Series Thread: 4 Atlanta Hawks (48-34) vs. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers (57-25)

[TurnUpTheHeat]

If the Mavs took the Spurs to 7 games and the Rockets took a healthy Warriors team to 7 and the Cavs won by 35 points every single game you'd be saying the same exact thing... so whether or not you've "seen something" at this point doesn't mean much.

Iv'e seen nothing all year, and until it happens, I can't be wrong.
My logic was the same last year and it worked out just fine.

 

[Black Adam]

CLE...You might be spot on...you are spot on about the lack of competition so far, but GS us going to have to work to get out this series...if Curry doesn't come back full blast idk about them winning the west yet...I need to see him back in there.

I think Curry will come back fine, but that's just my opinion. but either way I do agree getting out of the west won't be easy. hell, even with OKC bringing it lately the west champ'll prove they had to claw their way outta there...

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Have you figured out the advantages of being under the cap yet?

Guess not??

Also, another question you'll avoid.
Type the list of every year the Cavs have paid luxury tax if James wasn't on the roster.

#illgiveyouaclue
#itrhymeswithtrevor

 

[Heatles84]

I'm surprised you didn't go with 2009.

Cavs swept the Pistons and Hawks and looked like worldbeaters doing it (sound familiar?)... then lost in 6 to a team from Florida.

Going forward, the first 8 games mean nothing. Cavs need to stay 100% focused on the winner of the TOR/MIA series. Hopefully LeBron uses 2009 as a teaching moment for his teammates.

And to be fair, I bash the Cavs a lot and maybe don't give them as much credit. Taking off my hater glasses, they're playing well while also being very proficient at taking care of business and getting done with their rounds quickly. This is to help prevent injuries (particularly to Irving and Love). And as I mentioned before, the ECF will not be all that competitive either if Whiteside isn't a go or if you're facing the Raptors.

If OKC somehow inexplicably wins the West, then the Cavs will get their first title. They're really the only team that throws a wrench into the mix. But I've seen Durant teams go against Lebron teams, and it isn't pretty.

 

[Black Adam]

Lebron got pissy because we let go of Mike


And to be fair, I bash the Cavs a lot and maybe don't give them as much credit. Taking off my hater glasses, they're playing well while also being very proficient at taking care of business and getting done with their rounds quickly. This is to help prevent injuries (particularly to Irving and Love). And as I mentioned before, the ECF will not be all that competitive either if Whiteside isn't a go or if you're facing the Raptors.

If OKC somehow inexplicably wins the West, then the Cavs will get their first title. They're really the only team that throws a wrench into the mix. But I've seen Durant teams go against Lebron teams, and it isn't pretty.

actually i'm glad you posted that, Heatles. I did forget LeBron wasn't keen on letting Mike Miller walk...

 

[gordontrue]

Iv'e seen nothing all year, and until it happens, I can't be wrong.
My logic was the same last year and it worked out just fine.

Even I didn't see the Cavs winning the Finals after finding out Kyrie was gonna miss the series.

I really don't think it says anything about how right or wrong you were. I could make an argument that the way the Cavs played in the Finals without Love/Kyrie did more to prove you wrong than right.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I think Curry will come back fine, but that's just my opinion. but either way I do agree getting out of the west won't be easy. hell, even with OKC bringing it lately the west champ'll prove they had to claw their way outta there...

Curry probably will be fine...I see he's been playing a little 2 on 2 and he moved pretty well, but he's been out for what 3 weeks now? If he picks up where he left off it's still going to be tough but you have to like their chances to get out of the west...really like what Draymond brings. Westbrook is a beast man...OKC might take out SA, but either one will be a stiff test.

 

[Heatles84]

actually i'm glad you posted that, Heatles. I did forget LeBron wasn't keen on letting Mike Miller walk...

To be honest, I forgot to leave that part out. I didn't want to spark up that debate because it's really tired and boring. But yeah, Lebron essentially bitched about the Heat amnestying Miller who wasn't doing shit except make over $6 mil per on the bench when we had Ray Allen and Shane Battier doing his job better. There was no one that we could've used the MLE on that was worth it. Gilbert will spend money to spend money when he needs to, the Heat (particularly Arison) will be smart about their money. In Wiggy's mind - Gilbert >>>>> Arison. But.... 3 > 0.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Even I didn't see the Cavs winning the Finals after finding out Kyrie was gonna miss the series.

I really don't think it says anything about how right or wrong you were. I could make an argument that the way the Cavs played in the Finals without Love/Kyrie did more to prove you wrong than right.

I said they would lose,and they did.
If that proves me wrong in your eyes, then I hope I'm wrong again.
Yes, 2 huge losses, but their D improved.
Good luck getting involved is a 3 point shooting contest with the Warriors (assuming they make it and Curry is healthy).

 

[CitySushi]

The Cavs are looking absolutely beastly right now. At this specific point and time, they should be huge favorites to win it all.

The Spurs haven't played their best basketball yet. The Thunder are really unpredicatble. The Warriors have to deal with Steph's situation.

The Cavs are rolling right now.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

actually i'm glad you posted that, Heatles. I did forget LeBron wasn't keen on letting Mike Miller walk...

That's actually false.
James signed off on it, when asked.
Just like he did this year.

 

[LAD]

I think Curry will come back fine, but that's just my opinion. but either way I do agree getting out of the west won't be easy. hell, even with OKC bringing it lately the west champ'll prove they had to claw their way outta there...

As is the case most years. But I agree with you on Steph. They can get out of the 2nd round without him IMO. They looked back the last couple of games because they didn't play good defense- the way they're capable of doing. If they tighten that up Portland is done. Lillard struggles with a bigger guy on him & McCullum can't beat them by himself.

 

[Black Adam]

I said they would lose,and they did.
If that proves me wrong in your eyes, then I hope I'm wrong again.
Yes, 2 huge losses, but their D improved.
Good luck getting involved is a 3 point shooting contest with the Warriors (assuming they make it and Curry is healthy).

gotta agree with Turnup on this one. if it's Dubs/ Cavs part 2 and it turns out to be a 3 point contest the Dubs win, hands down...

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

The Cavs are looking absolutely beastly right now. At this specific point and time, they should be huge favorites to win it all.

The Spurs haven't played their best basketball yet. The Thunder are really unpredicatble. The Warriors have to deal with Steph's situation.

The Cavs are rolling right now.

Warriors still even money favorites.
Cavs are +200.

 

[Black Adam]

That's actually false.
James signed off on it, when asked.
Just like he did this year.

interesting...

course i'll take your word for it. you guys would know more about this than I would...

 

[gordontrue]

gotta agree with Turnup on this one. if it's Dubs/ Cavs part 2 and it turns out to be a 3 point contest the Dubs win, hands down...

The Dubs and Cavs were #1 and #2 in 3 pointers made this season. But that doesn't automatically make their offenses the same.

The Warriors have a much more free flowing offense using cuts and screens where the ball rarely sticks in one person's hands. Its a position-less scheme where the ball is supposed to be no respecter of persons and just finds the right shot.

The Cavs use much more deliberate action with post-ups, pick-n-rolls, and drive-and-kicks. (Obviously the Warriors offense has been the better of the two. )

They both also thrive at turning defense into transition scoring opportunities. (Again, the Warriors have done it better).

My point is... just because they both take a lot of 3 pointers doesn't mean the Cavs are "trying to be like the Warriros".

 

[LAD]

Curry probably will be fine...I see he's been playing a little 2 on 2 and he moved pretty well, but he's been out for what 3 weeks now? If he picks up where he left off it's still going to be tough but you have to like their chances to get out of the west...really like what Draymond brings. Westbrook is a beast man...OKC might take out SA, but either one will be a stiff test.

He's been out 2 weeks. And OKC isn't disciplined enough to win 4 games against the Warriors in a series. It will take them using more than jus KD & RW to win against either team in the West. Something they're not accustomed to doing much of.

 

[Black Adam]

The Dubs and Cavs were #1 and #2 in 3 pointers made this season. But that doesn't automatically make their offenses the same.

The Warriors have a much more free flowing offense using cuts and screens where the ball rarely sticks in one person's hands. Its a position-less scheme where the ball is supposed to be no respecter of persons and just finds the right shot.

The Cavs use much more deliberate action with post-ups, pick-n-rolls, and drive-and-kicks. (Obviously the Warriors offense has been the better of the two. )

They both also thrive at turning defense into transition scoring opportunities. (Again, the Warriors have done it better).

My point is... just because they both take a lot of 3 pointers doesn't mean the Cavs are "trying to be like the Warriros".

good post, but I wasn't trying to say that the Cavs are "trying to be like the Warriors". in truth they SHOULDN'T be like the Warriors. they can't play their style and expect to win(obviously)...

point is that in the 3 point game it's not to the Cavs' advantage to make it that type of a contest...

 

[CitySushi]

Warriors still even money favorites.
Cavs are +200.

That's from a betting perspective. They can't have a huge shift in odds right now because of Curry's injury. Vegas is banking on him being back at some point.

 

[Black Adam]

He's been out 2 weeks. And OKC isn't disciplined enough to win 4 games against the Warriors in a series. It will take them using more than jus KD & RW to win against either team in the West. Something they're not accustomed to doing much of.

like I essentially said on another thread i'm kinda impressed with what the Thunder have done so far, but you DO make a good point about the rest of OKC'S roster when push comes to shove...