Warriors Rout Cavaliers, Wolves Draft Prep Notes

Golden State overpowered the Cleveland Cavaliers in a 110-77 win to take a 2-0 series lead in the NBA Finals. It was a comprehensive beating, as the Cavs got outshot, outrebounded, and outplayed by both the Warriors starters and bench unit in this one.

Leaving Draymond Green alone to shoot in order to slow down Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson worked in the sense that once again Curry and Thompson were relatively quiet scoring--35 points combined--but Green went off for 28 including 5-8 from three. Meanwhile the Warriors three main reserves, Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston and Leandro Barbosa, once again made huge contributions. Perhaps Barbosa was inspired by Brazilian soccer star Neymar's presence, which was among the more exciting aspects of this blowout.

While I often caution not to make assumptions about a series after two games, especially when the home team wins, it's hard to see what the Cavs can do in this one. They will probably look somewhat better at home, but these have been two thrashings by the Warriors, who seem like they might just have the Cavs number (and are also just better). This one could be over quickly, which would befit what has been a rather desultory NBA playoffs overall.

Kevin Love, who was elbowed in the head by Harrison Barnes in the 2nd quarter, returned briefly to start the third, but dizziness forced him to the bench, and he was diagnosed with a concussion. He's in the league's "concussion protocol" which, I believe, means he must be cleared by an independent doctor before he can return to action. His availability for the games in Cleveland is unknown.

Game three is Wednesday night from Cleveland.

In Wolves...I hesitate to call them rumors because I don't know if they deserve even that stutus...let's say "speculations." International basketball reporter David Pick tweeted:

Source: Twolves like Dragan Bender with No. 5 pick. Scouts Calvin Booth and Zarko Durisic seen him here in workouts.

— David Pick (@IAmDPick) June 5, 2016

Of course, that would make many of us happy, as the unknown seems a lot more appealing than the known college guys this year.

Also, this column in the Sporting News suggests that there is mutual interest between the Wolves and free agent big man Joakim Noah, while hinting that Thibs would prefer if Keven Garnett retires, since he can't be counted on for serious minutes.

Meanwhile, the Wolves were not at yesterday's IMG/Relativity Sports Pro Day, where a bunch of guys worked out, including Skal Labissiere and an apparently very impressive Juan Hernangomez, but, as Wolfson reports on his twitter feed, Labissiere is scheduled to workout here on June 14th, and also Jakob Poeltl  is due in on the 17th.

Elsewhere, the Copa America is off to a brutal start, with empty seats throughout, turgid, goalless and passionless soccer, and as an added bonus incorrect anthems being played. The only exception (to the soccer and fan issues) was last night's Mexico-Uruguay match, which actually featured teams that cared. Mexico won 3-1 with two late goals after both teams were reduced to 10 men. Meanwhile, the crowd was actually big and loud as it usually is for Mexico matches, though the Mexican fans continue to bring shame on themselves with their continued use of a homophobic chant.

Today in history

1391: 5000 Jews in Seville, Spain massacred
1683: The Ashmolean Museum opens in Oxford, England
1716: First slaves arrive in Louisiana
1844: YMCA founded in London
1850: Levi Strauss makes his first pair of blue jeans
1918: Battle of Belleau Wood marks first U.S. victory of WWI
1925: Walter Chrysler establishes his car business
1932: First U.S. gas tax enacted
1942: Japanese forces retreat, ending Battle of Midway
1944: Yeah, this was a big one. D-Day. 
1968: Robert Kennedy dies from previous night's shooting
1981: Maya Lin chosen to design Vietnam War Memorial
1982: Israeli troops invade Lebanon in pursuit of PLO

None of the musical birthdays I can find really appeal, but on this day in 1960, Roy Orbison released "Only the Lonely," so we'll go with that:

Have a great Monday.