Warriors sweep Cavaliers to claim second straight NBA championship and third in four seasons (tr)

Washington Post ^ | June 8, 2018 | Tim Bontemps

[YogicCowboy]

Once could as easily say that Golden State would have beaten Houston quicker, if not for losing Iguodala in Game 3: They won Game 1 in Houston, and 2 of first 3.

[InterceptPoint]

Speaking of Thurmond - the defensive center most respected by Russell, Chamberlain, and Jabbar - he once said candidly in an interview that he could not have guarded Shaq because in his own era the defender was entitled to his space on the floor, while in Shaq’s era he was not.

So, so true. That change has had a huge effect on how the game is played and, for me at least, how much fun it is to watch. Watching LeBron smash his way to the basket or backing into the defender for an easy shot is boring, boring, boring. I’ll take a hurried off-balance shot by Steph from five feet outside the arc every time. Or one of those soft 10 footers from Livingston that he rarely misses.

You are certainly right about Chamberlain and Russell on the subject of blocked shots. My mental images for Russell is him blocking a shot. He was a great defensive player. OTOH, my memory of Chamberlain is watching him dunk so I guess I always viewed him as primarily a great offensive threat. But I’m betting you are right about his defensive skills.