Round:2 - Cavs vs Celtics

[heathmalc]

This is one of those series (Like Dallas/San Antonio) that could have a few "ugly" moments. These two teams do not like each other, and when they play... That Woofin' is non-stop; from BOTH sides!!!

Normally, I'd say that the Cavaliers should win this series in 5 or maybe 6 games. However, due to the competitive nature of the two teams' main stars (LeBron,Shaq,Mo,/Big-3) I think this is one of those series where you can throw out most of the stats. Let me break it down like this:

PG: Rondo is the superior PG, both at running a team, and defensively. Mo is the more dangerous scorer, but due to Rondo's defense, I am inclined to give them a draw at the scoring end. This would seemingly give Rondo the edge, as he is the better play-maker... the thing is, Mo isn't the play-maker for the Cavs. He plays the point, but is really just a glorified, undersized SG. I think that Mo will average more points, while Rondo will get a lot more assists and boards. However, I think that due to the nature of the Cavaliers' offense being predicated on LeBron, rather than Mo, that this evens these two out, and makes this position a draw... even though Rondo is CLEARLY the better PG!

SG: Both Anthony Parker and Ray Allen are excellent defenders, and both can drive, and shoot the 3-ball. That being said, Ray is the better, and more dangerous scorer. Ray can shoot his three off the dribble, with relatively high accuracy. Parker is not very good when he is forced to shoot the three off the dribble, on a pull-up. Ray gets the nod here, as he is the better scorer, and I believe he is the more versatile defender as well.

SF: Both LeBron and Paul are in the top 3 at their position in the NBA. Either can score 40-50 points on any given night, and both are triple double threats. In addition, both players are good defenders, and team leaders. LeBron gets the edge here mostly due to his strength & Speed advantages, which also allow him to defend 4 positions on the floor; making him more versatile for the Cavs than Paul is for the Celtics. LeBron has had issues for the last month with his elbow, and it has the possibility of being an issue, although he says it is fine. That being the case (the possibility of the elbow being an issue), I am inclined to make this match-up a closer fight, than normal: Normally, I'd give LeBron the clear-cut advantage with speed,size, and youth... but a possible injury makes this a closer battle in my opinion....regardless of what LeBron says.

PF: Kevin Garnett and Antawn Jamison should be one of the more interesting match-ups of the series. Kevin is a sure-fire HOFer, and age is creeping up on him. However, he seems relatively healthy right now, and has played well in the post season. Both players are past their prime, but Antawn has remained mostly injury free, and due to the way Washington played, he did not take as much of a pounding as most PFs do... he was more like a 2nd Small forward, even though he played PF. As far as defense goes, Kevin is far and away the better defender, as Antawn has never been known for his defensive prowess. Antawn is the better, more versatile scorer - He is dangerous from the 3pt-line, yet can drive the ball to the paint, and can post-up smaller players. If Garnett is guarding Antawn, he (Jamison) will likely draw Kevin to the perimeter by shooting 3's; if the Celtics switch-up defenders (say Pierce or TAllen), then Antawn will post-up. The wide range of possibilities between Kevin and Antawn ensure that this will be one of the MAIN areas of concern for both teams! It wouldn't surprise me if the winner of this battle was the main factor in which team won the game/series.

Center: Perkins has the advantage of youth...BY MILES, and he has turned into a really good defender. Shaq, although older, and just a glimmer of his former self, is still a big guy, who can, at times, turn it on! When Shaq has the ball in the paint, he still commands a double, as there isn't any center in the league (Possible exception of healthy Yao Ming) that can prevent him from backing them down. Shaq does have a propensity of using his elbows on these drives though, and often gets offensive fouls called on him for it (9 in the Chicago series). Overall, I give Perkins the edge, because he is likely to stay on the floor longer, thus be more valuable to his team.

The Benches: For the Celtics, Davis, TAllen, and Finley are your best bench guys. Nate, Daniels, and Wallace could be big factors too, but are not as reliable as the other 3. For the Cavaliers, Varejao, West, Moon, Hickson, Ilgauskas, and Gibson will likely be the active bench guys, with West, Varejao and Moon getting the majority of the bench minutes. Powe is also a possibility, but knowing MB, he is unlikely to make Powe play against his former team/friends. I believe that the edge here is definitely weighted to the Cavaliers. West and Varejao were both starters last year, but were moved to the bench so it would be stronger. In addition, Jamario Moon has played well, and is a versatile defender who can also shoot the 3. Ilgauskas and Hickson give the Cavaliers 2 big men... coming off the bench, who started a combined 80 games this year. This gives the Cavaliers a LOT of depth in the front-court, where I think this series will be decided.

Final analysis: Despite the woofing that is always going on between these two teams, it is not due to a lack of respect. These teams respect one another, and both know that this series will be a dog-fight - that may include a few ejections. This may be the only true rivalry left in the Eastern conference right now, as these two teams have been battling for conference supremacy for the last 3 years... both during the regular season, and the post season. Currently, Boston holds "court"... meaning, that the Celtics won the last playoff series, and since they were even during the regular season, Boston feels that the Cavaliers have to "take" the series from them, despite the fact that the Cavaliers have home-court.

As I said when I started this post, this series is going to be very competitive, and will be a knock-down, drag-out affair. Whoever (whichever) team wins this series...will have earned it, as no Ref will be able to keep up with all the hard fouls that will be dealt out (by both teams). This should make for an EXTREMELY entertaining series, and possibly the best series of the 2010 post-season.

I will give the edge to the home team, but wont go any farther than saying: "they have the edge." However, one game can change that...which is why I wont go any further in my predictions. What I will say is this: Whatever team wins this series... I think they will go on to win the 2010 NBA title. I think this because I don't believe either team will face a more determined team than they will this series; all other teams will be "determined-lite", in contrast.

[wigglestrue]

Both Anthony Parker and Ray Allen are excellent defenders

As someone said in the Celtics forum: WTF?

[tidho]

Ray Allen being an excellent defenderr jumped out at me too...I'd say, not so much.

This could be a rough series. You know the Celtics are going after the elbow.

It will be interesting how Shaq responds to Big Baby. We may see if he things Davis went after the thumb on purpose after the original injury.

This is going to be good perimeter defense practice. Celtics are going to have three shooters on the floor a lot of the time.

Biggest key is if we can stay in front of Rondo.

[Celts17Pride]

heathmalc,

Good summary for the most part. I think the key to the series is the benches. Cleveland has a stronger bench and more depth then the Celtics. If the Celtics get strong bench play then Cleveland could be in trouble. IMO.

[Ballah]

The way the C's were playing the second half of the season i honestly did not believe we would be seeing them in the second round, but they showed they still have some gas in the old rusted out tank in that Miami series. Specially during game 2 without Garnett. I say we win in six rough and bumpy games, and hopefully we are not too banged and bruised for Orlando.

[heathmalc]

Well, I think this will be a good series... even if it only lasts 5-6 games! I think every game will have a lot of drama in it... I, personally cannot wait.

BTW: I posted this on the Celtic board also, under "Breakin' Down Cavs vs Celtics ." I did this so that fans from both forums (who may not goto other teams' forums) could comment on my thoughts, and so I could further explain the thinking behind my reasoning. If you are interested in what Celtic fans have to say about this, then goto: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1006868

[heathmalc]

The way the C's were playing the second half of the season i honestly did not believe we would be seeing them in the second round, but they showed they still have some gas in the old rusted out tank in that Miami series. Specially during game 2 without Garnett. I say we win in six rough and bumpy games, and hopefully we are not too banged and bruised for Orlando.

Um, they played the Miami Heat... who would have been the 7th seed if Chicago didn't have all those injuries (during which they lost 14 of 15 games & a 10 game losing streak), and if Bogut hadn't gotten injured for the season.

However... Boston fans are under the impression that Miami was the stronger team; so they are of the strong belief (most of them) that the Celtics will win the series.

[Rise Against]

Was just going to start a new thread today, but I'll just leave what I left off on in here.






At last, we meet again.








2 years ago...





































Now. . . It's time for revenge. .

.................................................. vs.

.....................................................................................................................................[61-21]...................................................................................................................[50-32]


_____ _____



Mo Williams



Anthony Parker



LeBron James



Antawn Jamison



Shaquille O'Neal



Delonte West | Andy Varejao | Jamario Moon | Big Z | JJ Hickson | Jawad Williams | Leon Powe | Danny Green



......................................................................................................................





Rajon Rondo



Ray Allen



Paul Pierce



Kevin Garnett



Kendrick Perkins



_____ _____



Beat The Celtics!

[heathmalc]

Those were some FUNNY, FUNNY pics!!!! +100000000000000000000000000000000

[Rise Against]

Can't leave this one out.





As for the series, I am hoping the Cavs can take this in 5 games. This will probably go to 6 games at most. I wouldn't mind seeing a game 7 however..

[heathmalc]

Celtic fans may get upset at me now... I had to share these pics with them.... couldn't let them miss out on such genius.

[Triumph36]

I think the Cavs could win in 5 if MB uses good rotations. Of course I don't have much of a reason to think he will, so it'll probably go 6.

[prekazi]

Ray Allen is the man, for the rest of them: show no mercy.

[Green Giant]

Warned for baiting

[Rise Against]

Warned for baiting

You won't have to worry about that at all.. You should be more concerned about your own team. The C's are done after this season.

[Celts17Pride]

The C's are done after this season.

Been hearing this for 3 years now.

[wigglestrue]

I don't know if it was intentional, but that kind of looks like Michael Jackson near the end.

Actually, maybe after the end, what he looks like in his grave.

[Benedict_Boozer]

If we come to play and Mo/Jamison produce at the level they are capable of and Mike Brown adjusts to use quick/athletic lineups when appropriate (e.g. play JJ Hickson more) I think we take this series in 5-6 games.

If Mo chokes it up and/or Brown makes dumb rotation decisions, we could have some problems.

Regardless I'd rather have a tough series against BOS if we can make it through healthy to prepare us for the ECF with ORL.

[landphil]

Cavs win it in 5 is my prediction, the celtics looked decent last series but I dont know if they can really challenge the cavs enough to take it to 6 or 7 games, they dont have any depth and they are shortening their bench even more with Nate Robinson playing a total of 17 minutes the entire series (including a DNP). If we have to face off against the celtics and the players they are throwing off their bench are Sheed (who cant defend a lick and also now cant shoot) Michael Finley and Tony Allen, then we are in good shape.

[Rise Against]

Been hearing this for 3 years now.

I haven't been thoroughly impressed with the C's since Christmas.. I was shocked to only see them win 50 games, finishing with the 4th seed.. Everyone on their team looks washed up with the exception of Rondo.. I don't know what will happen to the team next season, but they seem like they are done.. This season is their last chance. Good luck the rest of the way.