(Site note: If you missed the set up to this debate, click here. If you missed why the Magic will win, click here. If you missed how the Cavaliers will win (below), click here. Read Loyal Homer’s argument for the Lakers, then vote!).
I can see it now… puppet LeBron hoisting a puppet O’Brien Trophy over his weeping puppet head, chugging a big ol’ bottle of puppet Vitamin Water, while Kobe Bryant officially joins the ranks of “We”, who are all Witnesses (by the way, it’s sad to watch a grown puppet cry). There will be much rejoicing on the shores of Lake Erie!
That’s right, I said it. The Cleveland Cavaliers will be the 2009 NBA Champions!
The formula is a simple one…
The best PLAYER in the NBA + the best TEAM in the NBA + the best COACH in the NBA = CHAMPIONSHIP!
Let’s break that down…
LeBron is undeniably the best player in the NBA. This year, he racked up career bests in field goals (48.9%), free-throws (78%), assists/game (7.2), turnovers (2.98), and blocks/game (1.1). He also saw his second-highest totals for points/game (27.5), rebounds/game (7.6), and 3-point field goals (34.4%). He was nearly a unanimous MVP winner, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive team. Most remarkably, though, is that he accomplished this with the lowest minutes-per-game average he’s ever had (37.7)!
He’s producing more, in less time… how can that be?!
It’s because of the elevated play of his supporting cast, who will ultimately allow LeBron to claim his first (of many) titles. More specifically, it boils down to the addition of Mo Williams.
It was evident that LeBron was missing something. He couldn’t take on the NBA powerhouses alone, no matter how hard he tried. A supporting cast which included guys like Ira Newble, Larry Hughes, and Drew Gooden just wasn’t cutting it. Mo, however, came to the team and turned in an All Star year of his own, totaling personal bests in 3-pointers (43.6%), free-throws (91.2%!!!), and points per game (17.8). His field goal percentage (46.7%) was the second highest of his career.
I hate to draw the comparison, but it sounds a lot like Jordan – Pippen to me…
Last, Coach of the Year Mike Brown’s philosophy has been one of defense first, and 2008 was the year it paid off. Under Brown’s direction, the Cavaliers led the league in allowing just 91.4 points per game, and had the greatest scoring differential at +8.9. They DOMINATED on defense! That domination was even more evident in their regular-season record of 66-16, and a 39-2 home record, which is second best in history.
So, why have they struggled against the Magic? People are quick to point out that the Cavs are only alive because of LeBron’s 3-pointer at the end of game 2. Yet, Orlando is only alive because of Rashard Lewis’ shots in the final seconds of games 1 and 4. Cleveland has carried a lead into the final 30 seconds of 4 out of the 5 games this series, and the Magic have relied on miraculous 3-pt shooting that CANNOT be sustained.
After the first 4 games, the Magic averaged 43% from 3-pt land, compared to 36% during the season. They lived by the sword, and will surely die by that same sword. In game 5, the Magic shot their second-highest number of 3-pointers in the series but suddenly couldn’t hit anymore, sinking only 8 of 25. The result was their worst defeat of the series. Is this a sign that the hot-streak has ended? I think so.
Looking ahead to the Finals, then, it comes down to a question of whether or not the LeBron-aliers continue to struggle as they did against Orlando, or will they return to the level of domination demonstrated during the first two rounds? My answer (obviously) is a return to the form they have sustained through the ENTIRE season!
Cavs over Orlando in 7, Cavs over the West Champs in 5!
Ok, Bleacher Fan, I have some COMMENTS for you, which should help the folks understand why you’re way off.
First, we’re all impressed with LeBron’s individual stats, believe me. But, they don’t matter in this context at all.
I understand why you regard Mo Williams so highly, but where has he been this entire series? Game 5 is the first game he showed up for. Comparisons to Pippen are pretty outrageous, too. Pippen played GREAT defense, so those Bulls teams had two all-defensive team defenders. Mo is a long, long way away from that.
You don’t address the Lakers or Nuggets, either, just how the Cavs could (somehow) pull of a win in Orlando, and again at home next Monday.
While LeBron is awesome, and has continued to step up when the pressure is on, his teammates have not, and they have especially been a let down on the road. That’s why they lose on Saturday. Once the Magic beat them, there’s no stopping them.
Shameless lobbying…
This is all coming from a man who’s terrified because his Magic are up against a wall (that’s right, they lead the series 3-2 and they are up against a wall), and they stand no chance of winning this round, let alone the Finals.
But that makes no sense! The Magic would only benefit if they played like every second matters. They haven’t struggled with the Cavs too much — and they take every first quarter OFF! What if they played hard the entire 48 minutes??
I don’t believe for a second that the Magic “take every first quarter OFF”. What I DO believe is that the Magic thought they had last night’s game in the bag, so they laid off the gas a little bit. The problem is that you DON’T let the best team in the NBA, with the best player in the NBA, have ANY life.
If they really ARE taking quarters off, that is indicative of a much deeper rooted problem within this team, and THAT will be the reason they do not win the Finals.
Simply put, the pressure is on Orlando to close the series out on Saturday, because they will NOT beat the Cavs in Cleveland again. As I said before game 5 even began, last night was a must win for Orlando, not Cleveland!
Game 5 wasn’t a must win for Cleveland? Have you fallen off the bleachers and bumped your head Bleacher Fan? Of course it was a must win for Cleveland! If they lost, they go home and watch the lowly Indians all the summer!
You have obviously missed my point…
The point being made was that Orlando had to take the Cavs out on Thursday night. You cannot give a team like the Cleveland Cavaliers (and a player like LeBron James) any chance at life. When you have them down, you HAVE to take them out. By not doing so, you give them another chance to hurt you.
Now, the Magic HAVE to win tonight, because they will NOT win in Cleveland again. Tonight is another MUST WIN game for Orlando.
Think back to the 2007 ALCS between the Indians and the Red Sox. The Indians took a 3-1 lead in that series. Was the pressure on Boston, though? No. They were the better of the two teams, and the Indians lacked the killer instinct to eliminate them.
What happened, next? The Red Sox played like they had all year, and the pressure got to the Indians. In the end, Cleveland lost the series, and Boston wound up as World Series Champs.
Looking back, wouldn’t you say that game 5 of the 2007 ALCS was ACTUALLY a must win game for Cleveland? Since they couldn’t beat Boston that night, they ended up losing the series.
I’m simply drawing the comparison that the situation is similar with the Cavs/Magic series. Orlando NEEDS to show a killer instinct if they are going to advance to the Finals (which I don’t believe they can do). Even the Sports Geek said that they are taking quarters off! Where’s the killer instinct?!
Hey Bleacher Fan…did you fall off the bleachers and bump your head? Looks like your beloved Cavs don’t have that killer instict…unless they killed themselves.
And guess what? Cleveland HAD to win this game. And it doesnt look like it’s going to happen!