From the Cavs Perspective

[coopdogg3]

Well I'm glad the Cavalier fans will get a first-hand look at how much better Duncan is over Lebron. Lebron is a phenomenal talent - no question. But at this point he's maybe 75% of the player that Duncan is. You'll see this up-close and personal. Enjoy the clinic.

[ChumpDumper]

in the end it comes down to what happens on the court and if SA brings their best stuff, and that is something that not even the most educated fan can predict. I like the Cavs because Lebron has the ability to dominate games to a greater degree than any other player in the league, and they have the big men and defensive players across the board to smother the Spurs and make them do things that they don't want to do when they have the basketball offensively.

So, you are predicting the Cavs will bring their best stuff. I suppose a fan doesn't have to be educated to do that.

[BWJACKETS]

Well I'm glad the Cavalier fans will get a first-hand look at how much better Duncan is over Lebron. Lebron is a phenomenal talent - no question. But at this point he's maybe 75% of the player that Duncan is. You'll see this up-close and personal. Enjoy the clinic.

You must have forgotten the last time Cleveland came to SA. I'll refresh your memory: Lebron Dunks Over Tim Duncan . Ouch! Sorry to spoil your guy's season opener like that LOL. Duncan is very good but I would much rather have Lebron to build my team around any day, and according to ESPN most people agree with me.

Just read this earlier today, take a look: Jordan praises James ahead of NBA Finals . This pretty much sums it up. I've never been one to compare Lebron to Michael, all of Lebron's critics have already done that for me. However, although I'm not going to make any comparisons, I will say that it seems pretty clear who MJ is rooting for in this one.

[ChumpDumper]

according to ESPN

[DDS4]

I don't think this series is going to be a cakewalk by any means like some Spur fans make it out to be.

However, the Spurs do everything slightly better (offense, defense, bench, coaching) than the Cavs, plus they have the experience and championship pedigree on top of that. You can see why there's optimism on the Spurs side.

Another big question: How are the Cavs gonna play in their FIRST NBA finals?

Now if LBJ wills his team to 4 victories out of 7, big props all around.

[coopdogg3]

You must have forgotten the last time Cleveland came to SA. I'll refresh your memory: Lebron Dunks Over Tim Duncan . Duncan is very good but I would much rather have Lebron to build my team around any day, and according to ESPN most people agree with me. Especially for the Cavs, who already have Z and Varajao.

However, when you have the choice between Duncan and James, it is like choosing between the Ferrari and the Lambo, either one you pick is just going to dominate all others.

You're a bigger fool than I thought. Go watch Carlos Boozer block Duncan and then tell me that Boozer is better defensively than Duncan - because of one play. When LBJ gets 4 rings to match Duncan, than you might have an argument about who you would rather build a team around.

Like I said, enjoy the clinic.

[mardigan]

Duncan is very good but I would much rather have Lebron to build my team around any day, and according to ESPN most people agree with me.

I think most GMs and coaches would disagree with you and ESPN. Duncan is one of the best players to ever step on to the court, your constant disrespect and ignorance of his greatness is really annoying and makes you look like a total jackass.

[easjer]

Exactly my point. We will see what happens on thursday. However, for those of you who think SA will win via blowout, you may as well not watch because you inevitably will go crazy just like the Pistons fans, frustrated and saying "Why is our team playing so horrible?" That is a little something I like to call championship defense. Cavs don't give up easy baskets. Continuing their success scoring points will be key, I expect most games in this series to be mid-80's or so, defense controlling the pace for both teams, and whichever star (Duncan or Lebron) has the bigger series will propel his team to victory. Duncan has a better supporting cast but Lebron has a greater ability to take over ballgames. On paper, edge to SA, however I want to see if the Spurs can match the intensity of the Cavs because after going down 2-0 and winning the next four in a row, it is pretty clear that the Cavs do not quit and they are a young, hungry team. Anybody who has been in organized sports knows that intensity can sometimes make up for quite a bit in the way of talent differential.

See, this is what shows me that you are a homer who doesn't watch much basketball outside of their home team. Which is completely fine, but not of much use in arguing about basketball. You support a decent team who has done a really great and exciting feat. Well done. Enjoy it. I understand why you are getting worked up, since I'd be pretty pissed off if I saw this stuff written about the Spurs.

However, you are just plain wrong here. It's something you'd note if you watched basketball more or watched the Spurs. Your team plays defense a lot better than most teams. But if you want to see championship defense, watch the Spurs. We've been playing it for 9 years, three of which are undisputedly evidence of championship defense. I've watched the Cavs all playoffs and their defense is not in the same calibur of the Spurs.

If you watched more Spurs BB, then you'd see that Duncan certainly has the ability to take over and influence games - all superstars do, and Duncan's been capable of doing that longer than LeBron. Duncan simply doesn't have to do it, becuase his supporting cast is better. And speaking as someone who watched a team with a good player and a cast of struggling streaky players take them to the edge time and again - it can't be done with 1 person. You've got to have more than what the Cavs have. Our 'supporting cast' is more than a supporting cast. They are solid, reliable players who frequently play at an all-star level. That should worry you to no end.

Yes LeBron is a talented player, who is made better by his team-first at ude. I have a lot of admiration for the kid. But am I worried about doubling and leaving someone else open? ing no. Odds are that whoever is left open can't beat us and won't make enough of their shots to matter. If they suddenly should (and hey, it can happen), I have faith in the Spurs defense and ability to adjust quickly and accordingly.

Again, not being a Spurs fan or in the Western conference, I would expect that you haven't gotten to see many Spurs games. This team is mostly about intensity, and while there are occassional lapses (which I expect the Cavs to take advantage of, which is why I think we win in 5), they play as a team with one goal. They've been there before as a group, they know what is needed in terms of intensity.

Beerisgood is dead on when he says that the only way the Cavs win is via the perfect storm of luck and lack of focus by the Spurs.

[cherylsteele]

Once again, you want to throw out all these dumb comparisons of Lebron to Michael, but that is all you.

It seems to me that nearly every sports writer/critic is comparing LeBron to MJ.
Not just this one person.

[cherylsteele]

as opposed to this year's Detroit Drama Queens

Or the Detroit Donuts.....they have no center.

[cherylsteele]

I'll take the best player in the world and dominant team leader

Sorry.....Timmy is under contract for the Spurs for a least a few more years.

[BreezeHillBill]

Nice post. But, did you have to write that much to sneak in the zinger about "the stuff the Spurs pulled against the Suns"? There it is again, Spurs shouldn't be there because they got away with something. Sound as unbiased as you want, but you're making excuses already.

[cherylsteele]

Like I said, enjoy the clinic.

You know, the Spurs usually charge people for participating in their basketball clinic, The Cavs should feel lucky to be getting in for free.

[LavaLamp]

It's all about matchups. "How well do the Cavs matchup against the Spurs?" is really the main question. Since the early RS games are a poor indicator, we will just have to wait and see. It will be interesting.

[Magic_Johnson]

Replace the word "Lebron" with "Amare" and "Cavs" with "Suns."

Replace the word "Cleveland" with "Denver" and "Cavs" with "Nuggets."

Replace the word "Cleveland" with "San Antonio."

[ang_mysteryo]

actually, nobody, not even GP have a clear analysis of this series...

it's all brand new because cleveland is a big surprise for the whole world...

it would take at least 3 games to really know the cavs basketball...

offense is not really as big an issue as defense since both have weapons of different calibers capable of blowing out each other's head anytime....

it's actually defense that will dictate the flow of this series....

i know you take pride in manu.... we take pride with everybody in the cavs roster.... that's what we are, a team effort, and i guess you're so familiar w/ that....

it's just that the cavs have been struggling to do some soul-searching during the reg season and they'v just finally realized who they really just in time for the playoffs(a one-man team as you most say....)... and that's what the world didn't realize....

one clear indication here worth mentioning is that the cavs were able to contain kidd, carter and jeferson.....billups, hamilton and prince..... i have no idea how good manu, parker and finley will be as compared to those squad since it really depends upon chemistry to maximize talents.....

[UV Ray]

Priceless.

[SAGambler]

I like that, after a single impressive game, LeBron is suddenly a great scorer on par with prime Jordan. He's not even on Kobe or AI's level yet, and the Spurs have managed those guys.

Or even Mello.......With AI.....

And the Spurs still prevailed.

What no one seems to get is the Spurs have been in another zone the last few weeks.

I suggest all Cav fan get a copy of Spurs vs Jazz, WCF 2007, Game 5, 1st quarter, if you really want to see what you are facing in the finals.

And keep in mind while you are watching it, that the Jazz were supposed to be a super defensive and rebounding team also.

[FromWayDowntown]

Just read this earlier today, take a look: Jordan praises James ahead of NBA Finals . This pretty much sums it up. I've never been one to compare Lebron to Michael, all of Lebron's critics have already done that for me. However, although I'm not going to make any comparisons, I will say that it seems pretty clear who MJ is rooting for in this one.

Just earlier this postseason, take a look: Russell praises Duncan again ahead of NBA Finals and Russell praises Duncan ahead of NBA Finals (though he did praise Lebron as well). That pretty much sums it up. I've never been one to compare Timmy to Bill Russell, but I will say that 11 championships > 6 championships. However, although I'm not going to make any comparisons (and feel totally uninhibited by rules of usage), I will say that it seems pretty clear who Bill Russell is rooting for in this one.

[GSH]

The cavs play very physical ball and with guys like Pollard, Varejao, and even sasha, there could be a few fights in the series if the Spurs do play dirty.

Please, God, let them play Scot Pollard...a lot.

It seems that our guys have finally bought into Mike Browns philosophy.

Mike Brown's philosophy? Bring in Hank Egan to coach defense. Then give the ball to LeBron and tell him to create something.

The Cavs mentally broke the Pistons, a team whose team makeup/ style of play eerily resembles your own.

When the Pistons were the Pistons (i.e. still had Ben Wallace in the middle, and playing as a unit) we kicked their asses in the finals. Good luck "mentally breaking" the Spurs.

[FromWayDowntown]

Mike Brown's philosophy? Bring in Hank Egan to coach defense. Then give the ball to LeBron and tell him to create something.

I thought that philosophy was: keep Pop's number nearby and call him between games to get advice about adjustments. Then give the ball to Lebron and tell him to create something.

[Marcus Bryant]

I thought that philosophy was: keep Pop's number nearby and call him between games to get advice about adjustments. Then give the ball to Lebron and tell him to create something.

...and hope Beno sees the court like in the games played 5 months ago.

[CavsDak]

I'm not really sure what the Ohio University comment was about, especially from another Cavs fan but anyways...

I know I wrote a lot but maybe some of the points I made were misinterpreted. I did not mean that the Cavs are going to mentally break the Spurs. I only mean to say that we did catalyze this within the Pistons. I agree, the Spurs are a different team but, for what its worth, the same comment I made about the similarities between the Spurs/ Detroit in their styles/makeups was talked about today on PTI/ Around the Horn. The Spurs have much stronger character however so I wouldn’t expect the same from them.

As far as physicality goes, I would never expect a team like the Spurs to back down from us. What I was getting at was that our size does pose a new threat that the Spurs might not have experienced during your playoff run. Lebron will probably do a majority of the ball handling and at 6’8’’, 240 lbs with the speed and agility of Parker and as explosive as any player in the league this will be something new. He will penetrate a lot and you will collapse to protect the lane. Lebron will dish and we will have to hit the open looks that we will be getting.

Ginobli is going to make shots, I have no doubt about that. But I think our team did a pretty good job at slowing down the Pistons shooters (Hamilton, Prince, Billups) and the Nets all stars (Kidd, Jefferson, and Carter). We did have a few let downs (games 3 and 5 of the Nets series) and this definitely must be avoided. I think the reason why the pistons struggled so much was more due to our evolution as a defensive basketball team than from the Pistons underachieving. Rarely did they have open shots where our guys didn’t at least get a hand up. If we can keep up our defensive intensity this will cause problems for your shooters. Also, Mike Brown’s defensive philosophy (Spurs Defense) is the key. His offensive philosophy is non existent.

I agree that the West has more quality teams from top to bottom but I’m pretty sure that 2 out of the past 3 years the Champ has come from the East. To be honest, I think the Spurs are the top team in the West but at the same time they are the best match up for us because our styles are similar. We struggle with the Suns and Mavs because they are more efficient at the uptempo style than we are.

I do grant that the Spurs are on a roll and a different team from the regular season. But you know what, the cavs are too and to a much greater extent. The thought keeps going through my head that “Man the Spurs are great, they’ve won 3 Championships and this is our first finals,” but for some reason, this really doesn’t bother me. Should it? I really think we have a great chance to win this series. Our best is yet to come.

[Marcus Bryant]

What I was getting at was that our size does pose a new threat that the Spurs might not have experienced during your playoff run

See the Denver series.

[Marcus Bryant]

Ginobli is going to make shots, I have no doubt about that. But I think our team did a pretty good job at slowing down the Pistons shooters (Hamilton, Prince, Billups) and the Nets all stars (Kidd, Jefferson, and Carter). We did have a few let downs (games 3 and 5 of the Nets series) and this definitely must be avoided. I think the reason why the pistons struggled so much was more due to our evolution as a defensive basketball team than from the Pistons underachieving. Rarely did they have open shots where our guys didn’t at least get a hand up. If we can keep up our defensive intensity this will cause problems for your shooters. Also, Mike Brown’s defensive philosophy (Spurs Defense) is the key. His offensive philosophy is non existent.

Who's the major low post threat the Cavs faced in those series?