What cleveland can do to slow down the Spurs:

[SAGambler]

Here's some things that I think Cleveland can do to slow the Spurs down. The Spurs are a great team, but there are a few things we can do to give them trouble.


Trapped Parker and make him give up the ball early. Also attack him on pick and rolls with our big guards on the high pick and rolls. We rotate very well. Foul him hard when he comes to the middle and force him to become a jump shooter. We have big guards with speed which could give him problems.

Force Bowen to make plays. When he's out on the floor on offense run him off pick and rolls and on defense use his man to double and trap Duncan every chance we get. Bowen has a nice 3 point shot when it's on, but offensively he doesn't scare anybody.

Defend Ginobili with Lebron.

Defend Duncan with Z, Double team him with Bowen's man.



Also, we use some full court presses. Take as much time off of the clock as possible.

Until he lights it up with 15 or 18. Bowen has had some huge nights, but the best thing about Bruce and his 3 point shooting is "when" he usually hits a big one. I've seen him hit them to put us ahead for good, and seen him hit a couple in a row to stop a scoring bleed. Timing is everything and Bruce has certainly hit some "timely" 3 pointers in his career with the Spurs.

[SAGambler]

Lebron got us there with role players. This is his first trip but it's not his last. Duncan is aging by the year....

So what does Duncan have to do with James going to the Finals?

There are others in the East that may have something to say about whether this is his last trip or not.

Duncan has no control over who comes out of the East.

[SAGambler]

I dont think the Cavs can beat the Jazz i really dont

, I have said all along if the Suns, the Nuggets or the Jazz had made it past the Spurs, any one of them would be a Vegas favorite over the Cavs.

Just because the Cavs won the East, doesn't make them the 2nd best ball club in the league.

They fall somewhere below the Spurs, the Mavs, the Suns, the Nuggets and the Jazz.

[Thunder Dan]

whoever guards Lebron will have a tough series. Its not that he does anything special, its just that it takes so much work on the defensive side to keep him quiet that it takes away from your offensive abilities. Look at Tayshawn Prince last series, at one point he was like 5-the world in 4 games. Its not becuase he suddenly lost his shot, its becuase of the work that goes into defending Lebron. With that said, its not like the Spurs rely on Bowen to lead the team in scoring to win, so the advantage to that factor goes to the Spurs

[Thunder Dan]

, I have said all along if the Suns, the Nuggets or the Jazz had made it past the Spurs, any one of them would be a Vegas favorite over the Cavs.

Just because the Cavs won the East, doesn't make them the 2nd best ball club in the league.

They fall somewhere below the Spurs, the Mavs, the Suns, the Nuggets and the Jazz.

The Jazz are like 1-5 against the Cavs over the last 3 years. I might be wrong, but its not like the Jazz are this powerhouse worthy of the praise you give them, not saying Cleveland is either.

[Mr. Body]

whoever guards Lebron will have a tough series. Its not that he does anything special, its just that it takes so much work on the defensive side to keep him quiet that it takes away from your offensive abilities. Look at Tayshawn Prince last series, at one point he was like 5-the world in 4 games. Its not becuase he suddenly lost his shot, its becuase of the work that goes into defending Lebron. With that said, its not like the Spurs rely on Bowen to lead the team in scoring to win, so the advantage to that factor goes to the Spurs

It's good you're thinking out loud. I like following you walk through the thought process: the guy guarding LeBron can get run ragged... hurting his offense... but then it's Bowen... who doesn't do much on offense... so it doesn't really matter...

Yes, you're right, it doesn't really matter. Also to be mentioned: Bowen's freakish conditioning.

[ginobili fan]

Here's some things that I think Cleveland can do to slow the Spurs down. The Spurs are a great team, but there are a few things we can do to give them trouble.


Trapped Parker and make him give up the ball early. Also attack him on pick and rolls with our big guards on the high pick and rolls. We rotate very well. Foul him hard when he comes to the middle and force him to become a jump shooter. We have big guards with speed which could give him problems.

Force Bowen to make plays. When he's out on the floor on offense run him off pick and rolls and on defense use his man to double and trap Duncan every chance we get. Bowen has a nice 3 point shot when it's on, but offensively he doesn't scare anybody.

Defend Ginobili with Lebron.

Defend Duncan with Z, Double team him with Bowen's man.



Also, we use some full court presses. Take as much time off of the clock as possible.

Actually it's what all nba teams are doing against us.
And it works!!!
But honestly I think if fin,bowen,manu make 3's and tony his J's, The spurs gonna win 4-0 easily

[MrChug]

kinda harsh for a guy who was just giving some insights and reasons. no sense being rude in responding to a post.

I didn't say "stupid", I said IGNORANT. Look it up. www.m-w.com there's a difference.

Besides...he gave insights and reasons, I gave mine. Why does he have more of a right to express shim-self then I do? And why do you critisize me for expressing mine? Aren't I rude? Do you think that's right?

...rather "rude" don't you think?

[boobie4three]

The one word that truly strikes fear into the heart of all Spurs fans?

HACK-A-TIM ............OK OK, it's several words strung together, but you get the point.

[Extra Stout]

The one word that truly strikes fear into the heart of all Spurs fans?

HACK-A-TIM ............OK OK, it's several words strung together, but you get the point.

Tim shoots 55% from the field and 64% from the foul line. Hack-a-Tim works only when he's having one of those 3-12 nights from the line.

[Thunder Dan]

some games you could have a hack a __________ (insert a Cav other than Z)

[td4mvp3]

I didn't say "stupid", I said IGNORANT. Look it up. www.m-w.com there's a difference.

Besides...he gave insights and reasons, I gave mine. Why does he have more of a right to express shim-self then I do? And why do you critisize me for expressing mine? Aren't I rude? Do you think that's right?

...rather "rude" don't you think?

no, it's insightful, like actually reading what i wrote and noting that i never said "stupid" or "ignorant." your tone was being rude, though having now read the entire post i can understand why. but the tone is rude, not the fact that you refute his statements and not the fact that i take issue with the tone itself. having a difference of opinion does not equate to rudeness.

[cherylsteele]

some games you could have a hack a __________ (insert a Cav other than Z)

I was about to say this too.
The Cavs as a team are poorer FT shooters than the Spurs on the season. Now that is not to say someone can get hot or go cold from the line.
"Z" and Gibson seem to be solid FT shooters for the Cavs.

It used to be putting the Spurs at line would be a decent strategy but this year we have been much better and kinda negates that thought, although Duncan in particular can go into slumps.