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See, I'm of the opinion that Detroit remains the team to beat in the eastern conference in the playoffs. But, that's just me. Something must be said about their playoffs experience and years of being teammates, Billups, Hamilton, Prince and Wallace, as starters. Besides, they're still a tough defensive team to match up against. Boston will be right there with team when it's all said in done, I believe. For me, it's Detroit, Boston, Orlando and then Cleveland. After that, you've Toronto and Washington and whichever other two teams decide to make a strong run in March and April. Could one team be Atlanta? Perhaps, if they're acquiring the old Mike Bibby and assuming the trade goes through.

The Cavaliers' LeBron James made a bold remark: "Boston has to beat us. We're the defending (Eastern Conference) champs." New York Post

just like every team(including cavs) has to beat the spurs. . shocking stuff

He is right. We have to beat them. And we will! If we meet of course...

The 2006-07 Eastern Conference championship is so yesterday.

If Cleveland were any good--they'd pass up Orlando and then we probably wouldn't even see them....Detroit and the Cavs could beat each other up in the 2nd round.

If both teams are at full strength, we the C's beat the breaks off the Cavs in a 7 game series.

he is right and we still need to even the season series with them as well. i am confident in our team, but anyone who thinks a motivated lbj in a 7 game series will be easy to take down as sadly mistaken. lbj took his game to a completly different level last season in the playoffs.. nothing is guaranteed

Well, actually, the Celtics will "need" to beat whoever they meet in the playoffs.

Right now the Cavaliers are as about close to the Celts as they are to the Knicks and they are about even with Toronto. If they get by their first round opponents, it is a possibility that we will have to beat them. He is only fueling all other Eastern Conference potential playoff team's fires.

But it is so nice to be the ones who everyone is shooting for.

We may have to play them in the 2nd round if the seeding happens like this.

Possible Playoff Picture

1. Boston
8. Philly

4. Cleveland
5. Toronto

3. Orlando
6. Washington

2. Detroit
7. Atlanta

I don't understand the Detroit is the team to beat argument that I hear everywhere. They haven't been to the finals in three years losing to seemingly inferior teams that last two years..

UGA Hayes wrote:I don't understand the Detroit is the team to beat argument that I hear everywhere. They haven't been to the finals in three years losing to seemingly inferior teams that last two years..

I think Detroit is the 2nd best team(in the east) because they've got such a solid starting five. Plus they have a bench that is finally starting to get minutes. The Cavs have only 1 go to guy on their team. All the rest are just roleplayers.

I'll say this though Lebron is the best player in the conference and he can carry his team to victory singlehandedly most times.

Okay Lebron. Then I guess if you're asking, the C's will have to beat you.

He was able to get his team into the finals last year and beat a pretty good team in Detroit to get there. He's earned the right to say those words. And hopefully we'll earn the right to make him eat them.

SuperDeluxe wrote:The 2006-07 Eastern Conference championship is so yesterday.

So last year...

We stocked up with talent. Detroit is a much better team than last year. Hayes, Maxiell and Stuckey are good compliments to the bench. The Cavs have done nothing this past off-season to warrant anything at all. Sure they won the East last year but last year was last year. Every team's agenda changes every year. The way things look, their 3rd or 4th in this conference.

It seems that LeBron is backpedaling a bit, and now is saying (as per the Wiretap):

"We're not that good. That's what everyone talks about. We beat Detroit. We didn't beat Detroit; Detroit beat themselves. Washington was missing key guys, and New Jersey didn't play up to their capabilities. Enough of the Cavs now. You all got me a little upset."

In other words: beating the Cavs (who are "not that good") would prove nothing.

LeBron was being sarcastic to the media when he said that. You probably don't know what that means.

death valley40 wrote:LeBron was being sarcastic to the media when he said that. You probably don't know what that means.

Are you being sarcastic?

death valley40 wrote:LeBron was being sarcastic to the media when he said that. You probably don't know what that means.

No, first time I hear the concept. Care to share the wisdom?

EDIT: I'll try to explain my ignorant post to you, knowledge master. You can't say that X team needs to beat yours in order to show how good X team is, and then go cry to the media about your team's owner not doing enough to make your team good. Capisce?