Series Thread: 1) Cavs(57-25) vs 8) Pistons (44-38)

[Shanemansj13]

I agree....immediately had flash backs....

guys get PO'd when they are down 3-0 and about to get swept on their home court.....just glad Love was ok...no team wins the title without a little luck here and there.

Well hopefully next series they can win in 5 so they won't get too pissed off and take it out on Mr. Love lol

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Thought Kyrie showed a lot of class in his post game interview. Gave a lot of credit to the Pistons and talked about what great player Caldwell-Pope is. Really starting to like this kid.

That series was about as close and entertaining as a 4 game sweep can be. If Detroit can keep this team together and get Drummond up to over 50% on free throws, they are going to be really good for awhile.

The only series that ended with a sweep that I thought was better, was Jordan's Bulls vs. CWebs and Juwan Howard's Bullets.

That shit was Hagler vs. Hearns

 

[CitySushi]

That was probably one of the most competitive sweeps I've ever seen. Give it up to the Cavs for closing those games out. Detroit just doesn't have the experience and made a lot of mistakes at the end of the games. Hopefully they'll learn from that and be that much better next year.

 

[PIBuckeye]

All I'm going to say is this..

Congrats Cavs on a good 1st round, there was still a little sloppiness at times that will have to get cleaned up as your competition level gets more difficult. Just stay healthy and keep your head straight and stay out of fights avoiding suspensions. The Cavs will need everyone healthy and a full bench with no suspensions to take it to the end.

Last year the Cavs got fucked again with the Cleveland Curse after losing Love (after being taken out by a hit man), Kyrie getting injured, and Smith getting taken out for a few games for a suspension.

Maybe this year its some other team's turn to get the "Cleveland Curse" and be severely handicapped - -- but I won't mention any names.

 

[logic]

R.I.P. Pistons, you were overmatched and outplayed. 10 playoff losses in a row is not very good.

But it is only 10 playoff losses in 7 years!

 

[LAD]

The funny thing is Lebron is in Stanley's head and Lebron giving him that little bump is when it kinda started. The thing is when you light a fire under Lebron it just motivates him more, that's why this wasn't the right move on his part. I like the little bump it reminds more of what basketball used to be, it's too soft now. It really wasn't anything though honestly.

I don't agree that he was in LBJ's head either, but obviously irritated him a bit otherwise why the bump? I mean LBJ is a vet with much more experience over Johnson. Not sure we've seen that kinda snarkiness from other great players in similar situations.

 

[LAD]

Pistons played a great series. Hats off to a young team with a bright future for competing hard and clean.

This was not your typical sweep of an eastern conference #8 seed. Every game was competitive.

Last 3 years the 8 seed in the East was 6 games under .500. These Pistons would've been the #5 seed in the West this year.

Yes, I thought they did a good job as well. I even thought they had it in them to win at least 1 or 2. They reminded me a lot of the Warriors a few years ago when they were just starting to make the playoffs again but not able to close out games. I especially saw this from the Pistons in game 1. They couldn't have played a better game against the Cavs up until the last 6 minutes or so. But congrats to the Cavs for moving on quickly.

 

[LAD]

Maybe this year its some other team's turn to get the "Cleveland Curse" and be severely handicapped - -- but I won't mention any names.

Wasn't that Wiggy saying something about haters being mad about not being able to beat the best- and here is that very thing coming from another Cavs fan. So sad...

 

[Shanemansj13]

I don't agree that he was in LBJ's head either, but obviously irritated him a bit otherwise why the bump? I mean LBJ is a vet with much more experience over Johnson. Not sure we've seen that kinda snarkiness from other great players in similar situations.

Uhh yes we have lol and we have seen more than a bump especially with the trash talking. Although, back in the day the trash talking was just an every game thing, we just didn't hear about it because they didn't have social media.
At one time or another we have seen the greats do some things. Whether it was MJ or Kobe getting in a players' face or whatever, a little bump is nothing but in today's game it sounds like a lot with how pussified the league is now.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Wasn't that Wiggy saying something about haters being mad about not being able to beat the best- and here is that very thing coming from another Cavs fan. So sad...

Well in that case the Warriors didn't beat the best last year. They missed out on the Clip and/or Spurs and played a depleted Cavs team...hmm

 

[LAD]

Uhh yes we have lol and we have seen more than a bump especially with the trash talking. Although, back in the day the trash talking was just an every game thing, we just didn't hear about it because they didn't have social media.
At one time or another we have seen the greats do some things. Whether it was MJ or Kobe getting in a players' face or whatever, a little bump is nothing but in today's game it sounds like a lot with how pussified the league is now.

No. Getting in someone's face and trash talking is NOT the same as physically intimidating someone. Please try again. And furthermore, LBJ wouldn't have lasted in the league back in the day with all the hard fouls they used to give out. Remember, there were no flagrant fouls to protect players back then.

 

[LAD]

Well in that case the Warriors didn't beat the best last year. They missed out on the Clip and/or Spurs and played a depleted Cavs team...hmm

Here again, I see the point went right over your head. The conversation was that some might have been "hoping" for teams to be without their best players. That was NEVER the hope of ANY Warriors fan throughout any part of the post season or regular season.

And if memory serves me correctly the Warriors had their fair share of the haters claiming their championship should've had an asterisk because of the other teams not being healthy. Mainly coming from Cavs fans such as yourself.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Well in that case the Warriors didn't beat the best last year. They missed out on the Clip and/or Spurs and played a depleted Cavs team...hmm

exactly...no team wins the title without some good luck....all things being equal - the Golden State Warriors are likely the very best team in basketball this year- but the most talented team does not always win because of a variety of circumstances.

 

[ChrisGar15]

No. Getting in someone's face and trash talking is NOT the same as physically intimidating someone. Please try again. And furthermore, LBJ wouldn't have lasted in the league back in the day with all the hard fouls they used to give out. Remember, there were no flagrant fouls to protect players back then.

Actually I think Lebron could have dealt with physical play a lot better than almost any other player. He is built like a tight-end -- he could withstand a lot of banging. He does beg for foul calls -- but it doesn't mean "he wouldn't have lasted" if he played in an era where it wasn't called. (he wouldn't beg so much)

Someone like Steph Curry (and Kyrie and others) would have had to deal with more physical play and I think some things would be different. Other players would have had to play tougher and not pull some of the "extra stuff" that they do today -- or they someone would have given them the business. ("just play ball") Like Bogut pulling Dwight's arm.

Bird has a good story about Lambeer ... who one time came up under Larry when Bird went up for a jumper. (Bird thought Bill might be trying to hurt him.) A couple minutes later, Bird put his foot under Lambeer on his jumpshot ... Bill twisted an ankle -- but it ended up not to be too bad. Bird yelled at him that he would break Lambeer's ankle if Bill ever slid under him again on a jumper. Bird said Lambeer backed off and never did that again.

 

[Shanemansj13]

No. Getting in someone's face and trash talking is NOT the same as physically intimidating someone. Please try again. And furthermore, LBJ wouldn't have lasted in the league back in the day with all the hard fouls they used to give out. Remember, there were no flagrant fouls to protect players back then.

A little bump, you are as soft as the NBA. That is the thing nowadays a little bump and social media nowadays. A decade ago it would have happened and we wouldn't hear a word. You are blind if you really believe the trash that is coming out of your mouth lol.

If you think Lebron (one of the most physical players in the league) wouldn't lasted in the league back then Curry wouldn't last a quarter. If there was a handcheck it wouldn't affect Lebron, although Curry would have a lot of trouble especially getting his shot off. Just stop while you are behind.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Actually I think Lebron could have dealt with physical play a lot better than almost any other player. He is built like a tight-end -- he could withstand a lot of banging. He does beg for foul calls -- but it doesn't mean "he wouldn't have lasted" if he played in an era where it wasn't called. (he wouldn't beg so much)

Someone like Steph Curry (and Kyrie and others) would have had to deal with more physical play and I think some things would be different. Other players would have had to play tougher and not pull some of the "extra stuff" that they do today -- or they someone would have given them the business. ("just play ball") Like Bogut pulling Dwight's arm.

Bird has a good story about Lambeer ... who one time came up under Larry when Bird went up for a jumper. (Bird thought Bill might be trying to hurt him.) A couple minutes later, Bird put his foot under Lambeer on his jumpshot ... Bill twisted an ankle -- but it ended up not to be too bad. Bird yelled at him that he would break Lambeer's ankle if Bill ever slid under him again on a jumper. Bird said Lambeer backed off and never did that again.

^^^This. It is how the NBA is now, if it wasn't like this the players would adjust.

btw...that story reflects how different the league was. They were tough. A lot of players in the NBA now would also be that way, but we would never know bc of how pussified the league is now.

 

[trojanfan12]

That is the thing nowadays a little bump and social media nowadays. A decade ago it would have happened and we wouldn't hear a word.

When Maurice Lucas would enter a game, the first thing he'd do when he walked onto the floor was intentionally bump into whoever he was going to be guarding just to "let them know he was there."

If you think Lebron (one of the most physical players in the league) wouldn't lasted in the league back then Curry wouldn't last a quarter. If there was a handcheck it wouldn't affect Lebron,

As much as I don't like Lebron, I think that when people claim that he wouldn't last in the NBA of the 80's and 90's, they are talking about Lebron being used to how things are today. If we had a hot tub time machine and just took him from today's NBA and dropped him into the 80's/90's NBA, then yes, he and any of today's players would struggle.

However, if you have a Lebron who grew up playing the way they did in the 80's and 90's so that he was used to that style, then he'd likely be just about as good as he is today. There may be some slight drop off in his overall numbers due to how physical the game was, but he'd still be a hall of fame level player.

 

[WiggyRuss]

A little bump, you are as soft as the NBA. That is the thing nowadays a little bump and social media nowadays. A decade ago it would have happened and we wouldn't hear a word. You are blind if you really believe the trash that is coming out of your mouth lol.

If you think Lebron (one of the most physical players in the league) wouldn't lasted in the league back then Curry wouldn't last a quarter. If there was a handcheck it wouldn't affect Lebron, although Curry would have a lot of trouble especially getting his shot off. Just stop while you are behind.

LeBron got elbowed in the face by Drummond and didnt say a damn word. He got cheap shotted at LEAST 3-4 times in this series and did nothing except keep trucking. If someone thinks LeBron is anything less than a tough MFER i dont know what to say after watching that series.

 

[LAD]

LeBron got elbowed in the face by Drummond and didnt say a damn word. He got cheap shotted at LEAST 3-4 times in this series and did nothing except keep trucking. If someone thinks LeBron is anything less than a tough MFER i dont know what to say after watching that series.

Now look who's talking outta the side of their neck. Stop kidding yourself if you think he didn't say anything after being elbowed to the face.

And furthermore, this conversation is done because your response to my quote reminded me why you & Wiggy get along so well-you both comprehend about as well as my dog. SMH.

 

[WiggyRuss]

A year after a playoff run in which James miraculously carried an inhuman portion of the load with Irving and Love sidelined with injuries, his share of the on-court responsibilities were substantially lightened in the first round this season. He logged one of the lowest first-round usage rates of his career (29 percent of possessions), and yet helped Cleveland blossom into the most efficient offense of the postseason thus far.

Cleveland averaged 115.8 points per 100 possessions in the series, the most of any LeBron-led team in the conference quarterfinals and nearly three points higher than the Cavaliers averaged over any month this season. The Cavaliers produced 1.16 points per possession, the highest mark of any LeBron team in the opening round and the highest of any team this postseason.

And for the first time in his career, James didn’t lead his team in scoring in the opening round of the playoffs. That honor belonged to Kyrie Irving, Cleveland’s shoot-first point guard, who paced the Cavaliers on a 27.5-points-per-game clip. The series also marked the second time in James’s career that he didn’t lead his team in field-goal attempts; to be fair, he still averaged 19.5 — and 22.8 points — per contest.

“For our team, it doesn’t matter who is the leading scorer or anything,” James told ESPN.com. “We just want to get wins. But the fact that [Irving] was in such a great groove, just throughout this whole series, we rode his coattails. We rode [Kevin Love.] I was able to focus on some other things, especially my rebounding, get guys involved — defensively, just try to lock in on my individual matchup.”