1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

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

Discussion in 'NBA Dish' started by OGKashMoney, Nov 26, 2008.

Tags:
Page 1 of 3
  1. OGKashMoney

    OGKashMoney Member

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2006
    Messages:
    2,093
    Likes Received:
    35
    Can someone explain the fascination w/ Cleveland to me?

    Everyone (ESPN, SI, Fox, etc) has them as a real threat to win it all, but I just can't figure out any arguments in their favor outside of them having LeBron.

    I haven't been able to watch as many NBA games this year since I only have time to catch the Rockets game, but I mean aren't they still the Cleveland LeBrons? Who else on that team is going to be a consistent threat on offense?

    Peterson gives them a little more offense than in years past, but they are still the same team. As good and as dangerous as James is, he can only take you so far (reference: Kobe and the Lakers after Shaq left). In the playoffs, the Celtics are just going to crowded the lanes and the paint and force him to pass or hit contested jumpers and I still don't think James' jumper is as good as Kobe (granted the east isn't as tough as the west was in those years).

    Maybe someone that has seen more Cavs games this year can explain to me the arguments for why they can win it all. I can see them sneaking out of the east b/c the east is essentially a two-horse team (boston and cleveland) and that alone gives them a 50% chance of getting an upset over the Cs. But they still are going to get creamed by the West champs.

    I mean Houston has had their numbers for years now so if we face them in the finals, I see them as no threat to us. Same goes w/ the Lakers now that they have Bynum and Gasol to help Odom clog up the paint.

    Even the Hornets would be a tough match-up b/c of Posey's defense and the fact that the PG position is still Cleveland's weakest position and trying to stop Paul isn't going to help that. SA is still a bad match-up for the Cavs. I think the best match-up for them would be Utah b/c Utah's perimeter D isn't as good as Houston's, LA's and SA's.

    So I would appreciate if someone can help me see some other arguments in their favor b/c I am truly fascinated that the media is placing them as a real threat to win it all.
     
    #1 OGKashMoney, Nov 26, 2008
  2. ClutchCityReturns

    ClutchCityReturns Member

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2005
    Messages:
    13,428
    Likes Received:
    2,675
    I'm not saying they're as good as some seem to think, but it kind of hurts your case against them when you don't know who's on their roster. And their weakest position is SG, not PG.
     
    #2 ClutchCityReturns, Nov 26, 2008
  3. Apollo Creed

    Apollo Creed Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2001
    Messages:
    4,449
    Likes Received:
    3
    You could at least pretend like you watch them before starting a thread like this...
     
    #3 Apollo Creed, Nov 26, 2008
  4. A_3PO

    A_3PO Member

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2006
    Messages:
    46,766
    Likes Received:
    12,321
    Who is "Peterson"? No player with that last name is on the Cavs.

    Try watching some of their games. If you still feel the same way, tell us why they aren't a contender. The Cavs are my pick to come out of the East.
     
    #4 A_3PO, Nov 26, 2008
  5. Ziggy

    Ziggy QUEEN ANON

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 1999
    Messages:
    37,281
    Likes Received:
    13,743
    They play defense. Lebron can win you a series single handedly if the D keeps it close. Williams adds that offensive spark and primary ball handler they have been craving. I still say they need to trade for a Mike Miller or Stephen Jackson before they can beat the Celtics.

    For some reason I see the Jazz, Rockets, Spurs, and Lakers beating the Cavs in 6 games max though.
     
    #5 Ziggy, Nov 26, 2008
  6. A_3PO

    A_3PO Member

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2006
    Messages:
    46,766
    Likes Received:
    12,321
    From the games I've seen this season, the Cavs offense is on another stratosphere than before. Sure, another player would help on offense but I think they might have enough to win it all as is.
     
    #6 A_3PO, Nov 26, 2008
  7. WhoMikeJames

    WhoMikeJames Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2005
    Messages:
    12,691
    Likes Received:
    306
    All they need is LeBron to win. I still don't think they can beat Lakers or Boston though.
     
    #7 WhoMikeJames, Nov 26, 2008
  8. ScriboErgoSum

    ScriboErgoSum Member
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2002
    Messages:
    3,149
    Likes Received:
    387
    They are certainly a threat, although I don't know if I'd call them an elite team.

    Some team has to come out of the East, and that team will more than likely be Boston or Cleveland. If they make the Finals, the Cavs would certainly have a shot, especially if LeBron gets hot for a few games. If the West team has a key injury or is wiped out after a grueling slog through the first three rounds, a Cleveland victory doesn't seem that far-fetched (see 2005 Miami Heat).

    I hate to say it, but I like their chances better than the Rockets. Houston has to navigate the Western Conference Playoffs. While not as deep, the West is still a much tougher route.

    I'm also curious what the Cavs do on the trade front this season.
     
    #8 ScriboErgoSum, Nov 26, 2008
  9. thacabbage

    thacabbage Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 1999
    Messages:
    6,993
    Likes Received:
    145
    I would love to see them add one more big scorer with Wally's contract before the deadline.
     
    #9 thacabbage, Nov 26, 2008
  10. Apollo Creed

    Apollo Creed Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2001
    Messages:
    4,449
    Likes Received:
    3
    Cavs are putting a beatdown on the Thunder

    I know it's the Thunder...but a 40 point lead is a 40 point lead

    LOL great day for this thread
     
    #10 Apollo Creed, Nov 26, 2008
  11. SmeggySmeg

    SmeggySmeg Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 1999
    Messages:
    14,887
    Likes Received:
    123
    the other interesting aspect is whether they are willing to do it now and risk their capspace for 2010 when they could potentially add another stud to a re-signed LBJ.......

    one would thinking winning now and stay winning is there best chance for LBJ staying
     
    #11 SmeggySmeg, Nov 26, 2008
  12. A_3PO

    A_3PO Member

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2006
    Messages:
    46,766
    Likes Received:
    12,321
    Yeah, and it ticks me off that NBALP BB isn't showing it due to "technical difficulties". Of course, the Warriors are leading the Celts by 13 after crushing them in the 3rd quarter and that game suddenly goes offline for the same reason. :mad:
     
    #12 A_3PO, Nov 26, 2008
  13. Angkor Wat

    Angkor Wat Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2007
    Messages:
    13,150
    Likes Received:
    997
    I picked the Cavs as favorites in the East before the season started. I would like to Thank LeBron from his fantastic play. :cool:
     
    #13 Angkor Wat, Nov 26, 2008
  14. abrocketsfan

    abrocketsfan Member

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2000
    Messages:
    315
    Likes Received:
    7
    They picked up Mo Williams, who's been pretty solid at PG ... they have a good big man coming off the bench (Verajao), a shooter who plays well at times (Wally), and an energy guard (Gibson) ...


    starting lineup is nice, you have Z in the middle and ben wallace at PF ... you've got Mo at PG and delonte west at SG (he's been OK) ... and of course Lebron

    not a bad team
     
    #14 abrocketsfan, Nov 26, 2008
  15. SmeggySmeg

    SmeggySmeg Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 1999
    Messages:
    14,887
    Likes Received:
    123
    are the Thunder getting relegated after this season, perhaps the best european team can replace them
     
    #15 SmeggySmeg, Nov 26, 2008
  16. OGKashMoney

    OGKashMoney Member

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2006
    Messages:
    2,093
    Likes Received:
    35
    First off, I think you guys should read the whole OP then comment.

    Like I said, I HAVEN'T been able to watch many Cavs games (only one game) and hence I was hoping some others who have watched them could enlighten me on how they have improved from last year.

    If I was trying to sound like a know-it-all, I wouldn't have come out and said I haven't see a lot of games so I would appreciate if someone could explain to me how they are good. Plus, I think you could have easily figured out I was talking about Mo Williams (as indicated by the fact that others that figured it out fairly easily).

    I created this thread on the 1-hour break I was talking from my 10 hours of studying so please forgive me if I had to eat and write this thread during the 1-hour break and didn't find the time to check the roster.

    Some of you guys need to take a real chill pill and not be so freaking snobby. If something bothers you, just move on and let others who actually want to answer the question discuss it. No need to freaking make smart ass comments.

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------

    And I disagree w/ the fact PG is not their weakest position. IMO it actually is their weakest position b/c in the NBA SG/SF is basically the same position. All you need is one gifted player at one of those position (i.e. Tmac or Kobe or Pierce or Wade or Melo) and that person becomes pretty much interchangable at those two positions.

    However, lets look at their PGs--Gibsons, Williams (who is really offensive minded), and Delonte West--and you can tell that is not the best crop of PGs out there. If they run into Fischer/Farmar, D-Williams, Parker, or CP3, then it is going to be hell for them. On top of that, other than James, they don't have an inside presence that will make up for their weakest at PG (i.e. Bynum, Gasol, Duncan, or Yao) which will allow them to slow the pace of the game and cover up their weakness at PG.
     
    #16 OGKashMoney, Nov 26, 2008
  17. OGKashMoney

    OGKashMoney Member

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2006
    Messages:
    2,093
    Likes Received:
    35
    I still think they will make it to the East finals for sure b/c James is going to carry them their by himself, but once you consider a matchup against the C's, it doesn't look that good for them.

    And the West teams are just downright dangerous (LA, Hou, SA, and NO). I mean if you look at just what the Rockets have down against them in the past few years, it does not look that good for them. And keep in mind that according to the "experts," the Rockets aren't even a powerhouse in the West. They are just an average team. Yet until like a year or two ago, James and the Cavs hadn't beat the Rockets once in a season. Now add Artest to that mix and it doesn't look like the Cavs can even be an "average" team out West.

    That is all I am saying. So when you consider them facing what the experts call the powerhouse teams in the West (LA, NO, Utah, and possiblity SA), the odds aren't in their favor.

    My two cents. . .
     
    #17 OGKashMoney, Nov 26, 2008
  18. Dave_78

    Dave_78 Member

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2006
    Messages:
    10,809
    Likes Received:
    373
    I don't see it unless Mo Williams becomes Scottie Pippen and Varejo becomes Dennis Rodman.
     
    #18 Dave_78, Nov 26, 2008
  19. A_3PO

    A_3PO Member

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2006
    Messages:
    46,766
    Likes Received:
    12,321
    The Cavs don't need to be the '96 Bulls to win the championship. There hasn't been a team nearly that good since. The only thing stopping the Cavs is their offense breaking down in tight playoff games. From observing some of their early games, they have probably overcome that issue. They actually run crisp sets on offense and LeBron doesn't have to imitate Superman for them to win. This year's squad is significantly better than any other Cavs team. Two years ago, they had softies like Larry Hughes and Damon Jones, an airhead named Drew Gooden, burnt toast like Eric Snow and they made the Finals. Last year, all of those losers were gone, they were better and took the best team in the NBA to 7 memorable games. If it weren't for a couple of lucky 3-pointers by Rondo, the Cavs would have won game 5 in Boston and taken the series. I won't even mention the unforgettable game 7.

    This year, they've added Mo Williams and a real-live NBA style offense. This team is built for 7-game playoff series. They can play stifling defense and now have 2 guys who can carry the water down the stretch.
     
    #19 A_3PO, Nov 26, 2008
  20. Dave_78

    Dave_78 Member

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2006
    Messages:
    10,809
    Likes Received:
    373
    Points worth considering although I do feel they lost something in Gooden that has not been replaced with his athleticism and offense. I have not watched the Cavs much this season so I am admittedly taking last year's team and adding Mo Williams to form my opinion. If Mo Williams can handle the heat of being the 2nd option on a legit title contender then maybe they have a chance to come out of the East.

    It's just that I keep looking at that roster and it still looks full of holes. If they can come out of the East with a relatively easy run and hit a Western Conference team that is depleted from battling through the playoffs AND Lebron is still superhuman then maybe they have a chance. I just don't see them beating any of the top 5-6 teams in the West without some help from the injury bug.

    Getting out of the East I can see. Beating the team that comes out of the West? I don't believe it.
     
    #20 Dave_78, Nov 26, 2008
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 1 of 3

Share This Page