We're more than a little bit stoked for tonight's Game 4.
From the "Talks too much" studios, how 'bout a Fresca?
Game 4 preview
A highly intriguing NBA Finals moves to Game 4 tonight.
We also are at a point where we believe the winner of tonight's game will win the series.
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) urges on the crowd during the second half of Game 3 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors in Cleveland, Tuesday, June 9, 2015. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) If Cleveland wins, it will hold a 3-1 lead and you have to think that LeBron James, the greatest player on the planet, will find a way to win one of the next three games.
If Golden State wins, it will even the series at 2 and reclaim home-court advantage. It also will assure us of a seven-game series, a win for the fans and the Warriors, who are the much deeper team.
So, the stakes are huge in their hugeness.
How do they get there? Glad you asked.
For Cleveland, continue to harass and challenge Steph Curry. As great as LeBron has been, the Cavs have grabbed a 2-1 lead because of their defense. That and get the ball to LeBron on almost every possession.
For Golden State, you have to adjust several things. Yes, the Warriors won 67 games so they certainly do not need to panic. (If they lose tonight, it would be their first three-game losing streak this season.) But they do have to make some changes.
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates after end of the overtime period of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, June 7, 2015. The Cavaliers won 95-93 in overtime. (AP Photo/Ben Margot) First, as we discussed in the comments earlier this week, Andre Iguodala needs to be on the floor as much as possible to guard LeBron. Harrison Barnes is getting crushed. Also, whomever is guarding LeBron needs to check him from baseline to baseline. That's as much for the in-game defense and for the long-haul effects on James, who is averaging more than 47 minutes a game in these finals. (Side note: We thought this was a very interesting story on James' between-game routines.)
Second, the Warriors need to quicken the pace. They had four fast-break points in Game 3. Four. That simply will not do. Walking the ball up the floor helps the Cavs' energy - short-term at home by letting the crowd get amped; long-term by playing slower - and defensive set. So push, even after made baskets, and try to get turnovers from the non-James ball-handlers.
Get David Lee on the floor more. The Warriors were plus-17 during the 13 minutes Lee was on the floor in Game 3. That's an impressive number since they trailed almost the whole game.
Third, mix in more double-teams, but not where you think. LeBron has touched the ball 279 times in this series - and impressive average of 93 touches a game - and has been double-teamed all of 15 times. We're OK with that strategy.
In fact, as long as the guy guarding LeBron does not leave him, we'd double some of the other Cavs in an effort to create turnovers and pace.
Let the game begin.
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Moving on
OK, do we not think Ray Rice has served his punishment and then some?
Rice, you may remember, had an off-the-field incident with his then-fiance when he punched her in an elevator. It made most of the papers.
FILE - In this May 1, 2014, file photo, Ray Rice holds hands with his wife Janay Palmer as they arrive at Atlantic County Criminal Courthouse in Mays Landing, N..J. A judge in New Jersey has dismissed domestic violence charges against Ray Rice, who was captured by a surveillance camera knocking his then-fiancee unconscious in a hotel elevator. Judge Michael Donio dismissed the charges Thursday, May 21, 2015, after the Atlantic County prosecutor told him the former Baltimore Ravens running back had completed the terms of his pretrial intervention.(AP Photo/Mel Evans, File) Rice still is without a team, he's a player that teams obviously do not want to roll the dice with.
That's each team's prerogative of course. Who you hire and who you pay millions to is the decision of each club. And Ray McDonald's double-duty boneheadedness after getting a second chance and then getting arrested on domestic assault charges again hurts Rice's cause.
Rice has been training and looks to be in good shape.
Here's hoping he gets a second chance. Side note: If he's 80 percent of the player he was before the incident, he'd look mighty good in a Titans uniform.
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UT trouble could be trouble for UT
The Texas basketball program apparently had some academic issues while current Tennessee basketball coach Rick Barnes was on staff there. Here's TFP UT beat ace Downtown Patrick Brown's report.
Texas head coach Rick Barnes talks with his players during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Oklahoma State, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015, in Austin, Texas. Oklahoma State won in overtime 65-63. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)In that story, Tennessee AD Dave Hart completely backs Barnes. Well of course he does. If Barnes has any link to any of the Texas academic troubles, well, that certainly calls into question Hart's hiring judgement, since this would be the second consecutive basketball hire with looming NCAA troubles. Texas also has said it's unaware that Barnes had any knowledge of the incidents.
Still, if the NCAA determines that there were violations at Texas, Barnes could be penalized whether he knew of them/participated in them or not.
And after the one-year Donnie Tyndall debacle, this is the last thing Hart needs.
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This and that
- Speaking of Donnie Tyndall, dude is scheduled to participate in a professional wrestling event this weekend in Knoxville. Here's hoping he does not wear a singlet.
Tennessee head coach Donnie Tyndall calls a play against Arkansas during their game in the quarterfinal round of the Southeastern Conference tournament Friday, March 13, 2015, in Nashville.- New Colts wide out Andre Johnson says Andrew Luck is the best quarterback in the game. We tend to agree with that assessment, although Aaron Rodgers may want to discuss it with him.
- As TFP sports editor Stephen Hargis details here, the TSSAA is going to make a big decision in the process of its biggest decision. The state governing body of high school sports will narrow down the proposals on classifying its schools. We'd be stunned if we are not headed for a complete public-private split.
- Chicago evened the Stanley Cup Finals at 2 with a win over Tampa Bay. There endeth the hockey talk for today.
- The U.S. beat Germany in a friendly. There endeth the soccer talk for today.
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Today's question
Lots of talking points today.
Want to pick a winner tonight, go right ahead.
Want to offer insight on the future of Tennessee high school sports, knock yourself out.
If you are the type to love a Rushmore - which is mighty popular among the Press Row listeners - we'll go here:
Today is Diana Taurasi's 33rd birthday and Maya Moore's 26th birthday. Who's the Rushmore of all-time women's basketball players?
P.S. - Mailbag