East Wide open still

[Koorverfor3]

Sixers fan here, come in peace, Huge LeBron Fan.
Just wondering where you guys are with your season where your struggles lie.

I really think the East is still yours. As great as ATL is playing they are nothing but the feel good story that my Sixers were overachieving with Doug Collins or Larry Browns Bobcats hounding perimeter players with Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace leading the way....terrific coaching, getting everything out of their team. But talent prevails.
There have been a few teams that have gotten to the Finals without a sure fire first ballot Hall of Famer (Top 5 at position discussion all time) But they all had top 2-3 defenses hands down in the league.

Off the top of my head..Detroit. Who had criminally underrated Chauncey Billups who you can make an argument for top 10 PG all time. Guy had everything in his arsenal, from shooting, clutch gene, defense.
Regardless even if you do not acknowledge his star power, they boasted the stingiest defense perhaps in the past 15 yrs.
The Orlando Magic in 2008..by now we can look back and realize Dwight is far from a David Robinson, Hakeem transcendent type talent he was hyped up to be. More of an Alonzo Mourning, very great center, primarily defensive. They were holding opponents to roughly 92-94 ppg

The Hawks may be 3rd in defense in 2014, but they are letting up 97ppg..far from the dominant defenses we've seen in the past from last years Pacers, the KG led Celtics or even Memphis of the past 2 seasons. That level of defense isn't nearly enough to compensate for lack of star power. Plus they have no Elite defender on their roster period. Al Horford I would label as a "Good".

As for Washington, I think its very easy to game plan against John Wall. Most of his bad games and struggles come against good teams with solid coaching. Thats the problem building your team around a point guard..if he's having a bad game the whole team falls apart. You need a second playmaker as insurance, just like Isiaha had Dumors, Magic had Norm Nixon, Chauncey had Tayshaun Prince to initiate offense..Stockton didn't have that luxury, could have been a reason the Jazz never came through.
Wall is about the only player who can dribble to create his shot on that whole team..unless you count Paul Pierce but his quickness is just about shot, really can't get to spots like he used to. Andre Miller is a decent playmaker still but can't share the floor with their best player due to shooting issues. Wall needs to improve upon his shaky 2013 playoffs before I label him top 10 star..and just like Atlanta their average defense really isn't enough to overcompensate.

The Bulls are a solid team top to bottom. But again their defense isn't what it was. Never really bought into the hype that Joakim Noah was an elite defender. When I think Elite I think Roy Hibbert, David Robinson, Ben Wallace even Serge Ibaka. Guys who you know you can't bully or take shots into the paint against that ALSO give you the same type of versatility and mobility as a Noah. Still a good team but this isn't the same defense for whatever reason..If I had to guess I would say its the fact that Aaron Brooks, Mirotic and Dunleavy who are all severe defensive liabilities are getting significant burn.


As for Cleveland what has been the root of your struggle this season? Miami didn't look hot the first quarter of the season either until they realized how to gel.
I loved Kyrie Irving ever since he lit me up for 28points in a high school tournament. Always saw him as an Iverson type...a lethal scorer who should play OFF the ball. Why try and limit his best skill and try to make him a pure point guard. How is he gelling with LeBron taking more of the playmaking responsibility.
Never bought into the Love top 10 player BS..always saw him as a terrific starter to have on a team and simply "All Star" Caliber. He is what he is. Elite spot up shooter who can kill you in pick and roll, bit of liability on defense. Still think its a great pairing with LeBron.

When Dialed in especially in the playoffs LeBron still is an Elite level defender, just throw in a half decent rim protector and I think the East is yours.
I would offer Memphis a Package of Waiters and a First Rounder for Koufos and Quincy Pondexter.
Koufos is a solid 2 way player who knows his limits..I don't know if his rim protection numbers are a fluke but he always looks good whenever I see him play. Pondexter is out of favor in Memphis wing rotation. Gave them quality playoff mins a few years ago could be a terrific player for you guys

[jbk1234]

It's pretty simple actually. We were a bad defensive team before Andy got hurt. Then we became a .500 team after this injury because our defense was so porous. Then LBJ got hurt and we were playing like an 8th seed. Then Love got hurt and we were playing like a lottery team with Andy, LBJ, and Love out. Now Love is back and Kyrie is hurt so who knows how we are going to play.

In terms of chemistry, the biggest problem I see is that LBJ didn't realize how bad this team was defensively until he stepped onto the floor and experienced it. He wanted to coast on defense during the regular season and his team just isn't good enough for him to do that. I'm hoping he shut it down because he realized he's going to have to play hard on defense.

[King Stannis]

Defense isn't good. However, it could be, and has been, better when the likes of Irving and Waiters give effort.

I am not going to re-evaluate this team until it gets healthy.

I will say this though: I doubt any team in the East would like to be dealt a healthy Cavs team in a playoff series.

[jbk1234]

Defense isn't good. However, it could be, and has been, better when the likes of Irving and Waiters give effort.

I am not going to re-evaluate this team until it gets healthy.

I will say this though: I doubt any team in the East would like to be dealt a healthy Cavs team in a playoff series.

Even when Kyrie and Dion have given effort, the PNR defense has been horrible because of Love. It's like watching a boxer just aim for the cut above the other fighter's eye. Until they have a big who can rotate over and actually provide some defensive resistance, it's going to be a long season on that end of the court.

[panthermark]

Yes, the east is wide open.

If was supposed to be the Cavs and the Bulls....even with their known problems going in.

The Cavs has stumbled with growing pains...and with AV out, that suspect defense is going to be a major problem.

The Bulls? Talk to me when the play-offs start. If everyone is still healthy, they will be the favorites in the east.....but that is always a big "if".

The Hawks? Playing great....but it is hard to 3 point shoot your way through multiple 7 games series.

That Raps? Can score.....but damn...that defense (or lack there of).

The Wizards? Everybody stopped fearing them when they swapped Ariza for Pierce.

[King Stannis]

We may see a change tonight.

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