[Debate] Cleveland Cavs as "Real" Threat to Win it All

1. box and one zone defense
2. bait him into taking the long jumper that he thinks he's good at.

 

The only team in the West I would consider making them a heavy underdog against is the Lakers. I have no doubt they could beat any of the others. Even against the Lakers, the freewheeling, run-and-gun team that is 12-1 won't be there. It would be a grind-it-out series won/lost in the half-court. Right now, the Lakers are far from mastering the half-court.

 

anyone who doesn't think the cavs can win it is underestimating the cavs.

they are BUILT for physical playoff basketball.

they play great D

they have the most physically imposing wing player in the league.

lebrons supporting cast is sorely underrated. they've done a good job of surrounding lebron with shooters, and now they've had mo williams who can create as well as stretch the defense.

the two teams that have knocked cleveland out the past 2 years have gone on to win the title. what those teams had in common was GREAT defense, and 3 stars who could score. if cleveland were to meet a team with so-so defense they would definitely be a problem. you NEED great D to be able to slow lebron down. a team like utah who is physical but slow would get eaten alive by lebron and that would only open things up more for his teammates.

remember when the spurs swept the cavs ? you really think the suns or mavs would have been able to do that ? hell no. lebron would have feasted on them, and hes even better now.

we already know cleveland can make it out of the east this year, because boston is only team that can take them out. in the west i think clevelands defense is good enough for them to be able to play with anyone. im still not sold on the lakers defense, especially when they would have radmanovich trying to guard lebron (FAIL). cleveland is definitely capable of winning a title this year

 

Cavs are a top 4 team IMO right now. Celtics, Lakers, Cavs, Rockets....

 

Big Z is a stud...................
Maurice Williams is a stud............


With Lebron, that is really all you need to have a shot..............

 

Good post!

 

I don't think they have played big teams so far this season, but anyway you forgot mo. He's doing pretty well, at least better than our rafer.

 

Not until we stop losing to mediocre teams dont count us in there.

 

Not to mention they led against the Knicks in the mid 30's for much of the game previously. Sure, it was the Knicks, but the Globetrotters vs the Generals would've been more competitive. *I* had to turn it off before I fell into a coma.

First, if the OP had a question, fine. But when you admit you've only watched one game and then 90% of your post is analysis on why they would lose to certain teams you're putting your foot in your mouth.

Anyways, I think people still think of the Cavs vs Spurs series as some kind of indication of how the Cavs play the West. That was a completely different team top to bottom.

Last year the Cavs had one of the best winning % among all teams (East & West) vs the West. They've routinely been one of the top defensive and rebounding teams in the league. And they could've sent the eventual NBA champs home if Lebron didn't miss a last second layup in game 7.

This year? The defense and rebounding still look good. And they look much smoother on offense and are playing better team ball. They play like a top tier team, always in control of the pace. It's a long season and no one knows how it will play out, but at this point the Cavs easily look like a top 5 team. I agree w/ A_3PO (as usual) that the Lakers are the only team that would have a sizable advantage, but who else wouldn't? I think the Spurs could actually be a threat again later this year, so that might be another one.

 

If they had a better Xs and Os guy (like Eddie Jordan), I would bet on them to beat the Celtics or the Lakers in a 7 game series

1. They got LeBron
2. They got LeBron
3. They have a big frontline (Illgauskus, Varejao, Wallace)
4. They got plenty of shooters (Williams, West, Gibson, Wally World)
5. Their defense is very underrated.


Then again, if Boston can win it all with Doc at the helm, the Cavs has a pretty good chance.

 

I did.

Only as far as the NBA Finals at the age of 22, and then game 7 against the eventual champions the next year? Alright.

 

Come on. Apart from LeBron you can shut everyone.

 

I'm not saying this to bash you, but if you think their defense has been "nothing too great", I don't know what you've been watching. When the Cavs turn on the heat, opposing offenses usually collapse. Their problem has been they lose defensive intensity when their own offense tanks. With a better offense, more talent and more maturity, that is less likely to happen.

You saw them against the Celts, correct? You did notice no other team gave them nearly the scare the Cavs did, eh? If they had Mo Williams last year, I think the Cavs would have beaten Boston in 5 or 6 and been champs. Their "D" would have busted the Lakers in the chops just like the Celts did.

This year, they have Mo Williams AND a good system on offense. If boredom doesn't hit them too hard in January and February, I expect them to be the #1 seed. The Celts don't have the same focus as last year. I blame it more on championship arrogance than the loss of Posey. But I assume they will pull it together and have an epic battle with the Cavs in the ECFs. The way the East looks so far, I can't see a third team spoiling that party. But it's early.

 

A_3PO: do you think they should try to add carter or redd?

 

I'm definitely not a VC fan. Same for Redd. IMO, combining Redd (again) with Mo Williams would be a huge mistake. VC might be worth a look but his contract is truly horrific. After this season, he has 2 more years at $34 million.

 

i'm liking this notion. We have the raptors. so why not a European team.

 

Might I ask what your definition of a stud is