Series Thread: 2) Cleveland Cavaliers vs 7) Indiana Pacers

[lebron23james]

Last years game was different. It was never really in doubt. Also, this years defense has been far worse than last year.

Basically, the Cavs have looked more vulnerable this year than last year (especially on defense) and this first game didn't give any indication that they have addressed any of that.

lol @thinking what they did last year transfers to this year.

Where did i say last year = this year

The cavs only looked more vulnerable because lebron and the rest of the cavs didn't try very hard in the regular season. They rested their players at any chance even all the way up till the end. This wasn't very hard to see

 

[lebron23james]

If my aunt had balls she'd be my uncle.

Odds are we hit more free throws

Can't say the same about your aunt, unless she is a tranny like u?

 

[lebron23james]

So to sum up this thread the reigning champs who are 1-0 in the playoffs look more vulnerable than last year on defense, yet no mention of our offense being better...

 

[trojanfan12]

Where did i say last year = this year

Every time you talk about what they did last year as evidence that they are just fine this year. I mean, are you really that dense? Really?!?

The cavs only looked more vulnerable because lebron and the rest of the cavs didn't try very hard in the regular season. They rested their players at any chance even all the way up till the end. This wasn't very hard to see

The Cavs looked more vulnerable this year because they can't stop anyone defensively. It wasn't because they "didn't try very hard." That's literally the dumbest excuse you could have come up with.

The very fact that Lebron played the number of minutes he did says they were trying. The "not trying very hard" excuse is bullshit that you blind homers tell yourselves to try and pretend everything is just fine. Much like trying to pretend last year is relevant this year. Even Lebron expressed concern, more than once, about how they have been playing.

Last nights game did nothing to show that they have fixed anything that has been an issue this year.

 

[trojanfan12]

So to sum up this thread the reigning champs who are 1-0 in the playoffs look more vulnerable than last year on defense, yet no mention of our offense being better...

Because the improvement on offense isn't enough to counter how much worse the defense is.

The Cavs scored an average of 104.3 points per game last year (8th in the league). This year, they averaged 110.3 points per game (4th in the league). That's a 6 point difference.

Last year, they gave up an average of 98.3 points per game (4th in the league). This year, they gave up an average of 107.2 points per game (20th in the league). That's a 9 point difference.

Last year they won their games by an average of 6 points per game. This year they have won by an average of 3 points per game.

Last year they went 57-25. This year they went 51-31. See the difference defense makes?

Also, defense wins championships. Last year, the Cavs played championship level defense all year long. This year, they haven't played anything close to championship level defense.

 

[Inimical]

jimmy butler

 

[lebron23james]

Because the improvement on offense isn't enough to counter how much worse the defense is.

The Cavs scored an average of 104.3 points per game last year (8th in the league). This year, they averaged 110.3 points per game (4th in the league). That's a 6 point difference.

Last year, they gave up an average of 98.3 points per game (4th in the league). This year, they gave up an average of 107.2 points per game (20th in the league). That's a 9 point difference.

Last year they went 57-25. This year they went 51-31. See the difference defense makes?

Also, defense wins championships. Last year, the Cavs played championship level defense all year long. This year, they haven't played anything close to championship level defense.

This year they were just coasting, not as concerned about the regular season coming off a championship or even getting the 1 seed.

Their offense is clearly better. They have the exact same starting 5 as last years playoffs, and pretty much the same players off the bench as last year. I am not too concerned about their defense, they can play better d, seeing as most of the lineup is the same as last year. The question is will they?

I think in order to win considering GS adding freakin kevin Durant, they will need to and get their defense back up to a decent level, and keep their offense high. That is if GS makes it.....I like the spurs personally.

 

[trojanfan12]

, they can play better d, seeing as most of the lineup is the same as last year. The question is will they?

The bold is the issue. It's not even a question of will they? It's a question of can they? It's that "flipping the switch" and it doesn't always work.

They've supposedly been going to step up their defense since the all star break. It hasn't happened.

 

[trojanfan12]

This year they were just coasting, not as concerned about the regular season coming off a championship or even getting the 1 seed.

There's a difference between coasting and going into the playoffs playing poorly. Teams that coast to the playoffs are still typically playing well when the playoffs start. They coast through much of the season, but make sure they are playing well as they head into the playoffs.

The Cavs went into the playoffs playing some their worst basketball. They are fortunate in that, the East is weak enough that it probably won't cost them making the finals.

But do you really think they can stand a chance vs. the Warriors, Spurs or maybe even Rockets if they go into the finals playing like they are now?

 

[Black Adam]

There's a difference between coasting and going into the playoffs playing poorly. Teams that coast to the playoffs are still typically playing well when the playoffs start. They coast through much of the season, but make sure they are playing well as they head into the playoffs.

The Cavs went into the playoffs playing some their worst basketball. They are fortunate in that, the East is weak enough that it probably won't cost them making the finals.

But do you really think they can stand a chance vs. the Warriors, Spurs or maybe even Rockets if they go into the finals playing like they are now?

lmfao @ "they were just coasting"...

since the all-star break...?!!

 

[DorianRo]

Cavs can coast in the finals because the East is so weak. They're gonna get ran of the court by GS/SA in the finals though. Probably wont win a game. Not with the weak ass, lazy defense they have played all year.

 

[Montalban]

I despise lebron james

 

[DJ Fieri]

This is going to be a difficult series for the Cavs....

 

[Heatles84]

Odds are we hit more free throws

Can't say the same about your aunt, unless she is a tranny like u?

In your hypothetical world, you'd also be able to troll better.

 

[Hambombs]

So to sum up this thread the reigning champs who are 1-0 in the playoffs look more vulnerable than last year on defense, yet no mention of our offense being better...

Cause the defense stinks right now

 

[gordontrue]

Y'all are crazy for thinking that PG could've gotten the ball to lance under the basket. Go watch that play again and watch where LeBron is... no way in hell that pass gets through.

 

[bksballer89]

Y'all are crazy for thinking that PG could've gotten the ball to lance under the basket. Go watch that play again and watch where LeBron is... no way in hell that pass gets through.

He had a split second where he could have gotten it to Lance.

 

[gordontrue]

He had a split second where he could have gotten it to Lance.

I just don't see it. LeBron specifically moved to the double team from an angle tthat would prevent the pass to lance. RJ was there too hovering between lance and cj.

 

[gordontrue]

Relative to the last couple months, I thought the Cavs defense looked good. And it is what ultimately allowed them to hang on to the win at the end.

To me, what let them down was their free throw shooting and late game offense. 17 4th quarter points.

PG went 6-8 from 3 on contested three pointers. Pacers played well offensively, but it wasn't indicative of terrible defense in my opinion.

That said, given their recent history, I understand anyone who wants to correlate the pacers effective offense in game 1 to the Cavs defense.

 

[bksballer89]

I just don't see it. LeBron specifically moved to the double team from an angle tthat would prevent the pass to lance. RJ was there too hovering between lance and cj.

You're wrong my friend