devwat12 wrote:Lebron sat out 6.5 games with injuries that he probably played through if the Cavs were in a bitter playoff battle. If you assume the Cavs go 4-3 in those games, their record would be 39-22 which would put them right in the middle of the playoff hunt in the West.
The weak East argument doesn't hold much weight. They went 19-11 against the West last year and will most likely go 18-12 this year. It's not like they are getting murdered by the West and mowing down the East. They actually tend to play better against stronger competition.
I think there are dynamics involved in this argument that can't be quantified. They have known they are locked into playing Boston AND Detroit in the playoffs for months now. Things would be different in the West. They would have extra motivation knowing that they can improve their positioning.
You could also make an argument that they have been struck by injuries more than any other contender. They have been down 2 or 3 of their top 7 almost all season.
In short, yes. I think they would make it. Lebron wouldn't let his team miss the playoffs at this stage in his career.
QFT
dingclancy wrote:They are 5-11 against the top 9 teams in the West. So.. no...
Its a good thing they wouldnt only play the top teams in the West then isnt it? I'm quite sure you can put up stats like that for quite a few teams. 5-11 vs the top 9 teams means they are 11-1 against the rest of the West. Translate those numbers out to a full year then.
Facts are facts. The Cavs have played better against the West then the East this year, and they had the best record of any Eastern team against the West last year as well so its no statistical fluke. There is absolutely no evidance to suggest they would have a worse record in the West than in the East, and actually there is more evidance to support just the opposite.
Obviously the freakish amount of injuries as well as the holdouts have caused their record to take a hit, but again they do have the best record in the East in 2008. Another odd stat that goes to show the Cavs resolve this year, they have not had one game where their top 7 guys were all healthy at the same time. Not one. Would love to see another team deal with all of the injuries the Cavs have had this year and still be in the place for a run like they are.
Oh and for the guy that posted that he doesnt believe teams play at a lower gear when they can... what NBA have you been watching? Almost every team does that. Hell even LeBron himself said last year he was just saving himself up the first few months for the stretch run and the playoffs. His quote was something like; seeding doesnt matter, just get me in the playoffs and watch what happens. I know many fans that wont even watch the NBA until at least Feb or March because "thats when teams really start to play". Here's the truth about it though, coasting works! The strategy of playing just well enough to put yourself in a winning position is proven. So, yes I do believe teams coast when they can.
