MVP because it’s time he wins the award in order for him to truly solidify himself as the world’s third best basketball player (after LeBron and KD). But Game 3 wasn’t Steph’s game…at all. For a player who now owns the record of most three pointers made in The Finals (9), Steph didn’t look like he owned the record but we can’t really blame him because the Cavs set out a hungry and determined defense on him and keep him away from getting hot in the three point zone. But it’s too early to even tell if he can step out of his shooting slump come Game 4 because we know and expect him to step onto to the court, ready to shoot the Cavs out of The Finals and shoot the Warriors into The Promise Land.

Don’t Count The Inconsistent Cavs Out Just Yet

IMAGE CREDIT: FACTORYOFSADNESS.COM

Believe it or not, but we PREDICT a win for the Cavs come Game 4 because looking at how the Cavs started Game 3, they really looked focused and promising to give the Warriors a big fat L with them leading the game by 13 points. Unfortunately, they lost their cool and just let the Warriors’ train trample and shred them to pieces and it didn’t look pretty. Yes, it’s awesome watching KD take over the game but not in a way where the Cavs are in a position to be SWEPT! JR Smith looked amazing in the first half, mainly the first quarter, Tristan Thompson looked like the aggressive and hungry player we’ve all been looking for and Kevin Love surely did look like the long lost help LeBron has been looking for. Yet, it was the Warriors that STOLE the W. We don’t know what switched the Cavs off but they really need to stay on come Game 4 because THEY CAN beat the Warriors (in one game) and they did truly beat the Warriors in the first two quarters. But unfortunately for them, the series is in the Warriors’ complete favour now (sad emoji).

And there you have it, Game 3 in a bombshell. Now we ought to move on to Game 4 which could possibly be the last we see LeBron James in a Cavs uniform and possibly the last we see of the name Cleveland Cavaliers in The Finals.

Game 4 will be played on Saturday morning at 03:00 CAT (GMT +2) on YouTube and Soweto TV (DStv Channel 251)

NBA Finals 2018 – Game 3: PREVIEW

For those who haven’t had a glimpse of the NBA Finals, it’s time you should know that the series is standing at 2-0. For the Cleveland faithful, you probably ignoring the score but for Warriors fans and basketball fans alike, you should know that this series is only about to get hot because anything is still possible.

Just like last year, the Warriors are heading to Cleveland with 2-0 in their favour and they will have to endure a tough two games at Cleveland where the Cavs could possibly tie the series…or force a Game 5…or get themselves swept. Whatever the results, we should hold our horses and just stay tuned to Game 3 and its’ possibilites.

Master-Chef

IMAGE CREDIT: NYPOST.COM

Stephen Curry has been sensational for the past two games, where in Game 1 he was one rebound shy of a triple-double and Game 2 he broke the record for most three’s in a Finals game which was previously held by Ray Allen (who was then regarded as the Greatest Shooter Of All Time). And now Steph leads the Warriors in Game 3 with all the confidence in the world knowing that there’s nobody that can guard him except for LeBron James (provided he leaves KD to the rest of the Cavs). Steph WILL torch the Cavs’ defense with his outragous three pointers and could demoralise their moral heading to Game 4.

A King’s Will

IMAGE CREDIT: WDEF.COM

During the whole postseason, LeBron has played beyond his limit and whenever the Cavs had their backs against the walls at home, the King always showed up. Now seeing how this is The Finals and this could possibly be the last few games we see LeBron in Cavs uniform, it’s expected that LeBron will deliever an incredible GOAT-like performance which could bring the much needed W for the Cavs. LeBron will surely pull all the stops tonight.

Change of Shooter-y

IMAGE CREDIT: BUZZUNITES.TK

Once upon a time, the Cleveland Cavaliers were graceful for their three point shooting just as the Golden State Warriors. But a little shake up in the roster may have ruined all that, therefore making JR Smith their primary shooter. But JR hasn’t showed up all postseason. His shooting efficiency just isn’t as good as it once was and in a series like this one, where shooting is the primary solution of winning the title, you can’t be reliant on a Shooting Guard who’s absent. So it could be time for Tyronne Lue (head coach of the Cavs) to shake things up and start Kyle Korver. Korver could be the catalyst the Cavs so need right now.

Physicality At It’s Finest

IMAGE CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES

One thing we should praise about both teams, is that they have the finest physical players any head coach could rely on. And in this case, we should be seeing what could be a battle of rebounding dominance between the post players of both teams mainly Tristan Thompson (Cavs) and Draymond Green (Warriors). Both men were in a brief dispute at the end of Game 1 and it will only make sense for both men to go completely all out as both teams will be grinding for that sweet victory that woll determine the course of the rest of the NBA Finals.

So whether you think the outcome of The Finals will be one sided, it’s best you watch Game 3 as this will surely be an entertaining game of basketball…yes…AT ITS’ FINEST

Catch the NBA Finals Game 3 tonight at 03:00 CAT on YouTube and Soweto TV (DStv Channel 251)

What to Expect This Month: June

June is here and that can only mean one thing…the NBA is coming to an end. But you should not worry as basketball is still progressing through the whole month of June. Here’s what to expect this month.

NBA Finals 2018

IMAGE CREDIT: ESPN.COM

The NBA Finals is already here and if you’ve been paying attention to The Baseline, we are covering The Finals in the best way we can. So keep on tuning to The Baseline as we will bring you everything of the NBA Finals on our website as well as our social media pages.

WNBA

IMAGE CREDIT: BLEACHERREPORT.COM

We wouldn’t be The Baseline without that womanly touch and that touch comes from the WNBA! The WNBA has also started but we’re not about to begin full coverage JUST YET but come WNBA Playoffs time, expect us to on everything WNBA from the Washington Mystics to Maya Moore. Ladies, it’s time for you to keep The Baseline on your tab.

Local SA Basketball

IMAGE CREDIT: BABALO HIGA

Basketball in South Africa is still growing but that shouldn’t mean we should ignore the young infant being basketball. June is the beginning of tournaments in the land as we will be heading to various tournaments and giving you every detail of the young talented South African ballers!

NBA Awards

IMAGE CREDIT: SPORT.TVP.PL

With the NBA ending this month, the players that stood out all season long will be rewarded as the NBA Awards will be heading towards our screen and The Baseline will cover it. And we will finally see who the MVP of 2017/18 really is, between LeBron James, Anthony Davis (January #ThisMonthsMVP) and James Harden (May’s #ThisMonthsMVP)

June is a very exciting month for basketball and we will be delighted to bring you everything basketball. ON AND OFF THE COURT.

Good luck to those writing their exams

There will not be a June #ThisMonthsMVP…

NBA Finals 2018: Game 2 PREVIEW

The NBA Finals is here and you have to believe that Game 1 was unbelievably entertaining and you need to understand that the next few games coming up will only keep on getting better and better regardless of who wins the games.

But before we keep on speculating on the possible (14,000,605) outcomes of the NBA Finals, we need to take a look at what’s to come for Game 2

The King’s Cage Has Been Rattled

IMAGE CREDIT: PEOPLE.COM

Game 1 had many of us at the edge of our seats because the Cavs almost stole the game AND LeBron James scored a whopping 51-points (sixth player in NBA history to record 50+ points in The Finals). Just the perfect ingredients to steal the game. But the Cavs left quite the space for unnecessary errors with George Hill missing the much needed game winning free throw and the infamous JR Smith incident where he ran off with the ball thinking they were ahead, not knowing the game was tied. Much can be said about how LeBron felt but we all know that the King was beyond infuriated. With that being said, we can establish that LeBron will head into Game 2 with a much more aggressive approach to head back to Cleveland with the series tied. We should expect another 30+ or 40+ points performance from LeBron.

The Slim Reaper Awakens

IMAGE CREDIT: ONLINEGAMBLING.COM

Despite scoring 29 points in Game 1, Kevin Durant looked awfully absent. It was all thanks to Stephen Curry for keeping the Warriors in the game while the Cavs were close to stealing the win in Oracle. But why consider KD absent when Steph is around? Because KD is the catalyst in this series and the winning factor for the Warriors. See, even without KD, the Warriors do stand a chance at beating LeBron and the Cavs but just a “chance” isn’t good enough especially if you’re hoping to successfully defend your title. And if KD does wake up from his sleeping state? Then it is certain that we will be having a classic duel on the court between two of the best players in basketball. That and also a rout from the Warriors to the Cavs.

More Ref’ing and Less Replay’ing

IMAGE CREDIT: FOXNEWS.COM

The downside of Game 1 wasn’t JR Smith or LeBron’s much seen anger. But it was the officiating of the game. There’s nothing more boring than criticizing an entertaining game because of little error in officiating. Now, we cannot be quick to put the finest NBA referees on the grill but they need to be accurate in their calls for the next upcoming games in The Finals. We really don’t want to look back at the 2018 NBA Finals as the most wrongfully officiated Finals in the history of the game. So Game 2 will have much more spot on accurate calls being made…hopefully

The Easter Egg of the Outcome

IMAGE CREDIT: NBA.COM

The Cleveland Cavaliers are indeed regarded the underdogs of the series as all the odds are bet against them. Meaning, many people have bet for the Cavs to lose. But Game 1 gave us a slight clue as to a possible Game 7 luring in the horizon of the NBA Finals. And Game 2 will give us a possible certain answer as to if the Cavs will really bring the fight to the Golden State Warriors. Should the Warriors win, we should expect a sweep or 4-1/4-2 win for them. If the Cavs win, then we can certainly expect a Game 7 or even a major upset by Game 5.

So do yourself the biggest favour and just watch Game 2 of the NBA Finals because it is for sure that it will be hot and much more entertaining then Game 1.

Catch the NBA Finals on YouTube at 03:00 CAT (GMT +2)

NBA Finals 2018: PREVIEW

The time has arrived! Where all eyes from corners of the basketball world are watching the biggest stage of the whole game of basketball; The NBA Finals. And although the matchup this year isn’t different from what we’ve seen for the past four years, this years matchup could be the final matchup between the titans of the Golden State Warriors and the emphatic Cleveland Cavaliers.

Let’s take a look of what could or will transpire in this year’s Finals

It’s All Bron or Nothing…

IMAGE CREDIT: SI.COM

LeBron James has been destined to carry the role of being The Man of a team since his first day at office in the NBA but this season has highlighted just how of a Carrier of Men LeBron really is. Having very little help from his adequate teammates, there really is no other factor other than LeBron James in the Cleveland Cavaliers. It’s a brutal truth many Cavs fanatics try to avoid but even they know that LeBron is the Cavs’ only chance of grasping one single win in this series and we should expect at least ONE win for the Cavs as there is no way LeBron will allow the Warriors to sweep him and the Cavs. So what we can and should expect is to see LeBron on every single angle and corner of the court in this matchup series.

A Walk In The Park For The Warriors

IMAGE CREDIT: BOSTONHERALD.COM

SPOILER ALERT: The Golden State Warriors WILL win the 2018 NBA Finals. But don’t let this spoil your anticipation for The Finals because we will see the very best from every single player from Stephen Curry down to Nick Young because this will be the very last confirmation that we are living in a Golden State Dynasty, something we’ve all kind of expected. But looking at the roster of the Cavs, we can expect a routing from the Warriors because their only threat to catching or rather stealing a third championship in four years is LeBron Raymone James. And we can all establish that every single game in this series will be decided by either Steph or Kevin Durant or Klay Thompson or Draymond Green or even all four of them all at once, which makes the Warriors’ third championship in four years a walk in the park with no worries of losing or even blowing The Finals away.

It’s KD’s Turn…

IMAGE CREDIT: ZIMBIO.COM

For those living under a rock, it’s important to know that LeBron James is recognized as the world’s best basketball player followed by Kevin Durant and these two stars have had pretty intense battles in the past to determine who really is the best between the two. Now obviously, LeBron is the best but this year’s Finals will only strengthen KD’s case as to why he is the best because it is truly expected that these men will guard each other from the start of the series up to the end of the fourth quarter in the final game of the series so you can imagine just how meaningful this will be for KD. Should KD take one over LeBron, expect mang critics to prasie KD has the best of this game and that’s something we all expect. However…LeBron will always be the GREATER one.

A (Possibly Final) Hoorah For The Battle of The Chef and The King

IMAGE CREDIT: GQ.COM

Since the beginning of this rivalry, back in the 2015 NBA Finals, many saw a battle between the rising star in Stephen Curry and the already established king in LeBron James and that battle has escalated in the next three years because these two men are the faces of basketball globally…yes KD may be recognized as the second best player in the world but Stephen Curry has risen to represent this beautiful game on a highly global scale similar to LeBron. But there’s something about these two players that make this era’s game great and it’s the mere fact that every matchup they’ve had has meant something to either men. Although they are civil off the court towards each other, on the court these men make each better yet they irritate the living play out of each other. We should see this matchup as a possible final hoorah of the battle between the Chef and the King.

A New G.O.A.T

IMAGE CREDIT: CLUTCHPOINTS.COM

Don’t throw the Cavaliers’ chances of winning out the window just yet! Why? Because LeBron James is still relevant in this matchup. That being said, we should all know just how GREAT LeBron is and he can even the chances of the Cavs winning to the chance of the Warriors. And it’s because of that we should all ask; What If The Cavs Win? Well here’s the answer: A New GOAT Upon Us. LeBron will be prasied as the Greatest not because of how he individually managed to pull a major upset(again) but because of how consistent he’s remain all postseason long and how he had no single help to reach out for. See tbe mere difference between him and the current GOAT Michael Jordan is that MJ has won 6 Finals with zero losses BUT with the help of All Star teammate, Scottie Pippen. Yet in LeBron’s case, he will do it all alone and he will do it in dominant style. THAT’S IF THE CAVS WIN. But if the Cavs lose then we can still call LeBron a great just not of all time…of this generation however, definitely!

And there you have it, your sneak peek to what will be a must-watch Finals matchup between the Cavs and the Warriors. And here at The Baseline we will update you on every single angle happening in The Finals.

GAME 1 WILL BE PLAYED AT 03:00 CAT (GMT+2) AT ORACLE ARENA (GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS’ HOME)