Russell Westbrook extends with OKC

Russell Westbrook re-signs with OKC for three more years. The terms are for 85 million and give him the option to opt out after the 2018 season. He stated he wanted to be in OKC and felt the desire to get something done now. The move makes OKC a viable option for NBA free agents in 2017.

The most surprising revelation during the press conference was that he learned of Kevin Durant leaving for the Warriors along with everyone else. It would seem that two players that were together for 8 years would have talked about going in another direction after the decision was final and before it was made public.  

Westbrook's choice to stay will now make this his team. His talent and ability to dominate a game is without question. Can he become Batman on a team where Robin was his primary role?  I see it being a repeat of the year that he had in 2014-15 when Durant injured his foot. He was the number one option all of the time. I don't see any drop off in production. I see a possible MVP season. Think Allen Iverson in 2001 with the Sixers.  Just not enough to get to the NBA Finals. OKC will still have reason to cheer.

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                                                           48 days until #G2E2016

NBA Top Free Agents not named Kevin Durant

The wish list is open. Lebron James just won the championship in Cleveland so he won't leave again.
So besides the King and Kevin, who are the top free agents in 2016?

 Al Horford

I like Al Horford currently with the Atlanta Hawks. He is an unrestricted free agent. He is a solid front court player that can defend and score. Horford averaged 15 points and 7.3 rebounds. His downside is that he is 30 years old. Teams will hope that he is not about to decline in production.

 Hassan Whiteside

Hassan Whiteside is a great piece from the Miami Heat. He is coming off his best season and is a double double machine. He can impact the game defensively with shot blocking and rim protection.
Whiteside averaged 14 points and 11 rebounds. He is 27 years old. He is not that skilled offensively.

Nicholas Batum deserves consideration from the Charlotte Hornet. He is a swingman that averaged
14 points, 6 rebounds and 5.8 assists. Impressive numbers and only 27 years of age. Batum's stats have improved every year over the course of his career.
This is my top three.

You will notice they don't include Dwyane Wade, Dwight Howard, Rajon Rando or Mike Conley. The 1st two have peaked and would want top money. Rando stint in Dallas stills lingers with me. Conley is coming off a torn Achilles. I also did not mention DeMar DeRozan because he has expressed a strong desire to stay with the Raptors.

Harrison Barnes hurt himself with his NBA Finals performance. He is a good player but he fits the Warriors. I question if he could be the star of a team if he is the centerpiece. If Barnes played close to regular season form, he would be worth the risk. He averaged 11 points and 5 rebounds. He is durable and played in all 82 games this past regular season. He is only 24.

 Top Free Agent: Kevin Durant

In case you missed it, @KeshisCuties and I discussed if Kevin Durant would fit with the Warriors.
This is in part due to Warriors not winning the title and Barnes lack of production in the close out games.  Follow us for more #HisandHers Talk this coming Friday at 8PM on Twitter.

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NBA Finals - The Rematch

This is the one everybody wanted to see. OKC wanted to see this too! Cavs vs Warriors.

 Steph against Lebron.

Love matched up with Green.


Both teams playing well. Both teams shooting a high percentage from outside 3 point line.
Vegas has the line set at +180 for series if you take the Cavs. You lay a price of -230 if you
like the Warriors.

Cavs are rested. Warriors are coming off a hard fought series against OKC. The Dubs would not even
be in the NBA Finals without Klay Thompson. I expect him to have a good series and dominate his match up with J.R. Smith or Shumpert. Irving will have something to prove and will score consistently against whoever plays him.

Curry and Lebron will cancel each other out with both having outstanding moments. Curry is more proficient in the clutch. Iguodala will match up with James and will start if the Cavs go up a game
on them.

Tristan Thompson will dominate Bogat in the middle. Andrew looked spent in game 7. Expect to see Eziel more.

Harrison Barnes is X factor. He is due for a breakout game. Channing Frye is X factor for Cavs. They may leave both of these guys open and they have ability to make opponents pay.

Both Benches are strong. Slight edge to Warriors.

Coaching edge goes to Kerr. Lue does have the pulse of his team. I am curious about his ability to adjust on the biggest stage of professional coaching career.

Fantasy Picks.
Lebron James is averaging 24.6 points,8.6 rebounds and 7 assists.
Kevin Love has 9 double double in the playoffs so far.
Draymond Green has 6 double double and 1 triple double in the playoffs.
Curry is averaging 26 points,almost 6.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists.
Thompson is dropping 26.2 with less production in rebounds and assists
Irving is averaging 24 points but give minimal numbers in the other categories.

Go with solid across the board and take Lebron over Curry.

Go with the champs in 7 and grab the Warriors. Don't let the price or the Lebron got help this time
sway you. Warriors dominated the Cavs in last meeting. The homecourt advantage is the difference.
I will add the video highlight of each game so you can get the top play of  #NBA Finals.

Game 1: Curry No look pass to Iguodala. Video.
Game 2: Warriors work the ball for an open 3. Video
Game 3: Lebron catches lob pass from Irving. video



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NBA Finals Preview

This is the match up we wanted. Once the Spurs were eliminated, Cleveland against Golden State was the most appealing match up. Lebron James vs. Steph Curry. The best player in the game against the baby face assassin. The marquee players in the Finals.

 
                                               Let"s examine the teams and compare.

Guards - Curry and Klay Thompson vs. Irving and Shumpert .  Since Thompson has a concussion that brings the edge down due to his uncertainty. Curry is League MVP so Warriors have a distinct upside. Irving comes in questionable as well since he has leg and ankle problems. Advantage to Warriors

Center- Bogot vs. Mozgov. While Bogut is efficient as a passer and can score when utilize, Mozgov is showing superior dominance on the glass and blocking shots. Edge to Cavaliers.

Forwards- Barnes and Green vs. James and Tristan Thompson. Barnes and Green help when the defense double teams the penetration of Curry and are capable of pushing the ball on the fast break. James is playing at optimum level right now. He is averaging close to a triple double every game. Thompson is a beast on the boards and as a shot blocker.  Advantage to Cavaliers.

Bench - J.R. Smith, Dellavedova, Jones, Miller Marion and Perkins  vs. Iguodala, Lee ,Barbosa, Ezeli  and Livingston  . Scoring and energy from Smith, Jones and Dellavedova  is matched against defense and all round play from Iguodala. and Livingston.  Iguodala does not shoot fouls well and that will be critical. Lee is not used consistently so his contribution may be limited by coach's decision. Golden State is deeper. Cavs have more experience. I expect impact from both benches. Slight edge to Cavs.

Coaching- Kerr vs. Blatt. Kerr has taken a good team and made it better. They won 15 more regular season games then they did a year ago. They won 51 last year. They play great defense and take you out of what you want to do. Blatt got the Cavs to buy in at the mid way point of the season. They are 46-11 since then. Does give the impression that he acquiesces to Lebron in key moments. Kerr comes across as the more polished of the two. Advantage to Warriors.

Why Warriors will win?  Curry and Thompson are dominant from outside. Home court record is awesome. Team is capable of going on extensive offensive runs while shutting the opponent down defensively.

Why Cavaliers will win?  Lebron James is one of the few people playing that can make his team win. He impacts the game in every category. When the game enters the fourth quarter he has the ability to contain Curry. When they double he will find open shooters. More like Magic Johnson than given credit.

The Pick - Odds makers have Warriors as the favorite. Defense wins championships. Offense sells tickets.The Cavaliers are allowing just 92.6 points per game this postseason while the Warriors are allowing 96.3.  If I can get Lebron and Kyrie at a good price, I can't resist.  Cleveland in 6.

Join me and my co host https://twitter.com/KeshisCuties on Twitter for #GTLivechat. during the NBA Finals. #GTLivechat is a conversation that is conducted via Twitter with followers around the world. What makes us unique is that we make picks prior to the game and then get a poll of which team is the popular choice We will select the #NBAFinals games individually and give the consensus of what you think. Fun. Easy and Free.  This blog will be updated with the play of the night after every game.

Top plays from NBA Finals Game 1 are here.

Top plays from NBA Finals Game 2 is up and here.

The 5 top plays from +NBAFinals Game 3 are right here.

Top plays from +NBA Finals Game 4 are here.

Top 5 of Game 5 is  here.

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