Comments on: Eastern Conference Finals Preview: Based on the Match Ups, the Magic Should Defeat the Cavs, but Will They?

By: Notes from TNT's Coverage of the NBA Playoffs - Saturday, May 30, 2009: The Leviathan Does it Like Shaq and Close Out LeBron and the Cavs | The Starting Five

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 05:54:32 +0000

[...] about your Olympic comrade doing the damn thing right in your face. In his home, not yours. I mentioned the match up problems the Magic present and like a true champion, they capitalized and the entire [...]

By: Temple3

Temple3 — Thu, 21 May 2009 15:55:07 +0000

Patrick:

I think you’re right about Howard’s evolution.

Also, Pietrus is going to be just fine. He’s used to performing well in the playoffs. He was on the Warriors when they knocked off Dallas. He’s not the least bit intimidated by anyone on the Cavs roster.

Mizzo:

The Cavs blew an opportunity to get in the heads of Hedo and Rashard. They’re going to have to pay the price. The Cavs don’t have bigs that can match up with those two. They can still win – but it’s going to be a GRIND. They’ve released the Genie from the Bottle. Gotta let Howard score and lock down on Hedo/Lewis.

By: GrandNubian

GrandNubian — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:04:48 +0000

I like the Cavs in six.

By: Thursday Morning Starting Five: The Real Rivalry is LeBron vs. Dwight Edition | The Starting Five

Thu, 21 May 2009 12:15:38 +0000

[...] if (typeof(Flux) == ‘object’) Flux.Utils.WidgetsLoader.createWidget(‘a45a918b3fc6434585496010c8166bb5′, {}); Flux.Utils.WidgetsLoader.createWidget( ‘CommunityMenu2′, {accessKey: ‘edd3b859-248a-4076-99fe-f514e83c6a4b’,textFont: ‘Arial’,textFontSize: ’14px’,normalBackgroundColor: ‘#000000′,normalTextColor: ‘#FF870F’,hoverBackgroundColor: ‘#000000′,hoverTextColor: ‘#FFFFFF’,borderStyle: ‘solid’,borderColor: ‘#000000′} ); « Eastern Conference Finals Preview: Based on the Match Ups, the Magic Should Defeat the Cavs, but Wil… [...]

By: TC

TC — Thu, 21 May 2009 11:12:24 +0000

I think Cavs in 6, maybe 7. Yeah, they might need a big guy to make a shot or two, but Z can make some shots, Joe Smith can, and Daniel Gibson has been scoring some. I think if they need a couple scores late, obviously it’s LBJ, but if the aforementioned get enough earlier in games, it shouldn’t be so close late. I think putting LeBron on Hedo is a great idea. I think he’d relish that challenge late in games.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Thu, 21 May 2009 10:45:44 +0000

Orlando has a great chance to win this series, especially if Rashard Lewis and Michael Pietrus step up like they did in Game 1. Pietrus hit a couple of impact jumpers and Rashard Lewis made things difficult for the Cavs and was the difference when Dwight fouled out late.

Detroit played like a defeated team, and Atlanta just didn’t have enough talent or confidence to overcome the Cavs. The Hawks needed the 6’9 Marvin Williams and/or the 6’8 Joe Johnson to play like Rashard Lewis did in the second half. Orlando has the ability to spread the Cavs out and make them pay.

When the Magic beat the Cavs by 30 earlier this year that wasn’t an accident. The Cavs have a less athletic front line with Ben Wallace, Joe Smith , Big Z and Varejo and are not willing to guard Orlando’s three point shooters, the 6’10 Rashard Lewis or 6’10 Hedu, consistently.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Thu, 21 May 2009 10:32:35 +0000

Dwight Howard may look like he is joking most of the time, but he is serious player on the court.

Here is a quotable from Dwight:

“He said we’re all witnesses,” Howard said, referring to the James catchphrase. “That’s what he said to us. ‘You’re playing like you’re witnesses, watching the man dunk.’ That brought some fire out of us.”

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2009-05-20-cavaliers-magic_N.htm

Dwight was all jokes after he called out his coach after the Magic clinched against Boston.

“We’ve got the new ESPN stat. We are now 3-0 when we call out our coach.”

Dwight Howard is quickly becoming Shaq-like in regards to his quotes, and seems like he is coming into his own as a more vocal leader…

By: HarveyDent

HarveyDent — Thu, 21 May 2009 03:56:01 +0000

Lovin’ the Tony Atlas reference…

By: Temple3

Temple3 — Thu, 21 May 2009 03:20:50 +0000

Dwight ain’t stoppin’ nuthin’. Not tonite. Wow.

By: Temple3

Temple3 — Thu, 21 May 2009 03:19:04 +0000

To clarify: Cleveland’s under-sized guards face those two limited options when they try to get their own shot; they have great looks at open shots when LBJ creates the shot for them.

By: Temple3

Temple3 — Thu, 21 May 2009 03:06:33 +0000

Mizzo:

That’s good stuff. LeBron looks like he contemplates when Howard is waiting for him. Can’t go over him — can’t go through him. Deception = concession. What to do? What to do?

Cleveland can win these series, but I believe they have to figure out a way to get points from a Big Man other than LeBron James late in the game. Big Z isn’t going to be a reliable scoring option on the road. Varejao is a junk baller. Ben Wallace isn’t that guy. To my mind, the Cavaliers best hope for good looks lies with Joe Smith. That’s a scary thought. Joe isn’t a kid anymore. I think that weight falls squarely on his shoulders.

Cleveland’s under-sized guards will do one of two things late: jack from beyond their range OR get their shit stuffed en route to the lane. That’s a problem that only Joe Smith or gimmicks can fix.

If they win this series, it’s truly going to be about one of two stories: the Joe Smith Miracle or LBJ playing out of his mind. He’s already having an incredible game and the game is tied. It’s going to be tough sledding. My new “theory” says Cleveland wins by the thinnest of margins.