***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

[VanCitySportsGuy]

Re: ***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

This is why I'm happy in this series. People discount the Cavaliers, and don't think they can "hang" with the Spurs. Because we came out of the East, we aren't "as good" as the Spurs. Let your guard down Spurs... I'm not saying that I will guarantee a win, but I think it will at least go to 6 games.. if not 7.

I can see the Cavs taking control of home court... and stealing one at San Antonio.

Nobody can argue against the fact the Western Conference is better than the Eastern Conference. I know the Cavs beat the Spurs both times they played in the regular season. I feel like the Spurs are the better team. I can't see this series going past 5 games but I wouldn't mind seeing a close 7 game series.

[HMcCoy]

Re: ***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

Nice breakdown of the Cavs defense vs. the Spurs this season:

http://www.nba.com/finals2007/defense_070604.html

I'm taking the Cavs in 5 or 6. I think the 2-3-2 format favors us, as it really puts pressure on SA in those first two games. I'm sure they don't want to go into the 3 straight games on our floor tied 1-1, or by some miracle down 0-2.

If we can steal game 1 or 2 @ San Antonio, I like our chances at protecting home, something Bron takes personally (or says he does anyway). If we do get one of those, but SA wins one (or more) at our house, we're done. I don't see us getting 2 wins on their floor, or winning game 7 there if it comes to that. If both teams have held serve through the three in CLE, game 6 is probably our last chance.

[Sarah]

Re: ***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

Wow. Pistons fans are angry.

Well, I understand. But I know I'm happy. C-Webb didn't get his ring. Butt clown half-assed it with my Sixers...he gets to Detroit and all of a sudden, he wants to play. Fool.

Hopefully Webber has learned his lesson and will join SA for next season. Duncan would welcome him with open arms.

[Court_vision]

Re: ***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

People discount the Cavaliers, and don't think they can "hang" with the Spurs. Because we came out of the East, we aren't "as good" as the Spurs.

The thing about San Antonio though is that they don't sleep.

Everyone else will write the Cavs off...but not Pop and Duncan. They'll be ready.

That's why I think the Spurs will win easily. These guys will respect the Cavs enough to be 100% ready game one.

There will be no "hey, it's 2-2...let's try and wake up" attitude.

The Spurs always come ready to play. I don't think they'll let their guard down at all.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: ***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

I'm sorry, I'm getting tired of the media shoving this down our throats. Everyone keeps saying that, the Spurs will be prepared for this game and take us seriously. So the only reason the Cavs are in the Finals is because the Pistons didn't take us seriously? And the only chance we have to win it all is if the Spurs laugh off this series? That just gets old, we're in the Finals, we have just as good a chance to win it all as San Antonio does.

[WTF]

Re: ***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

I'm sorry, I'm getting tired of the media shoving this down our throats. Everyone keeps saying that, the Spurs will be prepared for this game and take us seriously. So the only reason the Cavs are in the Finals is because the Pistons didn't take us seriously? And the only chance we have to win it all is if the Spurs laugh off this series? That just gets old, we're in the Finals, we have just as good a chance to win it all as San Antonio does.

Thank you EG... that's what I'm saying. This is a good team, and we have came together when it counts. The Pistons didn't sleepwalk. They got outplayed. Pure and simple.

For some reason, I just don't see the Cavs losing this series. Gibson seems to have emerged, Donyell has seemingly found his lost shot. Lebron's lineup has provided a huge spark, w/ LBJ, Gibson, Jones, Marshall and token big man... I just see the Cavs coming away with it.

Call me a homer if you will (sarcasm.. don't do it), but I see us having a really great shot in this series.

[Rocky]

Re: ***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

I'm sorry, I'm getting tired of the media shoving this down our throats. Everyone keeps saying that, the Spurs will be prepared for this game and take us seriously. So the only reason the Cavs are in the Finals is because the Pistons didn't take us seriously? And the only chance we have to win it all is if the Spurs laugh off this series? That just gets old, we're in the Finals, we have just as good a chance to win it all as San Antonio does.

Not really seeing this right here......of course they're the underdog coming from the lowly East. If Chicago or New Jersey were in the finals, I think they would be COMPLETELY written off. It seems to me that people are genuinely giving Cleveland a chance(primarily because of two pretty meaningless regular season games).

[ajaxab]

Re: ***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

Not really seeing this right here......of course they're the underdog coming from the lowly East. If Chicago or New Jersey were in the finals, I think they would be COMPLETELY written off. It seems to me that people are genuinely giving Cleveland a chance(primarily because of two pretty meaningless regular season games).

Agreed on the meaninglessness of regular season games. The first meeting in SA was the second game of the year and the Spurs were coming off a rivalry game against Dallas the night before. We could put a bit more stock in the January game, but even then it wasn't the post All Star break Spurs Cleveland was facing.

IMO, Cleveland has the same chance the Sixers did against the Lakers a few years ago. Iverson stole a game by himself and then LA got things together. Lebron might be able to steal two games, but I can't see him stealing four.

The Finals are also about mental toughness. Cleveland has definitely become mentally tougher after the Detroit series, but I'm not sure that it necessarily carries over to the Finals. No one really knows how they're going to come out and whether or not they will be able to execute down the stretch. I would like to see them play well to make this a series, but I'm just not fully convinced they can maintain the high level basketball needed at this point.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: ***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

Agreed on the meaninglessness of regular season games. The first meeting in SA was the second game of the year and the Spurs were coming off a rivalry game against Dallas the night before. We could put a bit more stock in the January game, but even then it wasn't the post All Star break Spurs Cleveland was facing.

IMO, Cleveland has the same chance the Sixers did against the Lakers a few years ago. Iverson stole a game by himself and then LA got things together. Lebron might be able to steal two games, but I can't see him stealing four.

The Finals are also about mental toughness. Cleveland has definitely become mentally tougher after the Detroit series, but I'm not sure that it necessarily carries over to the Finals. No one really knows how they're going to come out and whether or not they will be able to execute down the stretch. I would like to see them play well to make this a series, but I'm just not fully convinced they can maintain the high level basketball needed at this point.

Nice post. I almost agreed completely, but I feel Lebron's supporting cast is superior by a decent amount to A.I.'s in 2000. Iverson had ABA players as teammates, Bron has decent talent around him [please don't tell me his supporting cast is just as good as L.A.'s. I apologize for bringing up the Lakers, but I've heard in radio shows different analysts/fans saying, "See Kobe, Bron did it, why can't you?].

I like the Spurs in six. I like Tony Parker slicing and dicing his way to an MVP of the Finals award.

[heitkamp94]

Re: ***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

Nice breakdown of the Cavs defense vs. the Spurs this season:

http://www.nba.com/finals2007/defense_070604.html

I'm taking the Cavs in 5 or 6. I think the 2-3-2 format favors us, as it really puts pressure on SA in those first two games. I'm sure they don't want to go into the 3 straight games on our floor tied 1-1, or by some miracle down 0-2.

If we can steal game 1 or 2 @ San Antonio, I like our chances at protecting home, something Bron takes personally (or says he does anyway). If we do get one of those, but SA wins one (or more) at our house, we're done. I don't see us getting 2 wins on their floor, or winning game 7 there if it comes to that. If both teams have held serve through the three in CLE, game 6 is probably our last chance.

Home court advantage means very little the the spurs, they're loaded with Vets who have all won big games on the road. Utah hadn't lost at home until the Spurs took care of that. I think it would be alot bigger deal for the Cavs if they could come home tied than it would to the Spurs if they went up there tied.

[heitkamp94]

Re: ***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

Nice post. I almost agreed completely, but I feel Lebron's supporting cast is superior by a decent amount to A.I.'s in 2000. Iverson had ABA players as teammates, Bron has decent talent around him [please don't tell me his supporting cast is just as good as L.A.'s. I apologize for bringing up the Lakers, but I've heard in radio shows different analysts/fans saying, "See Kobe, Bron did it, why can't you?].

I like the Spurs in six. I like Tony Parker slicing and dicing his way to an MVP of the Finals award.

Lebron may have a better all around cast than Lebron but the Cavs don't have anyone comparable to Mutumbo. Big Z is an underrated big man but he's not the game changer at that end of the court like Dikembe was. But other than that Snow was the only other good player AI ran with, who at the time was as good a defensive PG as there was in the league. I think you'er prediction is right on though, Spurs in six and I'll think all six will be hard fought games.

[Kashanova]

Re: ***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

im sorry but from what i seen the supporting cast is almost exactly the same amount of talent as the lakers simply because hughes is basically non existent

[cdubdiggity]

Re: ***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

so if and when we beat the spurs....whats going to be the reason this time? wizards...missing players...nets...weak front court...pistons...falling apart...but wait...they werent falling apart when they were thrashing the bulls...people were saying how the pistons are hungry for another champioship and gave them the east crown...the pistons didnt NOT take the cavs serious...they just were shut down...plain and simple...but its fine...keep not giving credit to the cavs...it will just make them more hungry

[Cebby]

Re: ***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

so if and when we beat the spurs....whats going to be the reason this time?

You're a homer. It's understandable that you'd be upset. And I think people will give credit to the Cavs if you actually beat them. But the Wizards WERE missing 2 of our 3 players, and the Nets weren't very good. The Pistons were a good series win for the Cavs. But now you actually have to beat the Spurs.

[RobtAndProud]

Re: ***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

Im from San Antonio so believe me when I say that no one, NOOOO ONE is underestimating the cavs here. We all watched the cavs-det games, we know lebron can win a game by himself and we also know we didnt even beat yall in the regular season. So trust me, we dont think we are gonna have it easy. Side note: I HATE THE 2-3-2 FORMAT.