Game6 (yes, 6): Cavs at Celtics

[billmac91]

The talent is there...It is just not played right...

Jamison should be our 6th man...

Andy and Hickson should start at the 4/5...They give us size and athleticism...

Jamison brings scoring off the bench, and it doesn't hurt you when he can't guard a guy like Garnett...

Not a huge Parker fan, but between Mo, West, Parker, Moon you have a solid backcourt...

It is impossible to have chemistry when you never know who is going to be beside you...


Mike Brown needs to go...

I don't know...I disagree with a lot of this.

The backcourt isn't great. Mo is solid, but can't be counted in the playoffs. West is a role player. Moon can't shoot and is a liability defensively. Parker is a one trick pony..spot shooter getting up in age.

Varajao and Hickson are limited too. Not a ton of size and both lack an outside shot. Hickson is a nice player off the bench or a nice option as a 4th threat on the court. But I don't like his ability to generate his own shot. Andy is a good player, but I don't think he's the answer to bringing the Cavs a championship.

Jamison isn't a 4 in the NBA playoffs. He reminded me of Z in previous years. When things aren't intense he can get away with it. When every possesion counts, he's toast. He was a target all series long. And even if you use him as a sixth man, he's getting paid like a star. That doesn't work too well.

The Cavs are in trouble.

If LeBron leaves they're still a playoff team for a few years IMO, but we're only 4-5 years away from the ugliest uniforms in the league Cavs. If LeBron stays, I still don't see how you build a roster around him good enough to win a title. It was this year or bust, and we busted with Aces and the second highest chip total.

 

[exhawg]

No, I don't think NJ has a bad lineup...but LJ has said he wants to be a billion dollar athlete, and no one has ever given a shit about the New Jersey Nets. I know Mash has been saying that's a good choice, but I don't see it. I more but the whole trying to bring LJ and Phil Jackson back to CHicago or bringing LJ and Bosh/Wade to New York...those scenarios I can see. Him going to the Nets would be like him going to the Clippers from a marketing standpoint...yes, they are in/around a big city, but they are and always have been second (at least) fiddle.

IMO Nets>Clippers
If Lebron doesn't go to the Knicks they will give Joe Johnson and some other undeserving player max deals and continue to suck. The Nets will be in the city in 2 years.
If Lebron does have his mind set on leaving I would try to sign and trade him rather than letting him walk.

 

[billmac91]

IMO Nets>Clippers
If Lebron doesn't go to the Knicks they will give Joe Johnson and some other undeserving player max deals and continue to suck. The Nets will be in the city in 2 years.
If Lebron does have his mind set on leaving I would try to sign and trade him rather than letting him walk.

That'd be amazing of LeBron to do, but not happening. Can you imagine the city of Cleveland after Carlos Boozer was let out of a contract and he burned us, to then get LeBron under contract and let him leave?? Someone would get shot.

 

[Bucklion]

IMO Nets>Clippers
If Lebron doesn't go to the Knicks they will give Joe Johnson and some other undeserving player max deals and continue to suck. The Nets will be in the city in 2 years.
If Lebron does have his mind set on leaving I would try to sign and trade him rather than letting him walk.

Oh I agree, though I think the Clippers actually have a better team than the Nets right now, so I think leBron would win more in LA II, at least in the short term. One thing is for sure, if the Knicks continue to suck, it could open a market door for the Knicks...I don't see the Lakers ever sucking, so LA II will always be LA II.

 

[billmac91]

My guess on most likliest scenarios:

1. Nets -Devin Harris is anice piece that relies on penetrating which would help LeBron a lot. Biggest problem with Mo is that whn his shot isn't dropping, you can leave him. Penetrators are dangerous even when they're in shooting slumps. I still don't think you can overlook the Jay-Z, Beyonce, Brooklyn allure. I think Calipari would be asked back if it meant bringing in LeBron.

2. Knicks - It's the Big Apple. They can bring in another max-deal player. They can bring in another max-deal player and another very good player. Tlaking about a free agent class of LeBron, Stoudamire/Bosh, and a Nash/trade for Tony Parket, etc. They're dangerous with the amount of money they have to spend.

3. Cavs - It's home. Not much after that though. Roster hasn't proven it can compete in the playoffs even if it looks good on paper.

4. Chicago - I think the pairing of LeBron and Derrick Rose could be deadly but I'm not sure it makes the most sense. He dislikes Noah, the rest of the team is pretty average, and he has to play in the shadow of Michael Jordan. Again, Calipari can come into the picture.

If the Cavs want a realistic shot at LeBron, they fire Mike Brown tomorrow, and ask him what coaches he'd like them to pursue. If that means Calipari so be it. There really isn't much more you can do.

 

[MaxBuck]

1.LeBron may be leaving, but it won't be to the Knicks. I could see Chicago or Boston, but the Knicks have less talent than the Cavs (except on the bench). LBJ is all about the ring, and ain't gonna get one in NYC.

2. I agree that Mike Brown needs to go. It's not so much he's a lousy coach as that he's not a really good one. I'd love to see Gregg Popovich in Cleveland, or Jeff Van Gundy. Even Mike Dunleavy would be an improvement, or maybe Avery Johnson.

3. Cleveland is snakebit.

 

[MaxBuck]

If the Cavs want a realistic shot at LeBron, they fire Mike Brown tomorrow...

Word.

 

[billmac91]

1.LeBron may be leaving, but it won't be to the Knicks. I could see Chicago or Boston, but the Knicks have less talent than the Cavs (except on the bench). LBJ is all about the ring, and ain't gonna get one in NYC.

2. I agree that Mike Brown needs to go. It's not so much he's a lousy coach as that he's not a really good one. I'd love to see Gregg Popovich in Cleveland, or Jeff Van Gundy. Even Mike Dunleavy would be an improvement, or maybe Avery Johnson.

3. Cleveland is snakebit.

I don't know how #1 can be proved true/realistic. The Knicks have more moeny to spend than they know what to do with. They can sign LeBron, Stoudamire or Bosh, and another very good player just outside of max deal range. A player who would be worth max deal money in their prime, but are entering their twilight...a guy like Nash(EDIT..Nash isn't a free agent, thought he was) Replace Nash with Ray Allen.

You're telling me a nucleus of Allen, LeBron, and Stoudamire or Bosh isn't good enough to win a championship? You can sign veterans for a minimum price like the Celtics did when they won the title with the Big 3. It's been done before by Danny Ainge..why can't it be done in NY?

 

[jwinslow]

What kind of money and contract freedom does Cleveland have this off-season?

I realize it probably makes too much sense to even be considered, but if I'm LeBron I take a good sized paycut to let Cleveland sign a true number two.

If you want to bring home a title tovcleveland, make the sacrifice for your own success.

A stacked Cleveland roster concern you a lot more money long term than one congeact, and a lot more fame and marketing for after you retire.

 

[billmac91]

What kind of money and contract freedom does Cleveland have this off-season?

I realize it probably makes too much sense to even be considered, but if I'm LeBron I take a good sized paycut to let Cleveland sign a true number two.

If you want to bring home a title tovcleveland, make the sacrifice for your own success.

A stacked Cleveland roster concern you a lot more money long term than one congeact, and a lot more fame and marketing for after you retire.

No player is accepting less money than what they are worth in their prime so that is out the window. The Cavs have limited spending this off-season. Already close to 10 mil over the cap, they lose Shaq's 1 year contract, but it's basically neutralized by being 9 mil over the cap.

Mo Willaims and Antawn Jamison are on the hook, and they don't have a lot of trade value. Basically, you're looking at the current roster and a veteran signing well under a max deal. Hypothetically, LeBron re-signs and you can sign the best player available with the money they have....you're looking at:

Michael Redd (coming off knee surgery)
Ray Allen (no chance)
John Slmons (not taking us to another level)
Josh Howard (no thanks)
Kenyon Martin (no thanks)
T.J. Ford (not helping)
Peja Stojakovic (old and no d)
Al Harrington (no thanks)
Grant Hill (really old)
Manu Ginobilli (no way)
Carlos Boozer (go to hell)

Keep in mind, these are the best players available who won't get a max deal, assuming no one is dumb enough to give Carlos Boozer a max-deal.

No player on that list combined with next years roster makes me think it puts the Cavs above Orlando. Boston has to feel the age at some point right? Ray Allen might not re-sign as well.

 

[tsteele316]

My guess on most likliest scenarios:

1. Nets -Devin Harris is anice piece that relies on penetrating which would help LeBron a lot. Biggest problem with Mo is that whn his shot isn't dropping, you can leave him. Penetrators are dangerous even when they're in shooting slumps. I still don't think you can overlook the Jay-Z, Beyonce, Brooklyn allure. I think Calipari would be asked back if it meant bringing in LeBron.

2. Knicks - It's the Big Apple. They can bring in another max-deal player. They can bring in another max-deal player and another very good player. Tlaking about a free agent class of LeBron, Stoudamire/Bosh, and a Nash/trade for Tony Parket, etc. They're dangerous with the amount of money they have to spend.

3. Cavs - It's home. Not much after that though. Roster hasn't proven it can compete in the playoffs even if it looks good on paper.

4. Chicago - I think the pairing of LeBron and Derrick Rose could be deadly but I'm not sure it makes the most sense. He dislikes Noah, the rest of the team is pretty average, and he has to play in the shadow of Michael Jordan. Again, Calipari can come into the picture.

If the Cavs want a realistic shot at LeBron, they fire Mike Brown tomorrow, and ask him what coaches he'd like them to pursue. If that means Calipari so be it. There really isn't much more you can do.

1. devin harris is a black hole. the nets were the worst team in the nba this year and they are trying to give him away. do the math.

2. the knicks have absolutely no talent whatsoever. they have to get rid of david lee to be able to afford 2 max players. lbj's surrounding cast, even with a 2nd max deal would make the cavs current roster look like the '89 bulls.

3. we'll see.

4. of all the teams, this one makes the most sense.

 

[Mr_Burns]

Carlos Boozer (go to hell)

 

[billmac91]

1. devin harris is a black hole. the nets were the worst team in the nba this year and they are trying to give him away. do the math.

2. the knicks have absolutely no talent whatsoever. they have to get rid of david lee to be able to afford 2 max players. lbj's surrounding cast, even with a 2nd max deal would make the cavs current roster look like the '89 bulls.

3. we'll see.

4. of all the teams, this one makes the most sense.

Still disagree on the Knicks. Evreyone knocks them, but all the Celtics had was Pierce, KG, and Ray Allen. It worked. New York can get veteran free agents like Boston did with P.J. Hill, Eddie House, etc. I wouldn't call the cast around Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen a team of world-beaters. 2 stars, especially when one is the best player in the NBA, is enough to win championships IMO. And I laugh at David Stern hoping LeBron stays in Cleveland. Dude is lying right through his teeth. LeBron in New York is a money-maker for the league even if it doesn't net LeBron more money individually.

I think people don't recognize the relationship Jay-Z and LeBron have. They're best friends, the moguls of their industries, and LeBron would certainly enjoy playing in front of one his best firends/owners every night. And if Calipari is on board, even better. And if Devin Harris doesn't fit, he gets moved and they have 2 max deals as well. And Brook Lopez looked decent last year. And they'll be in Brooklyn in a few years. And they have an owner who will oblierate the salary cap if need be to win championships. New Jersey makes more sense than they're given credit for.

Chicago has one scary attraction to me and that is Derrick Rose. If Rose had signed with James' agency I'd be even more concerned. I think Chicago has a decent nucleus with Rose, but to bring a third good playr to build around they have to give up Hinrich and Deng. LeBron doesn't like Noah, and Noah is getting way too much credit for how good he is. He's a poor mans Varajao and I hope intelligent fans can recognize that.

Cleveland is close to home. He has the mansion on the hill, privacy in Akron when he wants to hang, he won't have papparazzi following him, and the Bird Rights make him more money in Cleveland....but we're behind the 8-ball on what we can do to improve based on salary cap restrictions.

Lastly, and I'd hate to use this as trump card, but we're Cleveland fans. We had the best player in the NBA, a local hometown hero, and he didn't get it done in 7 years. We folded with the best team in the NBA. God hates Cleveland sports. I expect LeBron to walk. And I won't root for him, but I won't hate him either. Same way I felt towards Manny, Thome, C.C......but on a much larger scale.

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

are you guys telling me i'm going to have to start following the NBA again?

fuck that

 

[Meyer]

The better question is....

Are you telling me I'm gonna have to stop following the NBA again??????