CAVS / NETS GAME 6

[jfiling]

I love when Tait takes "wild card" timeouts. I love them even more after a Boobie three.

Looks like the contents of my stomach are going to stay where they are.

[consigliere]

Man, what a game from Boobie.

Gonna need to play a ton better than this against the Pistons.

Nice win tonight. Props to the Cavaliers, as I didn't like their chances.

[StewieG]

And that does it. Cavs/Pistons for the East.

[swerb]

LBJ with the dagger in the heart. This game was an emotional roller coaster. Thank god for beer.

[consigliere]

And that does it. Cavs/Pistons for the East.

Yup. Playoffs finally start for us. Let the craziness begin.

[swerb]

Did Vince Carter ever get in this game? He's such a choke artist joke.

Donyell, again!!

Roker looks like a genius for playing the entire 4Q with the zone buster subs.

[consigliere]

If the Spurs can beat the Suns, I love our chances against any of the remaining three of Detroit, Utah and San Antonio.

[furls]

This game just emphasizes how badly the Cavs still need a consistant second scoring option from outside the paint.

I am sure lots of folks will try to stick this on LeBron, but the fact is that the Nets D hinges on tripling him anytime he moves near the paint. Should he shoot into a double/triple team or should he pass to a wide open teammate?

I say the latter is the better, but as bad as his "support" has played, he may as well have just thrown it out of bounds.

I am excited that the Cavs will be playing in the ECF, but if they play like this in Detroit it will be a humiliating ending.

[swerb]

And that does it. Cavs/Pistons for the East.

Yup. Playoffs finally start for us. Let the craziness begin.

Monday night, 8 PM from The Palace.

[Get_Wedge_Out_NOW!]

thank u jesus!!!!


conference finals here we come!!

[StewieG]

Gibson and Marshall saved us tonight. They're the heroes. Props to them for bringing their games when we needed them most.

Nets with their 3rd awful 4th quarter in a row.

Can we make May and June Donyell Marshall's birthday months? Can they declare that in Cleveland?

[Get_Wedge_Out_NOW!]

anyone see that vince carter "shot" a minute ago?


the guys were like, "what kinda shot was that?" LOL

[jfiling]

This is great. Last time the Cavs made the conference finals (Marshall with his 6th three-pointer!) I was 20, and I got to hate Michael Jordan even more than I did before. No Jordan this time, and I think the Cavs can at least hang tough with the Pistons.

[Get_Wedge_Out_NOW!]

This is great. Last time the Cavs made the conference finals (Marshall with his 6th three-pointer!) I was 20, and I got to hate Michael Jordan even more than I did before. No Jordan this time, and I think the Cavs can at least hang tough with the Pistons.

dude we took them to 7 games and choked not only do in KNOW we can hang


we can win

[StewieG]

Huge props to Mike Brown for making the necessary adjustments. He could have stuck with Brick Hughes and Gooden, but he switched to the zone busters, and it won us the series. He takes a lot of heat, but this move worked out perfectly.

[swerb]

Yeah, making the East Finals is nothing any Cavs fans should take for granted, even given the Cavs fortuitous draw.

First time in 15 years.

Pistons are going to a very formidable foe. The Cavs will be unable to take any games off in this series.

[consigliere]

dude we took them to 7 games and choked not only do in KNOW we can hang


we can win

My only caveat on that rationalization, is we snuck up on them last year. Also, after up 2-0, the Pistons took us lightly. They obviously are not going to allow that to happen again this year.

I love our chances in this series....think it will be a great series.

Keepin it real? Pistons in six.

The fan in me? Cavs in six.

[jfiling]

This is great. Last time the Cavs made the conference finals (Marshall with his 6th three-pointer!) I was 20, and I got to hate Michael Jordan even more than I did before. No Jordan this time, and I think the Cavs can at least hang tough with the Pistons.

dude we took them to 7 games and choked not only do in KNOW we can hang


we can win

The Pistons won the season series 3-1 this year, including 2 wins in Cleveland with an average margin of 14 points. Small sample size, but I'm definitely not going to predict a Cavs victory. At best this series is going to be a blood and guts affair going seven games, and if the Cavs prevail I'll be on cloud nine.

[Mr. MacPhisto]

This game just emphasizes how badly the Cavs still need a consistant second scoring option from outside the paint.

I am sure lots of folks will try to stick this on LeBron, but the fact is that the Nets D hinges on tripling him anytime he moves near the paint. Should he shoot into a double/triple team or should he pass to a wide open teammate?

I say the latter is the better, but as bad as his "support" has played, he may as well have just thrown it out of bounds.

I am excited that the Cavs will be playing in the ECF, but if they play like this in Detroit it will be a humiliating ending.

I'd say that Gibson may develop into one and I still think Shannon Brown can as well. I'm more inclined to deal Pavlovic in a S&T this offseason because he's so hit-or-miss.

We need to try to drop Hughes if we can find a way to do it.

[consigliere]

Yeah, making the East Finals is nothing any Cavs fans should take for granted, even given the Cavs fortuitous draw.

I'll say this. If we bow out to the Pistons, it will still be a disappointment EC FInals or not.

I don't care if we made it a round further....we benefitted from playing a team that was probably no better than 2-3 of the lottery teams in the first round and the worst playoff team in arguably the history of the NBA.....and in the 2nd round played the 3rd worst playoff team.

Bottom line, we lost to the Pistons last year. If we lose to them again, then I am not sure I can buy the "we made it to the EC Finals" spin. The two common factors in both years would be season ending defeats to the same team.

[consigliere]

The Pistons won the season series 3-1 this year, including 2 wins in Cleveland with an average margin of 14 points. Small sample size, but I'm definitely not going to predict a Cavs victory. At best this series is going to be a blood and guts affair going seven games, and if the Cavs prevail I'll be on cloud nine.

That is EXACTLY the approach I am taking with this series. Agreed 100%.

[Get_Wedge_Out_NOW!]

This is great. Last time the Cavs made the conference finals (Marshall with his 6th three-pointer!) I was 20, and I got to hate Michael Jordan even more than I did before. No Jordan this time, and I think the Cavs can at least hang tough with the Pistons.

dude we took them to 7 games and choked not only do in KNOW we can hang


we can win

The Pistons won the season series 3-1 this year, including 2 wins in Cleveland with an average margin of 14 points. Small sample size, but I'm definitely not going to predict a Cavs victory. At best this series is going to be a blood and guts affair going seven games, and if the Cavs prevail I'll be on cloud nine.

no offense but i laugh at ppl like you


the playoffs are an entoirely different scenerio

who cares what happned 3 months ago? Players get hot/cold, players get hurt, tired, boots of confidence.

Ill take a boat full of confidence over a boat full of "skill" any day.

Just go look at all the major upsets in teh NHL, NBA, MLB, NFL in the last 50 years.

Regualr season doesnt mean CRAP!

end of story

[Guest]

The playoffs start now huh?
This series is going to go a long way in getting us ready for Detroit.
I have to chuckle

[consigliere]

Yep. Is this not what we were all waiting for? The Cavs to get back to where they were last year and take the next step? Hence, the playoffs (and season really) starts now.

[Guest]

What did we just watch then?
This team grew up tonight. Last year's team would have lost this game after almost giving up that 22 point lead.
That's right, you weren't really watching some of these games right?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpuyo2TYAzg

[Dozen]

I just cant wait to hear all the media/fans who dogged James about his comments about his family to eat crow! If you listen to the entire interview it was so taken out of context.......... Bring on the F'n Pistons!!!!!!!!!!

[Dozen]

The playoffs start now huh?
This series is going to go a long way in getting us ready for Detroit.
I have to chuckle

Spoon, for me they started the last week of the regular season when they were fighting for the 2 seed...........

[consigliere]

I just cant wait to hear all the media/fans who dogged James about his comments about his family to eat crow! If you listen to the entire interview it was so taken out of context.......... Bring on the F'n Pistons!!!!!!!!!!

How so?

I listened to the radio interview.

He was asked about the loss.....which the question centered nothing around his family....and he responded with "it's just basketball, and my family is more important and yadda yadda yadda."

[Guest]

I agree with you Dozen. The 2 seed was HUGE.
I think that might have helped a little.
Not sure though.

The Nets were also one of the hottest teams coming into the playoffs.

[consigliere]

What did we just watch then?
This team grew up tonight. Last year's team would have lost this game after almost giving up that 22 point lead.
That's right, you weren't really watching some of these games right?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpuyo2TYAzg

Yes, the playoffs are in effect.

But come on, was the litmus test we all talked all during the season what we did when we met up with the Pistons in the playoffs? No?

So, yes, the playoffs REALLY start now. THis is what we were waiting for. Everything beforehand was merely a formality (the regular season, the first and second round of the playoffs). We'll see now if this team truly has grown, or if we ain't as far along as we think.

[Dozen]

How so?????

He then followed by saying "were still up 3-2" and they had to go to NJ and finish. If you looked into his eyes the kid was rattled. His pregnant wife was taken out on a stretcher for christs sakes. Remember what happened to Z? You dont think a million things race through your mind? I guess I just see it differently.

[Dozen]

I agree with you Dozen. The 2 seed was HUGE.
I think that might have helped a little.
Not sure though.

The Nets were also one of the hottest teams coming into the playoffs.

Maybe just a little

[consigliere]

How so?????

He then followed by saying "were still up 3-2" and they had to go to NJ and finish. If you looked into his eyes the kid was rattled. His pregnant wife was taken out on a stretcher for christs sakes. Remember what happened to Z? You dont think a million things race through your mind? I guess I just see it differently.

Dude, did you even listen to the interview? Like 2-3 questions before he was asked about how his girlfriend was and he had no clue and did not appear to be phazed by it.

[Dozen]

How so?????

He then followed by saying "were still up 3-2" and they had to go to NJ and finish. If you looked into his eyes the kid was rattled. His pregnant wife was taken out on a stretcher for christs sakes. Remember what happened to Z? You dont think a million things race through your mind? I guess I just see it differently.

Dude, did you even listen to the interview? Like 2-3 questions before he was asked about how his girlfriend was and he had no clue and did not appear to be phazed by it.

No, I watched it.......I watched how he acted and I am not going to judge someones comments and pretend to know what he was thinking. I do know he was not his normal self...................again I just see it differently than you. Doesnt mean you need to go and get all defensive about it.

[jfiling]

I think it's safe to say the next series is going to show whether or not LeBron has the killer instinct. He can either look at the Pistons series as an opportunity to put up his numbers and work his way until his next max contract, or he can take every loss personally and draw blood from every Detroit m-fer he can lay his hands on. I've never seen the killer instinct in LeBron yet, but if it's ever going to show, now is the time.

[consigliere]

Doesnt mean you need to go and get all defensive about it.

Not defensive.

Just trying to see the logic there. In the presser he said he didn't even know what happened to her. Didn't even know about it. Which means he had no clue about it in the game, so would mean it had nil affect on his performance. No?

That's all I'm sayin. Sorry if I sounded like I was coming down hard.

[consigliere]

I think it's safe to say the next series is going to show whether or not LeBron has the killer instinct. He can either look at the Pistons series as an opportunity to put up his numbers and work his way until his next max contract, or he can take every loss personally and draw blood from every Detroit m-fer he can lay his hands on. I've never seen the killer instinct in LeBron yet, but if it's ever going to show, now is the time.

Man, you and I have been on the same wavelength all night.

Again, spot on.

But, had I said that I'd be a hater.

[Guest]

OK...I'll admit it.

I was calling for Mike Brown's scalp in the third quarter.

But putting the hot shooting (gulp) Marshall AND Gibson AND Damon Jones(?!?!?!) in at the same time with LeBron and Andy...totally negating the NJ zone?

BRILLIANT!!!

(OTOH...if Donyell shoots 0-7 again, Brown becomes Doug Collins, Part Deux).

[Dozen]

Doesnt mean you need to go and get all defensive about it.

Not defensive.

Just trying to see the logic there. In the presser he said he didn't even know what happened to her. Didn't even know about it. Which means he had no clue about it in the game, so would mean it had nil affect on his performance. No?

That's all I'm sayin. Sorry if I sounded like I was coming down hard.

No worries T, my main comments was towards the bozo on cold pizza. Sure maybe he didnt know and thats what was bothering him. He did know she left on a stretcher and that had to be on his mind. I wish I could find it on youtube because I guarentee your opinion would change by watching his expressions. He seemed like he was just going through the motions to get the hell outta there. He honestly looked like a scared 22 yr old kid. I just cant fault the kid for being human.

[swerb]

OK...I'll admit it.

I was calling for Mike Brown's scalp in the third quarter.

But putting the hot shooting (gulp) Marshall AND Gibson AND Damon Jones(?!?!?!) in at the same time with LeBron and Andy...totally negating the NJ zone?

BRILLIANT!!!

(OTOH...if Donyell shoots 0-7 again, Brown becomes Doug Collins, Part Deux).

Roker had to be looking out on the court early in the 4th ... seeing Amon Ones, Boobie, 'Yell, and Andy flanking Bron ... thinking to himself, "I can't believe Im fucking really doing this."

[jfiling]

I think it's safe to say the next series is going to show whether or not LeBron has the killer instinct. He can either look at the Pistons series as an opportunity to put up his numbers and work his way until his next max contract, or he can take every loss personally and draw blood from every Detroit m-fer he can lay his hands on. I've never seen the killer instinct in LeBron yet, but if it's ever going to show, now is the time.

Man, you and I have been on the same wavelength all night.

Again, spot on.

But, had I said that I'd be a hater.

I'm not afraid to be called a hater. LeBron has to earn his moniker of "the chosen one", as well as earn the right to have us all be "witnesses." He's got sick talent, but his talent isn't going to make him worthy of wearing #23. Jordan earned every title he won, and LeBron needs to understand that.

On the plus side, in 1990 the Pistons beat the Bulls in the Eastern conference finals in a 7 game series. The next year, the Bulls swept the Pistons. There's always something that can be learned from history.

[jfiling]

What LeBron needs to do: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuCxuq-yn1w

[Dozen]

I get frustrated with the kid from time to time like the game he sat out in Boston and taking the 1st half of the season too lightly, but man then I think this kid is still only 22 yrs old. He's not or never will be MJ and Im ok with that. He's a marketable kid and thats ok too. But this series is time to grab the bull by the F'n horns and silence the critics. I just hope he gets enough support by his surrounding cast because while they are capable of doing good things, they really havnt been consistant. So this is something I'm going to pay close attention to when he's double/triple teamed. It's not fair to him to get critisized without any kind of help.

[consigliere]

I get frustrated with the kid from time to time like the game he sat out in Boston and taking the 1st half of the season too lightly, but man then I think this kid is still only 22 yrs old. He's not or never will be MJ and Im ok with that. He's a marketable kid and thats ok too. But this series is time to grab the bull by the F'n horns and silence the critics. I just hope he gets enough support by his surrounding cast because while they are capable of doing good things, they really havnt been consistant. So this is something I'm going to pay close attention to when he's double/triple teamed. It's not fair to him to get critisized without any kind of help.

I'm witchu on all that.

This series is going to prove a lot with this team. I can't wait to get this sucker started. We are going to find out a lot about this team.....and see if we have a great nucleus we need to keep, or if some changes are in order. Also, if all that "rest" LeBron took all season to save for this series was worth it.

[Dozen]

I get frustrated with the kid from time to time like the game he sat out in Boston and taking the 1st half of the season too lightly, but man then I think this kid is still only 22 yrs old. He's not or never will be MJ and Im ok with that. He's a marketable kid and thats ok too. But this series is time to grab the bull by the F'n horns and silence the critics. I just hope he gets enough support by his surrounding cast because while they are capable of doing good things, they really havnt been consistant. So this is something I'm going to pay close attention to when he's double/triple teamed. It's not fair to him to get critisized without any kind of help.

I'm witchu on all that.

This series is going to prove a lot with this team. I can't wait to get this sucker started. We are going to find out a lot about this team.....and see if we have a great nucleus we need to keep, or if some changes are in order. Also, if all that "rest" LeBron took all season to save for this series was worth it.

Speaking of that, I'm impressed on how well Boobie has been. The kids gots some stones. How much is this run gonna help him heading into the future?

[mswerb]

The ENTIRE state of Ohio should be watching this series, this could be HUGE for Cleveland. People I know who are not into sports are now watching the Cavs !!

[consigliere]

While I am not sure we can or will beat the Pistons......

Man, this may be our best chance ever at getting a title. It's there within reach now. Halfway home.

Final Four baybee.

[jfiling]

BTW, I don't expect LeBron to be MJ; I only bring that up because he decided to wear #23. If he wants to be MJ, he needs to show the fire that MJ had.

I do, however, expect LeBron to be Larry Bird.

Interesting statistical note: According to basketball-reference.com, LeBron's first 4 seasons (in order) are most similar to: Ricky Davis (2002-03), Grant Hill (1998-99), Tracy McGrady (2004-05), and Grant Hill (1999-00).

Also, according to that site, he has led the league that last two years in a metric they call Player Wins.

I just want a damn championship.

[buddycowley]

Should be an interesting turnaround for both teams, as Detroit and Cleveland both played teams that were much stronger at the guard spots than they were in the paint.

Neither teams could truly challenge the bigs of Detroit or Cleveland. And please, don't say Mikki Moore kicked our collective asses, because about hald his points came because the Cavaliers knew that the key was shutting down the scoring of the "big three" of NJ.

Honestly, I have no idea how the Cavaliers are going to look in the upcoming series, as they will have to adjust the game plans they've had over the last TWO series to prepare for Detroit.

The biggest positive I see right now is both Marshall and Boobie gaining some confidence going into the ECF. We could really use their long-range shooting to open up some lanes for LeBron, and strangely enough, Pavlovic.

I really think Sasha could make a name for himself in this series if he stays agressive and attacks the basket. A few days of rest won't hurt either as that wrist is probably a little tender still.

What a great night.

Buddy

[consigliere]

Should be an interesting turnaround for both teams, as Detroit and Cleveland both played teams that were much stronger at the guard spots than they were in the paint.
....
Honestly, I have no idea how the Cavaliers are going to look in the upcoming series, as they will have to adjust the game plans they've had over the last TWO series to prepare for Detroit.

Great points.

Cavaliers have really been beating up on everyone the last month as the teams they have played were considerably weak in hte paint. We dominated the glass. With the Pistons, and possibly the Jazz or Spurs later on, that advantage is nowhere near what it was against the Wiz, Nets and the cream puffs we played the last week and a half of the reg season.