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Celtics-Cavs Second Round Series

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Yeah, the Cavs have to gain a split in the first two or its over. I fully expect the Cs to double Lebron every possession. The shooters will have to knock down the open jumpers to keep the Boston defense honest.
 
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Dispatch

Overheard: Wally Szczerbiak

Monday, May 5, 2008 3:05 AM




"Right now, we're on even ground. You throw out all the records in the past. You throw out all the banners in the past, you throw out all the championships in the past." -- Wally Szczerbiak, Cavaliers forward, on facing the Boston Celtics, who have 16 NBA championships
 
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I really don't like the fact that Detroit and Orlando will be 2 games in before the Cavs/Celts even start. I think this series should have started today with the Detroit game 2 being pushed to tomorrow. It's the Celtics fault that they got pushed to 7 games by the Hawk and a back to back would be a good punishment.
I like the matchup of this series, although in the past Pierce has played well against the Cavs. He used to be the Arenas/Stevenson type arch enemy of Lebron. Lebron playing big is a given, but the Cavs will need Z and at least 2 of the shooters to be on as well. Ben and Andy should split the game frustrating Garnett with physical D. If the Cavs will I think it will have to be in 6. I don't see them having a let down game if they can close it out. Their backs are against the wall starting tomorrow.
 
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The biggest key of the series is if we run the offense we ran in game 6 vs the Wiz. Now THAT is how the offense should be run. LeBron is easier to contain when he is at the top of the key pounding the ball. But pass the ball in to LeBron in the post or on the wing and tilting defenses just feed into his passing game. And as long as West, Gibson &/or Wally can hit the wide open shots we will be fine.

Another key will be the defense of our bigs. Rondo will be driving into the paint and dishing off. It will be up to our bigs on how they rotate to defend the driver to determine how many easy looks Garnett/Perkins gets.

Also... I am surprised you guys say if the Cavs win they need to win in 6. I will take my chances with LeBron in a Game 7 at a historic location. You don't think LeBron can have a monster game? He knows history and he knows Jordan had a 63 point game at the Garden... and he knows if he can win a game 7 there he is on his way to being the best basketball player ever.

I have faith in LeBron... I also have faith that Doc Rivers is going to screw up more than Mike Brown :biggrin:
 
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Piney;1156455; said:
The biggest key of the series is if we run the offense we ran in game 6 vs the Wiz. Now THAT is how the offense should be run. LeBron is easier to contain when he is at the top of the key pounding the ball. But pass the ball in to LeBron in the post or on the wing and tilting defenses just feed into his passing game. And as long as West, Gibson &/or Wally can hit the wide open shots we will be fine.

Another key will be the defense of our bigs. Rondo will be driving into the paint and dishing off. It will be up to our bigs on how they rotate to defend the driver to determine how many easy looks Garnett/Perkins gets.

Also... I am surprised you guys say if the Cavs win they need to win in 6. I will take my chances with LeBron in a Game 7 at a historic location. You don't think LeBron can have a monster game? He knows history and he knows Jordan had a 63 point game at the Garden... and he knows if he can win a game 7 there he is on his way to being the best basketball player ever.

I have faith in LeBron... I also have faith that Doc Rivers is going to screw up more than Mike Brown :biggrin:
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I have full faith in Lebron and probably Boobie in a game 7, but I'm not sure about the rest of the team. Not like anyone does, but the Celtics don't have anyone that can stop Lebron other than throwing 2-3 guys at him. It is up to Mike Brown to get Lebron the ball in good situations and not forcing him to do everything. This is one of the few series where Mike Brown has the coaching advantage.

Whoever said they want Brown replaced by Avery Johnson is crazy. He had the best team in the NBA last year and couldn't make it out of the first round. If anyone I'd like to see what Dantoni's offense could do in Cleveland.
 
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just as an FYI, over he last several years, this has been the series were Z becomes slow and sits over half the game on the bench.

He looked good in the Wizards series last year as well, but then got no burn afterwards.

I think his inury that kept him out for a few weeks may have been partially a ploy to keep him rested for the post-season. If he can hang in this series it'd be pretty huge. Mixing up Wallace, Z, and Andy on Garnett is going to be necessary.

And I think West is capable of staying in front of Rondo. I'm comfortable just giving up the open "J" to him anyways. He's at his best attacking the rim. I certainly think West is a better defender than Bibby whom is a swinging gate, who takes plays off, and rarely hustles on loose balls and ball-reversals. I even think Boobie can do a better job than Bibby. I was surprised at how lazy Bibby's defense was.

Whoever is on Pierce needs to watch out for that crap move when he rotates the ball from his hips going up for a shot and draws contact on a straight up defender. He got that call all series long against Atlanta. I'm not sure why he gets that call? He literally swings the ball and his arms into straight up defense, drawing the contact, and goes to the line-- normally to shoot one.
 
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exhawg;1156446; said:
I like the matchup of this series, although in the past Pierce has played well against the Cavs. He used to be the Arenas/Stevenson type arch enemy of Lebron.
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That started in a preseason game a couple of years back. Pierce became the first player to really call out Lebron and talk smack to him. Lebron obviously did not like it, and he shouldn't because he's clearly the better player. But PP is surrounded by some All-Star talent now, and I'm sure he believes that he'll be getting the last laugh if Boston wins - which sucks, because there's no doubt that Lebron is just plain better.

BTW the Celts inability to guard Joe Johnson gives me a lot of confidence in this series.
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For some reason, Doc Rivers did not believe Johnson was worth a double-team until Game 7. I seriously doubt he'll make the same mistake with Lebron... but you never know.
 
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OSUBasketballJunkie;1156641; said:
Celtics in six......Boston has to much balance for Cleveland.....
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I agree with your prediction, although I think it will be in 5. I just don't see Boston losing on their home floor and they are good enough to split the two in Cleveland.

Out of curiosity, where do your allegiences lie in this series OBJ?
 
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