Series Thread: 2nd Round: Cleveland Cavs vs Toronto Raptors

[tlance]

Oh now you done it! When wiggy sees this get ready for a 5 page explanation as to why Jordan would have been scared of LeBron & his Cavs.

Go team go...

No he wouldn't.

Just tired of seeing people say that Jordan's path to rings was so much harder than LeBron's. It simply isn't true. Getting to the Finals is nice and all, but you have to win the championship once you get there. Being second best does not help in the all time great discussion. But, it doesn't hurt either.

 

[trojanfan12]

Does Lue mean EC championships?

Damn. Lue should be posting in the Let's Just Make Shit Up thread.

 

[Heatles84]

Those ringless players did not have other prime hall of famers on their teams. If they had, Jordan would not have won 6.

The talent was a lot more spread out in the 90s. What is interesting is that many on here assume that because the talent was more diversified, the path to a championship was more difficult.

The reality is the opposite. Jordan faced many quality teams, but his Bulls were far superior to all of them. LeBron might have a relatively easy path to the Finals, but when he gets there he faces a team that is equal to or better than his.

In a 7 game series, the best team usually wins. Jordan was never the underdog because his teams were always better. Therefor, his path to championships was easier than LeBron's.

Jordan never faced anything close to this year's Warrior squad.

In short, I agree with you.

When asked the question who had by far the easiest path to the Finals? Lebron
Who had the easier the collective Finals opponents? Jordan

Having said that, in favor of Lebron, the path to the Finals in the East became exponentially easier within the last couple of years. During the Miami years he had to deal with quality opponents like Boston, Chicago and Indiana at varying points.

 

[Shanemansj13]

It explains it all here. If Curry and KD take max then will lose Iggy and Shaun, but still have Clark. The rest of the roster will have to be filled with minimum guys. If KD takes a paycut, around $5 mil they could keep Iggy and Livingston, still wouldnt have anything other than minimums.

https://www.google.com/amp/www.cbss...en-for-warriors-to-keep-durant-and-curry/amp/

 

[Shanemansj13]

In short, I agree with you.

When asked the question who had by far the easiest path to the Finals? Lebron
Who had the easier the collective Finals opponents? Jordan

Having said that, in favor of Lebron, the path to the Finals in the East became exponentially easier within the last couple of years. During the Miami years he had to deal with quality opponents like Boston, Chicago and Indiana at varying points.

I agree with this. The East isnt nearly as strong as it was when he was on Cleveland the first time and in his Miami days.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

It explains it all here. If Curry and KD take max then will lose Iggy and Shaun, but still have Clark. The rest of the roster will have to be filled with minimum guys. If KD takes a paycut, around $5 mil they could keep Iggy and Livingston, still wouldnt have anything other than minimums.

https://www.google.com/amp/www.cbss...en-for-warriors-to-keep-durant-and-curry/amp/

Cavs last summer had to let players go, had no cap space but found ways to add several players.
Its nothing new. Warriors will be fine.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

I agree with this. The East isnt nearly as strong as it was when he was on Cleveland the first time and in his Miami days.

Plus James played in expansion era while Jordan didn't.
Correct?
More teams waters down talent.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Plus James played in expansion era while Jordan didn't.
Correct?
More teams waters down talent.

Well in Bill Russell's case there were only about 8 teams and two were loaded, especially his Celtics LOL. Ole overrated Billy

 

[WiggyRuss]

Tristan Thompson, 'sometimes overlooked and underappreciated,' at center of Cavaliers' defensive resurgence

Why Tristan is so valuable- and contributes to ACTUALLY WINNING.

Instead of going with his usual LeBron James-led group, one that includes floor-spacing big man Channing Frye at center, Lue swapped in Tristan Thompson for Frye.

"Starting Tristan in that fourth quarter and Bron together when they went to that pick-and-roll instead of blitzing and being in scramble mode, we were able to switch and put Tristan on DeMar (DeRozan)," Lue said following Cleveland's 115-94 win.

With the Raptors' offense looking comfortable for the first time all series and the Cavs appearing lethargic at times, Lue felt his team needed a jolt.

And who better to provide it than Thompson?

It's not to say Frye was at the root of the early problems. But Thompson's presence in the fourth quarter led to a defensive turnaround. There was more energy and intensity. Most importantly, the Cavs were able to use different strategies because of his versatility. Once they abandoned the traps, which weren't nearly as effective as they were in the first two games, the defense started locking in.

Cleveland's wing duo has received plenty of praise for the stingy defense against DeRozan. But it wasn't about them on Friday. It was about Thompson. It was about the Cavs using size to corral DeRozan instead. It was about showing him a new tactic after he had finally solved the previous one.

Thompson relishes those matchups. He credits his length, strength, athleticism and film study for the success he has against some of the league's premier guards

.T. does things that doesn't show up in the box scores," James said. "Obviously we know about his rebounding ability, but his ability to switch out on guards, it allows the other four guys to stay home. He made DeRozan take a couple contested shots. Made Cory (Joseph) take some contested shots around the basket. It allowed us to clean glass. So his ability to be able to slide his feet vs. guys that are shorter than him, guards, small forwards, whatever the case may be, it's big time for our ball club."

Not every big man is capable of it. Even Defensive Player of the Year candidate Rudy Gobert looked like he was auditioning for Dancing With the Stars when matched up on the perimeter with Golden State star Stephen Curry in Game 1 the other night.

Kevin Love knows all about that challenge -- Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Given how the Cavs use switches periodically, Love has experience in those nervy moments.

"That's what makes him so valuable," Love told cleveland.com when asked about Thompson. "You can talk about the energy and offensive rebounds, but his ability to guard all five positions is what makes him special and such a key to this team.

"Like J.R, one of the guys that's like I want to say, like one of the lifeblood. He's a freak. He's one of those guys that never gets tired, kind of like 'Bron, and he's one of our very -- I wouldn't say understated because he plays such a big and boisterous game and he holds down the paint -- but he's sometimes overlooked or under appreciated. Not for lack of being Double T. He's so huge for us."

After being a punchline for most of the season because of their shoddy defense, the Cavaliers are steadily making improvements.

"We're taking steps in the right direction," Thompson admitted.

The versatile center, equally effective protecting the rim and defending on an island, is at the center of the resurgence, with Cleveland boasting a defensive rating of 84.8 with him on the court against Toronto

 

[mick7-1961]

Went all in on the Cavs....



$40,052

IT'S HOW I ROLL !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mick7-1961]

Tristan Thompson, 'sometimes overlooked and underappreciated,' at center of Cavaliers' defensive resurgence

Why Tristan is so valuable- and contributes to ACTUALLY WINNING.

Instead of going with his usual LeBron James-led group, one that includes floor-spacing big man Channing Frye at center, Lue swapped in Tristan Thompson for Frye.

"Starting Tristan in that fourth quarter and Bron together when they went to that pick-and-roll instead of blitzing and being in scramble mode, we were able to switch and put Tristan on DeMar (DeRozan)," Lue said following Cleveland's 115-94 win.

With the Raptors' offense looking comfortable for the first time all series and the Cavs appearing lethargic at times, Lue felt his team needed a jolt.

And who better to provide it than Thompson?

It's not to say Frye was at the root of the early problems. But Thompson's presence in the fourth quarter led to a defensive turnaround. There was more energy and intensity. Most importantly, the Cavs were able to use different strategies because of his versatility. Once they abandoned the traps, which weren't nearly as effective as they were in the first two games, the defense started locking in.

Cleveland's wing duo has received plenty of praise for the stingy defense against DeRozan. But it wasn't about them on Friday. It was about Thompson. It was about the Cavs using size to corral DeRozan instead. It was about showing him a new tactic after he had finally solved the previous one.

Thompson relishes those matchups. He credits his length, strength, athleticism and film study for the success he has against some of the league's premier guards

.T. does things that doesn't show up in the box scores," James said. "Obviously we know about his rebounding ability, but his ability to switch out on guards, it allows the other four guys to stay home. He made DeRozan take a couple contested shots. Made Cory (Joseph) take some contested shots around the basket. It allowed us to clean glass. So his ability to be able to slide his feet vs. guys that are shorter than him, guards, small forwards, whatever the case may be, it's big time for our ball club."

Not every big man is capable of it. Even Defensive Player of the Year candidate Rudy Gobert looked like he was auditioning for Dancing With the Stars when matched up on the perimeter with Golden State star Stephen Curry in Game 1 the other night.

Kevin Love knows all about that challenge -- Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Given how the Cavs use switches periodically, Love has experience in those nervy moments.

"That's what makes him so valuable," Love told cleveland.com when asked about Thompson. "You can talk about the energy and offensive rebounds, but his ability to guard all five positions is what makes him special and such a key to this team.

"Like J.R, one of the guys that's like I want to say, like one of the lifeblood. He's a freak. He's one of those guys that never gets tired, kind of like 'Bron, and he's one of our very -- I wouldn't say understated because he plays such a big and boisterous game and he holds down the paint -- but he's sometimes overlooked or under appreciated. Not for lack of being Double T. He's so huge for us."

After being a punchline for most of the season because of their shoddy defense, the Cavaliers are steadily making improvements.

"We're taking steps in the right direction," Thompson admitted.

The versatile center, equally effective protecting the rim and defending on an island, is at the center of the resurgence, with Cleveland boasting a defensive rating of 84.8 with him on the court against Toronto

 

[Wamu]

Plus James played in expansion era while Jordan didn't.
Correct?
More teams waters down talent.

During MJ's career expansion teams the Heat (88), Hornets (88), Twolves (89), Magic (89), Grizzles (95) & Raptors (95) all started playing. The only expansion team since LeBron got to the NBA was the Charlotte Hornets in 2014. To say LeBron played in the expansion era & MJ didn't is incorrect. And the only reason I looked it up is because what you said seemed false to me.

 

[msgkings322]

It explains it all here. If Curry and KD take max then will lose Iggy and Shaun, but still have Clark. The rest of the roster will have to be filled with minimum guys. If KD takes a paycut, around $5 mil they could keep Iggy and Livingston, still wouldnt have anything other than minimums.

https://www.google.com/amp/www.cbss...en-for-warriors-to-keep-durant-and-curry/amp/

They are going to let Livingston go, and Clark, don't need either. Nice to have but not necessary, with McCaw and whomever they get to fill in.

They will re-sign the core 4 and Iggy, and West, and JaVale.

 

[DorianRo]

That is true the point a few brought up. The East is actually WEAKER now than it was when LeBron played in Cleveland the First time or in Miami (When the Pacers were better, Bulls were tough when healthy, Celtics were good for a bit).

Hard to believe how pathetic it is now. The First seed Celtics shouldn't even of gotten through the first round. Thats the definition of WEAK

 

[Wamu]

That is true the point a few brought up. The East is actually WEAKER now than it was when LeBron played in Cleveland the First time or in Miami (When the Pacers were better, Bulls were tough when healthy, Celtics were good for a bit).

Hard to believe how pathetic it is now. The First seed Celtics shouldn't even of gotten through the first round. Thats the definition of WEAK

And why shouldn't the Celtics have advanced? If the Bulls were really the better team they would have advanced but didn't.

 

[DorianRo]

And why shouldn't the Celtics have advanced? If the Bulls were really the better team they would have advanced but didn't.

Losing the first 2 games at home, Only advanced because of the Rondo injury

 

[Shanemansj13]

Went all in on the Cavs....



$40,052

IT'S HOW I ROLL !!!!!!!!!!!

I put 15K on the W's but I dont like going big on my team

 

[Shanemansj13]

They are going to let Livingston go, and Clark, don't need either. Nice to have but not necessary, with McCaw and whomever they get to fill in.

They will re-sign the core 4 and Iggy, and West, and JaVale.

Idk if they win it all this year, West might retire, maybe not

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Dirk, Duncan, Kawhi, Curry, Klay, Kobe (without Shaq) , Gasol, etc.....

Guys that have rings during the Lebron era. Let's not make the comparison just yet.

The fact that this guy has lost more Championships than he's won is what makes this quote so fucking bizarre.

 

[Wamu]

Losing the first 2 games at home, Only advanced because of the Rondo injury

The injury excuse is lame as hell. Cavs fans 2 years ago couldn't use the Irving & Love injuries as an excuse. Last year Warriors fans couldn't use Steph's injury or Draymond being the jackass that he is as an excuse. And only someone that wants to nitpick would bring up the Celtics losing the first 2 games. All that matters is they advanced.