Why does everyone outside cleveland think the cavs can't win? Don't you remember the 03-04 Pistons beating the Lakers (4-1) despite being an 8-1 underdog?
The Cavs are a 5-1 dog. The Spurs are favored for a reason, and rightfully so, but don't think it's unreasonable that the Cavs win the series.
2007-06-05 06:28:13 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Basketball
You make a valid point however the Lakers had serious issues at that time with discontinuity in that team and Detroit was a team that was amazing they had a great bench(Okur whose now a starter etc.) Pistons were just a team that really was one dominant team-playing center(who scores) from ascending to Dynasty level. The Spurs are extremely stable right now even if they lose the 1st game they will not panic. Popovich is just too good a coach look at their games after losing to an opponent. Denver game 2, Phoenix game 3, game 5, and especially Utah Game 4(after being blown out 26 points). Utah looked confident and yet were humbled in the 4th Quarter of that game. They are a poised team and with the veteran leadership of Duncan, Ginobli, Parker. Look at the close out games I think their record is 20-4. Once they see a team losing in confidence they will not hesitate to attack. If Cleveland was down 0-2 to the spurs team unlike Detroit Spurs would do everything possible to go up at least 3-1. As much as Cleveland needs to end their championship drought I would be absolutely stunned if Lebron pulls this off. I like many give the Cavs little chance against such an amazing team if not for Duncan's injury ridden season last year this might have been his attempt at a 5th title(almost Jordanesque). However this experience will be good for Lebron who has shown that even with a cast that could use some improvement the team is championship material. BUT still anything can happen I mean the Cavs did beat the favored Pistons team so you can't say a lack of playoff experience will unravel this cavaliers team.
2007-06-05 06:54:28 · answer #1 · answered by RKN8643 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's a good point you made about the lakers "all stars of '04".
The only reason why I would say the Cavs can't win is because the way the Cavs have been winning. Lebron carried the team with a role player here and there that stepped up. The only issue is, after Gibson, the other role players like side show bob are too incosistent. If you look at the match ups, the spurs have too many weapons. The '04 pistons were run and gun compared to the slow footed veteran laker team, which is why the lakers lost...they were too slow. The spurs are compiled of a team of veterans but they also can speed up or slow down the tempo. I would love to see the Cavs win but realistically the Spurs will win....
Playing the Spurs is like old men playing at the "Y"
2007-06-05 06:41:30 · answer #2 · answered by pxp608 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The Cavs basically have one player that can light you up big time and that is LeBron.
The Spurs have three players: Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili.
The Spurs have a deeper bench and that matters the most in the playoffs. Sure the Cavs have Gibson, but does anyone honestly think that the Spurs will leave him wide open on the wing to just score at will.
A lot of people said the Nuggets and Jazz could beat the Spurs and they both won one game. Experience means the world in the playoffs, the Spurs have been there, they know what to do, and they have enormous respect for the Cavs and their style of play.
When the Pistons won in 2004, the Lakers had a dream line up that basically self destructed in the finals, because all four players wanted to be MVP (Kobe, Shaq, Malone, Payton). They also went in with a chip on their shoulders and had no respect for the Pistons.
The Spurs are not likely to make the same mistake as the Lakers did in 2004.
2007-06-05 06:46:05 · answer #3 · answered by Labradorables Rock! 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The people who think the Cavs are done have no clue. The Cavs are going to be the toughest defense the Spurs have faced in a long time, and any team with LeBron James is very, very dangerous. The Cavs were also the #1 Offensive Rebounding team in the league. The Cavs are also younger, and will work harder and hustle more than the Spurs. Remember, the Cavs havent lost to the Spurs since the 05-06 season, and they are in the Finals for a reason. You dont just beat the Detroit Pistons on luck alone.
DO NOT BE SUPRISED IF THE CAVALIERS ARE THE 2007 NBA CHAMPIONS.
2007-06-05 06:35:58 · answer #4 · answered by cold 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'm a Spurs fan, so consider that bias in what is to follow.....
I don't give the Cavs a credible chance in the series. Yes, they did sweep the Spurs in the regular season, but that was a very different Spurs team than the current one. Gregg Poppovich approaches every season this way, trying different lineups and rotations and really using the regular season the way that many coaches use the pre-season. You will notice that the Spurs always seem to peak at the right time.
I honestly expect the series to go six games, probably with the Cavs winning once in San Antonio, maybe game 2. Then, Pop will do with that what he does well......get his team really pissed off and angry and then they will let the Cavs have it. You will notice that when the Spurs lay an egg, they always play well in the next game. I would love to be a fly on the wall in the locker room after a loss.
2007-06-05 06:55:53 · answer #5 · answered by lmnop 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think the series is pretty even when you take out Duncan from the equation. If it is the spurs minus duncan vs the cavs, that's an equal matchup. I think parker and ginoboli can be equalized by lebron and Gibson and the damage they can do. I think the question becomes how do the cavs stop Duncan. I dont think the cavs have an answer for that. I think the cavs can maybe contain Tim for a game or 2, but they wont do it consistantly for the series, and thats what its going to take to win the series. But you never know. Anything can happen, and Lebron has such great potential, you just never know what he is capable of. IF lebron bring what he brought in Game 5 to the spurs series, Yeah I am not sure the spurs could stop that, if anyone could stop that. But spurs are so fundamentality sound, its gonna take an unbelievable effort on the part of James to Win this series. My prediction spurs in 6.
2007-06-05 06:44:06 · answer #6 · answered by Mike 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
First and foremost, the Cavs are just an average team while the Spurs have weapons at nearly every position. Without Lebron James, the Cavs are a run of the mill middle of the road NBA team. The Cavs front court will have its hands full trying to contain Tim Duncan and the Cavs back court will have its hands full trying to contain Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.
The Cavs won't get those east uncontested 3 point shots that Detroit gave up.
2007-06-05 06:36:01 · answer #7 · answered by Phade3 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the Cavs have a chance...sure. But this is a team and a city that places the weight of the world on one 22-year-old's shoulders. The pressure of the Finals is insane, and I won't be surprised if LBJ chokes.
The Spurs, Lakers, and Pistons championship teams all had/have multiple key players that can shoulder the burden.
Having just one key player is why the Cavaliers will not win this year.
2007-06-05 06:51:43 · answer #8 · answered by Heidi W 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's why you play them....have to get in the cliche. I like the Spurs in 5 very close games, due to my belief the Cavs are an off-season of tweaking and getting Z good bench help in making a serious run at the title. This is all literally money in the bank for the Cavs.
2007-06-05 09:52:18 · answer #9 · answered by Zombie Birdhouse 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because the Cavaliers got lucky that the Pistons didn't have Ben Wallace cuz of they did the Cavs would be the ones emptying out their lockers right now not the Pistons so be carefull of the Detroit Pistons becuase we're comin back strong next year we're not about to lose yet another series
2007-06-05 07:06:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋