"The Cavaliers are one of three major sports teams in Cleveland. They continue to strive for their first NBA championship, joining the Indians and Browns in a championship-hungry city."
To come from behind in the 2010 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals, the team and its fans need to have positive mindsets. Cleveland must truly be 'Believeland'. The Cavaliers were viewed as the favorites entering this series for a reason, and they can still turn this series around by winning two games in a row.
Here are some examples of clutch Cleveland play in my lifetime:
1. 1992 NBA Playoffs, Eastern Conference Semifinals: The Cavaliers trailed the Boston Celtics 2-1 going into Game 4. The original Big 3 of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish, along with rising star forward Reggie Lewis, led a Celtics team balanced with veterans and young players. In the pivotal Game 4, the Cavaliers won the game in overtime, 114-112. Forward Larry Nance led the way with 32 points. The Cavs went on to take Games 5 and 7 and won the series 4-3. This was Cleveland's first victory over Boston in the playoffs.
2. 1995 MLB Playoffs, American League Championship Series: The Cleveland Indians trailed the Seattle Mariners in this series 1-0 and then 2-1. After achieving 48 come-from-behind wins, including 27 wins in their final at-bat, during the regular season, they were poised to come back in this series. In Game 4, the Indians put together a 7-0 shutout victory. This was the first of three straight victories. In Game 6, the Indians pitted veteran starter Dennis Martinez against Mariners' ace pitcher Randy Johnson. They won this game 4-0, in large part to a three-run 8th inning, which saw star outfielder Kenny Lofton scoring from second base on a passed ball. Veteran starter Orel Hershiser, former MVP of the 1988 National League Championship Series and World Series, as well as 1988 Cy Young Award winner and Gold Glove winner, was named MVP of the ALCS.
3. 1997 MLB Playoffs, American League Division Series & Championship Series: The Indians entered Game 4 down to the New York Yankees 2-1 in the series. With only 4 outs remaining before potential elimination from the playoffs, All-Star MVP catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. hit a game-tying home run off new Yankees closer (and soon-to-be Hall of Fame candidate) Mariano Rivera. Cleveland went on to win Games 4 and 5 to advance to the ALCS. In the ALCS, the team again trailed 1-0, this time to the Baltimore Orioles. With only 4 outs remaining before a potential 2-0 series deficit, outfielder Marquis Grissom hit a three-run home run to give the team the lead and, eventually, the win. Grissom followed this by scoring the game-winning run in Game 3. He scored on a botched squeeze play bunt attempt miss by shortstop Omar Vizquel that turned into a passed ball. Ultimately, Cleveland advanced to the 1997 World Series with an extra inning home run by infielder Tony Fernandez and a Jose Mesa strikeout of Roberto Alomar in Game 6.
4. 2002 NFL Season: The Cleveland Browns found themselves under .500 multiple times during the season, starting with an opening game debacle versus the Kansas City Chiefs. However, the team kept finding ways to win. Entering Week 14, the Browns were still in the playoff race with a record of 6-6. With their backs to the wall, they defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars on a Hail Mary pass from quarterback Tim Couch to wide receiver Quincy Morgan and an extra point kicked by Phil Dawson. After a tough home loss versus the Indianapolis Colts, the team rebounded in dramatic fashion as Couch led a drive at the end of a road game versus the Baltimore Ravens to win by a score of 14-13. Then, in the last game of the regular season, running back William Green ran for a decisive touchdown, while linebacker Dwayne Rudd redeemed himself for the Week 1 debacle loss as he and the rest of the defense stopped the Falcons' offense at the goal line to close out the game. At 9-7, the Browns advanced to the playoffs for the first time in the expansion Browns era.
5. 2007 NBA Playoffs, Eastern Conference Finals: The Cavaliers entered the playoffs winning the #2 seed on the last day of the season. They swept the Washington Wizards 4-0, then defeated the New Jersey Nets 4-2 to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. The team dropped the first two games versus the Detroit Pistons by identical scores of 79-76, resulting in a 2-0 series deficit. Yet, the Cavaliers would go on to win the next 4 games to clinch their first Eastern Conference Championship. After Cleveland took Game 4 to even the series, Pistons forward/center Rasheed Wallace was seen throwing his jersey off a hallway wall, only to hit one of his coaches. Then, in Game 5, LeBron James put together one of the boldest performances in NBA Playoffs history as he scored 48 points, including the Cavs' last 25 points and the game-winning basket. Game 6 was clinched as Daniel Gibson scored 31 points while Rasheed Wallace fouled out and was ejected for complaining about the last foul called on him.
'Believeland', it is possible. We can come back. We can win Game 6. We can force a Game 7. We can win this series. We can go on our merry way towards winning the 2010 NBA Championship. One game at a time. One quarter at a time. Let's do this. Go Cavs!!!!!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Questions to Answer: Game 5 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics took a 97-87 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4 on Mother's Day Sunday. With the series evened 2-2, each team will need to step up its play in order to take the series. Here are some questions each team needs to answer in their bids to return to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Cleveland Cavaliers
> Who are our clutch players?: More than anything, Mike Brown and the coaching staff need to better understand who the clutch players are on this team. As of now, the only player guaranteed end-of-game minutes is LeBron James. Aside from James, no one has won the coaching staff over with his consistently good clutch play. Anderson Varejao and Delonte West seem to be getting the most minutes aside from LeBron, but neither has taken over the end of a game this postseason. Jamario Moon seems to have climbed up the list of defensive clutch players, but he was nowhere to be seen on the court in the fourth quarter of Game 4.
If past experience is any indicator, Shaquille O'Neal should be getting more time down the stretch. O'Neal has 4 NBA championships to his credit, he played well down the stretch in Game 1, and he was making free throws in Game 4. Likewise, Daniel Gibson should get a chance to play. Gibson's sharpshooting abilities are reminiscient of playoff clutch shooters such as Robert Horry, James Posey, and Steve Kerr. He even hit some clutch shots this season during the big 13-game winning streak. It was Gibson's big Game 6 against the Detroit Pistons and Rasheed Wallace that powered the Cavs into the 2007 NBA Finals.
> How do we keep Rondo in check without letting Pierce warm up?: Putting LeBron James on Rajon Rondo is a huge risk in this series. Sure, LeBron can cover Rondo here and there; by default, he already does so on defensive switches. However, putting LeBron at the point guard position on defense takes him away from Paul Pierce, who has not yet had a good game in the series. This also moves James away from the basket, where he has become one of the NBA's best help defenders and shot blockers. Keep in mind that LeBron James is now the Cavaliers' best shot blocker.
In keeping LeBron on Pierce, Mike Brown needs to consider whether to use Daniel Gibson or Sebastian Telfair. Gibson has played sparingly and Telfair has been inactive throughout this postseason. However, either or both of these players can spark the Cavs' bench, keep up with Rondo, and possibly give Rondo and the Celtics' defense some matchup problems.
> Can Mike Brown effectively change the lineups and rotation?: Stagnancy has dogged this year's team and has been a cause of failure in Mike Brown's past. Coach Brown needs to be more open and more creative in the playcalling and roster use. The Cavaliers are a deep team. They had a 13-game winning streak, including 9 wins without Mo Williams or Delonte West, who were the starting backcourt for last year's 66-win team. When the lineup changed, Brown and the coaching staff altered the way the offense ran. During that stretch, Shaq, Gibson, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas stepped up as key contributors. Yet, as Mo Williams and others flounder, this has not been corrected during the playoffs.
Coach Brown also needs to look at the usage of Varejao and Leon Powe. Varejao played his best basketball this season as a power forward, not a center. Varejao played especially well with Z, as well as with Shaq when LeBron was not in the game. Meanwhile, Powe is a former Celtic. He knows their team. He also competed with Glen Davis for playing time. There was a reason Powe gave the Cavs and Lakers problems in the 2008 NBA Playoffs. Powe might not be as explosive as he was before his knee problems, but he has a knack for getting to the ball through rebounding and defense. He may be an option to guard Davis, Kendrick Perkins, and Kevin Garnett.
> What if LeBron's elbow causes trouble or he just goes cold?: The Cavaliers' offense has been too heavily reliant on LeBron James. There is nothing wrong with him having the ball at some point in almost every play--it is clear the offense runs through him. However, the team has been too stagnant on offense and needs to move around. Also, the team needs to hit more open shots. Here, Gibson and Z can help, as they can both hit open shots and are both familiar with how to play with LeBron. A third player to consider is Jawad Williams. Williams has found his way to the inactive list, but he does have good chemistry with James. He started hitting shots this season when Jamario Moon and Delonte West were out of the lineup.
> What can we do to get Mo Williams going?: As was seen in Game 1, Mo Williams feeds off his offense. Ideally, he will get on a roll in Game 5 by hitting a lot of shots and scoring a lot of points. However, it is imperative that Mo Williams plays better defense and makes better decisions while handling the ball. What has been most troublesome is that Williams has been missing free throws and other shots down the stretch during games. Coach Brown needs to figure out what Mo Williams's clutch value and clutch capabilities are. Otherwise, he may be limited to passer/inbounder in clutch situations, and Delonte West and/or Daniel Gibson need an opportunity to fill the clutch void at point guard.
Boston Celtics
> What do we do if Rondo or any of the Big 3 foul out?: Boston saw an interesting situation in Game 4: they had multiple players in foul trouble. Rajon Rondo even started the game with 2 fouls in 3 minutes. Yet, Cleveland failed to capitalize on this and did not exploit the foul trouble situation. When Ray Allen fouled out at the end of the game, Rondo, Allen, and the others had already taken command of the game. Even if the Big 3 is not scoring, they still bring a lot to the table. They are all steady all-around players and can all serve as decoys on offensive plays due to their abilities on offense. However, if the Cavaliers can create another foul trouble situation in Game 5, the Celtics will have to figure out if their bench can keep up with the Cavaliers' best players.
> What do we do if Rondo loses his touch?: As of now, the whole series for the Celtics is riding on the shoulders of Rajon Rondo. Rondo's consistency in the first four games has been a joy for their team and has earned the respect of Cavs fans and league analysts alike. However, if Rondo does not score or rebound as he has been, the Celtics absolutely need Paul Pierce to score, score, and score some more. Rondo's all-around play has helped cover up for the struggles of Pierce, who has been focusing more on defending LeBron James during this series.
> Can Rasheed Wallace or Tony Allen put together another big game?: Rasheed Wallace was critical to Boston's Game 2 win, while Tony Allen was critical to Boston's Game 4 win. Wallace provides value because he can cause matchup problems and stretch out Cleveland's defense. He can also get under opponent's skin with his physical play and trashtalking. Meanwhile, Tony Allen put together a nice Game 4. He earned a lot of fourth quarter minutes due to his ability to play with Rajon Rondo as a shooting guard. While T. Allen played well at shooting guard, he was not as effective as a point guard. Thus, there is some pressure on T. Allen to have another good game tonight, including improved point guard play. One thing to watch for is if Ray Allen becomes Rajon Rondo's backup at point guard for the rest of the series, with Tony Allen becoming exclusively Ray Allen's backup at shooting guard.
> What if Garnett cannot hold it together for 7 games?: Kevin Garnett's scoring does not win games. However, Kevin Garnett's passion, defense, passing, and rebounding does. Even when he is not scoring, his presence is critical to Boston winning this series. If injury problems catch up to KG, the Celtics will likely face the same fate as last year's playoffs: elimination in the second round.
> Can we keep the Cavaliers from warming up?: The Celtics have done a good job of controlling the tempo in this series. They have slowed down the game quite a bit and have sped it up when the Cavaliers are going through cold stretches on offense. This is a huge credit to Coach Doc Rivers and Rajon Rondo for recognizing this. However, Coach Mike Brown and the Cavaliers can overcome this by taking command of the tempo. With Game 5 in Cleveland, this seems inevitable. If the Cavaliers play up to their potential, then Coach Rivers will either need breakthrough performances from Rondo and Pierce or will have to turn to and trust his bench. As of now, the Celtics successfully run an 8-man rotation, which can be problematic if the Cavs speed up the tempo and tire out the Celtics.
Closing Comments:
> Mike Brown is a good coach, but he has been too inconsistent in his coaching performance. He has been outcoached thus far by Doc Rivers. Now is the time for Coach Brown to show his worth.
> LeBron James should stay on Paul Pierce. Period.
> While J.J. Hickson helped in Game 5 versus the Bulls and Game 1 versus the Celtics, he is starting to struggle now. Likewise, Mo Williams and Anthony Parker have been far from stellar in this series. Meanwhile, Daniel Gibson and Zydrunas Ilgauskas deserve some time on the floor. They helped Cleveland get to the NBA Finals once, and they can help the team and city get there again. Likewise, Leon Powe helped power the Celtics to the NBA Championship once, and he can help power the Cavaliers to the NBA Championship this year.
Cleveland Cavaliers
> Who are our clutch players?: More than anything, Mike Brown and the coaching staff need to better understand who the clutch players are on this team. As of now, the only player guaranteed end-of-game minutes is LeBron James. Aside from James, no one has won the coaching staff over with his consistently good clutch play. Anderson Varejao and Delonte West seem to be getting the most minutes aside from LeBron, but neither has taken over the end of a game this postseason. Jamario Moon seems to have climbed up the list of defensive clutch players, but he was nowhere to be seen on the court in the fourth quarter of Game 4.
If past experience is any indicator, Shaquille O'Neal should be getting more time down the stretch. O'Neal has 4 NBA championships to his credit, he played well down the stretch in Game 1, and he was making free throws in Game 4. Likewise, Daniel Gibson should get a chance to play. Gibson's sharpshooting abilities are reminiscient of playoff clutch shooters such as Robert Horry, James Posey, and Steve Kerr. He even hit some clutch shots this season during the big 13-game winning streak. It was Gibson's big Game 6 against the Detroit Pistons and Rasheed Wallace that powered the Cavs into the 2007 NBA Finals.
> How do we keep Rondo in check without letting Pierce warm up?: Putting LeBron James on Rajon Rondo is a huge risk in this series. Sure, LeBron can cover Rondo here and there; by default, he already does so on defensive switches. However, putting LeBron at the point guard position on defense takes him away from Paul Pierce, who has not yet had a good game in the series. This also moves James away from the basket, where he has become one of the NBA's best help defenders and shot blockers. Keep in mind that LeBron James is now the Cavaliers' best shot blocker.
In keeping LeBron on Pierce, Mike Brown needs to consider whether to use Daniel Gibson or Sebastian Telfair. Gibson has played sparingly and Telfair has been inactive throughout this postseason. However, either or both of these players can spark the Cavs' bench, keep up with Rondo, and possibly give Rondo and the Celtics' defense some matchup problems.
> Can Mike Brown effectively change the lineups and rotation?: Stagnancy has dogged this year's team and has been a cause of failure in Mike Brown's past. Coach Brown needs to be more open and more creative in the playcalling and roster use. The Cavaliers are a deep team. They had a 13-game winning streak, including 9 wins without Mo Williams or Delonte West, who were the starting backcourt for last year's 66-win team. When the lineup changed, Brown and the coaching staff altered the way the offense ran. During that stretch, Shaq, Gibson, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas stepped up as key contributors. Yet, as Mo Williams and others flounder, this has not been corrected during the playoffs.
Coach Brown also needs to look at the usage of Varejao and Leon Powe. Varejao played his best basketball this season as a power forward, not a center. Varejao played especially well with Z, as well as with Shaq when LeBron was not in the game. Meanwhile, Powe is a former Celtic. He knows their team. He also competed with Glen Davis for playing time. There was a reason Powe gave the Cavs and Lakers problems in the 2008 NBA Playoffs. Powe might not be as explosive as he was before his knee problems, but he has a knack for getting to the ball through rebounding and defense. He may be an option to guard Davis, Kendrick Perkins, and Kevin Garnett.
> What if LeBron's elbow causes trouble or he just goes cold?: The Cavaliers' offense has been too heavily reliant on LeBron James. There is nothing wrong with him having the ball at some point in almost every play--it is clear the offense runs through him. However, the team has been too stagnant on offense and needs to move around. Also, the team needs to hit more open shots. Here, Gibson and Z can help, as they can both hit open shots and are both familiar with how to play with LeBron. A third player to consider is Jawad Williams. Williams has found his way to the inactive list, but he does have good chemistry with James. He started hitting shots this season when Jamario Moon and Delonte West were out of the lineup.
> What can we do to get Mo Williams going?: As was seen in Game 1, Mo Williams feeds off his offense. Ideally, he will get on a roll in Game 5 by hitting a lot of shots and scoring a lot of points. However, it is imperative that Mo Williams plays better defense and makes better decisions while handling the ball. What has been most troublesome is that Williams has been missing free throws and other shots down the stretch during games. Coach Brown needs to figure out what Mo Williams's clutch value and clutch capabilities are. Otherwise, he may be limited to passer/inbounder in clutch situations, and Delonte West and/or Daniel Gibson need an opportunity to fill the clutch void at point guard.
Boston Celtics
> What do we do if Rondo or any of the Big 3 foul out?: Boston saw an interesting situation in Game 4: they had multiple players in foul trouble. Rajon Rondo even started the game with 2 fouls in 3 minutes. Yet, Cleveland failed to capitalize on this and did not exploit the foul trouble situation. When Ray Allen fouled out at the end of the game, Rondo, Allen, and the others had already taken command of the game. Even if the Big 3 is not scoring, they still bring a lot to the table. They are all steady all-around players and can all serve as decoys on offensive plays due to their abilities on offense. However, if the Cavaliers can create another foul trouble situation in Game 5, the Celtics will have to figure out if their bench can keep up with the Cavaliers' best players.
> What do we do if Rondo loses his touch?: As of now, the whole series for the Celtics is riding on the shoulders of Rajon Rondo. Rondo's consistency in the first four games has been a joy for their team and has earned the respect of Cavs fans and league analysts alike. However, if Rondo does not score or rebound as he has been, the Celtics absolutely need Paul Pierce to score, score, and score some more. Rondo's all-around play has helped cover up for the struggles of Pierce, who has been focusing more on defending LeBron James during this series.
> Can Rasheed Wallace or Tony Allen put together another big game?: Rasheed Wallace was critical to Boston's Game 2 win, while Tony Allen was critical to Boston's Game 4 win. Wallace provides value because he can cause matchup problems and stretch out Cleveland's defense. He can also get under opponent's skin with his physical play and trashtalking. Meanwhile, Tony Allen put together a nice Game 4. He earned a lot of fourth quarter minutes due to his ability to play with Rajon Rondo as a shooting guard. While T. Allen played well at shooting guard, he was not as effective as a point guard. Thus, there is some pressure on T. Allen to have another good game tonight, including improved point guard play. One thing to watch for is if Ray Allen becomes Rajon Rondo's backup at point guard for the rest of the series, with Tony Allen becoming exclusively Ray Allen's backup at shooting guard.
> What if Garnett cannot hold it together for 7 games?: Kevin Garnett's scoring does not win games. However, Kevin Garnett's passion, defense, passing, and rebounding does. Even when he is not scoring, his presence is critical to Boston winning this series. If injury problems catch up to KG, the Celtics will likely face the same fate as last year's playoffs: elimination in the second round.
> Can we keep the Cavaliers from warming up?: The Celtics have done a good job of controlling the tempo in this series. They have slowed down the game quite a bit and have sped it up when the Cavaliers are going through cold stretches on offense. This is a huge credit to Coach Doc Rivers and Rajon Rondo for recognizing this. However, Coach Mike Brown and the Cavaliers can overcome this by taking command of the tempo. With Game 5 in Cleveland, this seems inevitable. If the Cavaliers play up to their potential, then Coach Rivers will either need breakthrough performances from Rondo and Pierce or will have to turn to and trust his bench. As of now, the Celtics successfully run an 8-man rotation, which can be problematic if the Cavs speed up the tempo and tire out the Celtics.
Closing Comments:
> Mike Brown is a good coach, but he has been too inconsistent in his coaching performance. He has been outcoached thus far by Doc Rivers. Now is the time for Coach Brown to show his worth.
> LeBron James should stay on Paul Pierce. Period.
> While J.J. Hickson helped in Game 5 versus the Bulls and Game 1 versus the Celtics, he is starting to struggle now. Likewise, Mo Williams and Anthony Parker have been far from stellar in this series. Meanwhile, Daniel Gibson and Zydrunas Ilgauskas deserve some time on the floor. They helped Cleveland get to the NBA Finals once, and they can help the team and city get there again. Likewise, Leon Powe helped power the Celtics to the NBA Championship once, and he can help power the Cavaliers to the NBA Championship this year.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Game 4 Preview: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics
The Cleveland Cavaliers head into Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals with a 2-1 lead over the Boston Celtics. They look to maintain the momentum for the rest of the series and build on their 29-point Game 3 victory.
Here are some notes heading into the game.
Cleveland Cavaliers
> Parker on Rondo: Look for Coach Mike Brown to keep Anthony Parker on Rajon Rondo. This has worked in part because the players were involved with this decision. The keys for Parker's defensive success have been clogging the passing lanes and conceding longer-range jump shots to Rondo.
> Garnett, Pierce, and Allen: It is imperative that the Cavaliers refuse to let Paul Pierce get warmed up in this series. They should also limit Ray Allen's opportunities for open spot-up jump shots. Analysts have been split on this, but if the Cavaliers are going to concede to one of the Big 3 having a good offensive game, it should be Kevin Garnett. The more Garnett scores, the less his teammates get involved.
> Celtics Bench: The Cavs need to limit the bench production for the Celtics. As of now, the biggest difference between Games 1 and 3 and Game 2 has been Rasheed Wallace's production. 'Sheed and Glen Davis need to be kept in check.
> Jamison and Hickson: Cleveland needs to continue to keep Antawn Jamison and J.J. Hickson highly involved in the offense. For Jamison, this means giving him lots of shots and lots of room to work. For Hickson, this means having him set lots of picks and constantly cut, especially when he is on the court with LeBron James.
Boston Celtics
> Rondo and Garnett: Look for Coach Doc Rivers to change things up with Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett. Rivers may try to put Garnett at the high post, freeing Rondo, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce to cut for open looks. This also puts Garnett's passing game to work and takes pressure off him to score.
> Captain Pierce: Paul Pierce has built his reputation as one of the NBA's best clutch players. Look for Boston to force-feed him the ball this afternoon. Their goal is to get at least 25-30 points out of Pierce.
> Bench: Wingmen Marquis Daniels and Michael Finley may see more action today. Their combination of spot-up shooting and hard-nosed defense may breathe some life into the Celtics.
> Containing LeBron and Antawn: It will be interesting to see what defensive matchups Coach Rivers will try to set up today. While Pierce and Garnett will likely remain the prime defenders at the forward positions, Marquis Daniels is a prime candidate to get more involved with guarding both James and Jamison. If Jamison finds himself out on the perimeter a lot, look for Rajon Rondo to help with the double team defense.
Here are some notes heading into the game.
Cleveland Cavaliers
> Parker on Rondo: Look for Coach Mike Brown to keep Anthony Parker on Rajon Rondo. This has worked in part because the players were involved with this decision. The keys for Parker's defensive success have been clogging the passing lanes and conceding longer-range jump shots to Rondo.
> Garnett, Pierce, and Allen: It is imperative that the Cavaliers refuse to let Paul Pierce get warmed up in this series. They should also limit Ray Allen's opportunities for open spot-up jump shots. Analysts have been split on this, but if the Cavaliers are going to concede to one of the Big 3 having a good offensive game, it should be Kevin Garnett. The more Garnett scores, the less his teammates get involved.
> Celtics Bench: The Cavs need to limit the bench production for the Celtics. As of now, the biggest difference between Games 1 and 3 and Game 2 has been Rasheed Wallace's production. 'Sheed and Glen Davis need to be kept in check.
> Jamison and Hickson: Cleveland needs to continue to keep Antawn Jamison and J.J. Hickson highly involved in the offense. For Jamison, this means giving him lots of shots and lots of room to work. For Hickson, this means having him set lots of picks and constantly cut, especially when he is on the court with LeBron James.
Boston Celtics
> Rondo and Garnett: Look for Coach Doc Rivers to change things up with Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett. Rivers may try to put Garnett at the high post, freeing Rondo, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce to cut for open looks. This also puts Garnett's passing game to work and takes pressure off him to score.
> Captain Pierce: Paul Pierce has built his reputation as one of the NBA's best clutch players. Look for Boston to force-feed him the ball this afternoon. Their goal is to get at least 25-30 points out of Pierce.
> Bench: Wingmen Marquis Daniels and Michael Finley may see more action today. Their combination of spot-up shooting and hard-nosed defense may breathe some life into the Celtics.
> Containing LeBron and Antawn: It will be interesting to see what defensive matchups Coach Rivers will try to set up today. While Pierce and Garnett will likely remain the prime defenders at the forward positions, Marquis Daniels is a prime candidate to get more involved with guarding both James and Jamison. If Jamison finds himself out on the perimeter a lot, look for Rajon Rondo to help with the double team defense.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Game 3 Preview: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics enter tonight's game tied 1-1 in the 2010 Eastern Conference Semifinals Round. Interestingly enough, the teams found themselves in a similar situation when they matched up in the 1992 Eastern Conference Playoffs. While the Celtics took Game 3 in that series, the Cavs took Game 4 and won in 7 games.
Apparently, this series is loaded with injuries, from LeBron James's elbow to Kevin Garnett's ankle. Despite the medical conditions, it appears that none of the injured players will miss the game tonight.
While Boston will look to maintain what worked in Game 2, Cleveland will need to make some adjustments.
Boston Celtics
> The Rondo and Wallace show: Look for Coach Doc Rivers to continue riding the stellar play of Rajon Rondo. Likewise, Rivers will hope that Rasheed Wallace can duplicate his Game 2 offensive performance.
> Pierce and Allen: At least one these two players will need to be on tonight for the Celtics to win. If history shows any indications, Paul Pierce will have his best games at the end of the series. Meanwhile, Ray Allen continues to give the Cavaliers' defense some problems. Look for Boston to utilize Pierce and Allen to tire out and frustrate the Cavs defense.
> Perkins in the post?: It will be interesting to see if Coach Rivers changes things up with the lineups, in particular the starting lineup. As has been seen thus far in this series, Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins do not have good chemistry in relation to the matchup with the Cavaliers. As such, it would be interesting to see if Boston moves Perkins to the bench and starts either Wallace or Glen Davis. This move is more likely to happen if the Celtics lose Game 3.
Cleveland Cavaliers
> Countering Rondo and Wallace: The Cavaliers will need to do a better job playing defense in Game 3. The focus begins with Rajon Rondo and Rasheed Wallace. While Rondo is much improved from when the Cavaliers faced him in the 2008 Playoffs, he should not be dominating the game as he currently is in the series. Coach Brown will likely stick with what was done in Games 1 and 2: switch Mo Williams to guard Ray Allen and Anthony Parker to guard Rondo. Yet, a potentially better situation would be to play Delonte West and Daniel Gibson together to handle Rondo and Allen. Gibson has improved his defense, and his increased strength can frustrate the contact-shy Rondo and Allen. Moreover, Gibson's sharpshooting counters the hot shooting of Allen and Wallace.
Meanwhile, the Cavaliers need to adjust their situation with the power forward and center positions. For one, the offense should go more through Antawn Jamison, not Shaquille O'Neal, during the first quarter. This was a strategy that worked well against the Chicago Bulls, and despite different matchups, could work well in Boston. Meanwhile, J.J. Hickson and Zydrunas Ilgauskas could provide some matchup problems for Wallace and the other Celtics' big men. Lastly, Coach Brown should seriously consider activating Leon Powe. Powe could give Wallace and Glen Davis problems on both ends of the court.
> Countering Pierce and Allen: The suggested strategy versus Allen and Rondo in the backcourt is outlined above. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers must continue to keep Paul Pierce's offense in check. Although Garnett is the center of the emotion while Rondo and Davis bring the most energy to the Celtics lineup, Pierce is the true heart of the team. His clutch play sank the Cavaliers in the 2008 Playoffs, and this year, could cause problems to the injured LeBron James. LeBron must stay on Pierce. If the Cavaliers recall from last year, they lost their hold on the Magic series in Game 1 when Coach Brown moved a fatigued James to cover point guard Rafer Alston, leaving the Magic's Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis, and Mickael Pietrus to score at will.
> Forcing the issue against Perkins in the post: Among other players, J.J. Hickson should be given more minutes to frustrate Kendrick Perkins in the post. This would force Wallace, Davis, or Kevin Garnett to guard Shaquille O'Neal in the post.
Closing Thoughts
> It is again clear that the Cavaliers miss the coaching services of John Kuester, who left to become the Head Coach of the Detroit Pistons after last season. Kuester was Coach Brown's "Offensive Coordinator". Without Kuester, the Cavs' offense has been too inconsistent, often hitting spells where they stop moving around and fail to completely challenge the opposing defense.
> Despite their non-use in Games 1 and 2, Daniel Gibson and Leon Powe remain potential X-factors off the bench. Gibson seems to be the answer to Rondo, while Powe can match up with Davis and Wallace off the Celtics' bench.
> Mike Brown needs to outcoach Doc Rivers. Both coaches are solid coaches, but both are also very stubborn in sticking with gameplans, even when those gameplans are not working. Thus, if Coach Brown is willing to vary his strategy, he can overcome Rivers's motivation of the Celtics.
Apparently, this series is loaded with injuries, from LeBron James's elbow to Kevin Garnett's ankle. Despite the medical conditions, it appears that none of the injured players will miss the game tonight.
While Boston will look to maintain what worked in Game 2, Cleveland will need to make some adjustments.
Boston Celtics
> The Rondo and Wallace show: Look for Coach Doc Rivers to continue riding the stellar play of Rajon Rondo. Likewise, Rivers will hope that Rasheed Wallace can duplicate his Game 2 offensive performance.
> Pierce and Allen: At least one these two players will need to be on tonight for the Celtics to win. If history shows any indications, Paul Pierce will have his best games at the end of the series. Meanwhile, Ray Allen continues to give the Cavaliers' defense some problems. Look for Boston to utilize Pierce and Allen to tire out and frustrate the Cavs defense.
> Perkins in the post?: It will be interesting to see if Coach Rivers changes things up with the lineups, in particular the starting lineup. As has been seen thus far in this series, Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins do not have good chemistry in relation to the matchup with the Cavaliers. As such, it would be interesting to see if Boston moves Perkins to the bench and starts either Wallace or Glen Davis. This move is more likely to happen if the Celtics lose Game 3.
Cleveland Cavaliers
> Countering Rondo and Wallace: The Cavaliers will need to do a better job playing defense in Game 3. The focus begins with Rajon Rondo and Rasheed Wallace. While Rondo is much improved from when the Cavaliers faced him in the 2008 Playoffs, he should not be dominating the game as he currently is in the series. Coach Brown will likely stick with what was done in Games 1 and 2: switch Mo Williams to guard Ray Allen and Anthony Parker to guard Rondo. Yet, a potentially better situation would be to play Delonte West and Daniel Gibson together to handle Rondo and Allen. Gibson has improved his defense, and his increased strength can frustrate the contact-shy Rondo and Allen. Moreover, Gibson's sharpshooting counters the hot shooting of Allen and Wallace.
Meanwhile, the Cavaliers need to adjust their situation with the power forward and center positions. For one, the offense should go more through Antawn Jamison, not Shaquille O'Neal, during the first quarter. This was a strategy that worked well against the Chicago Bulls, and despite different matchups, could work well in Boston. Meanwhile, J.J. Hickson and Zydrunas Ilgauskas could provide some matchup problems for Wallace and the other Celtics' big men. Lastly, Coach Brown should seriously consider activating Leon Powe. Powe could give Wallace and Glen Davis problems on both ends of the court.
> Countering Pierce and Allen: The suggested strategy versus Allen and Rondo in the backcourt is outlined above. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers must continue to keep Paul Pierce's offense in check. Although Garnett is the center of the emotion while Rondo and Davis bring the most energy to the Celtics lineup, Pierce is the true heart of the team. His clutch play sank the Cavaliers in the 2008 Playoffs, and this year, could cause problems to the injured LeBron James. LeBron must stay on Pierce. If the Cavaliers recall from last year, they lost their hold on the Magic series in Game 1 when Coach Brown moved a fatigued James to cover point guard Rafer Alston, leaving the Magic's Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis, and Mickael Pietrus to score at will.
> Forcing the issue against Perkins in the post: Among other players, J.J. Hickson should be given more minutes to frustrate Kendrick Perkins in the post. This would force Wallace, Davis, or Kevin Garnett to guard Shaquille O'Neal in the post.
Closing Thoughts
> It is again clear that the Cavaliers miss the coaching services of John Kuester, who left to become the Head Coach of the Detroit Pistons after last season. Kuester was Coach Brown's "Offensive Coordinator". Without Kuester, the Cavs' offense has been too inconsistent, often hitting spells where they stop moving around and fail to completely challenge the opposing defense.
> Despite their non-use in Games 1 and 2, Daniel Gibson and Leon Powe remain potential X-factors off the bench. Gibson seems to be the answer to Rondo, while Powe can match up with Davis and Wallace off the Celtics' bench.
> Mike Brown needs to outcoach Doc Rivers. Both coaches are solid coaches, but both are also very stubborn in sticking with gameplans, even when those gameplans are not working. Thus, if Coach Brown is willing to vary his strategy, he can overcome Rivers's motivation of the Celtics.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Del Negro is out, but Paxson should follow
Vinny Del Negro has received his share of criticisms and endorsements as Head Coach of the Chicago Bulls. During the press conference following the Bulls' Game 5 first round elimination at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Del Negro received a strong endorsement from one of the most important people in the Bulls organization: point guard Derrick Rose. Rose expressed his gratitude for learning from Coach Del Negro, including Del Negro's patience in allowing Rose to both do well and make mistakes.
Unfortunately, the track record of two .500 seasons, two first round playoff exits--and a clash with Vice President of Basketball Relations John Paxson--has led Paxson and the Bulls to terminate Del Negro's contract. Despite an endorsement from the best player on the team, who is an up-and-coming star with star free agent recruitment potential, Vinny is gone.
While the Bulls were an inconsistent team the past couple of years, the situation worsened in part due to VP Paxson's handling of personnel matters. John Paxson struggled to deal with the contract situations of Ben Gordon and Luol Deng. While the team eventually retained Deng, they lost a top clutch playoff performer in guard Gordon. Paxson also made a failed gamble in landing top NBA defensive player Ben Wallace as a free agent in 2006. While his acquisition of Wallace halted the establishment of a Detroit Pistons dynasty, it also paralyzed the Bulls' payroll.
To his credit, he professionally handled the firing of longtime teammate and friend Bill Cartwright, who seemed to be a potential up-and-comer as a Head Coach. Then again, Paxson made a mistake that has not received as much criticism as it should have, and arguably the biggest mistake of his basketball career (as player, coach, broadcaster, and administrator): Paxson threateningly laid his hands on Coach Vinny Del Negro, challenging the coach to a fistfight. True, this matter is ultimately a private locker room matter, as the altercation occurred in the Bulls' locker room. Regardless, while Del Negro was already being considered a coach under fire, it is questionable whether Paxson should have still been with the team after this incident. In other cases and other workplaces, Paxson may have been suspended, fired, and/or charged with assault.
Despite winning 3 NBA Championships as the starting point guard of the first Michael Jordan led '90s Chicago Bulls team, John Paxson has not proven to be as good a clutch GM as he was a clutch shooter. Arguably the biggest shot in Paxson's career occurred in the 1993 NBA Finals, as he put away the Phoenix Suns with the game-winning 3-pointer in the clinching Game 6 victory. However, those were the days. Those days are past. Paxson is no longer the point guard for the Bulls. His treatment of Del Negro reflects a lack of a class and professionalism, symbolizing not only Del Negro's struggles as coach, but also his struggles as a VP of the Bulls. The VP job is very stressful, but his actions were inexcusable and far from 'clutch'.
Despite Paxson's declaration that he plans to be a part of the Bulls' return to the top of the Eastern Conference, team management should not be lenient in dealing with him. While Del Negro has had a couple years to coach the Bulls, Paxson has had 7 years to serve in his current position. While coaches and players take their share of the credit for success and blame for failure, personnel management should as well. As the recent track record for the Bulls has been somewhat mediocre, 'fairness' is a valid argument for Head Coach Vinny Del Negro's firing. However, the same 'fairness' should relate to the job evaluation of Vice President John Paxson, and based on the longer-term track record of mediocrity, the evaluation should result in a similar termination for the VP.
Unfortunately, the track record of two .500 seasons, two first round playoff exits--and a clash with Vice President of Basketball Relations John Paxson--has led Paxson and the Bulls to terminate Del Negro's contract. Despite an endorsement from the best player on the team, who is an up-and-coming star with star free agent recruitment potential, Vinny is gone.
While the Bulls were an inconsistent team the past couple of years, the situation worsened in part due to VP Paxson's handling of personnel matters. John Paxson struggled to deal with the contract situations of Ben Gordon and Luol Deng. While the team eventually retained Deng, they lost a top clutch playoff performer in guard Gordon. Paxson also made a failed gamble in landing top NBA defensive player Ben Wallace as a free agent in 2006. While his acquisition of Wallace halted the establishment of a Detroit Pistons dynasty, it also paralyzed the Bulls' payroll.
To his credit, he professionally handled the firing of longtime teammate and friend Bill Cartwright, who seemed to be a potential up-and-comer as a Head Coach. Then again, Paxson made a mistake that has not received as much criticism as it should have, and arguably the biggest mistake of his basketball career (as player, coach, broadcaster, and administrator): Paxson threateningly laid his hands on Coach Vinny Del Negro, challenging the coach to a fistfight. True, this matter is ultimately a private locker room matter, as the altercation occurred in the Bulls' locker room. Regardless, while Del Negro was already being considered a coach under fire, it is questionable whether Paxson should have still been with the team after this incident. In other cases and other workplaces, Paxson may have been suspended, fired, and/or charged with assault.
Despite winning 3 NBA Championships as the starting point guard of the first Michael Jordan led '90s Chicago Bulls team, John Paxson has not proven to be as good a clutch GM as he was a clutch shooter. Arguably the biggest shot in Paxson's career occurred in the 1993 NBA Finals, as he put away the Phoenix Suns with the game-winning 3-pointer in the clinching Game 6 victory. However, those were the days. Those days are past. Paxson is no longer the point guard for the Bulls. His treatment of Del Negro reflects a lack of a class and professionalism, symbolizing not only Del Negro's struggles as coach, but also his struggles as a VP of the Bulls. The VP job is very stressful, but his actions were inexcusable and far from 'clutch'.
Despite Paxson's declaration that he plans to be a part of the Bulls' return to the top of the Eastern Conference, team management should not be lenient in dealing with him. While Del Negro has had a couple years to coach the Bulls, Paxson has had 7 years to serve in his current position. While coaches and players take their share of the credit for success and blame for failure, personnel management should as well. As the recent track record for the Bulls has been somewhat mediocre, 'fairness' is a valid argument for Head Coach Vinny Del Negro's firing. However, the same 'fairness' should relate to the job evaluation of Vice President John Paxson, and based on the longer-term track record of mediocrity, the evaluation should result in a similar termination for the VP.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Game 2 Preview: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics
The Cleveland Cavaliers came from behind to defeat the Boston Celtics 101-93 on Saturday night. Despite an elbow strain that was aggravated during the first-round series with the Chicago Bulls, LeBron James led all scorers with 35 points in Game 1. Meanwhile, point guard Rajon Rondo led the Celtics with 27 points.
Here is some input about what to watch out for in Game 2 tonight.
Boston Celtics
> Forward Paul Pierce was held to 13 points in Game 1 on 5-17 shooting. This included a 1-6 mark on 3-Point Field Goals. Look for Pierce to get better spot-up shooting opportunities in Game 2. Expect Pierce to move around much more to force LeBron James to have to cover more ground and play more physically.
> Rajon Rondo carried the team as the point guard in Game 1. Not only did he score 27 points, but he also had 6 rebounds, 12 assists, and shot 12-14 from the free throw line. However, he did not have any steals despite being the league leader during the regular season. In Game 2, he will need more help from backup Tony Allen, who brought 5 points and 2 rebounds--but no assists--off the bench on Saturday. With better play from T. Allen, as well as better shooting from Pierce, Rondo should be able to focus more on playing defense tonight.
> If defense is a problem tonight, look for Rasheed Wallace and others to use up their fouls. The Cavs only shot 21-31 (67.7%) from the free throw line last game. Coach Doc Rivers also expressed his displeasure that Glen Davis eased up on defense in Game 1 due to foul trouble in the first half. Thus, the green light is on to foul as needed.
> If the Celtics falter in Game 2 . . . :
Look for Marquis Daniels to get more minutes as soon as possible. If he gets minutes in the second half tonight, it will be to guard either LeBron James or Mo Williams. Meanwhile, a Celtics loss tonight means that Nate Robinson could get minutes in Game 3. Robinson would be called upon to punish the Cavs' sluggish defense of the point guard position. Of the players currently in Boston's rotation, Tony Allen risks losing the most minutes if adjustments are needed following a Celtics loss.
Cleveland Cavaliers
> Mo Williams came to life in the second half of Game 1. As different players have different motivators and different ways of getting warmed up, it is clear Williams feeds off of his scoring. His defense on Rondo in the first half was terrible, but once he started scoring in the second half, he was better able to guard Rondo and Ray Allen. Coach Mike Brown will have to make sure Williams gets his share of the shots, and he needs to make sure Mo uses his full offensive repertoire rather than just settling for 3's.
> J.J. Hickson provided a much needed spark off the bench on Saturday. His 11 points on 5-7 shooting was key to Cleveland cutting Boston's lead in Game 1. Hickson brings an energy that Leon Powe brought to the Cavs-Celtics series two years ago; now, Powe is with the Cavs. As such, the Celtics might not be able to counter Hickson this series, and Hickson may have identified himself as an X-factor. Hickson's impact will likely affect the total minutes played by Shaquille O'Neal, Antawn Jamison, and even Anderson Varejao.
> Delonte West looks like he is becoming the other X-factor for the Cavaliers to defeat the Celtics. West's ability to guard both Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen means that he should get at least 30 minutes tonight. Also, aside from 'Bron and 'Tawn, Delonte is the main Cavalier that can consistently create his own shot. He can do this whether or not he is running the offense. As such, look for Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon to see reduced minutes tonight.
> If the Cavaliers falter in Game 2 . . . :
Coach Mike Brown's adjustments will be directly related to what he perceives caused the loss. He will use Shaq and Zydrunas Ilgauskas more if the Celtics interior defense looks weak, or he will use Moon or Daniel Gibson if the Celtics take a long-lasting lead tonight with a smaller lineup. Boobie's 3-point shooting remains a weapon on the Cavs bench upon which Brown can call if LeBron's elbow continues to limit the MVP's scoring.
Here is some input about what to watch out for in Game 2 tonight.
Boston Celtics
> Forward Paul Pierce was held to 13 points in Game 1 on 5-17 shooting. This included a 1-6 mark on 3-Point Field Goals. Look for Pierce to get better spot-up shooting opportunities in Game 2. Expect Pierce to move around much more to force LeBron James to have to cover more ground and play more physically.
> Rajon Rondo carried the team as the point guard in Game 1. Not only did he score 27 points, but he also had 6 rebounds, 12 assists, and shot 12-14 from the free throw line. However, he did not have any steals despite being the league leader during the regular season. In Game 2, he will need more help from backup Tony Allen, who brought 5 points and 2 rebounds--but no assists--off the bench on Saturday. With better play from T. Allen, as well as better shooting from Pierce, Rondo should be able to focus more on playing defense tonight.
> If defense is a problem tonight, look for Rasheed Wallace and others to use up their fouls. The Cavs only shot 21-31 (67.7%) from the free throw line last game. Coach Doc Rivers also expressed his displeasure that Glen Davis eased up on defense in Game 1 due to foul trouble in the first half. Thus, the green light is on to foul as needed.
> If the Celtics falter in Game 2 . . . :
Look for Marquis Daniels to get more minutes as soon as possible. If he gets minutes in the second half tonight, it will be to guard either LeBron James or Mo Williams. Meanwhile, a Celtics loss tonight means that Nate Robinson could get minutes in Game 3. Robinson would be called upon to punish the Cavs' sluggish defense of the point guard position. Of the players currently in Boston's rotation, Tony Allen risks losing the most minutes if adjustments are needed following a Celtics loss.
Cleveland Cavaliers
> Mo Williams came to life in the second half of Game 1. As different players have different motivators and different ways of getting warmed up, it is clear Williams feeds off of his scoring. His defense on Rondo in the first half was terrible, but once he started scoring in the second half, he was better able to guard Rondo and Ray Allen. Coach Mike Brown will have to make sure Williams gets his share of the shots, and he needs to make sure Mo uses his full offensive repertoire rather than just settling for 3's.
> J.J. Hickson provided a much needed spark off the bench on Saturday. His 11 points on 5-7 shooting was key to Cleveland cutting Boston's lead in Game 1. Hickson brings an energy that Leon Powe brought to the Cavs-Celtics series two years ago; now, Powe is with the Cavs. As such, the Celtics might not be able to counter Hickson this series, and Hickson may have identified himself as an X-factor. Hickson's impact will likely affect the total minutes played by Shaquille O'Neal, Antawn Jamison, and even Anderson Varejao.
> Delonte West looks like he is becoming the other X-factor for the Cavaliers to defeat the Celtics. West's ability to guard both Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen means that he should get at least 30 minutes tonight. Also, aside from 'Bron and 'Tawn, Delonte is the main Cavalier that can consistently create his own shot. He can do this whether or not he is running the offense. As such, look for Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon to see reduced minutes tonight.
> If the Cavaliers falter in Game 2 . . . :
Coach Mike Brown's adjustments will be directly related to what he perceives caused the loss. He will use Shaq and Zydrunas Ilgauskas more if the Celtics interior defense looks weak, or he will use Moon or Daniel Gibson if the Celtics take a long-lasting lead tonight with a smaller lineup. Boobie's 3-point shooting remains a weapon on the Cavs bench upon which Brown can call if LeBron's elbow continues to limit the MVP's scoring.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Freelance Articles on Suite101.com
As I continue to post articles on this "Hard Workin' Team" blog, I will now also be contributing freelance articles to the website Suite101.com.
My first article there is about San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker, who is now coming off the bench for the team. Some may remember how Spurs management had considered making such a move early in his career.
My first article there is about San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker, who is now coming off the bench for the team. Some may remember how Spurs management had considered making such a move early in his career.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Cavaliers versus Celtics: It Starts Tonight
Tonight, the Cleveland Cavaliers kick off the second round of the NBA Playoffs as they resume their heated rivalry with the Boston Celtics. Unlike 2 years ago, the Cavaliers enter the Eastern Conference Semifinals as the #1 seed and the Celtics come in as the #4 seed. While the Cavs took 5 games to finish off the Chicago Bulls, the Celtics also took 5 games to eliminate the Miami Heat.
Here are some notes regarding both teams.
Cleveland Cavaliers
>Improvements to be made from first round: The Cavaliers looked to be a step or two behind where they were in the playoffs last year. Their offense was stagnant and their defense looked lethargic at times. This was possibly in part to the Bulls not giving up on the series the way the declining Detroit Pistons did last year amidst a 4-game sweep. Regardless, Mike Brown and the coaching staff will need to be more creative in calling the offense this round. Likewise, they cannot tolerate as many defensive mistakes as they did in the first round. Amongst the players needing to put on a better showing this round are starting guards Mo Williams and Anthony Parker.
>Roster question: Cleveland enters the second round with an interesting decision to make. They have 13 players ready and able to fill 12 roster spots in the round. While Sebastian Telfair and Danny Green likely will not make appearances this playoffs, Leon Powe is an intriguing addition to the active roster for this series. Powe was a key contributor to the Boston team that won the NBA championship in 2008. He battled Glen "Big Baby" Davis for minutes as they played the same position in the rotation that year. It was Powe, not Davis, that gave Cleveland problems during the series (and Powe, not Davis, who gave the Lakers problems during the Finals). In his time playing with the Cavaliers against the Celtics, it seems that Powe gives Davis fits while playing against him. Meanwhile, Daniel "Boobie" Gibson has taken on a much reduced role this season, mainly getting playing time when Mo Williams or Delonte West was injured. He was a key player in the Cavs playoff team 2 years ago, but a separated left shoulder kept him out of the deciding Game 7. Like Gibson, Jawad Williams has lost his spot in the rotation due to the healthy emergence of Jamario Moon. In light of all of this, it is possible that the Cavs will put Jawad Williams on the inactive list and replace him with Leon Powe.
>Shaq's role: The Cavaliers saw their best success against the Celtics this season after Shaquille O'Neal left a game due to injury. True, Shaq can match up decently with Kendrick Perkins, Kevin Garnett, and Davis. Then again, Boston tends to have problems playing against smaller, quicker lineups, so players such as Anderson Varejao and J.J. Hickson may get extended minutes this series. Meanwhile, Shaq has played his best on offense when either Mo Williams or LeBron James is out of the game. Coach Brown did use Shaq as a focal point of the offense twice in Game 5 versus the Bulls, including when James got his only rest during the game during the second quarter. In the end, O'Neal may have to accept a diminished role this series.
>X-factors: Daniel Gibson and Leon Powe. Shaq may have played his best ball this year when running the show with Daniel Gibson. Although Gibson does not have the ballhandling skills of Mo Williams or West, he knows the importance of getting the ball to O'Neal and gets him the ball. Before the season even began, several analysts noted that Gibson should be the greatest beneficiary of O'Neal's presence, which can get Gibson lots of open 3-point looks. As for Powe, he knows the Celtics system inside and out. He knows the Celtics' strengths and weaknesses. He was a player that Coach Doc Rivers had hoped to keep. He also is a player that can get Glen Davis frustrated. However, this is only possible if Mike Brown puts Powe on the active roster for the series.
Boston Celtics
>Improvements to be made from regular season: The Boston Celtics appeared to be a slower team this year, mainly due to the aging and injury problems of the Big 3. Also, it will be interesting if the referees call Kendrick Perkins and Glen Davis for illegal screens. The two of them set a lot of moving picks and illegal picks and get away with it too much. If Orlando's Dwight Howard was able to get into foul trouble throughout the Magic-Bobcats first round series, then it is possible that non-superstars Perkins and Davis will get less than star treatment this round.
>KG's decline: Kevin Garnett remains an emotional leader on this team. However, Paul Pierce is truly their #1 guy now, and Ray Allen's veteran decline seems to have leveled out. Now, Garnett seems to slow down the Celtics lineup. While his shot blocking remains an asset, he lacks the lateral movement to be as effective in a transition game. His scoring has also dropped quite a bit, so it will be interesting if the Cavaliers try to force him to be the Celtics' leading scorer this series. They actually ran with that strategy for most of the series in 2008, but abandoned this in Game 7 when Pierce and James had their memorable offensive showdown--which Pierce and the Celtics won.
>How much are the Celtics expecting from Rasheed: Rasheed Wallace is clearly past his prime. Yet, he still is a good enough player to be a threat in this series. Moreover, he has played against the Cavaliers enough to have an understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. It will be interesting how much the Celtics demand from Wallace this round. Now that he has lost a step and lost some of his shooting touch, his value versus Cleveland has dropped substantially. Coach Rivers will have to consider if he needs to limit Wallace's minutes, especially if Cleveland switches to a smaller lineup.
>Rondo at the forefront: Two years ago, Rajon Rondo was a rising star who played decently against the Cavs in the playoffs. He had both good moments and bad moments. Now, Rondo has become a defensive stalwart, finishing with LeBron James as one of the runners up for Defensive Player of the Year. Likewise, he has become more reliable on offense, as he has taken as important a role in the offense's success as Pierce. Rondo also has the chance to take advantage of a slumping Mo Williams, as Williams has continued his playoff shooting funk from last season. If Rondo struggles, though, the team as a whole will likely struggle. This is especially problematic because Nate Robinson has lost his spot in the Celtics rotation, and streaky, clutch-shooting Eddie House is no longer with the team.
>Backup wingmen: Two years ago, James Posey was another key part of the Celtics' championship run. He spent a lot of time guarding LeBron and also played some power forward, which he had not played regularly since college. His understudy, Tony Allen, remains with the team. Allen has gotten key minutes during the year as a backup point guard and spot starter. However, he has not yet developed to a level of play comparable to Posey. Battling him for minutes are veterans Marquis Daniels and Michael Finley. Like Allen, Daniels can also play point guard, shooting guard, or small forward. He also is a streaky shooter and solid defender, much like Allen. However, he lost minutes towards the end of the season and might not be a regular in the rotation for this series. On the other hand, Michael Finley was a thorn in the Cavs' side during the 2007 NBA Finals three years ago. While he is past his prime, he ranks behind only Pierce and Allen as a top clutch shooter for Boston. He might not play as many minutes as he used to, but he can still hit jump shots if called upon.
Closing Questions
>Will a road team win a game in this series? (The home team won every game in their best-of-seven series in 2008.)
>Will the Cavs play up to their potential this round?
>How much do the Celtics have left in the tank?
>Will the winner of this series have enough to take on the winner of the Magic-Hawks/Bucks series?
>Will the winner of this series win the NBA Championship (which happened two years ago)?
Here are some notes regarding both teams.
Cleveland Cavaliers
>Improvements to be made from first round: The Cavaliers looked to be a step or two behind where they were in the playoffs last year. Their offense was stagnant and their defense looked lethargic at times. This was possibly in part to the Bulls not giving up on the series the way the declining Detroit Pistons did last year amidst a 4-game sweep. Regardless, Mike Brown and the coaching staff will need to be more creative in calling the offense this round. Likewise, they cannot tolerate as many defensive mistakes as they did in the first round. Amongst the players needing to put on a better showing this round are starting guards Mo Williams and Anthony Parker.
>Roster question: Cleveland enters the second round with an interesting decision to make. They have 13 players ready and able to fill 12 roster spots in the round. While Sebastian Telfair and Danny Green likely will not make appearances this playoffs, Leon Powe is an intriguing addition to the active roster for this series. Powe was a key contributor to the Boston team that won the NBA championship in 2008. He battled Glen "Big Baby" Davis for minutes as they played the same position in the rotation that year. It was Powe, not Davis, that gave Cleveland problems during the series (and Powe, not Davis, who gave the Lakers problems during the Finals). In his time playing with the Cavaliers against the Celtics, it seems that Powe gives Davis fits while playing against him. Meanwhile, Daniel "Boobie" Gibson has taken on a much reduced role this season, mainly getting playing time when Mo Williams or Delonte West was injured. He was a key player in the Cavs playoff team 2 years ago, but a separated left shoulder kept him out of the deciding Game 7. Like Gibson, Jawad Williams has lost his spot in the rotation due to the healthy emergence of Jamario Moon. In light of all of this, it is possible that the Cavs will put Jawad Williams on the inactive list and replace him with Leon Powe.
>Shaq's role: The Cavaliers saw their best success against the Celtics this season after Shaquille O'Neal left a game due to injury. True, Shaq can match up decently with Kendrick Perkins, Kevin Garnett, and Davis. Then again, Boston tends to have problems playing against smaller, quicker lineups, so players such as Anderson Varejao and J.J. Hickson may get extended minutes this series. Meanwhile, Shaq has played his best on offense when either Mo Williams or LeBron James is out of the game. Coach Brown did use Shaq as a focal point of the offense twice in Game 5 versus the Bulls, including when James got his only rest during the game during the second quarter. In the end, O'Neal may have to accept a diminished role this series.
>X-factors: Daniel Gibson and Leon Powe. Shaq may have played his best ball this year when running the show with Daniel Gibson. Although Gibson does not have the ballhandling skills of Mo Williams or West, he knows the importance of getting the ball to O'Neal and gets him the ball. Before the season even began, several analysts noted that Gibson should be the greatest beneficiary of O'Neal's presence, which can get Gibson lots of open 3-point looks. As for Powe, he knows the Celtics system inside and out. He knows the Celtics' strengths and weaknesses. He was a player that Coach Doc Rivers had hoped to keep. He also is a player that can get Glen Davis frustrated. However, this is only possible if Mike Brown puts Powe on the active roster for the series.
Boston Celtics
>Improvements to be made from regular season: The Boston Celtics appeared to be a slower team this year, mainly due to the aging and injury problems of the Big 3. Also, it will be interesting if the referees call Kendrick Perkins and Glen Davis for illegal screens. The two of them set a lot of moving picks and illegal picks and get away with it too much. If Orlando's Dwight Howard was able to get into foul trouble throughout the Magic-Bobcats first round series, then it is possible that non-superstars Perkins and Davis will get less than star treatment this round.
>KG's decline: Kevin Garnett remains an emotional leader on this team. However, Paul Pierce is truly their #1 guy now, and Ray Allen's veteran decline seems to have leveled out. Now, Garnett seems to slow down the Celtics lineup. While his shot blocking remains an asset, he lacks the lateral movement to be as effective in a transition game. His scoring has also dropped quite a bit, so it will be interesting if the Cavaliers try to force him to be the Celtics' leading scorer this series. They actually ran with that strategy for most of the series in 2008, but abandoned this in Game 7 when Pierce and James had their memorable offensive showdown--which Pierce and the Celtics won.
>How much are the Celtics expecting from Rasheed: Rasheed Wallace is clearly past his prime. Yet, he still is a good enough player to be a threat in this series. Moreover, he has played against the Cavaliers enough to have an understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. It will be interesting how much the Celtics demand from Wallace this round. Now that he has lost a step and lost some of his shooting touch, his value versus Cleveland has dropped substantially. Coach Rivers will have to consider if he needs to limit Wallace's minutes, especially if Cleveland switches to a smaller lineup.
>Rondo at the forefront: Two years ago, Rajon Rondo was a rising star who played decently against the Cavs in the playoffs. He had both good moments and bad moments. Now, Rondo has become a defensive stalwart, finishing with LeBron James as one of the runners up for Defensive Player of the Year. Likewise, he has become more reliable on offense, as he has taken as important a role in the offense's success as Pierce. Rondo also has the chance to take advantage of a slumping Mo Williams, as Williams has continued his playoff shooting funk from last season. If Rondo struggles, though, the team as a whole will likely struggle. This is especially problematic because Nate Robinson has lost his spot in the Celtics rotation, and streaky, clutch-shooting Eddie House is no longer with the team.
>Backup wingmen: Two years ago, James Posey was another key part of the Celtics' championship run. He spent a lot of time guarding LeBron and also played some power forward, which he had not played regularly since college. His understudy, Tony Allen, remains with the team. Allen has gotten key minutes during the year as a backup point guard and spot starter. However, he has not yet developed to a level of play comparable to Posey. Battling him for minutes are veterans Marquis Daniels and Michael Finley. Like Allen, Daniels can also play point guard, shooting guard, or small forward. He also is a streaky shooter and solid defender, much like Allen. However, he lost minutes towards the end of the season and might not be a regular in the rotation for this series. On the other hand, Michael Finley was a thorn in the Cavs' side during the 2007 NBA Finals three years ago. While he is past his prime, he ranks behind only Pierce and Allen as a top clutch shooter for Boston. He might not play as many minutes as he used to, but he can still hit jump shots if called upon.
Closing Questions
>Will a road team win a game in this series? (The home team won every game in their best-of-seven series in 2008.)
>Will the Cavs play up to their potential this round?
>How much do the Celtics have left in the tank?
>Will the winner of this series have enough to take on the winner of the Magic-Hawks/Bucks series?
>Will the winner of this series win the NBA Championship (which happened two years ago)?
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