(1) Cavaliers Vs. (4) Celtics

[shadowgrin]

Instead of playing in a half court set they need to run the Celtics out the gym. C'mon you got guys like Mo williams, JJ Hickson, Varejao, Antawn Jamison, Jamario Moon, Delonte West and maybe they should start using Boobie Gibson (hes not quick off the dribble but he hustles) along with Lebron. Fuck Shaq he is too slow on getting back on defense while Rondo has already crossed half court. Cut his playing time. Cleveland has the guys conditioned to run the floor but theyre not using that to their advantage. It is so frustrating watching them at times bc they make things more complicated then they should be.

Same deal from last year. How dare you question the coaching strategy of former coach of the year Mike Brown?


One of the headlines in NBA.com:

Behind every good MVP ...
Stands a coach, like Mike Brown, who isn't afraid to push a superstar like LeBron James to the limit.

Of course LeBron is going to be pushed to the limit when the coach knows nothing about offense and relies on James to cook something up on the floor.

[Dee.]

Every timeout i saw Brown just looking at his assistants.
He is not even a coach.

[hova-]

I voted for a seven game series for Boston but saw that I was the lone one to do so ... but this was an important win and I really see them spoiling James hunt for a title, as long as LBJ does not go crazy like he did in the last couple of post seasons. (which is likely to happen)

[benji]

Well, if you noticed last year every time there was a Cavs timeout late in the game it was John Kuester who everyone huddled around while Mike Brown stood outside the huddle.

IIRC, he only serves at LeBron's whim.

[Spotlight]

I predicted Celtics in 6 before the series and looks like my prediction is going to be right. Celtics are playing very well right now, while LeBron is battling with his injured elbow. Even Rasheed had a good game. I never thought Cavaliers could really win the title, because their roster is too weird. I mean they have good players(no question about that), but they have 38 year old center who can't really run the floor, PF who is unable to play good defense and inconsistent PG in Mo Williams. The team just doesn't look like a dynasty. Every year they have a totally different roster. They don't like developing young players. Instead of developing Hickson they traded for a veteran who has 3 years left in his contract. Smart? Not really. I understand that they are trying to build a contender to boost their chances of retaining LeBron, but still they have to build a team in normal way.

And yes - Celtics will win this series.

[Andrew]

I predicted Celtics in 6 before the series and looks like my prediction is going to be right.

Big call to make with the series tied at one game apiece. You may end up being right of course, it may go down that way and it seems the Celtics are stronger than a lot of us were giving them credit for, but it's still anyone's series at this point.

They don't like developing young players. Instead of developing Hickson they traded for a veteran who has 3 years left in his contract. Smart? Not really.

Develop Hickson how? He's not going to magically turn into one of the league's best power forwards in the space of a season. In Jamison, they acquired a proven scorer who's capable of being a dependable second option behind LeBron - something they lacked - for virtually nothing, since they got Ilgauskas back. Far from a stupid move or a gamble not worth taking. Sitting on their hands, not making a move and pinning all their hopes on Hickson playing like a star? Now that wouldn't be smart.

I understand that they are trying to build a contender to boost their chances of retaining LeBron, but still they have to build a team in normal way.

What exactly is the "normal" way to build a team?

[benji]

I predicted Celtics in 6 before the series and looks like my prediction is going to be right.
And yes - Celtics will win this series.

What do we get if you're wrong?

[Sauru]

i picked celtics in 6 also and if not for a late game meltdown in game 1 they would have a huge advantage right now. they need to close out games better if they want to win this series though

[Spotlight]

Yes, at this point it's still anyone's series, but Celtics got that much needed win in the road. Sorry for being too confident, but I don't really see Cavs winning this series. Celtics are too good for them.

Cavaliers played very well with Hickson in starting lineup. They don't really needed a trade. They had a good rotation with Varejao and Ilgauskas coming of the bench. And look at the future. They have a veteran(with many injuries in the past) who has 2 years left in his contract. Jamison isn't a good sidekick, because of his bad defense and the fact that he missed so many games in the past. In my opinion Hickson could be a star in 2-3 seasons(even LeBron said that Hickson has a lot of potencial). What they will do with Jamison? Do you think Hickson can develop into a star by playing 5-10 minutes per game as a backup? He need a playing time to develop.

Look at the Lakers as an example. In 2004 they traded Shaq. And made a smart move. Shaq and Kobe was one of the best duos in NBA history, but it was the time to build a new team around Kobe Bryant. Of course the first years were not easy. But they stayed patient. They drafted Andrew Bynum and developed him into a star. Then they made a fantastic trade and acquired Pau Gasol. In the same time they developed younger players like Farmar and Brown. That's what I call great way to build a team. Not by just making as many trades as possible and signing everybody they can. Lakers will be contenders for next 3-4 seasons. But Cavs? Well, I don't see them winning a title with only one LeBron(he still don't have an all-star level help). It will be interesting to see what Cavs will do this off-season(if Bron stays in Cleveland).

[Andrew]

They didn't trade Shaq because it was time, they traded him because his feud with Kobe reached the point of "It's him or me", forcing their hand. Bynum has definitely panned out, I wouldn't say they really developed Farmar and Brown all that much (they have their moments but both could be a lot more consistent) and a deal like the Gasol trade doesn't come along all that often, not for the players they had to give up to get him. To say the Lakers planned it all that way is giving them a bit too much credit; remember, the offseason before they acquired Gasol, Kobe was demanding a trade after consecutive first round exits.

There's no "normal" way of building a team, not when simple good fortune often plays such a prominent role.

[Dee.]

Jamison is an All-Star helper.

[Spotlight]

He didn't made an All-star team this season. Not even close of it. He is good scorer and rebounder, but he isn't good defender and also he is undersized for a PF position.

[Dee.]

He Creates match up problems for the Celtics,and i doubt Hickson would do a better job on offense,and on defense.

[Spotlight]

Yes, he possibly wouldn't. But for Hickson that would be valuable experience. To play against one of the greatest PF's in history of the game.

[Dee.]

He stills gets a normal amount of playing time,and without Jamison Cavs probably wouldn't have a chance against Boston.

[shadowgrin]

Look at the Lakers as an example. In 2004 they traded Shaq. And made a smart move. Shaq and Kobe was one of the best duos in NBA history, but it was the time to build a new team around Kobe Bryant. Of course the first years were not easy. But they stayed patient (everyone except Kobe). They drafted Andrew Bynum and developed him into a star (Kobe wanted Bynum to be traded). Then they made a fantastic trade and acquired Pau Gasol. In the same time they developed younger players like Farmar and Brown. That's what I call great way to build a team. Not by just making as many trades as possible and signing everybody they can. Lakers will be contenders for next 3-4 seasons. But Cavs? Well, I don't see them winning a title with only one LeBron(he still don't have an all-star level help). It will be interesting to see what Cavs will do this off-season(if Bron stays in Cleveland).

lol at revisionist history. (italics mine)

[Oskar]

Yes, he possibly wouldn't. But for Hickson that would be valuable experience. To play against one of the greatest PF's in history of the game.

They're in a win now mode, that's all whats need to be said.

[Andrew]

also he is undersized for a PF position.

Jamison: 6'9", 235 lbs
Hickson: 6'9", 242 lbs

(Source)

At 6'9", Jamison is not undersized for a power forward. And if he is, so is Hickson.

[Jeffx]

This will be the best of the semifinals series. It's become nasty and physical, just the way I like it. You get the feeling there's genuine hatred between these two teams, which is lacking in today's soft NBA. There is definitely something going on between LeBron and Garnett. Cavs are lucky they're not down 0-2.

Rajon Rondo could play on my team ANY day.

[shadowgrin]

Nothing going on personally like the way Jordan-Pistons and Jordan-Knicks did.
LeBron James is a douche and Garnett is a jerk so its only natural that their personalities collide when they meet.

[Spotlight]

Bryant isn't GM for Lakers. Ok, he wanted Bynum to be traded, ok he wanted trade. But that's his problem. Look at them now!

[shadowgrin]

Hindsight.

[Dee.]

Look at Thunder last season and look at them now,they didn't got any great players,no one asked for a trade.

[Spotlight]

Yes, I loved their development. They will be very, very dangerous in next seasons. They still need a good center though.

[Jeffx]

Yes, I loved their development. They will be very, very dangerous in next seasons. They still need a good center though.

Yep, all they need is some length to match the inside game of the Lakers. Combine that with their speed, and look out!