cavs v celtics - game 1

[CP]

Z should not see another meaningful minute in this series. Keep Parker/Delonte on Rondo. Hickson needs minutes. Andy should be checking in about 6 min into the 1Q and 3Q and logging 28-30 min a night.

Yep, run their ass up and down the floor, their bigs can't even begin to keep up.

[davemanddd]

what the fuck?

how is Mark Price not on this coaching staff right now and helping with our atrocious free throws and telling Rondo to go eat it?

completely homer bias I know, but come-freaking-on. Atlanta? Really?

maybe it has something to do with the fact that his alma mater is georgia tech???

[davemanddd]

what is much more demoralizing, getting beat in a blowout or losing a game at the buzzer or by just a few points??? people tell me all the time that if they're going to get beat, they would much rather get blown out. they say they can always stomach a blowout better because they will just chalk it up to a bad game that snowballed out of control, but when they lose at the buzzer or even by just a few points, they beat themselves up over it, second-guessing themselves about their efforts and what they could have done differently. i want boston second-guessing themselves the whole gawd-damned series long and never coming up with any solutions about what they can do to beat the cavs.

A 4 game sweep of blowout games is more demoralizing. Blow outs are always more demoralizing as you sit and watch the other team destroy you knowing there is not a single thing you can do to stop the pain. IMO a close game, especially in a playoff series allows the opponent to think they only have to do x and x and they would win. Na, blowout anyday of the week.

when was the last time you ever saw a sweep with 4 straight blowouts, especially in the 2nd round??? just look at what happened against chicago after the cavs blew them out in game 4??? the cavs were lucky to escape with a 2-point victory and the series win in game 5.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_NBA_Playoffs#.281.29_Cleveland_Cavaliers_vs._.284.29_Atlanta_Hawks

Just sayin

ok, peeker, ya got me on that one. geez, always somebody out there who just has to let the facts get in the way of a good rant. hee-hee!!!

[CP]

This game may end before the Indians game...

[CP]

Did I time that or what... Indians finally score another run and win...

[swerb]

This Celtics team has to be one of the ugliest in NBA history. Rondo, Perkins, Scalabrine are all top 50 All Time Ugly. Pierce and Garnett top 50 All-Ugly of current players.

[docstank]

Would it be a foul if after Paul pierce flops to the floor LBJ launches off pierce's face or would that just be frowned upon, or neither? Either way it would be nice to see.

[jb]

Mo Danny greene strikes again. Know yer limits.

[bookelly]

Shaq with the hops!

[jb]

This Celtics team has to be one of the ugliest in NBA history. Rondo, Perkins, Scalabrine are all top 50 All Time Ugly. Pierce and Garnett top 50 All-Ugly of current players.

Surprised Tyronne Hill isn't an assistant coach.

[British_Pharaoh]

Say what you will about Shaq but he's been big this 4th Q


Cavs have done a number on Pierce and KG this final quarter combined 2-12 shooting

[swerb]

Gotta give Roker credit. Hes played this 2H perfect from a rotation/matchup standpoint.

[CP]

This Celtics team has to be one of the ugliest in NBA history. Rondo, Perkins, Scalabrine are all top 50 All Time Ugly. Pierce and Garnett top 50 All-Ugly of current players.

Surprised Tyronne Hill isn't an assistant coach.

Shame they still don't have Cassell.

Nate Robinson and Rashweed are good fits for this too.

[British_Pharaoh]

This Celtics team has to be one of the ugliest in NBA history. Rondo, Perkins, Scalabrine are all top 50 All Time Ugly. Pierce and Garnett top 50 All-Ugly of current players.

It's funny I think this exact same thing every time I watch them play

[bookelly]

Say what you will about Shaq but he's been big this 4th Q


Cavs have done a number on Pierce and KG this final quarter combined 2-12 shooting

Knock on wood.

[swerb]

Say what you will about Shaq but he's been big this 4th Q

Cavs have done a number on Pierce and KG this final quarter combined 2-12 shooting

His flattening of Rondo was why we got him. That kinda shit and the Dewey Howard matchup.

[Madre Hill, Superstar]

Grampa Shaq just worked a put-back bucket in between like four different Celtics who just stood there and stared.

I'm waiting for the Bill Simmons 'they gave up' tweet now.

[jb]

Not over at all, but will be somewhat of a challenge to blow this one.

[jb]

Burn some clock. Noting cute

[swerb]

Stupid move not fouling here by Doc.

Edit - and LeBron makes em pay.

Ball game.

[Madre Hill, Superstar]

Not over at all, but will be somewhat of a challenge to blow this one.

Now its over.

[jb]

With 1 arm & the chalupa bicthes.

MVP

[CP]

Not over at all, but will be somewhat of a challenge to blow this one.

Said the prostitute about any of those ugly Celtics to which you earlier referred...

[Madre Hill, Superstar]

MVP

[Madre Hill, Superstar]

Simmons is looking for the leash right now.

[bookelly]

Defense was just awesome there in the second half.

[jb]

Stupid move not fouling here by Doc.

Edit - and LeBron makes em pay.

The Tm Misney of the NBA

[British_Pharaoh]

What a fantastic second half

(and i love that 8-0 when winning game 1 of a best of seven stat for the Cavs flashing up :D )

LeBron 35/7/7 50% shooting 3 steals and only 2 turnovers with a bum elbow??? you kiddin' me?

Loving me some Mo and JJ too

[swerb]

Genius move by LeBron faking the elbow injury in the 1H

[jb]

Simmons is looking for the rope right now.

fixed.

[British_Pharaoh]

Say what you will about Shaq but he's been big this 4th Q

Cavs have done a number on Pierce and KG this final quarter combined 2-12 shooting

His flattening of Rondo was why we got him. That kinda shit and the Dewey Howard matchup.

I enjoyed watching Rondo being tenderised by the floor there

[bookelly]

Say what you will about Shaq but he's been big this 4th Q

Cavs have done a number on Pierce and KG this final quarter combined 2-12 shooting

His flattening of Rondo was why we got him. That kinda shit and the Dewey Howard matchup.

I enjoyed watching Rondo being tenderised by the floor there

I bet he doesn't even sniff the paint anytime Shaq is on patrol.

[pup]

Man. That second half was fun.

Mad props to Mo for the 10 points in a minute.
and andy too for some great hustle leading to second chance points

[swerb]

Say what you will about Shaq but he's been big this 4th Q

Cavs have done a number on Pierce and KG this final quarter combined 2-12 shooting

His flattening of Rondo was why we got him. That kinda shit and the Dewey Howard matchup.

I enjoyed watching Rondo being tenderised by the floor there

That, Mo posterizing Pierce, Pierce getting rejected violently two times, Jamison pushing around Garnett, the freaking Delonte run in the 1H and the Mo 3Q explosion ... all with the freaking Q on its feet going nuts, Cavs going up 1-0 ... man, it don't get much better than that.

Fun, fun win.

[Hoover]

Smart move by Brown to put AP on Rondo. He really stopped him from driving to the hole.

Amazing game by LeBron, all things considered.

[jb]

Say what you will about Shaq but he's been big this 4th Q

Cavs have done a number on Pierce and KG this final quarter combined 2-12 shooting

His flattening of Rondo was why we got him. That kinda shit and the Dewey Howard matchup.

I enjoyed watching Rondo being tenderised by the floor there

I bet he doesn't even sniff the paint anytime Shaq is on patrol.

I bet the Chowd mediots cry about this play until Monday.

[swerb]

Jamey Wright got a W, Peralta went deep, Indians won too.

Asking for a Mosely upset of Mayweather asking too much to finish this night off right?

[Triple-S]

my bad for the whole semi-melt on brown.

man that 3rd and 4th were fun to see. Tommorow, lbj get his mvp.

[bookelly]

Jamey Wright got a W, Peralta went deep, Indians won too.

Asking for a Mosely upset of Mayweather asking too much to finish this night off right?

I'm no fan of Mayweather, but wouldn't this lessen any future Pacquiao matchup? If it ever happens, that is...

[swerb]

Jamey Wright got a W, Peralta went deep, Indians won too.

Asking for a Mosely upset of Mayweather asking too much to finish this night off right?

I'm no fan of Mayweather, but wouldn't this lessen any future Pacquiao matchup? If it ever happens, that is...

SHane wins, theres a rematch clause, so yes, it would delay a potential Manny/FLoyd fight.

[CP]

Ferry gets a ton of the credit for this. Being able to trot out Shaq/Z/Varejao/Hickson/Jamison in the frontcourt (not mentioning when you go small with LBJ at the 4) allows you to matchup with anything the opponent can put on the floor. Not to mention adding Parker and Moon in the backcourt for length and athleticism.

[swerb]

Ferry gets a ton of the credit for this. Being able to trot out Shaq/Z/Varejao/Hickson/Jamison in the frontcourt (not mentioning when you go small with LBJ at the 4) allows you to matchup with anything the opponent can put on the floor. Not to mention adding Parker and Moon in the backcourt for length and athleticism.

No question. The improved depth, ability to match up well with any type of opponent ... on display tonight.

[swerb]

Not only did Parker really help slow down Rondo, but the help defense when Rondo got inside like 18 feet of the hoop was spectacular in the 2H

[e0y2e3]

My thoughts:

1) JJ was used perfectly and Z is dead

2) Say what you want about Shaq, but even when he was cold from the field the Cavs ability to board just felt better. W/out him in the game against the C's it honestly feels like we have to kill ourselves for every board. He is going to be VERY important in this series. Not saying we don't also need to get JJ and Andy burn, but we need him to stay on the verge of foul trouble, not fully in it.

3) As I have been saying forever, LBJ KILLED Mo's game and turned him into a spot up 3 point shooter, which he never was. Finally in the fourth we let Mo be Mo when he was hot. And Mo will not always be hot and shouldn't always be free to shoot that stop and pops, tonight, for once we let Mo take people off the dribble while he was hot and hit that stop and pop. Thank lord.

4) KG is the perfect defensive four for Jamo, but I think these two are going to beat the crap out of each other before the series is over

5) AP was getting torched by Rondo at the start of the third just like Mo. Personally, Moon's next up for me although Moon's lateral speed isn't great (although if you'll notice, Moon closed the game out on Rondo). That said, we started playing team D in the second and that was the biggest reason Rondo was slowed. Team D and rotations from the weak side are where we will win this series. Best thing about AP in the second half was his constant activity in the passing lanes and just pure hustle. Huge effort out of him.

6) EVERYONE on this team played their ass off and contributed in the second half. Awesome.

[JoJo White]

Yep, I was just chatting about this very thing with my brother.

Last year, our options besides Lebron on taller perimeter guys were West (too small), Wally (too slow), or Sasha (too autistic).

[bookelly]

Not only did Parker really help slow down Rondo, but the help defense when Rondo got inside like 18 feet of the hoop was spectacular in the 2H

Brown deserves some credit for making the defensive switch from the Weak to Strong side. He was one step ahead the whole second half...defensively. I love when he switches between power and athleticism/speed like that.

[e0y2e3]

Not only did Parker really help slow down Rondo, but the help defense when Rondo got inside like 18 feet of the hoop was spectacular in the 2H

Brown deserves some credit for making the defensive switch from the Weak to Strong side. He was one step ahead the whole second half...defensively. I love when he switches between power and athleticism/speed like that.

Bingo.

Huge improvement in the rotations and help D.

[davemanddd]

lebron with a bum elbow = shades of tiger woods besting the field on a broken leg.

man, what very nice, satisfying win tonight. see, no blowout and the celtics are left scratching their heads wondering what they have to do to beat this team???

according to fred mcclunk on the pre-game show, the team that wins game 1 of a 7-game playoff series goes on to win it 79% of the time. needless to say, i like the cavs chances.

tomorrow lebron gets his 2nd consecutive mvp award and hey, the indians won tonite too. how 'bout that??? can't wait to read peeker's "weekend wrap-up" now!!! go cavs!!!

[RickNashEquilibrium]

Crowd finally woke up

All the way turnt up

[Triple-S]

Eeyore, whats the buzz amongst the boston faithful (IE, your crew, not the chowds/massholes) and the local media at the moment?