I read that Clev. has won the last 3 over the Spurs...

[kutulu 1,727]

why isn't anyone giving them a chance.

[Strike 6,126]

I don't think anyone is saying they have 0% chance but personally I think it's slim. As I've mentioned time and time again regarding Phoenix, playoff basketball is a different animal than the regular season because you get to game plan for 7 games against a team instead of just quickly game planning for a single game and then moving on to the next team. You get to tweak your game plan game to game to find out what works best to exploit your opponents weaknesses and take advantage of your strengths. Mike Brown, coach of the Cavs, used to be an assistant at San Antonio so both of these coaches know each other very well. It should be an interesting series but, at the end of the day, the best team should win and IMO that's the Spurs. Throw out the last few regular season games. They don't mean squat.

[schaef2k 0]

I don't think anyone is saying they have 0% chance but personally I think it's slim. As I've mentioned time and time again regarding Phoenix, playoff basketball is a different animal than the regular season because you get to game plan for 7 games against a team instead of just quickly game planning for a single game and then moving on to the next team. You get to tweak your game plan game to game to find out what works best to exploit your opponents weaknesses and take advantage of your strengths. Mike Brown, coach of the Cavs, used to be an assistant at San Antonio so both of these coaches know each other very well. It should be an interesting series but, at the end of the day, the best team should win and IMO that's the Spurs. Throw out the last few regular season games. They don't mean squat.

 

What ever helps you sleep at night. CAVs WIN IN 6 AGAIN BABY!!!

[JT 137]

Cleveland's activity exposed Detroit's old legs. Ilgauskas, who imo was the most important player in the series, did what few expected: disdained his career penchant for shooting 15 ft 'jumpers' ('jump', not so much) and anchored himself on the low blocks, utilizing his huge height advantage on the decrepit Webber, disinterested Wallace, and grossly undersized McDyess. It was a great performance.

 

There were some stats going in that should have given me and others that picked Detroit cause for concern. The Cavs, as a team, don't shoot the ball very well (24th in the NBA), but that's offset by Detroit's weakness in defensive rebounding (27th). Cleveland, on the other hand, is a very good rebounding team (4th overall), while the Pistons only ranked 20th in FG%. Should have been a red flag.

 

San Antonio is the 5th best defensive rebounding team, and ranks 2nd in team FG%. They're also the league's best at defending the 3pt shot. Guys like Gibson won't get the looks they got against Detroit. Oberto, Ellison and Horry give the Spurs three big bodies to throw at Ilgauskas, leaving Duncan to guard the offensively inept Sideshow Bob. Parker and Ginobili will put much more pressure on the Cleveland guards defensively than the Pistons did.

 

Add the experience factor, and I'll take the Spurs in 5.

[Cdub100 3,996]

Spurs Sweep

[kutulu 1,727]

Cleveland's activity exposed Detroit's old legs. Ilgauskas, who imo was the most important player in the series, did what few expected: disdained his career penchant for shooting 15 ft 'jumpers' ('jump', not so much) and anchored himself on the low blocks, utilizing his huge height advantage on the decrepit Webber, disinterested Wallace, and grossly undersized McDyess. It was a great performance.

 

There were some stats going in that should have given me and others that picked Detroit cause for concern. The Cavs, as a team, don't shoot the ball very well (24th in the NBA), but that's offset by Detroit's weakness in defensive rebounding (27th). Cleveland, on the other hand, is a very good rebounding team (4th overall), while the Pistons only ranked 20th in FG%. Should have been a red flag.

 

San Antonio is the 5th best defensive rebounding team, and ranks 2nd in team FG%. They're also the league's best at defending the 3pt shot. Guys like Gibson won't get the looks they got against Detroit. Oberto, Ellison and Horry give the Spurs three big bodies to throw at Ilgauskas, leaving Duncan to guard the offensively inept Sideshow Bob. Parker and Ginobili will put much more pressure on the Cleveland guards defensively than the Pistons did.

 

Add the experience factor, and I'll take the Spurs in 5.

 

You make a compelling case.

[JT 137]

You make a compelling case.

 

Guess we'll see. I've been watching this stuff for 35+ years, and that Cleveland really snuck up on me. Just goes to show that it always pays to at least take a look at the stats. There's nothing more fundamental in the game than how often I put it in the hoop vs how well you handle the times that I don't.

[KSB2424 3,174]

As much as my mind tells me that SA wins this series with ease. I refuse to make any predictions until LeBron takes off that Superman cape.

[kutulu 1,727]

As much as my mind tells me that SA wins this series with ease. I refuse to make any predictions until LeBron takes off that Superman cape.

[JT 137]

 

Add the experience factor, and I'll take the Spurs in 5.

 

I forgot about the NBA's goofy 2-3-2 finals format. Make it Spurs in 6.

[remote controller 143]

I forgot about the NBA's goofy 2-3-2 finals format. Make it Spurs in 6.

You are likely right. I like the Spurs, but I want the cavs to win!

[Cdub100 3,996]

Spurs Sweep

 

Money

[BMoney 0]

ill say spurs in 6....

 

lebron will fold up like a tent...