This is the series that everyone has anticipated since October. The two most talented teams in the East.
This is Chicago's shot. Everyone is healthy for the Bulls. This Cavs team will not be more vulnerable for years to come (unless of course LeBron or Kyrie sustain major injuries). The pressure has shifted from the Cavs as the favorites to Chicago who is seen as HAVING to get it done this year or it might never happen.
Besides a few games here or there, LeBron really has not put the pedal to the medal this season. Sure- there have been games where he wanted to send a message like the Golden State, the San Antonio game that was the best game of the entire regular season, the last Bulls game that clinched the 2 seed....
LeBron never played less games in his career, and never played fewer minutes per game. He will have gotten over a week off before the series starts on Monday.
He will be well rested.
This is the time where LeBron has to up his game to that next level that he has done so many times before.
Chicago is going to be desperate to win this series. Another loss at the hands of LeBron when the situation has played out so well for them would be devastating.
Kyrie is going to have to play the best basketball of his career. He is going to need to have his outside shots falling. He needs to be the guy who has risen to he occasion every time there has been a new situation put in front of him. Its asking a lot of him at the age of 23 and in his first playoffs to be the 2nd best player on the court but its what the Cavs are going to need to win this series.
Iman Shumpert is going to have to do what he was brought here to do- be a guy that you put on the best offenive player the opposition has and slow them down. He has showed during the regular season that he can do that. He chased Steph Curry all over the court and forced him to have one of his worst games of the season. Blatt made the adjustment in Games 3 and 4 of the Boston series to have Shumpert blanket Isiah Thomas and Shumpert made Blatt look good by pretty much takig Thomas out of those 2 games after he had 2 very strong games in Games 1 and 2. Whoever Shumpert covers he needs to make an impact that transcends the box score.
Tristan Thompson all of a sudden becomes EXTREMELY IMPORTANT replacing Love. Thompson made huge leaps this year defensively, on the offensive glass, and finishing in the pick and roll. He needs to out-quick and out hustle the older, slower, but bigger and stronger and more skilled Noah and Gasol.
The Old Guard Quartet- Perkins, Miller, Jones and Marion have to make contributions beyond the great locker room influences that they have been. None of these guys has to play 30 minutes and go for 20 points- but they do need to play smart, efficient basketball and make plays when they are in. I think Jones, Miller and Marion could all get run in multiple games. Marion has to be a solid defender, Miller has to hit the open shots that come with playing next to Bron and Kyrie, and Jones needs to do the same. We know the moment is not too much for these guys- but can they turn back the clock?
Make no mistake- as soon as Kevin Love was declared out for the series the Cavs margin of error went WAAY down. Love could have pulled Noah or Gasol out of the middle- Gasol would have looked foolish out there and Noah out there would leave the paint wide open. Tristan and Mozgov cant do that. Not may guys in the entire league can do it- and arguably NO WAY can do it as well as KLove.
The Cavs do not have the depth Chicago has, they do not play defense as well as Chicago, they have not been together as long as Chicago, they have a coach who is going through the NBA Playoffs for the first time EVER- not just as a head coach but at ANY level. THE CAVS ARE MISSING one of the only 17 and 10 guys in the etire league. Chicago is as healthy as they have been in years.The obstacles are big.
The Cavs have a big time all star in Kyrie. I think at the end of the series we will be able to answer the question of who the 2nd best player on the court is- Kyrie or Butler- solid arguments for each. If the Bulls do not think Rose can guard Kyrie I could see Butler doing it sometimes and that will be fun to watch-
Butler D'ing up KI- KI and that crossover. Thats going to be fun.
The Cavs also still have #23. He is rested, and hungry to bring Cleveland its first title in about 50 years. Can he repel the Bulls once more while they are at their strongest and his team is vulnerable? It would be another defining moment in LeBron's career if he can will the Cavs to victory in this series considering the circumstances.
Out of the entire playoffs- this has to be the series that everyone has been waiting for and anticipating.
Cant wait to watch Mozgov v. Gasol in the post. Cant wait to watch DRose and Kyrie go at eachother and prove to the world who the better player is. Cant wait to see if the Cavs vets can turn back the clock one more time. Cant wait to see if Mirotic continues to develop into a stud in front of our eyes. CAnt wait to see if Jimmy Butler can validate the praise he has received this year and establish himself as an elite player in this league. Cant wait to see if TT can continue to outwork everyone on the court and average 5 offensive boards a game. Cant wait to see if Joakim Noah and his trash talk and villain status in Cleveland is equaled by his play. Cant wait to see how Jr Smith reacts- I can tell ya- its either going to be feast or famine. Cant wait to see which coach pushes the right buttons- Thibs or Blatt. Cant wait to see if Iman Shumpert can erase a Rose or Butler for a couple games on the perimeter. Cant wait to see Mozgov and Gasol try and beat eachother up and foul eachother out.
Cant wait to see what #23 has up his sleeve. Something tells me his best basketball of his career is yet to be played.
Cavs in 7
