3 things are clear now with this Cleveland team

[Pula_86]

1. Once again we are absolutely atrocious in the post. This is the worst designed frontcourt in the NBA. Ferry should know these guys don't fit.

2. Mike Brown should be fired-Very similar to Mike Dantoni, he is not a good situational coach. He does not set his players up for success. Too many wide open three point shots. Still, he does not understand that Z should not be on the floor against Orlando. Terrence Kinsey, Ben Wallace, Joe Smith, and Pavolvic got no time again. Finally, Daniel Gibson got to play and did a good job. Having Ben Wallace in the game against Rashard Lewis leaves me speechless.

3. Lebron is not better than Kobe-Lebron is a great player. He is probably the best all around player, but what makes you a big time player is what you do in the 4th quarter to win. Jordan was great because he showed up in the 4th quarter. Kobe exhibits some of the same qualities. If Kobe does not hit the two big shots late in the quarter the Lakers are down 3-1 against the Nuggets. While LA has better overall talent, both Cleveland and LA are similar in that only have one late game scorer.

I would love for the Cavs to make a comeback, but Orlando has dictated the series in games the Cavs should have closed out. The Cavs are always chasing Orlando late in the game and we can see how much pressure they have put on them. I am now convinced that not only does Cleveland need to upgrade their frontcourt, but they need to find another consistent scorer. I am dissapointed that for all the hype the Cavs were just not that good this year. Fortunately, we are only a few moves away and a new coach from turning things around. There are a lot of reasonable free agents available that I feel can put Cleveland over the top. This series will hurt though.

[Ji]

disagree aoubt Lebron not being better than Kobe. Lebron has done as much as someone can do in the 4th quarter and OT.

[Pula_86]

I understand Lebron has to carry a big load, but turnovers and missed free throws are unacceptable. Kobe and Jordan are similar in that they come up big late in the game for their teams. Kobe has hit two late game shots that have won the Lakers games they should have lost. Lebron's shot was out of this world, but he has not come through when they've needed him. 5 missed free throws in the 4th quarter, turnovers, and failing to create opportunities for your teammates is not a sign you are the best player in the league. It will come eventually, but right now it is Kobe's league.

[Benedict_Boozer]

Here come the Kobe > Lebron people. Was only a matter of time.

No matter how CLE loses, Lebron was gonna take the blame no matter what so whatever. Get your shots in now Kobe fans.

[TheOUTLAW]

Your logic is completely flawed and I'm sure exagerated by your crying in your beer. Brown has his issues and like someone mentioned earlier loyalty to his players is one of them. But anytime you argue that Kinsey and Gibson should get more playing time I lose any respect for your opinion. Sure Gibson hit 2 shots today, but he also made more than his far share of bad plays on both offense and defense today and all through the season.

LeBron has been one of the best in the 4th quarter all season and for the last 3 season. To try to argue differently because of one game is just flat out stupid. Especially when you take into consideration that he made the huge 3 that set up the team to tie the game to begin with.

But I will give you credit for pointing out what most of us have known all season. The Cavs are not that good inside. The Cavs are old on the frontcourt and the guys don't move very well.

[artest420]

your coach is awful. its not that hard to say "lebron, do what you do".

to win you will need a coach that can use all the players and take stress off of lebron at the end

[Effigy]

3. Lebron is not better than Kobe-Lebron is a great player. He is probably the best all around player, but what makes you a big time player is what you do in the 4th quarter to win. Jordan was great because he showed up in the 4th quarter. Kobe exhibits some of the same qualities. If Kobe does not hit the two big shots late in the quarter the Lakers are down 3-1 against the Nuggets. While LA has better overall talent, both Cleveland and LA are similar in that only have one late game scorer.

Terrible logic. You really don't understand basketball. Lebron has no help at all. He didn't take a rest after half time. He's worn out. Kobe got his reputation as a closer playing with those Laker teams because he let Shaq and them do the heavy lifting in the first half, and then he, who was well rested from not exerting himself was able to turn it up and take over at the end. Lebron can't do that because he has nothing around him. Kobe does that now too. He starts every game getting his teammates involved so he can try and take over in the 4th. If Lebron had a Gasol, just a Gasol, it'd be all over.

[yungal07]

As much as I can't stand Lebron, you can't be serious dude. He has been everything Kobe has been, and more in these playoffs. The guy hasa just been clutch. You can't blame the team's shortcomings on him. No way.

[HotRodStuckey]

LeBron is a great player no doubt. I'm not gonna sit here and compare him and Kobe at all. There different players. Lebron is no Kobe, Kobe is no LeBron, and neither of them are no Jordan. But 1 thing i can agree with in this post is that LeBron needs to make better decisions in the 4th quarter. Sure he scored 44 points tonight. But he also turned the ball over 8 times which probably led to 16-20 points on the other end. Also his Defense....I don't understand why everyone seems to think he is such a great Defender. Because he gets a steal or a block every now and then? He was Guarding Rafer tonight for a while and Alston lit him up. He Guarded Pietrus he lit him up. Lewis has lit him up every game this series. If people are gonna knock on LeBron it needs to be about his piss poor defense.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

You know we Wizard fans aren't fans of Lebron's antics. That said, he's certainly not what's wrong with Cleveland this series. Quite the opposite. James has easily been the best player in the postseason. IMO Lebron is better overall than Kobe. Period.

I think the problem the Cavs have against Orlando has to do matchup problems. There's really no way to matchup against all the three point shooters Orlando has. Lewis and Pietrus are killing the Cavs with threes.

Mo Williams can't find his shot. Mo has consistently shot around 32% from the field every single game this series. He's 6-27 or 22% from three point.

Code: Select all

 
Date      Opponent   Score     GS Min     M A Pct   M A Pct   
 May 26   @ ORL    L  114-116    1 46:55   5 15 33.3   0  3 0.0 
 May 24   @ ORL    L   89-99      1 41:51   5 16 31.3   3 10 30.0 
 May 22    ORL      W  96-95      1 42:13   7 21 33.3   1  6 16.7   
 May 20    ORL      L  106-107    1 41:41   6 19 31.6   2  8 25.0   
 

I think the Cavs best bet to win would be to try something different. Maybe have Lebron at 4, Pavlovic at 3, West at 2, Williams at 1, and Z at 5. The game plan should be to cover the perimeter better and just let Z, Varejao, Smith, and Wallace all take turns fouling Howard.

On offense West should have the green light inside. The Cavs also need to get Williams something coming off of screen roll or going to the basket. Williams has to shoot better for the Cavs to have a chance to win. Pavlovic should be on whichever is hotter between Turkoglu or Lewis.

The Cavs lost game 4 with Ben Wallace trying to guard Lewis.

Either way, if I were a Cleveland fan I'd recognize that the Magic just match up very well against the Cavs. It's definitely not Lebron causing the team to lose. Brown has coached better in the past, but I think it's just a case of the Magic being hard to defend on the perimeter and the Cavs concentrating on stopping Howard.

Let Howard earn his on the line, get a quicker team on the court, and get both Williams and West involved as scorers is what Brown should do IMO.

[rcklsscognition]

1. Once again we are absolutely atrocious in the post. This is the worst designed frontcourt in the NBA. Ferry should know these guys don't fit.

2. Mike Brown should be fired-Very similar to Mike Dantoni, he is not a good situational coach. He does not set his players up for success. Too many wide open three point shots. Still, he does not understand that Z should not be on the floor against Orlando. Terrence Kinsey, Ben Wallace, Joe Smith, and Pavolvic got no time again. Finally, Daniel Gibson got to play and did a good job. Having Ben Wallace in the game against Rashard Lewis leaves me speechless.

3. Lebron is not better than Kobe-Lebron is a great player. He is probably the best all around player, but what makes you a big time player is what you do in the 4th quarter to win. Jordan was great because he showed up in the 4th quarter. Kobe exhibits some of the same qualities. If Kobe does not hit the two big shots late in the quarter the Lakers are down 3-1 against the Nuggets. While LA has better overall talent, both Cleveland and LA are similar in that only have one late game scorer.

I would love for the Cavs to make a comeback, but Orlando has dictated the series in games the Cavs should have closed out. The Cavs are always chasing Orlando late in the game and we can see how much pressure they have put on them. I am now convinced that not only does Cleveland need to upgrade their frontcourt, but they need to find another consistent scorer. I am dissapointed that for all the hype the Cavs were just not that good this year. Fortunately, we are only a few moves away and a new coach from turning things around. There are a lot of reasonable free agents available that I feel can put Cleveland over the top. This series will hurt though.

Guess we know who shouldn't have been named COTY and who should have.....

This is your second warning
t'

[spurket]

Lebron vs Kobe shouldn't be an issue until Lebron wins just ONE championship ring. Kobe has 3, and very well on his way to 4, so it's not even close.

Pippen has 6 rings.

Do you think Pippen > Kobe?

[djericho]

It's on the coach and the Front office. Lebron is a better player than Kobe because of his physical gifts. You give Kobe that size and he'd be an unstoppable monster.

I expect Lebron to walk when the contract is up or fire off a parking lot "trade me demand" a la Kobe. Hopefully you find a good trade partner to eat up bad contracts. Cleveland's small market can't pay out to Lebron AND get him front court help.

[Rockmaninoff]

I agree with Chocolate City Jordanaire for the most part.

If you want to win the next game, start...

Gibson
West
Pavlovic
James
Varejao

...and go from there. LeBron needs to be Magic on the break, and Tim Duncan in the post. This might also solve some of the defensive issues, which in my opinion are the biggest ones.

[Sid the Squid]

Lebron vs Kobe shouldn't be an issue until Lebron wins just ONE championship ring. Kobe has 3, and very well on his way to 4, so it's not even close.

Fisher has 3 too..Fisher > James and it's not even close.

[LApwnd]

your GM should've done more or tried harder to get a top tier #2 with those expiring, IF you guys lose this series and can't get a legit #2 I see James bolting to NY for sure.

[crazytown]

Lebron vs Kobe shouldn't be an issue until Lebron wins just ONE championship ring. Kobe has 3, and very well on his way to 4, so it's not even close.

And Kobe would have more if he didn't let his ego get the best of him and ran out the player who won him those titles.

Lebron would have 5+ if he had Shaq in his prime. He's a team guy so there would be no way he'd throw Shaq under the bus like Kobe did.

[madmaxmedia]

I'm not comparing them because they are different players at different ages. They both get props for single-handedly taking their teams to the conference finals. I was really rooting for the Cavs last nite, LeBron had a great game except for some critical turnovers at the worst possible time near the end of the game.

OTOH, at the end of the game when Lebron had the ball at the top of the key and is trying to make something happen, basically all 5 Magic players are already watching him and waiting to collapse. Kobe is not getting much help either and is probably gonna be gassed by the end of the Denver series, which looks like a toss-up at this point.

It's a superstar driven league but it's hard for one guy to do it almost literally alone every game, in a 7 game series against a quality opponent. The Magic have 2 guys that can get their own shot, and a 3rd who is a tough cover as well. Denver is very similar. Could you imagine if LeBron or Kobe had Chauncey Billups on their team? Both teams would win relatively easily against their current opponents IMO.

[LA Warrior]

Lebron vs Kobe shouldn't be an issue until Lebron wins just ONE championship ring. Kobe has 3, and very well on his way to 4, so it's not even close.

Fisher has 3 too..Fisher > James and it's not even close.

Horry has 7 so.... Horry>Jordan. LOL

Nah but people have no right to bash Bron. Guy played as hard as he could and the fact remains that theres 5 guys on each side of the ball out there. You can't except 1 to win it all.

OT: I think we've reached the point were saying Kobe>Bron or LeBron>Kobe really shouldnt be insulting to either fan base. both of these guys are straight BALLERS. there is no clear cut better player IMO. i could careless though the only > i care about is Lakers>Rest of the NBA.

[next2spike]

2. Mike Brown should be fired-Very similar to Mike Dantoni, he is not a good situational coach. He does not set his players up for success. Too many wide open three point shots. Still, he does not understand that Z should not be on the floor against Orlando. Terrence Kinsey, Ben Wallace, Joe Smith, and Pavolvic got no time again. Finally, Daniel Gibson got to play and did a good job. Having Ben Wallace in the game against Rashard Lewis leaves me speechless.

Are you saying D'Antoni doesn't set his players up for success? That's why with D'Antoni, everyone that played for him with NY this past year were playing their best basketball of their careers. You can't be serious. Mike Brown is not in the same conversation as Mike D'Antoni. Any coach can get COTY with LeBron.