It’s not like they haven’t been here before. In fact, they were JUST here.The Cavaliers are still suffering from a Piston hangover, and they’re picking a terrible team to do it against. The Spurs are known for exploiting an opponent’s weakness and they’re doing a great job of cutting the Cavaliers up right now. It would almost be fun to watch if it wasn’t Cleveland on the other end of the knife.
But the Cavaliers have been here before. And the Finals have, too.
Last year, the Mavericks thumped the Heat twice in Dallas and led by 13 with six minutes to go in Miami. That’s when Dwyane Wade took over and didn’t stop until the Larry O’Brien wound up on South Beach.
But Cleveland will have to get more production from more people. Larry Hughes has to come up bigger on both ends as does Zydrunas Ilgauskas. The perplexing thing about both players’ performances is that they both usually match up well with the Spurs.
Tony Parker has scorched Cleveland in two straight games. Eric Snow and LeBron James looked better guarding him than Hughes and Daniel Gibson, but nobody’s consistently stopped the French point guard. Duncan has been murder from 15-feet, in.
But aside from individual matchups, the Spurs have been the team to play with more aggressiveness and a greater sense of urgency. For as much as Mike Brown preached attacking Tim Duncan’s chest, the Cavaliers continued to settle for jumpers even with Duncan picking up his third personal midway through the third quarter.
The Cavaliers have their backs against the wall one more time. The difference is that the Cavaliers played Detroit more than a dozen times in a year-and-a-half and see the Spurs twice a year – and not since January. Back then, Sasha wasn’t a starter and Daniel Gibson was still worried about picking up Krispy Kremes.
Cleveland should be encouraged by their fourth-quarter performances in both games, but they’ll have to figure out the first three. And they’ll have to figure it out fast.
2 comments:
The Spurs will take in 5 or 6 games.
The Cavs might win one game even though they have still have hope. (Shown in the 4th quarter on June 10th) The Spurs are too good of a team. Like Stephen A. Smith said the Eastern Conference is a JV league. They might have done it on the Pistons but they can't do it again if they aren't stopping the big 3. The Cavs key to victory is at least taking one of the big 3 out of game. So if the Cavs can even think about winning this championship they need to step it up in Cleveand. (The city of Cleveand hasn't seen a championship since 1964)
Dear Joe,
You've got it right, the Cavs have to figure out the Spurs right from the 1st quarter all throughout the 4th as the Spurs are a very dangerous "dagger swagger" team hungry as a lion and tiger combined.
The Cavs are in this hole because of the ineptness of Danny Ferry in spotting talents prior to the start of this season and right up to the trade deadline.
For example, the rascal Ron Artest who wanted to play with LeBron whose overtures was ignored by Danny as well as another rascal in Latrell Spreewell and Bonzi Wells. Had these trio joined the Cavs, they are marquee players without fear both in offense and defense and any team will have headaches beating the Cavs, especially in the playoffs where these rascals are battle tested. As to their characters,they won't be that difficult than sahara predators to handle as they are still human. All the Cavs need is to have a good pychologists who is also an avid sports fan joining their coaching staff. It will as well motivate all of the Cavs rosters with one track mind of winning and beating their opponents. Another ineptness is passing up on opportunity to get Carlos Arroyo(PG) and Darko Milicic(C/F) when the Pistons threw them away for a pittance.
The truth is, for the Cavs to win this NBA Finals, it is only by Divine intervention and sheer fate or destiny of LeBron to be crowned this 2007. Barring that, man to man match-up the Spurs are diamonds and platinum while the Cavs including James (the way he is playing) are just ordinary glass and wrought iron. Cavs as of now simply sucks !
One consolation, Popovich out of his respect and deference for his former colleague in Mike Brown and Danny Ferry, for fear that Mr. Gilbert will chop their heads and cut their paychecks after this series, will allow Cavs to win another 1 or 2 games, more as a cosmetic show.
Mr. Gilbert, must waste no time to issue an ultimatum to Danny and Mike Brown to shape out or ship out. This means, these duo must get their hand on Gerald Wallace(SF/SG) and Walter Herrmann(PF) in the free agency. Next, they have to trade with the Hornets for Tyson Chandler(C) and with the Clippers for the rights to Sofoklis Schortsianitis (C/F), as well as engineering a coup with the Celtics to get Al Jefferson(F/C)in case Cavs can't get a hand on draftee Al Horford(F/C). These are players made of steel tough on offense and defense, unlike the present roster which are all made up of "bread dough" sans LeBron.
Need I say more who has to go or be traded from this present mediocre and scared Cavs roster?
Simply said, Mr. Gilbert must act now !
Rgds:
Jaime
Post a Comment